A fundamental study of remote-controlled nanomaterials

With the rapid advancement of nanotechnology and biotechnology in the past decade, there is an increasing interest in emerging interdisciplinary research among the engineering community in solving biomedical problems such as improving the quality of life of patients with degenerative disease. In this dissertation, we presented a fundamental study of remote-controlled nanomaterials in a 13.56-MHz radio frequency field with the hope that this study will contribute modestly to our existing knowledge of remote actuation of nanomaterials and remote manipulation of biomolecules using a radio frequency field. Specifically; we (1) discussed the synthesis of gold and silver nanocolloids with narrow size distribution and good stability; (2) discussed the biofunctionalization of gold and silver nanoparticles with oligonucleotides; (3) synthesized smart, thermoresponsive nanocomposite from hydrogel and multiwalled carbon nanotubes; (4) investigated the thermoswitchable electrical conductivity of the smart nanocomposites; (5) performed the biocompatibility analysis of the smart nanocomposites; (6) characterized the heating properties and thermoresponsiveness of these nanocomposites and nanocolloids in a 13.56-MHz radio frequency field; and (7) demonstrated, for the first time, the remote manipulation of biomolecules in a 13.56-MHz radio frequency field. A preliminary report on the remote heating of water film in a 13.56-MHz radio frequency field was also presented in the appendix.;KEYWORDS: Remote-controlled nanomaterials, nanoparticles, oligonucleotides, thermoresponsive hydrogels, radio frequency.