MICROSCOPY
Take a look to something invisible that can solve the biggest problems

Platinum-gold alloy nanoparticles synthesized by Human Melanoma cells
Melanoma (human cancer) cells are able to synthesize metallic nanoparticles through chemical reduction of the metallic ions that are added to the cellular media. In this particular case, small nanoparticles (20-30 nm) of amorphous shape, made of platinum-gold alloy are embedded in the remaining cellular debris after a sanitation process with the aim to disrupt the cellular membranes and purify the nanoparticles.

Selenium nanoparticles synthesized inside a matrix of orange juice
Fruit juices are suitable mediator the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles, since they are able to offer both reductor sugars and proteins, needed to the stabilization of the nanostructure. Here, the release of spherical nanoparticles from the juice matrix to the aqueous media.

Bacteriogenic selenium nanoparticles made by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
The nano-trojan horse. When antibiotic resistant bacteria generate the weapon that can destroy them. Here, Pseudomonas aeruginosa synthesized selenium nanoparticles after purification of the media, with the presence of a natural coating composed of biomolecules provided by the bacteria.

Palladium-silver alloy nanoparticles synthesized using honey
Honey is demonstrated to be a suitable media for the synthesis of extremely tiny metallic nanoparticles, due to the presence of reducing sugars and proteins. Here, nanoparticles made of silver and palladium with a range of size of 5-10 nm, showing dendritic shape.

Paladium-gold nanoparticles synthesized by Human Dermal Fibroblasts cells
Healthy human cells are also suitable living agents for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles, in this case, metallic alloys with different sizes between 20-50 nm and amorphous shapes. The nanoparticles are embedded in a polymeric matrix remaining after the disruption of the cell membranes.

Quantum dots synthesized by Escherichia coli
Cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots generated for Escherichia coli, demonstrating that bacteria are able to synthesized complex nanostructure with photoluminescence properties. Here, 15-20 nm quantum dots forming aggregates in aqueous media after purification.

Selenium nanoparticles created by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
One of the most problematic bacterial strain, with antibiotic resistance, is able to generate selenium nanoparticles with sizes ranging 80-100 nm that, after purification, can inhibit the bacterial growth of the same bacteria that synthesized them. Here it is also possible to observe the natural coating surrounding the nanoparticles, that comes from the bacteria.

Natural coating around selenium nanoparticles made by Staphylococcus aureus
It is not easy to observe the coating surrounding the nanoparticles with enough detail. It is hypothesized that is composed of biomolecules, such as proteins, lipids and different aminoacids, that proceed from the bacteria. Here, a detailed micrograph of the coating.

Tellurium nanoparticles synthesized using coffee extracts
Nanostructures with sizes between 20-50 nm embedded inside the polymeric matrix provided by the coffee extracts. The formation of aggregates is the answer to a quick synthesis that is accomplished in minutes under standard conditions.

Tellurium nanostructures synthesized using aloe vera extracts
Nanorods and amorphous nanospheres synthesized using aloe vera extracts are presented in aqueous media after purification. Surprisingly after several experiments, aloe vera extracts are able to generate both kind of nanostructures together under different conditions, with a low degree of aggregation.

Selenium nanoparticles grew on top of a tellurium nanowire
Hydrothermal reactions offer the possibility of combining previously created structures with new ones through an environmentally-safe approach using supercritical water. Therefore, the formation of nanospheres of selenium, like in the picture, on top of a tellurium nanowire, is a reality.

Tellurium nanorods synthesized using lemon juice
Lemon is a suitable compounds for the synthesis of nanoparticles, due to the presence of reducing agents and proteins that can stabilize the nanostructures. Here, nanorods with 50-80 nm long and 10-15 nm width are synthesized in a quick reaction at room temperature.

The surface of a selenium microparticles synthesized by hydrothermal methods
Selenium microparticles synthesized using aloe vera extracts and mild hydrothermal conditions. The impossibility of obtaining nanoparticles leads to the generation of spheres of 1 or 2 micrometers with an amorphous and sharp surface.

Selenium microparticles from aloe vera extracts
Selenium microparticles made from aloe vera extracts under hydrothermal conditions with sizes above 1 micrometer. The spheres, with irregular and sharp surface, are sticked to the polymeric matrix offered by the plant extracts.

Polyedric gold nanoparticles synthesized by Melanoma cells
Cancer cells are able to reduce metallic salt ions dissolved in their media, creating unusual shapes, such as these gold nanoparticles, with sizes between 20-25 nm, with hexagonal shape, embedded in a matrix of extracellular organic compounds after purification.

Tellurium nanowire synthesized by starch
An easy and quick hydrothermal reaction using just water and starch that allows the creation of an astonishing tellurium nanowire with both strange and curious shapes.

Gold nanoparticles synthesized by melanoma cel
Irregular-surface-shaped gold nanoparticles synthesized by cancerous cells after a couple of hours of exposition. They key to target the cell nucleus of cancer cells could be develop by the same cancer we are trying to cure.

Melanoma cels synthesizing platinum/gold nanoparticles using live-microscope
The change of color of the cell solution is patent after just 2 hours of culture, turning from colorless to violet. After several days, the cells keep the structure, although they should disappear due to the lack of nutrients.

Growth of platinum nanoparticles on top of a tellurium nanowire synthesized using starch
The growth of nanoparticles is achieved with no need of a reducing agent thanks to the presence of a reducing environment within the tellurium nanowires.

Growth of palladium nanoparticles on top of a tellurium nanowire
Controllable growth of metallic nanoparticles on top of a tellurium nanowire with no need of reducing agent in aqueous solution.

Formation of elemental mercury by Escherichia Coli
After exposure to a concentration of aqueous mercury, bacteria are able to reduce mercury as elemental nanoparticles that ca be used to remove this heavy metal from water.

Palladium nanoparticles growing on top of a tellurium nanowire
Tellurium nanowires were synthesized out of starch, and then, palladium nanoparticles were grown on top of a secure and environmentally-friendly approach that took seconds.

Green tellurium nanowires causing the disruption of cancerous cells membrane
The presence of tellurium nanowires in the cell media caused the inhibition of cell growth for cancerous cells while remaining biocompatible for healthy cells.

Growth of palladium nanoparticles on top of a tellurium nanowire
Controllable growth of metallic nanoparticles on top of a tellurium nanowire with no need of reducing agent in aqueous solution.