Current Research

AEROSOL ROUTES TO ENGINEERED NANOPARTICLES FOR DRUG & GENE DELIVERY

  • Nanoparticles with controlled properties are of interest in addressing issues like stability, bioavailability and controlled-release.

  • We study aerosol processes to engineer nanoparticles with desired size, structure, crystallinity and surface modification for drug delivery applications.

  • The generation of nanoparticle aerosols, suitable for pulmonary delivery, is studied using drug-loaded liposome suspensions with controlled colloidal and media properties.

  • A pulse-heat aerosol reactor (PHAR) method has been developed to make lipid nanoparticles with desired properties, for applications like cancer therapy and siRNA delivery.

  • Computational models of evaporation-precipitation, population balances and controlled release are used to understand mechanisms controlling nanoparticle properties in these systems.

ADVANCED RESEARCH FACILITIES

  1. Scanning mobility particle sizer (real time size distributions 4-1000nm)

  2. Micro-orifice uniform deposit impacter (average size distributions, 56nm – 10 μm)

  3. Constant output atomizer (liquid feed, 106 particles/cc)

  4. Laser particle spectrometer (real time size distribution 300 nm upwards)

  5. Condensation particle counter (10 nm upwards)

  6. Aerosol reactor and diluter systems