title: Generation of nanoparticles of controlled size using ultrasonic piezoelectric oscillators in solution.
abstract: We demonstrate the operation of a device that can produce chitosan nanoparticles in a tunable size range from 50-300 nm with small size dispersion. A piezoelectric oscillator operated at megahertz frequencies is used to aerosolize a solution containing dissolved chitosan. The solvent is then evaporated from the aerosolized droplets in a heat pipe, leaving monodisperse nanoparticles to be collected. The nanoparticle size is controlled both by the concentration of the dissolved polymer and by the size of the aerosol droplets that are created. Our device can be used with any polymer or polymer/therapeutic combination that can be prepared in a homogeneous solution and vaporized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Harvey Mudd College, 301 Platt Boulevard, Claremont, California 91711, USA. Ikwright@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ian K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Higginbotham
authors.forename: Shenda M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D004563:Electrochemistry; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008956:Models, Chemical; D053758:Nanoparticles; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry*; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012996:Solutions; D048271:Chitosan; D019342:Acetic Acid