U12. Nanostructured liquid characterization unit
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- Scientific Director: Prof. Carlos Rodríguez cranqb@cid.csic.es
- Scientific Coordinator: Jordi Esquena jemqci@iqac.csic.es
- Entities: Colloid and Interfacial Chemistry Group (QCI) at the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC) & Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
- Address: Jordi Girona, 18-26, 088034, Barcelona, Spain
- Phone: +34 934 006 159
- Web: QCI – IQAC- CSIC
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Description
The unit is located at the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), in Barcelona and it is coordinated by the Colloidal and Interfacial Chemistry Group, led by Dr. Carlos Rodríguez. The unit is focused on the characterization of nanostructures in liquids and liquid/liquid interfaces, such as micelles, liposomes, micro- and nano-emulsions, and nanoparticles. The unit features state-of-the-art instrumentation for the determination of various parameters such as size distribution and zeta potential (surface charge), critical micelle concentration (CMC), solubilization capacity, osmolarity, surface and interfacial tension, wettability, refractive index, turbidity, colloidal stability, density, viscosity and other rheological parameters (shear and elastic moduli, critical yield stress, etc.)
Services
FOR THOSE SERVICES IDENTIFIED AS OUTSTANDING, AT LEAST 20% OF THEIR CAPACITY IS OPEN UNDER COMPETITIVE ACCESS. SEE ANNEX 1 OF ACCESS PROTOCOL FOR DETAILS ON % OF OPENNESS FOR EACH SERVICE
U12. Services & Rates
Other projects
| Ref |
Title |
Funding Organism |
Unit Role |
| CTQ2014-52687-C3-1-P |
Design and applications of new biocompatible micro / nanogels obtained by advanced condensation methods (MICRONANOGELES) |
MINECO |
Participant |
| 2014SGR1655 |
Grants for consolidated Research Groups of Catalonia |
Generalitat de Catalunya |
Participant |
| FP7-PEOPLE-2013-ITN - 606713 |
Biopolymer Based FOOd Delivery Systems (BIBAFOODS) |
Unión Europea |
Participant |
| Plan de Actuación 2015 |
Agreement of ACC1Ó with the UAB, the PRUAB, the CSIC and the CVC for the promotion of the technological transfer |
Generalitat de Catalunya |
Participant |
| TECSPR14-2-0033 |
Theranostic Magnetic Nanoparticles For Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Magnetic Properties and Controlled Release of Anticancer Drugs (TheraMagNano) |
Unión Europea |
Participant |
| TECSPR14-2-0044 |
Novel antimicrobial hydrogels for contact lenses (HYDROLENSES) |
Unión Europea |
Participant |
| Acción COST CM1101 |
Joint Meeting of WG 3 and WG 4. Workshop "Nano-biocolloidal materials and non-equilibrium self-assembly" |
Unión europea |
Participant |
| Ref.: 308810 076/2015 |
DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE FORMULATIONS FOR THE DELIVERY OF ACTIVITIES INTO THE SKIN (ES) |
ALMIRALL |
Participant |
Publications
2016
- Fornaguera C., Caldero G., Solans C.. Electrolytes as a tuning parameter to control nano-emulsion and nanoparticle size. RSC Advances. 2016;6(63):58203-58211.
- Caldero G., Montes R., Llinas M., Garcia-Celma M.J., Porras M., Solans C.. Studies on the formation of polymeric nano-emulsions obtained via low-energy emulsification and their use as templates for drug delivery nanoparticle dispersions. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2016;145:922-931.
- Fornaguera C., Feiner-Gracia N., Caldero G., Garcia-Celma M.J., Solans C.. PLGA nanoparticles from nano-emulsion templating as imaging agents: Versatile technology to obtain nanoparticles loaded with fluorescent dyes. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2016;147:201-209.
- Magana J.R., Kolen’Ko Y.V., Deepak F.L., Solans C., Shrestha R.G., Hill J.P. et al. From Chromonic Self-Assembly to Hollow Carbon Nanofibers: Efficient Materials in Supercapacitor and Vapor-Sensing Applications. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. 2016;8(45):31231-31238.
- Perez-Carrillo L.A., Vilchez S., Mosa J., Aparicio M., Castro Y., Duran A. et al. Synthesis and properties of TiO2-P2O5 and SiO2-TiO2-P2O5 porous hybrids obtained by templating in highly concentrated emulsions. Ceramics International. 2016;42(16):18965-18973.
News U12
05 May
The researchers of NANBIOSIS U12, Nanostructured liquid characterization unit of CIBR-BBN and IQAC-CSIC, will participate in teaching and training students of the Master en Cosmética y Dermofarmacia, organized by Centro de Estudios Superiores de la Industria Farmacéutica (CESIF), from 17 May to 16 June 2021. Cosmetic manufacturing companies are committed to innovation, both in technological development and in the use of components in their formulations, adapting to new trends and user needs. Determination of colloidal stability, surface tension, particle size and rheological behaviour, among many others properties, is essential for the proper characterization and understanding the performance of cosmetic products.[...]
18 Feb
Susana Vilchez, researcher at NANBIOSIS U12. Nanostructured liquid characterization unit of CIBER-BBN and IQAC-CSIC, is coauthor of an article recently published in the Journal of Molecular Liquids. “This work – explains Susana Vilchez – shows how structural and viscoelastic properties of a lipid colloidal gel can be altered by varying the ratio of charged lipids in the dispersion. These findings corroborate that the eventual formation of the gel and the morphology of its network is governed by the repulsive potential of the particles instead of the molecular composition of their membranes. Thus, the right control of charge balance in the system may[...]
28 Jan
Researchers of NANBIOSIS U12. Nanostructured liquid characterization unit from CIBER-BBN and IQAC-CSIC have recently published an article entitled Encapsulation of BSA/alginate water–in–water emulsions by polyelectrolyte complexation in the scientific journal Food Hydrocolloids The research which results are published involves the encapsulation of drops of water-in-water emulsions, which could be used as vehicles for the administration of active principles. Characterization of emulsions and capsules was performed in the Unit 12 of NANBIOSIS Nanostructured Liquid Characterization Unit. Water-in-Water (W/W) emulsions were prepared in aqueous mixtures of an anionic polyelectrolyte (sodium alginate, NaAlg), with a globular protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA). This combination showed phase separation[...]
08 Jan
A new Scanning Electron Microscope (Hitachi TM-4000 Plus II) has been installed at the Nanostructured liquid characterization unit of NANBIOSIS ICTS (Unit 12) of CIBER-BBN and IQAC-CSIC. An online seminar will be given by Susana Vilchez on January 14th at 12h to explain the various features, functions and capabilities of this new instrument, Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope Hitachi TM-4000 Plus II, that is open for both internal and external users. Those interested in attending the seminar can contact unit 12 of NANBIOSIS: Scientific Director: Prof. Carlos Rodríguez cranqb@cid.csic.esScientific Coordinator: Jordi Esquena jemqci@iqac.csic.es[...]
25 Nov
The U12 of NANBIOSIS (Nanostructured liquid characterization unit) has expanded its capabilities with a new equipment U12-E22. SEM Hitachi TM4000Plus II for morphological and dimensional characterization of solid samples Low vacuum Scanning Electron Microscopy with two electron detectors (secondary, SE, and backscattered, BSE). SE imaging provides a detailed information of the morphology of the sample and BSE gives information about the different components of the sample, based on the different atomic number (the higher the atomic number, the brighter the surface). The equipment can apply different vacuum levels (using a turbo molecular pump) with accelerating voltages between 5 and 20[...]
30 Sep
Researchers from NANBIOSIS U12 Nanostructured liquid characterization unit, from CIBER-BBN at the IQAC-CSIC have chemically modified contact lenses, incorporating antibacterial properties. Contact lenses, especially soft ones, pose a risk of ocular microbial infection that can eventually lead to loss of vision. “These new contact lenses inhibit the formation of bacterial biofilms and could prevent ocular keratitis” explains Jordi Esquena, a researcher at the CIBER-BBN at the IQAC-CSIC and one of the coordinators of the work. In the study, published in Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, bactericidal activity was introduced into hydrogel contact lenses, through antimicrobial peptides that were anchored on[...]
26 Apr
Researchers of NANBIOSIS U12. Nanostructured liquid characterization unit from CIBER-BBN and IQAC-CSIC have recently published an interesting review entitled “A Concise Review on Nano-emulsion Formation by the Phase Inversion Composition (PIC) Method” in the JOURNAL OF SURFACTANTS AND DETERGENTS. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsde.12414 Studies of phase behavior and particle sizing were performed at the Nanostructured Liquid Characterization Unit, member of the NANBIOSIS ICTS.[...]
07 Feb
Researchers of NANBIOSIS U12 Nanostructured liquid characterization unit and U29 Oligonucleotide Synthesis Platform (OSP) of CIBER-BBN at IQAC-CSIC have obtained successfully ethylcellulose nanoparticles with positive zeta potential formed from nano-emulsion complexation with an antisense oligonucleotide which result very promising complexes for “in vitro” cell transfection. A new non-viral gene delivery vector has been developed, based on ethylcellulose, an easily available and low cost carbohydrate polymer, “generally recognized as safe” by the FDA. Although ethylcellulose is nonionic, positively charged nanoparticle dispersions have been obtained using nano-emulsion templates in cationic:non-ionic surfactant-based systems. The nanoparticles have been successfully complexed with negatively charged phosphorothioate antisens[...]
