Other uses
While medical applications for nanoparticles continue to develop, one of the leading uses of nanoparticles today is in cosmetics. The nanoparticles ensure the multiple ingredients interact appropriately to make smoothing and glowing effects.
"We have been contacted by several cosmetic companies inquiring about our research and its applications," said Lenaghan.
Sundew and English ivy research in Zhang's lab are a part of a growing field of "next generation" materials that have a broad interdisciplinary impact. The hope is to replace the many synthetic products we use daily with naturally occurring substances.
"In the ideal scenario, if you had a broken bone, you want a substance that will biodegrade as your tissues heal around it, making what is left your material," Lenaghan said.
Don't be surprised if one day soon you can buy band-aids made from sundew.