ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology is a means to develop and use chemical substances, materials, devices, structures, and systems that have novel properties and functions due to their small size. Nanoparticles have at least one dimension on the nanoscale and exhibit novel properties compared to the non-nanoscale form of a material of the same composition. The term nanotechnology was first used in a publication in 1974 by a student named Norio Taniguchi from the Tokyo Science University who stated, "Nano-technology mainly consists of the processing of, separation, consolidation, and deformation of materials by one atom or one molecule". Nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine are concerned with molecular intra- and intercellular processes and are concentrated on research into the possibilities of controlling and manipulating cell processes. Silica materials used in controlled drug delivery systems are classified as xerogels and mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), and they exhibit several advantages as carrier systems, including biocompatibility, highly porous framework, and an ease in terms of functionalization.
