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Nano silver is the buzzword in biomedical applications, playing an essential role in nanoscience and nanotechnology. However, the technology is hardly new – for centuries, nano silver has been identified as colloidal silver and used in various products due to its antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Read on to learn more about nano silver and its multiple uses:

What Is Nano Silver?

As the name suggests, nano silver particles are nanoparticles that are too tiny to be even seen through an ordinary microscope. Nanoparticles ideally measure between 1 and 100 nanometres, i.e., one billionth of a metre. Just to compare – human hair is around 40,000 to 120,000 nanometres wide. Essentially, nano silver is hundreds of times minuscule than a human hair.

Since nano silver particles are small, they have a fairly large surface area, thereby increasing their contact with bacteria and fungi and improving their fungicidal and bacterial properties.

There are multiple theories about how nano silver particles help kill microbes. Some researchers claim that since silver ions have a positive electric charge, they kill a microbe by damaging its cell membrane. A few other researchers suggest that a nanoparticle by itself can kill a microbe.

The Historical Use Of Silverware:

It is a known fact that historically silver was a commonly used metal among the nobility. People wore heavy silver jewellery and used silver cutlery and utensils, probably leading to the idiom born with a silver spoon. In fact, a study published in a journal found that silver jewellery and utensils shed nanoparticles when observed through a high-powered microscope.

Nano Silver Particles In The Use Of Cancer Diagnosis And Treatment

Scientists and researchers are now investigating in detail the multiple uses of silver nanoparticles in various fields like medicine, food, and healthcare. But the most significant of these findings has been the use of silver nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Nano Silver Particles Can Be Used In Healthcare Products

Nano silver particles that come in contact with bacteria and fungus are adversely affected in terms of cellular metabolism, thereby inhibiting cell growth. These particles also suppress respiration, basal metabolism of the electron transfer system, and the transport of substrates in the microbial cell membranes. This helps them restrict the growth of the infection, itching, and odour-causing bacteria and fungus.

Nano silver particles are used in healthcare products designed to dress burns, scalds, and wounds and address skin problems like acne. They are also used in female hygiene products like panty liners, sanitary towels, menstrual pads, and menstrual underwear.

Some Of The Obvious Benefits Of Nano Silver Include:

Nano silver is non-poisonous, fast-acting, non-allergenic, and hydrophilic. It is used in commercial and domestic water purification filters. Electrical ionizers that contain silver and copper ions help sanitize swimming pools and are an effective replacement for chlorine. In fact, silver has been used by NASA and Russian cosmonauts to purify water in their space shuttles.

However, Nano Silver Has A Few Limitations

While nano silver has multiple benefits, it could potentially darken at high temperatures. The high cost of silver is also a significant drawback. Nanotechnology can solve these problems by producing minute particles that can be distributed uniformly. When coated on any surface, the surface area increases by several million times than ordinary silver foil.