Guwahati (Assam): Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed liquid marbles using nano clay that can be pre-programmed for medicine delivery and cascade chemical reactions. Nano clays are nanoparticles of layered mineral silicates. Conventional treatment for disease involves tablets, capsules, syrups, ointments, among others.
A controlled drug delivery system, on the other hand, is a more efficient technique to deliver the required dose at the specific site gradually over the desired period of time. Loading and release of drugs in its soluble form is another important aspect - which can be achieved with the liquid marble. The team from IIT Guwahati engineered liquid marbles to have a 'time bomb' type release effect and to carry out a spontaneous chemical reaction.
"Release of drugs from a liquid marble in response to a stimulus for instance light, temperature, electricity has been reported earlier. But the time-programmed release was not yet achieved. We have chemically modified the lifetime of a floating liquid marble on a water pool," said Dr. Uttam Manna, Associate Professor, at the varsity's Department of Chemistry and Centre for Nanotechnology, in a statement.
Unlike normal droplets, a liquid marble is a non-sticking, non-wetting droplet. It is created by wrapping a droplet with fine hydrophobic particles i.e., water-repelling particles. Liquid marbles can be rolled, squeezed, and even float without spilling when put in a water pool. In nature gall-forming aphids create liquid marbles by coating the honeydew they secrete in a powdery wax.