Superconductors, Quantum Mechanics and Nanotech Being Combined To Fight Cancer - New Product

Sponsored by University of California at RiversideFeb 15 2004

Superconductors, quantum mechanics and nanotech are being combined to discover cancerous tumours so small they can’t be seen by the current best imaging methods.

The "Superconducting QUantum Interference Device" or SQUID is being used by a research team from the University of California at Riverside and New York's Long Island Cancer Center to find injected tumour-specific nanoparticles that act like submicroscopic cancer-detection beacons.

SQUID is the world’s most sensitive magnetic sensor and can measure magnetic fields as small as 1 femtotesla, or one quadrillionth of a tesla. The technique used is called "magnetoencephalography" or MEG.

Non-toxic superparamagnetic nanoparticles (spnps) are introduced into the body where they target specific cells. Computer simulations show that SQUID could then be used to detect collections of abnormal cells targeted by such particles.

Posted 10^th February 2004

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University of California at Riverside. (2013, June 11). Superconductors, Quantum Mechanics and Nanotech Being Combined To Fight Cancer - New Product. AZoNano. Retrieved on April 25, 2024 from https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=496.
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University of California at Riverside. "Superconductors, Quantum Mechanics and Nanotech Being Combined To Fight Cancer - New Product". AZoNano. 25 April 2024. <https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=496>.
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University of California at Riverside. "Superconductors, Quantum Mechanics and Nanotech Being Combined To Fight Cancer - New Product". AZoNano. https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=496. (accessed April 25, 2024).
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University of California at Riverside. 2013. Superconductors, Quantum Mechanics and Nanotech Being Combined To Fight Cancer - New Product. AZoNano, viewed 25 April 2024, https://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=496.