{{Short description|Organically-modified silica or silicate}} '''Ormosil''' is a shorthand phrase for ''organically modified silica'' or ''organically modified silicate''.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Li CY, etal |editor-first1=John D. |editor-last1=MacKenzie |title=ORMOSILS as matrices in inorganic-organic nanocomposites for various optical applications |journal=Proc. SPIE |volume=1758 — Sol-Gel Optics II |pages=410–9 |year=1992 |doi=10.1117/12.132033 |url=http://spiedl.aip.org/getabs/servlet/GetabsServlet?prog=normal&id=PSISDG001758000001000410000001&idtype=cvips&gifs=yes|series=Sol-Gel Optics II |bibcode=1992SPIE.1758..410L |url-access=subscription }}</ref> In general, ormosils are produced by adding silane to silica-derived gel during the sol-gel process. They are engineered materials that show great promise in a wide range of applications<ref>For biotechnological applications of nanoparticles in general, see ''e.g.''<br/>{{cite journal |author=Salata O |title=Applications of nanoparticles in biology and medicine |journal=Journal of Nanobiotechnology |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=3 |date=April 2004 |pmid=15119954 |pmc=419715 |doi=10.1186/1477-3155-2-3 |doi-access=free }}.</ref> such as: * alternative to viral vectors for gene delivery, with higher transient transfection efficiencies<ref>Ellen Goldbaum, [http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=28052 ''Using nanoparticles, in vivo gene therapy activates brain stem cells'']; Medical News Today, 2005 July. Accessed 2007 May.</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Yin, F.|display-authors=etal|title=Folic acid-conjugated organically modified silica nanoparticles for enhanced targeted delivery in cancer cells and tumor in vivo |journal=Journal of Materials Chemistry B|volume=3|issue=29 |pages=6081–6093 |year=2015|doi=10.1039/C5TB00587F}}</ref> * suspension media and substrates for next generation solar cells (quantum dots)and photocatalytic oxidation of water<ref>{{cite journal|author=Scandura, G.|display-authors=etal|title=Nanoflower‐like Bi2WO6 encapsulated in ORMOSIL as a novel photocatalytic antifouling and foul‐release coating |journal=Chemistry: A European Journal|volume=22|issue=21 |pages=7063–7067 |year=2016|doi=10.1002/chem.201600831|pmid=26945837 }}</ref> * matrix material for UV-protection coating<ref>{{cite journal |author=Crombie JF |title=Coating protects organic materials from photodegradation |journal=Chemical Technology |date=5 May 2006 |url=http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemTech/Volume/2006/6/Coating_protects_from_photodegradation.asp}}<br/>{{cite journal |vauthors=Parejo PG, Zayat M, Levy D |title=Highly efficient UV-absorbing thin-film coatings for protection of organic materials against photodegradation |journal=J. Mater. Chem. |volume=16 |issue= 22|pages=2165–9 |year=2006 |doi=10.1039/b601577h }}</ref> * matrix material for laser dye-doped organic-inorganic solid state dye lasers<ref>F. J. Duarte, Solid-state multiple-prism grating dye-laser oscillator, ''Appl. Opt.'' '''33''', 3857-3860 (1994).</ref>
This technology has been demonstrated as a nonviral vector to successfully deliver DNA loads to specifically targeted cells in living animals. Confirmation of results demonstrated that new DNA was working and expressed genes in the animal.
==Sono-Ormosil== Sono-Ormosils are '''or'''ganically '''mo'''dified '''sil'''icates, which were prepared by using high-performance ultrasound during the sol-gel process. When high intense ultrasound is introduced in liquid, cavitation is produced. Due to the cavitational shear forces, molecular weight is lowered by particle size reduction and polydispersity is achieved. Multiphase systems are dispersed and emulsified very efficiently, so that very fine mixtures are prepared. This means that ultrasound accelerates the polymerization significantly over conventional stirring. The resulting polymer shows a higher molecular weight with a lower polydispersity. The product is a molecular-scaled composite material with improved mechanical properties. Sono-Ormosils are distinguished in comparison with conventional gels by a higher density as well as improved thermal stability. This may be a result from the higher degree of polymerization.<ref>Rosa-Fox, N. de la; Pinero, M.; Esquivias, L. (2002): Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials from Sonogels. 2002nd</ref>
==See also==
* Organic laser * Organic photonics
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Nanomaterials Category:Organosilicon compounds