
Explore nanomicelles, nanosized carriers formed by the self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules in water, 10–100 nm, with a hydrophobic core and hydrophilic corona that enhance solubility and bioavailability.
This course offers a comprehensive study of nanomicelles and their recent advances, with a strong focus on their fundamentals, design principles, and real-world applications in nanotechnology, pharmaceutical science, and biomedical engineering. Nanomicelles are nanoscale self-assembled colloidal structures formed by amphiphilic molecules in aqueous environments, typically consisting of a hydrophobic core and hydrophilic shell. The course begins with foundational concepts such as micellization, critical micelle concentration (CMC), thermodynamic stability, and self-assembly behavior.
Students will progress to advanced topics including polymeric micelles, mixed micelles, and stimuli-responsive systems that respond to environmental triggers such as pH, temperature, light, and redox conditions. Special emphasis is placed on their role in drug delivery, particularly for improving the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs, as well as enabling targeted and controlled release in disease-specific environments like cancerous tissues.
The course also explores characterization techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and spectroscopic methods for analyzing micellar systems. Recent innovations such as theranostic nanomicelles, ligand-targeted delivery systems, and hybrid nanocarriers are discussed to highlight ongoing research trends.
In addition, learners will gain insight into formulation design, scalability challenges, regulatory considerations, and clinical translation pathways. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical understanding to design, evaluate, and apply nanomicelle-based systems in research, healthcare, and industrial applications.