Top 5 Emerging Trends in Nanotechnology for 2025

By Ibtisam AbbasiReviewed by Lexie CornerMar 4 2025

Nanotechnology continues to drive innovation across multiple industries, from medicine and materials science to energy storage and environmental solutions.

This article highlights five key developments in nanotechnology for 2025.

Image Credit: Maha Heang 245789/Shutterstock.com

Printable Target-Specific Nanoparticles for Wearable and Implantable Biosensors

Nanotechnology is improving the development of wearable and implantable biosensors. In 2025, researchers at Caltech developed a new method for inkjet-printing nanoparticles that enable mass production of these devices. The core-shell cubic nanoparticles have dual functions: they facilitate electrochemical signal transduction and can bind to target molecules in biological fluids.¹

The nanoparticle core consists of a Prussian blue analog (PBA), a redox-active material capable of sending electrochemical signals. The shell is made of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) nickel hexa-cyanoferrate (NiHCF), which allows precise molecular recognition. These printable nanoparticles could enable the large-scale production of biosensors to monitor critical biomarkers.

To test their functionality, researchers developed an inkjet-printed biosensor designed to monitor AA, CPK, and Trp levels. The sensor exhibited high reproducibility and accuracy, maintaining mechanical flexibility and stability even after 1,200 bending cycles. This adaptability allows manufacturers to create biosensors in various shapes for different applications.

Additionally, the biosensor was used to track liver cancer treatment drugs in biological fluids, helping monitor how the body absorbs and processes them. The integration of this nanomaterial made the biosensor stronger, more stable, and more precise, improving targeted healthcare monitoring.²

Single-Cell Profiling (SCP) of Nanocarriers: AI-Powered Monitoring Technology

Nanocarriers are widely used in drug delivery, but tracking their distribution at the cellular level has remained a challenge. German researchers have now developed Single-Cell Profiling (SCP) of Nanocarriers, a method that precisely monitors and detects nanocarriers within individual cells.³

SCP enables high-resolution mapping of nanocarriers at the cellular level, allowing researchers to quantify their bio-distribution with exceptional precision and sensitivity.

The team applied a deep learning (DL) approach to analyze large-scale image datasets, optimizing nanocarrier imaging for more accurate quantification. The method was demonstrated in a mouse model, providing new insights into nanomedicine at the cellular level.

The AI-based nanotechnology framework can segment cells based on different parameters like shape and size, which was achieved by optimizing the DL algorithm via training on high-quality 3D data.

The AI-driven framework segments cells based on parameters such as shape and size, refining the DL algorithm through training on high-quality 3D imaging data. Experimental results showed that SCP effectively quantified LNP-based mRNA distribution at an ultra-low dosage of 0.0005 mg/kg, which is 100 to 1,000 times lower than concentrations used in conventional studies.³

Optimization of Carbon Nanolattices for 3D-Printed Ultra-Light Materials

Nano-architectured materials offer unique structural advantages but often suffer from low tensile strength and mechanical instability. Researchers at the University of Toronto have addressed this issue by applying machine learning (ML)-driven Bayesian optimization to enhance the mechanical properties of 3D-printed carbon nanolattices.

The team developed a predictive generative modeling framework trained on datasets derived by Finite Element Analysis (FEA), a method commonly used for structural analysis. Using two-photon polymerization (2PP) nanoscale additive manufacturing, they fabricated carbon nanolattices with strut diameters ranging from 300 to 600 nm.

Experimental testing showed that the optimized nanolattices achieved a specific strength of 2.03 m³ kg^-1 at densities as low as 200 kg m³. Design improvements increased tensile strength by 118 % and Young’s modulus by 68 %. The fabrication process was also highly scalable, allowing researchers to manufacture 18.75 million lattice cells while maintaining structural integrity.⁴

The optimized carbon nanolattices combine the strength of carbon steel with the lightweight properties of Styrofoam, making them well-suited for aerospace and high-performance structural applications.

Novel IOB-Nanocrystal Development for Faster Computing

Nanotechnology is advancing next-generation optical computing, enabling faster and more efficient data processing. Researchers at Oregon University have developed luminescent nanocrystals that rapidly switch between light and dark states, allowing information to be stored and transmitted at unprecedented speeds.

Optical bistability (OB) enables materials to exist in two distinct optical states under a single input. However, intrinsic optical bistability (IOB) has remained largely unexplored, limiting the development of nanoscale IOB materials.

In a recent study, researchers synthesized and tested Nd³⁺-doped KPb₂Cl₅ IOB Avalanching nanoparticles (ANPs). These nanoparticles exhibit photon avalanche (PA)-based bistability, allowing them to toggle between a dark, non-emissive state and a bright, emissive state.

Initially, activating the ANPs requires a high-powered optical laser, but over time, the power needed to switch states decreases significantly. This low-power switching capability makes the nanocrystals an efficient option for optical computing, reducing both energy consumption and operational costs.⁵

Researchers believe these bistable ANPs could be used in digital logic gates, a key component in computing that was previously difficult to design at the nanoscale. The nanocrystals can be integrated with existing technology at a relatively low cost, while direct lithography allows for 3D volume interconnects. This positions IOB nanocrystals as a promising material for high-density optical computing and AI-driven data centers.

First-of-Its-Kind DyCoO₃@rGO Nanocomposite for High-Performance Semiconductors

Heterostructures are widely used in developing high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials. DyCoO₃, a perovskite material with exceptional electrical conductivity, has gained interest in nanocomposite fabrication.

Researchers have now developed a novel DyCoO₃@rGO nanocomposite, combining DyCoO₃ with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to form a 3D hybrid structure with improved conductivity and lifespan.

This first-of-its-kind nanocomposite achieved a peak mean specific capacitance of 1418 F/g at 1 A/g. It maintained this capacitance even after 5,000 charge-discharge cycles, demonstrating enhanced stability and efficiency. The strong interaction between the nanocomposite and electrolyte in modern batteries resulted in a more efficient charging and discharging process.⁶

Researchers believe the DyCoO₃@rGO nanocomposite is a promising candidate for high-performance battery electrodes in energy storage applications.

Nanotechnology in 2025: Ongoing Innovations

These advancements represent just a fraction of the breakthroughs in nanotechnology. Other notable developments include sprayable nanofibers for wound treatment, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, aerogel technology, and nanoparticle-reinforced biopolymer films.

Learn More

For more insights into the latest breakthroughs in nanotechnology, please explore the following resources:

• Graphene Batteries: Market Trends and Growth Potential
• The Role of Nanotechnology in Space Exploration
• Enhancing Li-Ion Battery Performance with Carbon Nanocoatings
• Ion Transport in MXenes: Advancements in Energy Storage
• New Study Highlights Hybrid Nanocomposites as a Dual Solution for Microbial Resistance and Pollution

References and Further Reading

1. Fesenmaier, K.(2025). Printable Molecule-Selective Nanoparticles Enable Mass Production of Wearable Biosensors. [Online] California Institute of Technology, Caltech. Available at: https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/printable-molecule-selective-nanoparticles-enable-mass-production-of-wearable-biosensors [Accessed on: February 12, 2025].
2. Wang, M. et. al. (2025). Printable molecule-selective core–shell nanoparticles for wearable and implantable sensing. Nature Materials, 1-10. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-024-02096-4
3. Luo, J. et al. (2025). Nanocarrier imaging at single-cell resolution across entire mouse bodies with deep learning. Nat Biotechnol. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-024-02528-1
4. Serles, P. et. al. (2025). Ultrahigh Specific Strength by Bayesian Optimization of Carbon Nanolattices. Advanced Materials, 2410651. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202410651
5. Skripka, A. et al. (2025). Intrinsic optical bistability of photon avalanching nanocrystals. Nat. Photon. 19, 212–218. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-024-01577-x
6. El-Bahy, Z. et. al. (2025). A novel DyCoO3@ rGO nanocomposite electrode material for hybrid supercapacitor devices. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 1010, 178091. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.178091

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