Our morning routine often involves a shot of caffeine and during the day, whatever the reasons, we may need it again (and again) for an instant boost. But too much caffeine may cause an unpleasant nervousness. That's why Nestlé is looking for a way for the caffeine to be released more constantly rather than in one batch. To achieve this, Nestlé Research Center Lausanne's scientists are collaborating with the EPFL's (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) Interdisciplinary Centre for Electron Microscopy and EPFL's Institute of Cancer Research, as well as the Department of Health Science & Technology of ETH (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) Zurich.
And they just discovered a technique that "can 'see' inside dispersed cubosomes (dispersed cubic liquid crystalline phases) with unprecedented detail. The breakthrough can help to improve their design significantly for better drug or nutrient delivery", as the EPFL explains, these cubosomes being “small biological 'capsules' that can deliver molecules of nutrients or drugs with high efficiency. This also means that cubosomes are safe to use in living organisms."
The aim is now to see how it is possible to use the cubosome's structure to deliver nutrients, medication or, precisely, caffeine, in a controlled and safe fashion. So, one day may be, we won't need more than just one cup of coffee in the morning, and still benefit from its boost all through the day.
Photo: 3D reconstruction of a cubosome obtained with CET. Scale bar: 40 nm ©Davide Demurtas/EPFL
News in the same category
The Capriotti's Sandwich franchise is excited to announce a brand new location in the Las Vegas Ballpark. Now the sandwich that's been voted the best in America can be had while watching America's favorite game. Here's what to expect.
It’s very much your neighborhood grocery store, passed down from father to son and grandson. But it’s much more than that.
This may be a first. If other companies already played the entertainment card before, General Electric is fully associated with the National Geographic Channel to produce a whole new TV series, based on the conglomerate's science and technology expertise.
Apple has 506 retail stores across 24 countries with 272 of those stores in the United States. These stores are beautiful and expertly crafted as Apple’s own products.
