[4] A strong research focus has been placed on triggering production of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) using nanoparticles injected into bacterial cells.
[7] Other novel techniques include utilizing quantum dots such as cadmium telluride, under a bright light source to excite and release electrons; this process initializes ROS production similar to the metal nanoparticles.
[5] Carbon nanostructures such as graphene oxide (GO) sheets, nano tubes, and fullerenes have proven antimicrobial properties when used synergistically with other methods.
Doping nano tubes or fullerenes with silver or copper nanoparticles may also harm the cells ability to grow and replicate DNA.
[9] Nanoparticles can enhance the effects of traditional antibiotics which a bacterium may have become resistant to, and decrease the overall minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) required for a drug.