Table 1.

Nanoparticle Function	Subfunctions	Types of Nanoparticles	General Medical Application	Refs
Drug Delivery	Delayed release Drug solubilization	Porous silica Porous silicon Liposomes Micelles Polymer-based NP	Deliver drugs to toxic or pathologic cells	[79, 80]
Specific Targeting	Immunotargeting Receptor mediated Passive targeting	Porous silica Porous silicon Liposomes Micelles Polymer-based NP	Translocate particles within the body to a specific site	[79, 81]
Triggered Release	pH responsive Thermo responsive Electro responsive Ultrasound induced release	Liposomes Polymer-based NP Hydrogels	Control the release of a drug or action of a nanoparticle in a spatiotemporal manner	[82, 83]
Thermal Ablation	Photothermal ablation	Gold nanoshells Super-paramagnetic iron oxide NP	Heat up cells or tissue near NP sites	[84, 85]
Contrast Agents	MRI agents X-ray enhancers Ultrasound	Gadolinium NP Super-paramagnetic iron oxide NP	Enhance radiological studies	[86, 87]
Magnetism	Localized heating Particle accumulation	Super-paramagnetic iron oxide NP	Control particles via magnetic fields outside the body	[88, 89]