AQM designs customized silica nanoparticles with different sizes and surface functionalities for use as non-toxic environmental, industrial and medical tracers. Nanoparticles can be synthesized as crystalline, amorphous or  mesoporous silica nanorods. With the appropriate surface functionality, we can offer nanomaterials with hydrophobic, hydrophilic, oleophobic or oleophilic properties for a variety of applications. These nanomaterials can be applied in solution, as inks or as coatings, to create polymer hybrid or nanocomposite materials.