RESEARCH
- Our Vision
- The ‘Nanotrio’ consists of diverse nanomaterials based on nanophotonics, nanoplasmonics and nanobiotechnology.
- We are examining their potential applications. We are focusing on studies of the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials especially QDs, plasmonic NPs, and on nanocomposites with tunable morphologies and sophisticated nanostructures. We have expertise in characterizations of ‘the small world’, i.e., the territory of nanomaterials. We perform the characterizations by absorption and emission spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta-potential analysis. We then predict the nature of the synthesized products and consider the future design of nanomaterials. We aim to investigate unique physical properties of nanomaterials and to achieve practical applications of the nanotrio in nano-therapy, nano-energy, nano-diagnostics and many other fields.
- Nanophotonics
- QDs can be modulated the emission wavelength and intensity, so they have possible application as switch probes for cellular and whole-body imaging, optical modulators, and light emitting diodes. We synthesize various types of NPs, including core/shell QDs, nanorods, nanotetrapod and nanoporous materials. In our previous study, QD conjugate was photomodulated by additional UV excitations that induce the electron transfers to QDs and quench their photoluminescence. And QD-sensitized solar cells were fabricated, using the inorganic capping ligands-QDs.
- Nanoplasmonics
- Metals can display Surface Plasmon Resonance when their sizes are reduced to the nanoscale. The applications of noble metal NPs can be very diverse such as spectroscopic and imaging tools, because plasmon resonance properties can be tailored by choosing metals with appropriate dielectric properties, and by selecting the size, shape, local environment of nanoscale metallic structures. We proposed the novel metal NP complexes that could be used for highly-efficient cancer therapy and for photoacoustic guided drug delivery.
- Nanobiotechnology
- QDs promise present a possible new technology for in vivo bio-imaging and future medical imaging applications. QDs have proven potential as imaging contrast agents due to their bright luminescence, their resistance against to photobleaching, and their tunable emission wavelengths. We developed NIR-II emitting QD probes, cancer diagnosis using QD-Antibody conjugates. Also we showed QDs in an amphiphilic polyethyleneimine derivative platform for cellular labeling, targeting, gene delivery, and ratiometric oxygen sensing.