Photoluminescent Silica Sensors for Multiplexed Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for environmental or analyte sensors that can optimize the variable properties of photoluminescent dyes to sense unknown conditions in various environments, as existing photoluminescent dyes are often insensitive to their surroundings and lack specificity in detecting multiple analytes or environmental stimuli.
Innovation Solution
Silica-based particles comprising a core and at least one photoluminescent dye, where the dye can be covalently bonded or physically entrapped within the core or on its surface, with a reference dye and a sensor dye emitting photons in response to excitation, allowing for the detection of environmental conditions or analytes by distinguishing their emission peaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If photoluminescent dyes are used free in solution as sensors, then they can sense chemical analytes or environmental stimuli, but they lack specificity and sensitivity in complex environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct spatial zones within the silica particle: the hydrophobic core region contains dyes that sense organic analytes, while the hydrophilic surface region contains dyes that sense aqueous environmental stimuli. This spatial differentiation of properties enables simultaneous detection of multiple analyte types with high specificity in complex environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials by combining photoluminescent dyes with a silica-based particle structure that has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. This composite approach allows the sensor to maintain dye sensitivity while gaining the structural stability and environmental adaptability of the silica matrix, resolving the contradiction between sensing capability and environmental versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple photoluminescent dyes are used to detect multiple analytes, then multiplexed measurements are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions into a single integrated silica particle by incorporating multiple photoluminescent dyes with different spectral properties into one particle structure. This allows simultaneous detection of multiple analytes (multiplexed measurements) without requiring separate sensor devices, thereby enabling versatility while managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The silica particle is designed as a universal sensor platform that can detect multiple types of analytes (organic compounds, pH, temperature) by incorporating different dye molecules. This multi-functional design allows one particle structure to perform various sensing tasks, reducing the need for multiple specialized sensors and simplifying the overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If photoluminescent dyes are integrated into sensing platforms such as optical fibers or thin films, then sensing capabilities are enhanced, but the dye properties are impacted by the platform composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dye molecules from direct contact with the sensing platform matrix by embedding them within a silica particle structure. The dyes are contained within the particle's hydrophobic core or surface regions, separated from external platform materials. This extraction protects the dye properties from being impacted by platform composition while maintaining enhanced sensing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The silica particle acts as an intermediary between the photoluminescent dyes and the external sensing platform. The particle's stable silica matrix shields the dyes from direct interaction with platform materials, preventing composition-based property changes while still allowing the integrated system to function as an enhanced sensor. The particle mediates the interface between dye and platform environments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The silica-based particles enhance the sensitivity and specificity of photoluminescent dyes, enabling effective detection of unknown environmental conditions or analytes by utilizing the distinct emission peaks of reference and sensor dyes, even in complex environments, and can be applied in biological and non-biological systems for multiplexed measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor particles of the present invention comprise a core and at least one photoluminescent dye... each of the two or more photoluminescent dyes emits photons... The wavelengths of peak emission of the reference and sensor dyes in response to appropriate excitation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
Sensor particles comprise a silica-based core and at least one photoluminescent dye. The silica-based core may comprise a plurality of pores and the at least one photoluminescent dye may comprise a reference dye, insensitive to its environment and analytes and a sensor dye, sensitive to either or both of the foregoing. The sensor particles may be employed to sense unknown environmental conditions or analytes in biological or non-biological systems,in vitro orin vivo.