Upconversion Nanoparticles with Plasmonic Metallic Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face limitations in converting lower energy electromagnetic radiation to higher energy radiation, particularly in industrial, medical, and pharmaceutical applications, where UV radiation's limited penetration depth restricts volumetric applications and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing nanoparticles with a metallic structure that exhibits surface plasmon resonance, capable of upconverting lower energy radiation to higher energy radiation, such as from infrared to visible or ultraviolet, by resonating at frequencies that overlap with the incident and emitted wavelengths, enhancing spectral overlap and energy conversion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If UV radiation is used for photostimulated reactions, then the reactions can be activated, but the penetration depth is limited restricting volumetric applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (upconversion nanoparticle) that absorbs lower energy infrared radiation and converts it to higher energy UV/visible radiation. This intermediary enables deep tissue penetration of infrared light while generating the necessary UV energy for photostimulated reactions at the target location, thus resolving the contradiction between penetration depth and radiation energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy parameter of the radiation by using upconversion nanoparticles to transform infrared radiation (lower energy) into UV/visible radiation (higher energy). This parameter transformation allows the system to achieve both deep penetration (via infrared) and sufficient reaction energy (via converted UV/visible light).
2Power
If conventional light sources are used, then light can be generated, but conversion efficiency from lower energy to higher energy radiation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermal or electrical light sources with a quantum mechanical upconversion process in nanoparticles. Instead of heating materials to generate light (incandescent) or using electrical discharge (fluorescent), the system uses quantum confinement effects in nanoparticles to efficiently convert infrared photons to UV/visible photons, achieving superior energy conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite nanoparticle structures combining semiconductor cores with metallic shells that exhibit surface plasmon resonance. This composite structure enhances the upconversion efficiency by utilizing both quantum confinement effects and plasmonic field enhancement, thereby improving energy conversion performance beyond conventional single-material sources.
3Productivity
If metallic structures are added to nanoparticles to enhance surface plasmon resonance, then spectral overlap and energy conversion efficiency are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a core-shell nanoparticle structure where a metallic shell is nested around a semiconductor core. This nested configuration allows the metallic shell to provide surface plasmon resonance enhancement while the semiconductor core maintains the upconversion function, achieving enhanced efficiency without requiring separate complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as shell thickness, core size, and material composition to achieve optimal surface plasmon resonance frequency that matches the incident infrared radiation. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves maximum energy conversion efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple nanoparticle structure.
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
This approach enables efficient conversion of lower energy radiation to higher energy radiation, overcoming penetration limitations and enhancing photostimulated reactions in media, thereby improving the efficacy of industrial, medical, and pharmaceutical processes.
Implementation Method 1
nanoparticle configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength λ1 of radiation, to generate a second wavelength λ2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength λ1
Implementation Method 2
A physical characteristic of the metallic structure is set to a value where a surface plasmon resonance in the metallic structure resonates at a frequency which provides spectral overlap with either the first wavelength λ1 or the second wavelength λ2
Data Source
AI summary
A system for energy upconversion and/or down conversion and a system for producing a photostimulated reaction in a medium. These systems include 1) a nanoparticle configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength λ1 of radiation, to generate a second wavelength λ2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength λ1 and 2) a metallic structure disposed in relation to the nanoparticle. A physical characteristic of the metallic structure is set to a value where a surface plasmon resonance in the metallic structure resonates at a frequency which provides a spectral overlap with either the first wavelength λ1 or the second wavelength λ2, or with both λ1 and λ2. The system for producing a photostimulated reaction in a medium includes a receptor disposed in the medium in proximity to the nanoparticle which, upon activation by the second wavelength λ2, generates the photostimulated reaction.