Heat and Light Generating Magnetic or Photonic Nanoparticles | Research Capability & Technology Portfolio

Custom designed magnetic or photonic nanoparticles can generate heat or light in a highly controllable, precise and efficient manner, across a wide range of length scales. When these nanoparticles are combined with drug carrying macromolecules or catalytic materials, heat or light triggered drug release can be achieved. The nanoparticles can also be used as a contrast agent or tracer for imaging (MRI, MPI) and sensing of biological systems. This technology is used in situations where spatial, temporal and dosage control is required in drug delivery, or where simultaneous drug delivery and medical imaging or sensing is required for effective treatment of disease or injuries.

Competitive advantage

Precise control of heating rate and footprint in the nano or micro-length scale
Spatial, temporal, and dose control of drug delivery
Simultaneous high-resolution, high-sensitivity and real-time imaging
Multiplex, high-sensitivity and real-time sensing
Radiation-free and highly sensitive imaging modality
Magnetic capture for sensing

Impact

More effective detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease, leading to improved prognosis for patients.

Successful outcomes

Gold coated magnetite nanoparticles for metal ion detection
Needle shaped magnetite for spatial and temporal control of drug release
Magnetite stabilised liposome for drug delivery

Capabilities and facilities

The laboratory houses the Nanotheric magneTherm‚ and Ambrell EASYHEAT magnetic induction heating system
Nanotheric magneTherm enables magnetic fluid and nanoparticle to be tested in field strengths up to 20 kA/m (25 mT) and over a wide range of user-configurable frequencies
The laboratory also houses a Horiba Fluoromax-3 Spectrofluorometer equipped with a class 3B NIR laser for the characterisation of photonic upconversion of nanoparticles

Our partners

Lipotek