Autor: CCascales

CDs derived from eco-friendly precursors (xylose and biomass-derived hemicellulose) are combined with GdVO₄:Tb,Eu nanoparticles via two distinct approaches: (i) hydrothermal deposition onto the lanthanide-doped particles and (ii) physical mixing of prefabricated components. Notably, the spectroscopic properties of the resulting composites depend on the fabrication route, see our work published in Adv. Mater. Interfaces 2025, e00410, doi: 10.1002/admi.202500410. While method (i) enables competitive energy transfers from the vanadate charge transfer band (CTB) to Eu³⁺ and CDs, method (ii), which involves lower concentrations of the emissive components, promotes a cooperative mechanism wherein CDs sensitize the CTB, enhancing the Eu³⁺ red emission. In both scenarios, Tb³⁺ is believed to serve as an intermediary, aiding the repopulation of the Eu^{3+ 5}D_j energy levels. The dual-emissive nature of the composites results in violet-magenta chromaticity, reflecting intermediate behavior between the blue CDs and red-emitting Ln-NPs, and supporting their use in tunable optical applications. The described mechanisms also influence the composites’ performance as ratiometric nanothermometers. Upon evaluating their thermal response from 298 K to 358 K, distinct behaviors emerge, with relative thermal sensitivities ranging from 0.84 % K⁻¹ (298 K) to 5.6 % K⁻¹ (358 K)—the latter being among the highest reported for similar material

 

This study shows the potential improvement of current biomedical imaging techniques on the basis of the combined information provided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast and high-penetration near infrared (NIR) imaging from a single nanoprobe. For this, our work in J. Mater. Chem. B, 2025, 13, 9642 , doi:10.1039/d5tb00548e, presents the design of core-multishell lanthanide-doped nanostructures with a unique quasi-bidimensional morphology, and the demonstration of their behaviour as biosafe multifunctional nanoprobes integrating dual MRI contrast and NIR imaging, as well as high sensitivity contactless temperature sensing adequate for biological systems. Key advances of this study are the enhancement of the T1 MRI contrast, associated with the large surface-to-volume ratio inherent to the distinctive planar shape of developed nanoprobes, the versatility of these nanoprobes as T1, T2 and dual T1/T2 MRI contrast agents depending on the magnetic field, and the high sensitivity for temperature sensing in the second biological window, surpassing that of commonly used fluoride nanoprobes.

The REALM Groups contributes to the World Conference on Carbon -CARBON 2025-, Saint-Malo, France, 29th June-4th July,  with the communication Preparation and characterization of GdVO4:Tb,Eu/carbon dot composites through hydrothermal deposition synthesis, J. J. Carvajal, R. Sisó-Moliné, C. Cascales, C. Zaldo, M. Méndez, M. C. Pujol.

This work was possible through the Grant PID2021-128090OB-C21 funded by MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ‘ERDF A way of making Europe’.

REALM group contributes to the 4th Conference on Properties, Design, and Applications of Upconversion Nanomaterials -UPCON24 Conference-, Montréal, Canada, with the communication «Surface functionalization of upconverting nanoparticles for their transfer in aqueous media» . https://upcon.community/upcon2024/.

This work was possible through the Grant PID2021-128090OB-C21 funded by MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ‘ERDF A way of making Europe’.

REALM group participates in the 4th Conference on Properties, Design, and Applications of Upconversion Nanomaterials -UPCON24 Conference-, Montréal, Canada, with the oral presentation “Upconverting nanoparticles in aqueous media: Not an end road. Avoiding degradation by using hydrophobic polymeric shells”. https://upcon.community/upcon2024/.

The work was possible through the Grant PID2021-128090OB-C21, funded by MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ‘ERDF A way of making Europe’.

REALM group participates in the 6^th International Conference on Rare Earth Materials, Vilnius, Lithuania, with the invited presentation “Preparation and characterization of GdVO₄:Tb,Eu/carbon dot composites through hydrothermal deposition synthesis”. https://www.remat2024.chgf.vu.lt/.

This work was possible through the Grant PID2021-128090OB-C21, funded by MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ‘ERDF A way of making Europe’.

“Non-conventional solutions on luminescence-based high temperature thermometry for applications of industrial interest (IMPETUSS)” Project has been awarded for the period 01/09/2022 to 31/08/2025.

This project proposes new strategies for the design of contactless photoluminescence (PL) thermal probes spanning their operation range to temperatures well above 300 K. These probes will be based either on the PL of lanthanides (Ln) incorporated in inert refractory hosts or on that of carbon quantum dots (CQDs). In combination with remote reading techniques, the new developed thermal probes will enable the creation of bidimensional temperature maps, which may prevent device failures by allowing early detection of thermally aged areas.

“Valorisation of CaNbGa garnets as thin disk elements in high power, high-rate, ultrashort pulsed laser oscillators (THINLAS)” project has been granted for the period 01/12/2022 to 30/11/2024.

This Project aims the extension of thin disk laser (TDL) technology, based on Yb doped YAG single crystals, to modelocked operation by using disordered single crystal Ca₃(NbGa)₅O₁₂ garnets (CNGG) doped with Yb (or Tm, Ho, and Tm+Ho for emission in the λ≈ 2 µm region), to provide laser pulse durations in the femtosecond (1 fs= 10^-15 s) time scale with large pulse peak powers. This is based on the large Yb³⁺ bandwidth in previously developed CNGG crystals, typically FWHM= 23.5 nm (or 221 cm^-1), along with an optical absorption three times more efficient than in YAG, which promises thinner disks with better cooling. The productivity of laser material processing and monitoring in various fields will be greatly improved by a laser module with the characteristics described above. Just to mention some few examples: In photovoltaic silicon cell processing for CO2-free energy harvesting, surface texture free of chemical wastes will be possible. Polymeric soft transparent materials, extensively used in biomedical health care, can be welded and mechanically processed with λ≈ 2 µm laser equipment. LIDAR systems incorporating increased high power lasers and repetition rates will have longer penetration depths and better spatial resolution. Overall, the development of high power–high repletion rate lasers with ultrashort pulse duration will provide new tools for improving the wellness of the population through routes that are compatible with a sustainable and green manufacturing.

Electromagnetic (EM) hyperthermic technologies hold great potential in the treatment of diseases, especially for cancers that are resistant to standard regimens. Hyperthermia is particularly effective in treatment of cervical and breast cancer, head and neck cancers, sarcoma in adults, and germ cell tumours in children; while radiofrequency and microwave ablation offer promise for treating liver, kidney, and lung cancers.

Accurate knowledge of the dielectric and thermal properties of tissues is needed for the development of hyperthermia-based technologies and de-risk the technical challenge before commercialization, However, often researchers working on the development of medical technologies are not fully aware of, and not trained to address the clinical and commercialisation challenges facing novel medical devices.

The MyWAVE Action takes a holistic approach by bringing together key players in the field of dielectric spectroscopy, translational research, and medical professionals. Conjoining these varied communities into one collaborative network is critical to advance the design, development, and commercialisation of EM hyperthermic technologies, so that they can reach patients faster and improve treatment outcomes.

Furthermore MyWAVE also support the training of young scientists as well as scientific conferences in EU countries.