Functional Luminescent Inorganic Nanomaterials: From Fundamentals to Applications

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Nanomaterials are characterized as being less than 100 nanometers along a single axis. This means these materials are 100,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. The unique properties of these tiny materials have revolutionized science from biomedical applications to technological advancements in security (explosives detection, and anti-forgery of documents), energy storage (solar cells, new batteries), artificial intelligence and the environment. Despite the many advances which have occurred over the past century, society will continue to be faced with daunting challenges in the above-mentioned areas unless major scientific and technological breakthroughs are fostered. Overcoming many, if not all, of these challenges will depend on understanding the properties and behaviour of aggregates of atoms and molecules at a scale where properties differ significantly from those at the larger scale (macroscopic) and on the synthesis of new nanomaterials. Light-based technologies are particularly attractive for advancing the use of nanomaterials because of the high degree of control and versatility of light, as well as its non-invasive nature. The overriding objective of our research program is the synthesis of functional nanomaterials, and characterization of their photophysical, structural and chemical properties. The programme as a whole poses many challenges and breaks new ground in understanding the challenges faced by the community carrying out research on luminescent nanomaterials for biological applications (bioimaging, drug delivery, optical sensing, photodynamic therapy and photoswitching). The programme will also provide a fundamental understanding of the interaction of nanoparticles with X-rays for the purpose of advanced cancer treatment technologies in combination with light-based methods such as photodynamic therapy. This fundamental understanding of the interaction of the NPs with their environment and with different excitation energies will foster the long-term design of novel materials. We will also investigate the fundamental properties of smart nano-vehicles for the guided delivery of drugs using light without the production of toxic species like hydrogen peroxide. The goal of our research programme is to advance the development and understanding of light-based nanomaterials to create the next generation of smart technologies which will benefit Canadian society.