Essential equipment for nanoparticle characterization: stability, surface chemistry and optical properties

纳米材料（尺寸尺度：1-100纳米）具有这种尺寸的物质所特有的新特性，为许多紧迫的生物医学问题开辟了新的途径。出于这个原因，我最近被INRS聘用，从事一项强有力的研究项目，开发具有发光和/或超顺磁性的高功能纳米粒子（NPs），并针对各种重要的生物医学应用。提出的研究的短期目标是开发基于半导体NPs（在可见光和近红外区域发射）和/或金属超顺磁性NPs（具有最高磁化和工作效率）的混合NPs，这些NPs将被坚固的外壳（例如聚合物/二氧化硅双壳，用于稳定性和最小毒性）所覆盖。我们活动的主要推力将集中在先进纳米材料的合成，表面改性和共轭，结构和稳定性表征，以及超顺磁和光物理性质的研究，使用实验技术的组合。长期目标是增加我们对发光和超顺磁性纳米材料的了解，并将其推向生物医学应用。最先进的NP表征设备对于开发拟议的研究计划至关重要。最重要的设备之一是紫外(UV)/可见(Vis)/近红外（NIR）分光光度计，用于发光NPs的光学表征，并用于在表面修饰和共轭过程中方便地测定感兴趣物种的浓度。拥有一台Zeta电位分析仪也至关重要，它能够测试和优化NPs的胶体稳定性，并评估其表面改性后的表面化学性质。目前的申请将补充其他来源的资金，旨在促进先进纳米材料开发和表征方面的重点研究活动，并培养高素质的人才来应对当代科学和技术挑战。

Nanomaterials (size scale: 1-100 nm) with their novel properties unique to matter of such dimensions are creating new routes to many pressing biomedical issues. For this reason, I have been recently hired by INRS to pursue a vigorous research program in the development of highly functional nanoparticles (NPs) possessing luminescent and/or superparamagnetic properties and targeted at various important biomedical applications.  The short-term objective of the proposed research is to develop hybrid NPs based on semiconductor NPs (emitting in both visible and near-infrared regions) and/or metallic superparamagnetic NPs (for highest magnetization and thus working efficiency), which will be covered by robust shells (e.g. polymer/silica double shells, for stability and minimal toxicity). The main thrust of our activity will focus on advanced nanomaterials synthesis, surface modification and conjugation, structural and stability characterization, and the investigation of superparamagnetic and photophysical properties using a combination of experimental techniques. The long-term objectives are increasing our knowledge of luminescent and superparamagnetic nanomaterials as well as pushing them towards biomedical applications.  State-of-the-art equipment for NP characterization is essential to develop the proposed research program. One of the most important equipment is a Ultraviolet (UV)/Visible (Vis)/Near-infrared (NIR) Spectrophotometer to be used for the optical characterization of luminescent NPs and for the convenient determination of the concentrations of species of interest during surface modification and conjugation processes. It is also absolutely crucial to have a Zeta Potential Analyzer that is able to test and optimize the colloidal stability of NPs and evaluate their surface chemistry after surface modification. The present application will complement funding from other sources, with the aim of contributing to foster focused research activities in advanced nanomaterials development and characterization and to train highly qualified personnel to respond to contemporary scientific and technological challenges.