Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors







Heifer International

Wikipedia Affiliate Button


Home > Press > How to Outshine a Quantum Dot

Abstract:
Biologists use fluorescent particles for the visualization and tracking of cells and proteins; generally, the brighter the particle the better. Quantum dots are the brightest colloidal particles available. Nanometer-sized semiconductor crystals, they shine brighter and longer than other fluorescent particles.

How to Outshine a Quantum Dot

Germany | Posted on June 22nd, 2011

However, quantum dots have their limitations, especially when used for biological applications. They can be instable in aqueous environments and are subject to "blinking" or flickering. But perhaps the greatest drawback is their potential toxicity. They are made from alloys such as cadmium selenide or indium arsenide that could be broken down releasing toxic ions.

On the other hand traditional fluorescent materials such as organic dyes are not as bright as quantum dots and suffer from photo-bleaching. Igor Solokov and coworkers have used an inorganic silica shield to prevent the photobleaching of organic dyes. Using sol/gel assembly, they trapped the organic dyes inside a silica matrix, creating particles of the size of 20-50 nm. They found that the relative brightness of a single particle is equivalent to that of up to 770 free dye molecules or up to 39 quantum dots. Moreover, the particles were stable for at least 120 days.

####

For more information, please click here

Copyright © Wiley-VCH Materials Science Journals

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related Links

I. Sokolov et al., Adf. Funct. Mater. ; DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201100311

Related News Press

News and information

Nanoparticle Harnesses Powerful Radiation Therapy for Cancer May 20th, 2013

Microneedle-Delivered Nanoparticles Boost Antitumor Vaccines May 20th, 2013

Competition in the Quantum World May 20th, 2013

Elsevier Business Intelligence (EBI) to Host 'IN3 Medical Device 360 Boston,' June 24-26, 2013 May 20th, 2013

Imaging

Penn engineers' nanoantennas improve infrared sensing May 20th, 2013

Kinks and curves at the nanoscale: New research shows 'perfect twin boundaries' are not so perfect May 20th, 2013

Beautiful "flowers" self-assemble in a beaker: Elaborate nanostructures blossom from a chemical reaction perfected at Harvard May 17th, 2013

Scientists capture first direct proof of Hofstadter butterfly effect May 17th, 2013

Discoveries

Nanoparticle Delivers Large Protein Complex to Cancer Cell Nucleus May 20th, 2013

Protein 'Passport' Helps Nanoparticles Get Past Immune System May 20th, 2013

Nanoparticle Harnesses Powerful Radiation Therapy for Cancer May 20th, 2013

Microneedle-Delivered Nanoparticles Boost Antitumor Vaccines May 20th, 2013

Announcements

Competition in the Quantum World May 20th, 2013

Elsevier Business Intelligence (EBI) to Host 'IN3 Medical Device 360 Boston,' June 24-26, 2013 May 20th, 2013

Penn engineers' nanoantennas improve infrared sensing May 20th, 2013

Researchers Perform Fastest Measurements Ever Made of Ion Channel Proteins May 20th, 2013

Quantum Dots/Rods

Perfectly doped quantum dots yield colors to dye for May 11th, 2013

Researchers use graphene quantum dots to detect humidity and pressure May 8th, 2013

Hamburger nano specialist enlarges the CANdotsŪ product Series by fluorescent nanocrystals Series A plus May 8th, 2013

A step toward optical transistors? McGill researchers demonstrate new way to control light in semiconductor nanocrystals April 9th, 2013

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE





  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoTech-Transfer
University Technology Transfer & Patents
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More












ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project








abbigliamento uomo
Computer Accessories
© Copyright 1999-2013 7th Wave, Inc. All Rights Reserved PRIVACY POLICY :: CONTACT US :: STATS :: SITE MAP :: ADVERTISE