Quantum Dot Imaging Advances
April 16, 2019 | NIMSEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Investigations of 'quantum dots' for looking deeply into body tissues are rapidly evolving, but more work is required to ensure they are safe, according to a review published in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.
Neuron Imaging: Quantum dots can be attached to selected proteins. Imaging their emission in real time (red traces in this snapshot) allows to study the diffusion of proteins inside brain neurons. Scale bar: 5 microns. Credit: Modi, S. et al. Nanoscale 2018, 10/CC-BY
Quantum dots are tiny, nanometer-sized crystals that can be made from a variety of chemical elements and that can emit light in different colors according to their size. Research on their use for looking into the body and 'seeing' tissues, a variety of techniques collectively referred to as biological imaging, has been rapidly evolving since the 1990s.
Quantum dots that absorb and emit near-infrared light waves are allowing researchers to look deeper into tissues than ever before. This is because infrared light scatters less in the human body than other wavelengths, providing clearer images than conventional fluorescent imaging techniques.
Researchers at Japan's National Institute for Materials Science reviewed the latest studies on near-infrared quantum dots. Studies have shown that they can be used for whole body imaging of animals, or to target specific tissues, such as tumors and lymph nodes.
Quantum dots have been made from a variety of elements and their compounds, including cadmium selenide (CdSe), mercury telluride (HgTe), lead selenide (PbSe), lead sulfide (PbS), indium arsenide (InAs), or simply from silicon (Si) or carbon (C), just to name a few.
Quantum dots using cadmium and lead are particularly toxic to cells and tissues; these metals also pose a risk to the environment. Some researchers have tried reducing toxicity by using a special non-toxic shell, but these protected quantum dots are not as effective for imaging as non-coated, non-toxic ones based on carbon, silicon or germanium. Silicon quantum dots in particular are promising because they are safe and very efficient at emitting light.
The review team argues that near-infrared quantum dots show promise for biological imaging once safety issues are addressed. More effective methods for their fabrication are also required to obtain higher efficiencies.
Suggested Items
Indium to Showcase Durafuse Solder Technology at Productronica India
09/02/2024 | Indium CorporationAs one of the leading materials providers to the electronics assembly industry, Indium Corporation® is proud to feature its innovative Durafuse® solder technology at Productronica India, September 11-13, in Delhi, India.
Indium to Highlight High-Reliability Solder Solutions at SMTA Guadalajara
08/28/2024 | Indium CorporationIndium Corporation® will feature a range of industry-leading, high-reliability solder products at the Guadalajara Expo & Tech Forum in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, September 11-12.
Indium Awards Silver Quill Honor to Authors of Cutting-Edge Technical Content
08/08/2024 | Indium CorporationIndium Corporation has honored nine of its employees for their technical industry contributions with its annual Silver Quill Award. While the company’s thought leaders present technical content at industry events throughout the year, Silver Quill provides special recognition to the most innovative and cutting-edge papers.
Indium Corporation Introduces Au-Based Precision Die-Attach Preforms
07/17/2024 | Indium CorporationIndium Corporation® is proud to introduce new, high-reliability Au-based Precision Die-Attach (PDA) Preforms. Compared to standard preforms, these gold-based PDA preforms offer a higher level of precision to reduce defects, control bondline thickness (BLT), and deliver high-yield performance and reliability in critical die-attach applications.
Indium Corporation’s New Type 6 Jetting Solder Paste Hits Market
06/26/2024 | Indium CorporationIndium Corporation® is pleased to introduce a new jetting solder paste to join its PicoShot® series of products. PicoShot® NC-6M is a no-clean, halogen-free, Type 6 powder-size material specifically formulated to be compatible with Mycronic jetting systems and Mycronic’s “small dot” ejector.