Unlocking Single-Particle Multiparametric Sensing: Decoupling Temperature and Viscosity Readouts through Upconverting...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Upconverting particles (UCPs) convert infrared to visible light, useful for imaging and sensing.
• UCPs can act as remote multiparametric sensors but suffer from crosstalk, hindering accurate measurements.
• Crosstalk occurs when different stimuli cause similar luminescence changes, leading to interpretation errors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate simultaneous and independent sensing of temperature and viscosity using a single spinning UCP.
• To overcome the challenge of crosstalk in multiparametric UCP sensing.
• To validate a novel approach for unbiased sensing in microenvironments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a spinning NaYF4:Er3+, Yb3+ upconverting particle.
• Employed luminescence from thermally coupled energy levels of Er3+ ions for temperature sensing.
• Leveraged luminescence polarization from non-thermally coupled levels of Er3+ ions for viscosity sensing.

Main Results:

• Achieved simultaneous and independent readings of temperature and viscosity from a single UCP.
• Successfully decoupled thermal and rheological measurements.
• Validated the unbiased sensing capability through proof-of-concept experiments.

Conclusions:

• A single spinning UCP can perform simultaneous temperature and viscosity sensing.
• This method effectively overcomes crosstalk limitations in UCP-based multiparametric sensing.
• Opens new possibilities for advanced sensing applications in microscale environments.