These photoluminescent nanoparticles have a number of applications:

• Bioimaging. Bioimaging with upconverting nanoparticples (UCNP)uses a laser to excite the UCNPs, after which the emitted, frequency-doubled light can be detected. UCNPs have high chemical stability, low toxicity, and a long luminescence life. UCNPs need less energy to produce better light than current bioimaging techniques.
• Biosensors and temperature sensors. UCNPs used as nanothermometers can detect intracellular temperatures. When combined with recognition elements such as antibodies or enzymes, UNCPs become much more versatile and have demonstrated the ability to detect such things as intracellular glutathione and heavy metals.
• Drug delivery. UCNPs work in three ways as drug delivery agents. First, UCNPs can transport hydrophobic drugs by encapsulating them on the particle surface, allowing them to be released by a pH change. Second, drugs can be stored and released from the porous surface of mesoporous silica-coated UCNPs. Finally, a hollow UCNP shell can encapsulate and transfer the drug.
• Photoswitching. Photoswitching is when the change of one chemical isomer to another is triggered by light. When UNCPs are used in optical data processing and storage and in photorelease, systems are enhanced and storage limits increase. Printing inks made with upconverting nanoparticles use photoswitching; colors are invisible until subjected to NIR light, adding an increased level of security.

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