Event Details

Professor Xiaogong Liu from the Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore joins us for a lecture on nanocrystals in action. Also available on Teams.

Speaker: Prof Xiaogong Liu – Department of Chemistry at National University of Singapore

Biography: Xiaogang Liu earned his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from Northwestern University in 2004. Following this, he spent two years as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT before joining the Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore in 2006. He was promoted to Full Professor in 2017 and currently holds a joint appointment with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Department of Surgery at the NUS School of Medicine. Among his research interests are the study of energy transfer in lanthanide-doped nanomaterials, the application of optical nanomaterials for neuromodulation and light-field imaging, the development of advanced X-ray imaging scintillators, and the prototyping of electronic tools for assistive technologies. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple journals, including Nanoscale, BMEMat, Journal of Luminescence, Journal of the Chinese Chemical Society, Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, Chemistry–An Asian Journal, Advanced Optical Materials, InfoMat, The Innovation, Nanoscale Horizons, Small Methods, Next Technology, and Nano Letters.

Abstract: Lanthanide-doped nanocrystals offer a powerful platform for precise light emission control, enabling advancements in nanophotonics, biological sensing, super-resolution imaging, and quantum optics. This lecture explores the strategic incorporation of lanthanide ions into nanocrystal matrices to fine-tune optical properties through energy transfer and photon conversion processes. By optimizing dopant concentrations, host lattices, surface structures and excitation conditions, it is possible to precisely control emission wavelength, quantum efficiency, and nonlinear optical response. This talk will cover synthesis techniques for producing high-purity, monodisperse lanthanide-doped nanocrystals with exceptional photostability and upconversion/downconversion efficiency. Fundamental energy transfer mechanisms, such as cross-relaxation and phonon-assisted transitions, will be discussed to enhance spectral tunability and light-matter interactions. The intrinsic optical properties of lanthanides in light absorption and emission are instrumental in frequency conversion, expanding the spectral range for advanced imaging, bio-detection, therapeutic solutions, and X-ray scintillation. Moreover, these luminescent nanocrystals promise to improve assistive technologies, offering innovative solutions to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Join via Microsoft Teams