Who: Jilin University, China.
What: Fluorescent carbon nanoparticles known as carbon dots that could provide a low-cost, biologically friendly alternative to quantum dots for sensing chemicals inside cells. Researchers have used the multi-color dots to measure pH levels in solution and inside cells. See “Carbon Dots with Continuously Tunable Full-Color Emission and Their Application in Ratiometric pH Sensing”
Where: PH sensors for use in live cells for cancer diagnosis.
When: The researchers have stated that the carbon dots may be more appropriate for biological applications than quantum dots as the carbon particles demonstrate greater water solubility and do not contain toxic heavy metals such as cadmium or lead. Scale-up to large quantities may be possible in the next 18 months.
