Dr. Hemmer’s research program seeks to develop novel lanthanide-nanophosphors as multifunctional nanocarriers for near-infrared based bioimaging and energy conversion applications. Combining materials science, chemistry, physics and biological aspects, the three main areas of research are (i) the synthesis of lanthanide- nanophosphors with optimized near-infrared and upconversion emission, controlled size, crystalline phase and morphology and application-oriented surface modification, (ii) the implementation of the nanophosphors in biological systems and the assessment of nano-bio-interactions, and (iii) the design of novel optical materials for energy harvesting technologies.

Combining materials science, chemistry, physics and biological aspects, the three main areas of research are the synthesis of lanthanide-doped nanophosphors with optimized near-infrared and upconversion emission, controlled size, crystalline phase and morphology and application-oriented surface modification the implementation of the nanophosphors in biological systems as near-infrared bioprobes and to assess (and better understand) nano-bio-interactions the design of novel optical materials for energy harvesting technologies.

Hemmer, E.; Quintanilla, M.; Légaré, F.; Vetrone, F. Temperature-induced energy transfer in dye-conjugated upconverting nanoparticles: A new candidate for nanothermometry. Chem. Mater. 2015, 27, 235-244. Hemmer, E.; Venkatachalam, N.; Hyodo, H.; Hattori, A.; Ebina, Y.; Kishimoto, H.; Soga, K. Upconverting and NIR emitting rare earth based nanostructures for NIR-bioimaging. Nanoscale 2013, 5, 11339-11361. Hemmer, E.; Yamano, T.; Kishimoto, H.; Venkatachalam, N.; Hyodo, H.; Soga, K. Cytotoxic aspects of gadolinium oxide nanostructures for up-conversion and NIR bioimaging. Acta Biomater. 2013, 9, 4734-4743.