This technology leverages photon upconversion to enable lower energy infrared-sensitized photocatalysis, with applications in pharmaceuticals, materials science, and biomedicine.
Current photocatalysis methods typically rely on high-energy light sources, such as blue or ultraviolet light, to drive chemical reactions. However, these high-energy lights have limited penetration, can damage sensitive materials, and cause photobleaching, especially in biological or delicate applications. Addressing these shortcomings is essential to enable safer, more efficient catalysis in fields where light-sensitive materials or deeper tissue penetration is required.
This technology enables photocatalysis by using a photon upconversion process that converts lower-energy infrared (IR) photons into visible-light photons, which can then drive chemical reactions that typically require high-energy light. It accomplishes this by using a system of photosensitizers and chromophores capable of absorbing IR light. Through a process called triplet-triplet annihilation, the absorbed IR is then converted into high-energy light, which activates a photocatalyst to initiate the desired reaction.
This technology has demonstrated successful photon upconversion of IR light to higher energy light to drive photocatalytic reactions.
Patent Issued (US 16,351,370)
IR CU18169
Licensing Contact: Greg Maskel