Photocatalysis method with low-energy light

This technology leverages photon upconversion to enable lower energy infrared-sensitized photocatalysis, with applications in pharmaceuticals, materials science, and biomedicine.

Unmet Need: Safe, efficient photocatalysis using lower-energy light sources

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.

The Technology: Efficient, safer catalysis using low-energy, penetrating infrared light

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.

Applications:

• Production of pharmaceuticals, cell or drug delivery systems
• Research tool enabling the study of new reaction mechanisms
• Photodynamic therapy for targeted cancer or antimicrobial treatments
• Research tool for developing new photodynamic therapy protocol
• Biosensors and bioimaging
• Fabrication of advanced materials and nanostructures
• Environmental clean-up technologies
• Solar-powered systems

Advantages:

• High-throughput platform for disease analysis and drug screening
• Automated and unbiased analysis algorithm
• Compatible with conventional phase contrast microscopes
• Cost-effective
• Reduced photodamage
• Minimized photobleaching
• Deeper penetration
• Safe and efficient
• Expanded spectrum of usable light

Lead Inventor:

Luis Campos, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Issued (US 16,351,370)

Related Publications:

• Ravetz BD, Pun AB, Churchill EM, Congreve DN, Rovis T, Campos LM. “Photoredox catalysis using infrared light via triplet fusion upconversion.” Nature. 2019 Jan 16; 565(7739): 343-6.

• Pun AB, Campos LM, Congreve DN. “Tunable Emission from Triplet Fusion Upconversion in Diketopyrrolopyrroles.” J Am Chem Soc. 2019 Mar 6; 141(9): 3777-81.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU18169

• Licensing Contact: Greg Maskel