Lock-in thermography (LIT) is a sensitive infrared imaging technique, used to rapidly and precisely detect the heating power of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials, which depends (among other factors) on the colloidal stability of the nanoparticle (NP) system. By applying a variety of trigger signals, different types of NPs can be characterized. Plasmonic gold or silver NPs are excited by light of a specific wavelength, while an alternating magnetic field can be used to stimulate superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs. Due to its flexibility, LIT allows detection of NPs in complex environments, such as cells.

Collaborator: Prof. Thomas Volkmer (Berner Fachhochschule - Labor für Holz- und Oberflächenbehandlungen)