New method to make glass ‘smart’ developed

In a major step towards ‘smart glass’ applications such as 3-D display screens or remote radiation sensors, scientists have developed a method for embedding light-emitting nano particles into glass, without affecting their unique properties.

The new “hybrid glass” successfully combines the properties of these special luminescent (or light-emitting) nano particles with the well-known aspects of glass, such as transparency and the ability to be processed into various shapes including very fine optical fibres.

Methodology

“These novel luminescent nano particles, called ‘upconversion nano particles’, have become promising candidates for a whole variety of ultra-high tech applications such as biological sensing, biomedical imaging and 3-D volumetric displays,” said Tim Zhao, University of Adelaide.

“Integrating these nano particles into glass, which is usually inert, opens up exciting possibilities for new hybrid materials and devices that can take advantage of the properties of nano particles in ways we haven’t been able to do before,” said Zhao.

However, the researchers, including those from Macquarie University and University of Melbourne, believe their new approach can be generalised to other nano particles with interesting photonic, electronic and magnetic properties.

“If we infuse glass with a nano particle that is sensitive to radiation and then draw that hybrid glass into a fibre, we could have a remote sensor suitable for nuclear facilities,” said Zhao.

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