Australian scientists have developed a new "direct-doping method" that embeds light emitting nanoparticles into ordinary glass to create "smart glass" that can be produced far faster than conventional processes.

The new method developed by researchers at the University of Adelaide is also seen as a major step towards developing smart glass applications such as 3D displays or remote radiation sensors.

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This new smart or hybrid glass successfully combines the properties of special luminescent or light-emitting nanoparticles with the common aspects of glass such as transparency and the ability to be transformed into various shapes, including very fine optical fibers.

Researchers believe their new direct-doping method can be used with other nanoparticles that have interesting photonic, electronic and magnetic properties. They said there will be many applications for their direct-doping method.

The new method involves synthesizing the nanoparticles and glass separately and then combining them under the right conditions. It's been able to keep the nanoparticles intact and well dispersed throughout the glass.

The nanoparticles remain functional and the glass' transparency remains quite close to its original quality. The method opens-up a whole new world of hybrid glass and devices for light-based technologies.

"If we infuse glass with a nanoparticle 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 Dr. Tim Zhao from the University of Adelaide's School of Physical Sciences and Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing.

He was lead author of the study published in the journal Advanced Optical Materials.

Dr. Zhao said these novel luminescent nanoparticles, called "upconversion nanoparticles," have become promising candidates for a wide range of ultra-high tech applications such as biological sensing, biomedical imaging and 3D volumetric displays.

"Integrating these nanoparticles into glass, which is usually inert, opens up exciting possibilities for new hybrid materials and devices that can take advantage of the properties of nanoparticles in ways we haven't been able to do before," he said.

"For example, neuroscientists currently use dye injected into the brain and lasers to be able to guide a glass pipette to the site they are interested in. If fluorescent nanoparticles were embedded in the glass pipettes, the unique luminescence of the hybrid glass could act like a torch to guide the pipette directly to the individual neurons of interest." 

Tagssmart glass, direct-doping method, University of Adelaide, hybrid glass, Dr. Tim Zhao