• HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
Friday, August 8, 2025
BIOENGINEER.ORG
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
No Result
View All Result
Bioengineer.org
No Result
View All Result
Home NEWS Science News Chemistry

Organic Molecule with Dual Functions Promises Breakthroughs in Display Technology and Medical Imaging

Bioengineer by Bioengineer
August 8, 2025
in Chemistry
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on RedditShare on Telegram

blank

In a groundbreaking study that bridges the cutting edge of materials science and biomedical imaging, researchers at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, have pioneered an innovative organic molecule exhibiting a remarkable dual functionality. This newly developed compound simultaneously harnesses the sophisticated photophysical phenomenon of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and the intricate nonlinear process of two-photon absorption (2PA), a feat that had long eluded the scientific community due to conflicting molecular design imperatives. Published in the prestigious journal Advanced Materials, this research not only redefines the capabilities of organic emitters but also paves the way for next-generation multifunctional materials that could revolutionize display technologies and deep-tissue bioimaging applications.

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) continue to dominate the landscape of modern visual display technologies, powering devices from smartphones to expansive television screens with their superior contrast, flexibility, and energy efficiency. Central to enhancing OLED performance is the exploitation of TADF, a process that ingeniously recycles non-radiative energy states—specifically triplet excitons—by thermally promoting them into emissive singlet states. This mechanism dramatically amplifies internal quantum efficiency, surpassing conventional fluorescence limits without the use of rare and expensive heavy metals. Materials exhibiting TADF thus promise brighter, more energy-efficient displays that are environmentally sustainable and cost-effective.

Complementing this, biomedical sciences have seen a surge of interest in two-photon absorption techniques, which facilitate high-resolution imaging of living tissues at considerable depths. Unlike single-photon excitation, 2PA allows molecules to simultaneously absorb two lower-energy photons, typically in the near-infrared range, culminating in fluorescence emission. This nonlinear optical process reduces photodamage and enhances penetration depth, making it invaluable for applications ranging from neuroscience to oncology. Yet, achieving high 2PA efficiency traditionally demands molecular structures with substantial planarity and orbital overlap—criteria at odds with those that optimize TADF.

.adsslot_x4wQJ0DM6q{width:728px !important;height:90px !important;}
@media(max-width:1199px){ .adsslot_x4wQJ0DM6q{width:468px !important;height:60px !important;}
}
@media(max-width:767px){ .adsslot_x4wQJ0DM6q{width:320px !important;height:50px !important;}
}

ADVERTISEMENT

This dichotomy presented a serious design challenge: TADF-active molecules generally adopt twisted architectures where electron-donating and electron-accepting segments are spatially separated, minimizing overlap to facilitate reverse intersystem crossing. Conversely, efficient 2PA requires significant electronic delocalization and planar conjugation to maximize simultaneous photon absorption. Prior attempts to merge these opposing requirements into a single molecular entity were thwarted by the inherently incompatible electronic and geometric demands.

Confronting this challenge head-on, the research team at Kyushu University, led by Assistant Professor Youhei Chitose, conceived a unique molecular design featuring CzTRZCN, an advanced triazine-based emitter. Their chemically engineered structure ingeniously incorporates an electron-rich carbazole donor group conjugated to an electron-deficient triazine core, further enhanced with strategically placed electron-withdrawing cyano substituents. This molecular architecture acts as a dynamic switch, modulating its electronic structure and conformation in response to excitation events. During light absorption, CzTRZCN maintains substantial orbital overlap, favoring the two-photon absorption process; post-excitation, it undergoes conformational adjustments separating the donor and acceptor moieties, thus promoting efficient TADF emission.

The scientific rigor underpinning this work is fortified by comprehensive theoretical calculations complemented by meticulous experimental validations. Quantum chemical simulations illuminated the electronic transitions and conformational dynamics of CzTRZCN, confirming its ability to toggle between planar and twisted configurations congruent with its dual-function role. Experimentally, when embodied within OLED devices, CzTRZCN demonstrated an external quantum efficiency (EQE) peaking at 13.5%, a new high mark for triazine-based TADF emitters. Simultaneously, it exhibited a pronounced two-photon absorption cross-section alongside robust brightness, cementing its promise for high-precision biomedical imaging modalities.

Notably, the molecule’s metal-free organic nature alleviates typical biocompatibility concerns, positioning CzTRZCN as a prime candidate for incorporation into medical probes and diagnostic tools. Low cytotoxicity coupled with its dual optical functionalities opens avenues for applications in time-resolved fluorescence microscopy, enabling sensitive detection of pathological states such as cancer and neurological disorders with minimal invasiveness. This synergy of photophysics and biocompatibility marks a significant step forward in developing non-toxic, efficient imaging agents capable of operating under biologically relevant conditions.

The broader implications of this research extend beyond immediate device or diagnostic applications. By demonstrating that disparate electronic requirements for absorption and emission can be harmonized within a single molecule through dynamic orbital configuration, the study offers a versatile molecular design blueprint. This approach has the potential to inspire the synthesis of a new class of multifunctional materials tailored for diverse applications in optoelectronics, sensing, and bioengineering, bridging the traditionally separate realms of electronics and life sciences.

Looking forward, Dr. Chitose and his team express ambitions to diversify the emission wavelength spectrum of these materials, striving to cover a broader range of colors and biomedical imaging windows. They are actively seeking interdisciplinary collaborations aimed at integrating this technology into practical platforms such as wearable sensors, in vivo imaging devices, and next-generation OLED displays. Such endeavors will further test and refine the applications of CzTRZCN derivatives, potentially reshaping materials science landscapes.

In sum, this landmark study exemplifies how ingeniously tailored molecular architectures can surmount longstanding incompatibilities between critical photophysical processes. The successful realization of a single organic emitter with both outstanding TADF efficiency and potent two-photon absorption efficacy exemplifies a paradigm shift in multifunctional material design, promising substantial advancements in fields as varied as consumer electronics and medical diagnostics. As the boundaries between disciplines continue to blur, innovations like CzTRZCN will serve as catalysts for new technologies that enrich both scientific understanding and practical utility.

Subject of Research: Development of a novel organic molecule exhibiting synergistic two-photon absorption and thermally activated delayed fluorescence for multifunctional applications.

Article Title: Unlocking Dual Functionality in Triazine-Based Emitters: Synergistic Enhancement of Two-Photon Absorption and TADF-OLED Performance with Electron-Withdrawing Substituents

News Publication Date: 29 July 2025

Web References:

Kyushu University
Advanced Materials Article DOI: 10.1002/adma.202509857

Image Credits: Youhei Chitose/Kyushu University

Keywords

Physical sciences, Materials science, Chemistry, Physics, Biomedical engineering, Imaging, Electronics, Health and medicine, Fluorescence, Light

Tags: biomedical imaging breakthroughsdeep-tissue bioimaging innovationsdual functionality in materials scienceenergy-efficient display technologiesKyushu University research findingsmultifunctional materials for displaysnext-generation display solutionsOLED technology advancementsorganic moleculessustainable organic emittersthermally activated delayed fluorescencetwo-photon absorption in imaging

Share12Tweet8Share2ShareShareShare2

Related Posts

High-Definition Simulations Reveal New Class of Protein Misfolding

High-Definition Simulations Reveal New Class of Protein Misfolding

August 8, 2025
blank

Spatiotemporal Photonic Emulator Mimics Potential-Free Schrödinger Equation

August 8, 2025

Analyzing Public Data Uncovers Air Quality Impacts of the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires

August 8, 2025

Creating Strained Para-Cyclophanes via [5,5]-Sigmatropic Shift

August 8, 2025

POPULAR NEWS

  • blank

    Molecules in Focus: Capturing the Timeless Dance of Particles

    133 shares
    Share 53 Tweet 33
  • Neuropsychiatric Risks Linked to COVID-19 Revealed

    76 shares
    Share 30 Tweet 19
  • Overlooked Dangers: Debunking Common Myths About Skin Cancer Risk in the U.S.

    61 shares
    Share 24 Tweet 15
  • Modified DASH Diet Reduces Blood Sugar Levels in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes, Clinical Trial Finds

    53 shares
    Share 21 Tweet 13

About

We bring you the latest biotechnology news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.

Follow us

Recent News

Cryo-EM Structures Uncover Diverse L and P Protein Interactions in Nipah Virus Polymerase Among Paramyxoviruses

Adverse Reactions to Tremelimumab, Durvalumab in Liver Cancer

Dynamic Trilayer Hydrogels Enable Scarless Urethral Repair

  • Contact Us

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Homepages
    • Home Page 1
    • Home Page 2
  • News
  • National
  • Business
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.