The use of color centers in nanodiamonds. Maciej Głowacki's doctoral thesis | Gdańsk University of Technology

His thesis, entitled "Development of novel optoelectronic sensory structures using color centers in nanodiamonds and their interactions with analytes", was prepared under the supervision of prof. Robert Bogdanowicz at the Department of Metrology and Optoelectronics at FETI. The auxiliary promoter was Mateusz Ficek, PhD, Eng.

– Nanodiamonds are diamond particles several hundred times smaller than the thickness of a human hair – explains Maciej Głowacki. – Together with the team led by prof. Bogdanowicz, we tried to find their application in optical sensors, and more precisely in the optical detection of biomolecules and various physical quantities on the micro and nano scale. Nanodiamonds are a very promising material, very durable, their interior (core) does not enter into any chemical reactions or cause any reactions. Moreover, the diamonds we deal with emit light, so they are convenient for observation.

Appropriately selected modification of the surface of nanodiamonds, which, unlike the interior, is highly reactive, allows the particles and the fluorescence emitted by them to be sensitive to a specific physical quantity or reaction. In his work, the scientist examined particles with a modified surface for specific applications. One of the results of this research was obtaining diamond particles that are very stable in environments with extremely different pH, while having fluorescence strong enough to be optically detectable there.

– Such molecules can be used, for example, to transport drugs in the body. Thanks to their "shining", we can carefully observe their path - emphasizes Maciej Głowacki. – Such molecules, properly modified, can be markers or sensors and serve for various purposes, in medicine, food technology, etc.

Currently, Maciej Głowacki is waiting for the defense of his doctoral thesis, which is scheduled for April. In the new academic year, he begins a postdoctoral internship at the University of Stuttgart, at the Faculty of Chemistry, where he will continue his research in the field of nanodiamond applications.