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NIR luminescent materials are widely available for biological applications, and the NIR emitting of Ho3+ ions has received widespread attention in the second biological window. In this work, Ca14Zn6Ga10O35 : Mn4+,Ho3+ luminescent materials were synthesized using a high temperature solid state method. Optical properties and energy transfer mechanisms have studied in detail. Upon UV‐vis light excitation, the Mn single doped Ca14Zn6Ga10O35 phosphors exhibit deep red and NIR emission centered at 712 and 1151 nm assigned to Mn4+ and Mn5+, respectively. Another stronger NIR emitting peaked at 1195 nm occurs when the Ho3+ ion is co‐doped into Ca14Zn6Ga10O35 : Mn4+. The energy transfer from Mn4+ to Ho3+ ion is performed through a resonant type by a dipole‐dipole interaction mechanism. In addition, the thermal stability of Ca14Zn6Ga10O35 : Mn4+,Ho3+ phosphor has been investigated, and the NIR emission of Ho3+ ion maintains more than half the strength at 423 K. The findings indicate that the as‐prepared Ca14Zn6Ga10O35 : Mn4+,Ho3+ luminescent materials hold promise for potential applications in the second biological window. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotherapies are gaining increased interest for the treatment diverse diseases, particularly cancer, since they target the affected area directly, presenting higher efficacy and reduced side effects than traditional therapies. A promising nanotherapy approach is hyperthermia, where the nanoparticle can induce a local temperature increase by an external stimulus in the sick tissue to selectively kill the malignant cells. Among the diverse hyperthermia methods, photothermia is based on the absorption of light by the nanoparticles and further conversion into heat. Within the very wide range of nanostructured photothermal agents, iron oxides offer remarkable features since they are already approved by the FDA/EMA for various biomedical applications, they are biodegradable, easily manipulated using magnetic fields and can be imaged by diverse techniques. Here, we summarize the advantages of using the second biological window, both from the perspective of the skin and the optical properties of iron oxides. Further, we review the photothermal performance of iron oxide nanoparticles in the first, second and third biological windows. Overall, the results show that, for different types of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 , γ -Fe 2 O 3 , wüstite-FeO), both the heating capacity (i.e., induced temperature increase) and the photothermal conversion efficiency, η , vary in a complex way with the light wavelength, depending critically on the measurement conditions and physiochemical properties of the materials. Despite the spread in the reported photothermal properties of iron oxides, Fe 3 O 4 particles tend to perform better than their γ -Fe 2 O 3 counterparts, particularly in the second biological window. Interestingly, FeO, which has not been exploited so far from a photothermal perspective, shows very appealing absorption properties. Our preliminary studies using FeO/Fe 3 O 4 core/shell nanoparticles evidence that they have excellent photothermal properties, outperforming Fe 3 O 4 in both first and second biological windows. Finally, some applications beyond cancer treatment of iron oxide nanoparticles, exploiting the enhanced properties in the second spectral window, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longer near-infrared wavelengths provide better penetration depth in biological tissues, so these are useful for plasmonic photothermal cancer therapeutics. In the context of nanoparticles for such applications, the absorption can be tuned for longer near-infrared wavelengths. However, with increasing size of the nanoparticle, the scattering is enhanced and thus is not suitable for plasmonic photothermal therapeutics. Therefore, to overcome this issue, different types of small gold nanorods were synthesized and converted into stable aggregates to red-shift the plasmonic resonance wavelength to longer near-infrared wavelengths. The gold nanorod aggregates were embedded into the agarose gel phantoms mimicking the tumor-tissue-like structure. The photothermal response was measured through the prepared phantoms by using a broadband near-infrared light source. It was shown that even in an extremely dilute concentration of gold nanorods, the photothermal heat generation could increase after the aggregation and also give a deeper penetration of thermal energy. The observed photothermal response was also verified through a numerical simulation. The current study shows better performance by increasing the plasmonic coupling, reducing the mismatch issue of the plasmonic resonance shift in the second biological therapeutic window for the aggregates without increasing the size of individual nanoparticles. The aggregates provide better light penetration at deeper tissue by red-shifting the absorbance resonance wavelength, which is useful for plasmonic photothermal cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the synthesis and characterization of two nanocarriers consisting of β-cyclodextrin-based nanosponges (NSs) inclusion compounds (ICs) and gold nanorods (AuNRs) for potential near-infrared II (NIR-II) drug-delivery systems. These nanosystems sought to improve the stability of two drugs, namely melphalan (MPH) and curcumin (CUR), and to trigger their photothermal release after a laser irradiation stimulus (1064 nm). The inclusion of MPH and CUR inside each NS was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, (FT-IR) differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). Furthermore, the association of AuNRs with both ICs was confirmed by FE-SEM, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), TEM, dynamic light scattering (DLS), ζ-potential, and UV–Vis. Moreover, the irradiation assays demonstrated the feasibility of the controlled-photothermal drug release of both MPH and CUR in the second biological window (1000–1300 nm). Finally, MTS assays depicted that the inclusion of MPH and CUR inside the cavities of NSs reduces the effects on mitochondrial activity, as compared to that observed in the free drugs. Overall, these results suggest the use of NSs associated with AuNRs as a potential technology of controlled drug delivery in tumor therapy, since they are efficient and non-toxic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The NIRF-TGI-CT presented in this study is expected to be applied to the acquisition of information, that is, temperature, on the deep interior of samples, especially biological tissues possessing refractive index interfaces in inside that cause light scattering. We report a computed tomography (CT) technique for mapping near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) lifetime as a multiplex three-dimensional (3D) imaging method, using a conventional NIR camera. This method is achieved by using a time-gated system composed of a pulsed laser and an NIR camera synchronized with a rotatable sample stage for NIRF-CT imaging. The fluorescence lifetimes in microsecond-order of lanthanides were mapped on reconstructed cross-sectional and 3D images, via back-projection of two-dimensional projected images acquired from multiple angles at each time point showing fluorescence decay. A method to select slopes (the observed decay rates in time-gated imaging) used for the lifetime calculation, termed as the slope comparison method, was developed for the accurate calculation of each pixel, resulting in reduction of image acquisition time. Time-gated NIRF-CT provides a novel choice for multiplex 3D observation of deep tissues in biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomedical imaging techniques play a crucial role in clinical diagnosis, surgical intervention, and prognosis. Fluorescence imaging in the second biological window (second near‐infrared [NIR‐II]; 1000–1700 nm) has attracted attention recently. NIR‐II fluorescence imaging offers unique advantages in terms of reduced photon scattering, deep tissue penetration, high sensitivity, and many others. A host of materials, including small organic molecules, single‐walled carbon nanotubes, polymeric and rare‐earth‐doped nanoparticles, have been explored as NIR‐II emitting fluorescent probes. Efficient and viable approaches to design and develop fluorescence probes with tunable photophysical properties without compromising other key features are of paramount importance. Various chemical strategies are explored to increase the quantum yield of these imaging agents without compromising their spatiotemporal resolution, specificity, and tissue penetration capabilities. This review summarizes the strategies implemented to design and synthesize NIR‐II emitting nanoparticles and small organic molecule‐based fluorescent probes for applications in the biomedical field. This article is categorized under:Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and ImagingImplantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanoscale Tools and Techniques in Surgery [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a computed tomography (CT) technique for mapping near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) lifetime as a multiplex three-dimensional (3D) imaging method, using a conventional NIR camera. This method is achieved by using a time-gated system composed of a pulsed laser and an NIR camera synchronized with a rotatable sample stage for NIRF-CT imaging. The fluorescence lifetimes in microsecond-order of lanthanides were mapped on reconstructed cross-sectional and 3D images, via back-projection of two-dimensional projected images acquired from multiple angles at each time point showing fluorescence decay. A method to select slopes (the observed decay rates in time-gated imaging) used for the lifetime calculation, termed as the slope comparison method, was developed for the accurate calculation of each pixel, resulting in reduction of image acquisition time. Time-gated NIRF-CT provides a novel choice for multiplex 3D observation of deep tissues in biology.

Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) thermometry is an emerging method for the noncontact measurement of in vivo deep temperatures. Fluorescence-lifetime-based methods are effective because they are unaffected by optical loss due to excitation or detection paths. Moreover, the physiological changes in body temperature in deep tissues and their pharmacological effects are yet to be fully explored. In this study, we investigated the potential application of the NIRF lifetime-based method for temperature measurement of in vivo deep tissues in the abdomen using rare-earth-based particle materials. β-NaYF 4 particles codoped with Nd 3+ and Yb 3+ (excitation: 808 nm, emission: 980 nm) were used as NIRF thermometers, and their fluorescence decay curves were exponential. Slope linearity analysis (SLA), a screening method, was proposed to extract pixels with valid data. This method involves performing a linearity evaluation of the semilogarithmic plot of the decay curve collected at three delay times after cutting off the pulsed laser irradiation. After intragastric administration of the thermometer, the stomach temperature was monitored by using an NIRF time-gated imaging setup. Concurrently, a heater was attached to the lower abdomens of the mice under anesthesia. A decrease in the stomach temperature under anesthesia and its recovery via the heater indicated changes in the fluorescence lifetime of the thermometer placed inside the body. Thus, NaYF 4 :Nd 3+ /Yb 3+ functions as a fluorescence thermometer that can measure in vivo temperature based on the temperature dependence of the fluorescence lifetime at 980 nm under 808 nm excitation. This study demonstrated the ability of a rare-earth-based NIRF thermometer to measure deep tissues in live mice, with the proposed SLA method for excluding the noisy deviations from the analysis for measuring temperature using the NIRF lifetime of a rare-earth-based thermometer.

This work reports on ratiometric optical thermometers consisting of luminescent lanthanide complexes, namely Ln-PDC (Ln = Nd, Nd1.43Yb0.57, Gd1.45Nd0.40Yb0.15, PDC = pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate). The fluorescence intensity ratio techniques based on emissions of Stark sublevels of 4F3/2 (Nd3+) excited state for Nd3+-single doped sample, and the intensity ratio of Stark sublevels emissions which is severally from Nd3+ and Yb3+ ions for co-doped samples are employed for the thermometric characterizations in the physiological range (298–318 K).The results show that all three complexes can be employed as luminescent thermometers with comparable temperature sensing performance and operating in biological range under 808-nm excitation. Gd1.45Nd0.40Yb0.15-PDC demonstrates to be the best one with the relative sensitivity varying from 0.482 to 0.439% K−1in the physiological range, and the minimum temperature uncertainty is less than 0.08 K. The results may provide a new approach for lanthanide organic complexes based optical thermometer working in the second biological window.

The Nd3+ have taken a central place in the field of nanothermometry thanks to the presence of several narrow Stark emission and is easily excited through the lasers commercially available. With the goal to boost the development of Nd3+-based nanothermometers, especially working with emissions into BW-II, the thermal response of different oxide matrices Y 2 O 3 , Y 2 Ge 2 O 7 , Y 3 Al 5 O 12, YBO 3, and Y 3 BO 6 were evaluated considering emissions from the Nd3+ 4F 3/2 → 4I 11/2 transition, which falls into the BW-II. Interestingly, we observed these lines are more intense than those located in BW-I, which can enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. Therefore, the design of thermal probes emitting in BW-II showed to be an excellent strategy to provide more accurate thermal sensing as the scattering of the light by the tissues is reduced in BW-II. In light of this, we also maximized the luminescence intensity of the matrices by Nd3+ doping from 0.1 to 10 mol%. Furthermore, their structure and luminescence properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and radiative decay curve measurements. Additionally, exploring thermal response and luminescence emission optimization in several compounds offers enriched information support to design new high-level Nd3+-based thermal probes. Among Y 2 O 3 , Y 2 Ge 2 O 7 , Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (YAG), YBO 3, and Y 3 BO 6 matrices studied, Y 2 O 3 is the promising matrix to conduct thermal sensing due to exhibiting the highest S r value around 0.4 %.K−1 in which 0.5 mol% Nd3+ is the deal doping to maximize its luminescence intensity. • Pechini modified method is a convenient route of screening oxide nanocrystal properties. • Luminescent intensity in oxide hosts is enhanced by a doping from 0.25 to 1 mol.%. • Relative thermal sensitivity is affected by different crystal fields. • Y 2 O 3 is the most promising host for luminescence nanothermometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photothermal use of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) is becoming more and more popular and documented. Herein, we compared the photothermal (PT) therapy potential versus magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) modality of magnetic nanospheres, largely used in the biomedical field and magnetic multicore nanoflowers known among the best nanoheaters. The NPs were imaged using transmission electron microscopy and their optical properties characterized by UV-Vis-NIR-I-II before oxidation (magnetite) and after oxidation to maghemite. The efficiency of all NPs in MHT and PT in the preferred second near-infrared (NIR-II) biological window was carried out in water and in cancer cells. We show that, in water, magnetite nanoflowers are the most efficient nanoheaters for both modalities. Moreover, PT appears much more efficient than MHT at low NP dose, whatever the NP. In the cellular environment, for PT, efficiency was totally conserved, with magnetite nanoflowers as the best performers compared to MHT, which was totally lost. Finally, cell uptake was significantly increased for the nanoflowers compared to the nanospheres. Finally, the antitumor therapy was investigated for all NPs at the same dose delivered to the cancer cells and at reasonable laser power density (0.3 W/cm2), which showed almost total cell death for magnetite nanoflowers.

Inorganic persistent luminescence (PersL) nanoparticles (NPs) emitting at the deep-red and near-infrared (NIR) are promising candidates for applications in the biomedical field, such as optical imaging, sensing and therapy. The emission wavelength is closely related to the identity of the light activators (i.e. metal ion dopant), and the local environment they occupy in the host crystal lattice. In this paper, PersL nanoparticles with dual emission bands based on MgGeO 3 was investigated. These nanoparticles exhibit one emission band at the deep-red region when doped with Mn2+. Introducing Yb3+ as a second dopant enables a deep-red-to-NIR energy transfer, producing dual-emission at both deep-red and NIR. The NIR emission can be further enhanced by the addition of Li+. A detailed spectroscopy study is performed to investigate the local structure around the light activators Mn2+ and Yb3+, and how it is influenced by the Li+ co-dopant. We found that adding the Yb3+ and Li+ changes the preferred site of occupancy for Mn2+, and when Mn2+ is shifted to a site that emits deep-red less efficiently, it acts as an electron trap to extend the PersL of the NIR-II emission. The mechanism for the deep-red-to-NIR energy transfer is proposed. • MgGeO 3 :Mn,Yb,Li nanoparticles exhibit dual-band persistent luminescence. • XAFS tracks the change of of Mn2+ site occupancy during co-doping. • The role of Mn2+ changes from a light emitter to a charge trap when Yb3+ is added. • Adding Li+ accelerates the site change of Mn2+ and facilitates Yb3+ incorporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of fluorescence with a wavelength over-1000-nm (OTN) in near infrared (NIR) range has attracted more and more interests of biomedical researchers since several centimeters observation depth could be achieved in the OTN-NIR, which is ten times more compared to that in visible range. The authors have developed microscopic and small animal (in vivo) imaging systems along with the OTN-NIR fluorescent imaging probes. This paper will review the development of the imaging systems together with potential fluorescent materials in the OTN-NIR range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nd 3+ -doped nanoparticles have recently emerged as very attractive multifunctional systems with potential for simultaneous bio-imaging and thermal sensing, due to near-infrared excitation and emission within the first (700–980 nm)and second (1000–1400 nm)biological windows. However, while these nanoparticles have been already used for thermal sensing in the first biological window very few studies concern the second biological window. Here, we show that upon 808 nm excitation a thermometer consisting of (Gd 1− x Nd x ) 2 O 3 ( x =0.020, 0.028and 0.064)nanospheres exhibits a thermal sensitivity of 0.23±0.03% K −1 at 303 K, operating in the second transparent near infrared biological window. This sensitivity value is achieved by defining the thermometric parameter as the ratio between the integrated intensity of all the transitions originated from the 4 F 3/2 highest-energy Stark component and all the transitions from the 4 F 3/2 lowest-energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent development of core/shell engineering of rare earth doped luminescent nanoparticles has ushered a new era in fluorescence thermal biosensing, allowing for the performance of minimally invasive experiments, not only in living cells but also in more challenging small animal models. Here, the potential use of active-core/active-shell Nd3+- and Yb3+-doped nanoparticles as subcutaneous thermal probes has been evaluated. These temperature nanoprobes operate in the infrared transparency window of biological tissues, enabling deep temperature sensing into animal bodies thanks to the temperature dependence of their emission spectra that leads to a ratiometric temperature readout. The ability of active-core/active-shell Nd3+- and Yb3+-doped nanoparticles for unveiling fundamental tissue properties in in vivo conditions was demonstrated by subcutaneous thermal relaxation monitoring through the injected core/shell nanoparticles. The reported results evidence the potential of infrared luminescence nanothermometry as a diagnosis tool at the small animal level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, near-infrared (NIR)-emitting nanoparticles have increasingly been investigated in biomedical research for use as fluorescent imaging probes. Here, high-quality water-dispersible core/shell/shell PbS/CdS/ZnS quantum dots (hereafter QDs) as NIR imaging probes fabricated through a rapid, cost-effective microwave-assisted cation exchange procedure are reported. These QDs have proven to be water dispersible, stable, and are expected to be nontoxic, resulting from the growth of an outer ZnS shell and the simultaneous surface functionalization with mercaptopropionic acid ligands. Care is taken to design the emission wavelength of the QDs probe lying within the second biological window (1000-1350 nm), which leads to higher penetration depths because of the low extinction coefficient of biological tissues in this spectral range. Furthermore, their intense fluorescence emission enables to follow the real-time evolution of QD biodistribution among different organs of living mice, after low-dose intravenous administration. In this paper, QD platform has proven to be capable (ex vivo and in vitro) of high-resolution thermal sensing in the physiological temperature range. The investigation, together with the lack of noticeable toxicity from these PbS/CdS/ZnS QDs after preliminary studies, paves the way for their use as outstanding multifunctional probes both for in vitro and in vivo applications in biomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethyleneimine (PEI)-capped NaYF4 nanoparticles (NPs) codoped with Yb3+, Er3+, and Mn2+ ions (MnUNPs) were synthesized via a solvothermal method. The MnUNPs showed tissue-penetrable over-1000nm (OTN-) near-infrared (NIR) and strong red upconversion (UC) emission under NIR excitation. Furthermore, the photosensitizers chlorin e6 (Ce6) and biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were immobilized on the surface of the MnUNPs (PEG/Ce6-MnUNPs). The prepared PEG/Ce6-MnUNPs generated singlet oxygen (¹O2) and displayed effective anticancer activity under NIR excitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomedical imaging techniques play a crucial role in clinical diagnosis, surgical intervention, and prognosis. Fluorescence imaging in the second biological window (second near-infrared [NIR-II]; 1000-1700 nm) has attracted attention recently. NIR-II fluorescence imaging offers unique advantages in terms of reduced photon scattering, deep tissue penetration, high sensitivity, and many others. A host of materials, including small organic molecules, single-walled carbon nanotubes, polymeric and rare-earth-doped nanoparticles, have been explored as NIR-II emitting fluorescent probes. Efficient and viable approaches to design and develop fluorescence probes with tunable photophysical properties without compromising other key features are of paramount importance. Various chemical strategies are explored to increase the quantum yield of these imaging agents without compromising their spatiotemporal resolution, specificity, and tissue penetration capabilities. This review summarizes the strategies implemented to design and synthesize NIR-II emitting nanoparticles and small organic molecule-based fluorescent probes for applications in the biomedical field. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanoscale Tools and Techniques in Surgery., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The photothermal use of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) is becoming more and more popular and documented. Herein, we compared the photothermal (PT) therapy potential versus magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) modality of magnetic nanospheres, largely used in the biomedical field and magnetic multicore nanoflowers known among the best nanoheaters. The NPs were imaged using transmission electron microscopy and their optical properties characterized by UV-Vis-NIR-I-II before oxidation (magnetite) and after oxidation to maghemite. The efficiency of all NPs in MHT and PT in the preferred second near-infrared (NIR-II) biological window was carried out in water and in cancer cells. We show that, in water, magnetite nanoflowers are the most efficient nanoheaters for both modalities. Moreover, PT appears much more efficient than MHT at low NP dose, whatever the NP. In the cellular environment, for PT, efficiency was totally conserved, with magnetite nanoflowers as the best performers compared to MHT, which was totally lost. Finally, cell uptake was significantly increased for the nanoflowers compared to the nanospheres. Finally, the antitumor therapy was investigated for all NPs at the same dose delivered to the cancer cells and at reasonable laser power density (0.3 W/cm2), which showed almost total cell death for magnetite nanoflowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing multifunctional therapeutic and diagnostic (theranostic) nanoplatforms is critical for addressing challenging issues associated with cancers. Here, self-assembled supernanoparticles consisting of superparamagnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and photoluminescent PbS/CdS quantum dots whose emission lies within the second biological window (II-BW) are developed. The proposed self-assembled Fe 3 O 4 and PbS/CdS (II-BW) supernanoparticles [SASNs (II-BW)] exhibit outstanding photoluminescence detectable through a tissue as thick as 14 mm, by overcoming severe light extinction and concomitant autofluorescence in II-BW, and significantly enhanced T 2 relaxivity (282 mM -1 s -1 , ca. 4 times higher than free Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles) due to largely enhanced magnetic field inhomogeneity. On the other hand, SASNs (II-BW) possess the dual capacity to act as both magnetothermal and photothermal agents, overcoming the main drawbacks of each type of heating separately. When SASNs (II-BW) are exposed to the dual-mode (magnetothermal and photothermal) heating, the thermal energy transfer efficiency is amplified 7-fold compared with magnetic heating alone. These results, in hand with the excellent photo- and colloidal stability, and negligible cytotoxicity, demonstrate the potential use of SASNs (II-BW) for deep-tissue bimodal (magnetic resonance and photoluminescence) in vivo imaging, while simultaneously providing the possibility of SASNs (II-BW)-mediated amplified dual-mode heating treatment for cancer therapy.

Despite advances in the medical field, even in the 21st century cancer is one of the leading causes of death for men and women in the world. Since the second near-infrared (NIR) biological window light between 950 and 1350 nm offers highly efficient tissue penetration, the current article reports the development of hybrid theranostic platform using anti-GD2 antibody attached gold nanoparticle (GNP) conjugated, single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) for second near-IR light triggered selective imaging and efficient photothermal therapy of human melanoma cancer cell. Reported results demonstrate that due to strong plasmon-coupling, two-photon luminescence (TPL) intensity from theranostic GNP attached SWCNT materials is 6 orders of magnitude higher than GNP or SWCNT alone. Experimental and FDTD simulation data indicate that the huge enhancement of TPL intensity is mainly due to strong resonance enhancement coupled with the stronger electric field enhancement. Due to plasmon coupling, the theranostic material serves as a local nanoantennae to enhance the photothermal capability via strong optical energy absorption. Reported data show that theranostic SWCNT can be used for selective two-photon imaging of melanoma UACC903 cell using 1100 nm light. Photothermal killing experiment with 1.0 W/cm(2) 980 nm laser light demonstrates that 100% of melanoma UACC903 cells can be killed using theranostic SWCNT bind melanoma cells after just 8 min of exposure. These results demonstrate that due to plasmon coupling, the theranostic GNP attached SWCNT material serves as a two-photon imaging and photothermal source for cancer cells in biological window II.