Domestic researchers have developed nanoparticles needed for a '3D volumetric display' that shows three-dimensional (3D) images by implementing spatial information into displays.
A research team led by Jang Ho-seong, head researcher at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Center for Extreme Material Research, noted on the 30th that they have developed 'upconversion nanoparticles' that achieve high color purity luminescence.
Luminescent materials refer to materials that emit light on their own. They are used in various display devices such as TVs, tablets, monitors, and smartphones, allowing us to see a variety of images and videos. However, existing 2D flat displays have limitations in fully conveying the three-dimensionality of the real world or expressing depth. While some films are produced in 3D, there is a limitation that audiences must wear special glasses to perceive the three-dimensional effect.
Recently, efforts to develop 3D volumetric display technology have been underway to solve such problems. A 3D volumetric display is a next-generation display technology that implements three-dimensional image information in space. To achieve this, 'upconversion nanoparticles' that absorb infrared light and emit visible light are necessary. In particular, a particle that can emit red (R), green (G), and blue (B) from a single particle is needed. However, existing materials have the issue that they can only emit one color from one particle, or even if they can emit all three colors, they have low brightness and purity.
The KIST research team developed nanoparticles capable of RGB luminescence according to three wavelengths of infrared light. They implemented such properties by controlling the material composition of the core at the center and the shell on the outer side. In particular, green light is emitted from the core, red from inside the shell, and blue from outside the shell, increasing color purity and luminescence intensity.
The nanoparticles developed by the research team can implement various colors when exposed to multiple wavelengths of infrared light, achieving a wide color reproduction range. In addition, they suggested the possibility of implementing a 3D volumetric display by mixing the nanoparticles with a transparent polymer composite.
Head researcher Jang Ho-seong stated, 'Upconversion nanoparticles capable of absorbing infrared light and showing high color reproduction full-color luminescence will enable the commercialization of a 3D volumetric display that allows for truly seeing 3D images,' adding that 'they can also be used as security materials to prevent counterfeiting and tampering.'
The research results were introduced in the international journal 'Advanced Functional Materials' on the 26th of last month.
References
Advanced Functional Materials (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202415687