This research line focuses on the development of optical nanomaterials for sensing and biomedical applications, with particular emphasis on chromogenic and luminescent systems capable of detecting chemical analytes and/or monitoring changes in physical parameters such as temperature and pH. By integrating advanced nanomaterials with responsive optical probes, we develop multifunctional platforms for environmental monitoring, healthcare, and biomedical diagnostics. Furthermore, these photoactive nanostructures can be engineered to release therapeutic agents or generate reactive species upon external stimulation, enabling targeted cell ablation and opening new opportunities for advanced theranostic applications.
Materials Platform
Our sensing and biomedical technologies are based on polymeric and PCM-loaded micro/nanocapsules or nanoparticles and conjugation and coordination polymer nanoparticles, engineered to provide high optical sensitivity, stability, and, when needed, biocompatibility. Through the rational design of responsive nanostructures and sustainable fabrication strategies, we develop versatile optical platforms that bridge fundamental materials science with practical applications in sensing, diagnostics, and nanomedicine.
Our research is organized into two main areas:
- Chromogenic and Luminescent Sensors. We develop chromogenic and luminescent optical sensors for the detection of chemical species and the monitoring of physical parameters. Our group pioneered the design of thermal sensors based on phase-change materials (PCMs) doped with chromogenic or luminescent dyes, whose optical response—including absorption, emission spectra, and luminescence lifetime—changes reversibly or irreversibly with the solid–liquid phase transition of the host material.
These sensors can be tailored to operate reversibly (enabling real-time temperature monitoring), or irreversibly (allowing the recording of temperature history), over a broad temperature range, from room temperature to above 150 °C, enabling applications in diverse environments. Their versatility has been demonstrated in biological systems, including live-cell temperature sensing, as well as in cold-chain monitoring for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Current research also extends these concepts to the detection of pH and other analytes through colorimetric and luminescent transduction mechanisms.
Beyond sensing, the unique optical responses of these nanostructures to temperature and light are exploited to develop printable security inks for anti-counterfeiting applications. Their tunable chromogenic and luminescent properties enable the authentication of high-value products by generating optical signatures that are difficult to replicate, providing an effective strategy to prevent counterfeiting.
- Photoactive Theranostic Nanoparticles. We develop multifunctional photoactive nanoplatforms and nanodevices, that integrate diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities within a single nanosystem. These theranostic nanoparticles combine optical imaging functionalities, based on luminescent nanomaterials, with the controlled delivery and release of therapeutic agents.
The release of the therapeutic cargo is triggered by external or local stimuli, including light, pH variations, and specific chemical analytes (e.g., oxidants), enabling spatiotemporal control over treatment. By integrating sensing, imaging, and therapy into a single platform, these nanodevices offer promising opportunities for precision medicine, targeted drug delivery, and advanced biomedical diagnostics.
Key projects
Ongoing
- Photoactivable irreversible thermochromic indicators for food cold chain tracking
MICIU, AEI, FEDER, Colaboración público-privada, CPP2024-011402
Duration: 01/10/2025-30/09/2028; Partners: UAB, ColorSensing
Ended
- Development of printable inks
ICN2, MCIN/AEI, Programa Severo Ochoa, valorización tecnológica
Duration: 01/02/2021-31/12/2021 - Design of polymeric biodegradable Magnetic‐Optic nanocapsules with multi‐THERapeutic capabilities and nanothermometry.
ICN2, MCIN/AEI, Programa Severo Ochoa, seeding project.
Duration: 13/10/2021-31/12/2021; Partners: Magnetic Nanostructures group (ICN2) - Photoactive multiresponsive hybrid nanoparticles as printable anticounterfeiting markers.
AGAUR, Llavor, 2019 LLAV00073
Duration: 01/05/2020-31/01/2021 - Administración intranasal de nuevos nanotransportadores para enfermedades cerebrales
MCIN/AEI, UE, Generación de conocimiento, PID2021-127983OB-C21
Duration: 01/09/2022-31/08/2024; Partners: UAB - BIOVAC-2. Artificial bacteria: a novel generation of bioinspired vaccines
BIST, Ignite Grant, Phase 2
Duration: 01/01/2020-30/11/2020; Partners: Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC) - Novel nanocarriers for brain disease theranostics
MICIN/AEI/FEDER, Generación de conocimiento, RTI2018-098027-B-C21
Duration: 01/01/2019-31/12/2021; Partners: UAB - Artificial bacteria: a novel generation of bioinspired vaccines
Entidad/Tipo de proyecto: BIST, Ignite Grant, Phase 1 (proyecto seeding)
Duration: 01/04/2019-31/11/2019; Partners: Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC)
Key technology transfer
Spinoff
- Distinkt SL (2022-present)
Patents
- A photoinduced thermo(fluoro)chromic composition (WO2021110794)
Priority date: 05/12/2019
Application number: EP19383086.6
Inventors: C. Roscini (ICN2), J. Otaegui Ramón, J. Hernando, D. Ruiz-Molina
Assignees: CSIC, ICN2, UAB
License: Distinkt S. L.
State: Granted in Japan (JP7770652B2), USA, China.
Key publications
- Bioinspired phenol-based photocurable tissue sealants
Mater. Today Chem. 2026, 54, 103634, 2025, 25, 16538–16546
López-Moral, M. Ángel Moreno-Villaécija, S. Suárez-García, J. Bolaños-Cardet, J. Sedó-Vegara, R. Alibés, J. Mancebo-Aracil, H. Sardon, H. Lee, C. Roscini, M. Sangermano, F. Busqué, D. Ruiz-Molina
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2026.103634
- Accurate and Fast Thermal Sensing via Phase-Responsive Nanothermometers and Neural Networks
Nano Lett., 2025, 25, 16538–16546
París Ogáyar, L. Ming, F. Zhang, E. Ximendes, R. Marin, G. Lifante-Pedrola, A. Serrano, A. Espinosa, P. Haro-González, J. Hernando, D. Ruiz-Molina, J. R. Otaegui, C. Roscini, D. Jaque
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c04787 - A chromatic nanoswitcher for thermal monitoring of cell metabolism
Adv. Funct. Mater., 2025, 2418813Zhang, M. París Ogáyar, Á. Artiga, J. Hernando, E. Villar-Alvarez, J. Lorenzo, B. Salegi Ansa, S. Cogliati, L. Formentini, P. Haro-González, D. Ruiz-Molina, J. Ramon Otaegui, C. Roscini, D. Jaque
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202418813
- Ketocyanine-based materials for near infrared-to-visible thermochromism
Adv. Opt. Mater., 2025, 2401411
A. Julià López, N. Muñoz Pérez, R. Magerramov, M. Puyol, F. Crugeira, S. Miltsov, D. Ruiz-Molina, C. Roscini
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202401411 - High-contrast colorless-to-colored thermochromic materials
Small, 2025, e11454
Dinda, N. Muñoz Pérez, J. Faraudo, D. Ruiz-Molina, C. Roscini
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202511454 - Multimodal HOCl-responsive MEH-PPV nanoparticles for anti-inflammatory imaging and therapy
Sensors Actuat. B-Chem, 2024, 417, 136150
Villar-Alvarez, S. Parron-Onate, O. Wienskowska, A. Carrascull-Marín, C. Bellacanzone, J. Lorenzo, D. Ruiz-Molina, C. Roscini
DOI: https://doi:10.1016/j.snb.2024.136150 - Multidimensional Data Encoding Based on Multicolor Microencapsulated Thermoresponsive Fluorescent Phase Change Materials
Adv. Funct. Mater., 2024, 2402510
Ramon Otaegui, D. Ruiz-Molina, J. Hernando, C. Roscini
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202402510 - Water-Stable Upconverting Coordination Polymer Nanoparticles for Transparent Films and Anticounterfeiting Patterns with Air-Stable Upconversion
ACS App. Mater. Interfaces, 2023, 15, 8377–8386
Zhang, D. Ruiz-Molina, F. Novio, C. Roscini
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.2c16354 - Multimodal fluorescence switching materials: one dye to have them all
Adv. Opt. Mater., 2022, 2200083
Ramon Otaegui, A. Carrascull-Marín, D. Ruiz-Molina, J. Hernando, C. Roscini
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202200083 - Tunable Thermofluorochromic Sensors Based on Conjugated Polymers
Adv. Opt. Mater., 2022, 10, 2102423
Bellacanzone, J. R. Otaegui, J. Hernando, D. Ruiz-Molina, C. Roscini
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202102423 - Photoactivable Ruthenium-Based Coordination Polymer Nanoparticles for Light-Induced Chemotherapy
Nanomaterials, 2021, 11, 3089
Zhang, V. Ramu, X.-Q. Zhou, C. Frias, D. Ruiz-Molina, S. Bonnet, C. Roscini, F. Novio
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11113089 - Thermoresponsive Multicolor-Emissive Materials Based on Solid Lipid Nanoparticles
Mater. Horiz., 2021, 8, 3043–3054
J. Otaegui, D. Ruiz-Molina, L. Latterini, C. Roscini, J. Hernando
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MH01050F - Solid Materials with Near-Infrared-Induced Fluorescence Modulation
Adv. Opt. Mater., 2020, 2001063
Otaegui, D. Ruiz-Molina, P. Rubirola, J. Hernando, C. Roscini
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202001063 - Off/On Fluorescent Nanoparticles for Tunable High-Temperature Threshold Sensing
Adv. Funct. Mater., 2018, 28, 1801492
Julià López, D. Ruiz‐Molina, K. Landfester, M. B. Bannwarth, C. Roscini
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.8b22335
Key private collaborators
Distinkt SL, ColorSensing SL
Key collaborators
Prof. Chaoxia Wang (University of Jiangnan, Wuxi, China – Thermochromic sensors), Prof. Sylvestre Bonnet (University of Leiden, The Netherlands – Theragnostic nanoparticles), Prof. Katharina Landfester (Max Planck Institute, Germany – Fluorescent sensors), Prof. Daniel Jaque (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid – Luminescent Nanothermometers), Dr. Alejandro Gómez (Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia, ICN2 – Theragnostic nanoparticles), Prof. Josep Nogués (Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia, ICN2 – Theragnostic nanoparticles), Dr. Borja Sepulveda (Centro Nacional de Microelectrónica, CNM – Theragnostic nanoparticles), Prof. Eduard Torrent Serra (Instituto de Bioingeniería de Cataluña, IBEC – Theragnostic nanoparticles), Prof. Mar Puyol Bosch (Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, UAB – chromogenic sensors), Prof. Jordi Hernando (Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, UAB – Thermoresponsive luminescent sensors).