Mila Miroshnichenko will defend her PhD thesis on 21 April 2026
The PhD researcher Mila Miroshnichenko from the SusMoSys group at ICMAB-CSIC, will defend her PhD thesis on Tuesday, 21 April 2026 at ICMAB.
Triplet-Sensitized Molecular Photon Upconversion and Photoswitching
PhD Candidate: Mila Miroshnichenko
Date: Tuesday, 21 April 2026 Time: 11.00 AM Venue: Sala d'Actes Carles Miravitlles and ONLINE (Register here)
Abstract
This thesis investigates triplet-sensitized processes for energy upconversion and photoswitching across organic, aqueous, and biopolymer matrices. Novel triplet acceptor chromophores were synthesized and demonstrated efficient triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) and triplet-sensitized photoswitching (TSP). A new perylene-based annihilator enabled broadband red-to-green upconversion with high efficiency. Bio-sustainable TTA-UC films were developed using bacterial cellulose, allowing recyclability of chromophores. Additionally, a lipophilic azobenzene derivative showed reversible red/far-red light-driven isomerization within the phototherapeutic window. Finally, the work demonstrates in vivo photopharmacological control of heart rate using a triplet-sensitized azobenzene drug, highlighting the potential of these systems for biomedical applications.
Supervisor
Kasper Moth-Poulsen, UPC & ICMAB-CSIC
Pankaj Bharmoria, UPC & ICMAB-CSIC
PhD committee
President: Chiara Bertarelli, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Secretary: Claudio Roscini, ICN2, Spain
Vocal: Bart Limburg, UB, Spain
University: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
