# Brighter nanoparticles could help detect drug impurities and pollutants

_Published Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 3:07 PM EDT · Science · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Brighter nanoparticles could help detect drug impurities and pollutants — Primary](https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/1920/near-infrared-laser-shined-on-nanoparticles.webp)

University of Toronto engineers developed tiny particles that glow green under near-infrared light after attaching to a target chemical. The particles can detect very small quantities and distinguish molecules made from the same atoms arranged in different ways, a difference that can affect a drug's safety or effectiveness.

The researchers redesigned the particles in layers so incoming light energy moves inward rather than being lost. They reported a signal about 150 times brighter than particles without added dye and about 50 times brighter than some optimized earlier designs.

The work remains a laboratory proof of concept. Manufacturing the particles at scale is still an obstacle to using them in drug-quality or pollution tests.

## Sources

- [All Top News -- ScienceDaily](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260919031030.htm)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/2fhV2lacYl9FfdBU0qS4k4
Published: 2026-09-20T19:07:26.122Z
Story chronology: 2026-09-20T11:35:28.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-09-20T21:25:26.015Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)