Researchers have developed a fluorescence thermometry technique that enables temperature measurements with sub-micrometer spatial and millisecond temporal resolution. This advance is based on fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM, for its acronym in English), a technique that measures the time fluorescent molecules remain in an excited state before emitting a photon. The novelty lies in the ability to integrate these thermal measurements with the simultaneous acquisition of multiple imaging channels, providing a more comprehensive view of biological and physical processes at the microscopic scale.

The technique leverages the sensitivity of fluorescence lifetime to temperature. By calibrating the relationship between the lifetime of a specific fluorophore and temperature, scientists can map thermal distributions with high precision. The achieved resolution is crucial for studying localized phenomena, such as heat dissipation in nanoelectronic devices or temperature changes in cellular organelles during metabolic processes. The ability to acquire multiple imaging channels simultaneously means that, in addition to temperature, data on morphology, chemical species concentration, or enzymatic activity can be obtained from the same sample and at the same time.

This development has significant implications for various fields. In biology, it could allow for a deeper understanding of cellular and subcellular thermoregulation, as well as the study of diseases where temperature gradients play a role. In materials science and nanotechnology, it would facilitate the thermal characterization of new materials and the analysis of device performance at small scales, where temperature control is critical. The robustness of the method and its integration with existing imaging techniques make it a versatile tool for research.