Encoded nano-structures/particles have been used for barcoding and are in great demand for the simultaneous analysis of multiple targets. Due to their nanoscale dimension(s), nano-barcodes have been implemented favourably for bioimaging, in addition to their security and multiplex bioassay application. In designing nano-barcodes for a specific application, encoding techniques, synthesis strategies, and decoding techniques need to be considered. The encoding techniques to generate unique multiple codes for nano-barcodes are based on certain encoding elements including optical (fluorescent and non-fluorescent), graphical, magnetic, and phase change properties of nanoparticles or their different shapes and sizes. These encoding elements can generally be embedded inside, decorated on the surface of nanostructures or self-assembled to prepare the nano-barcodes. The decoding techniques for each encoding technique are different and need to be suitable for the desired applications. This review will provide a thorough discussion on designing nano-barcodes, focusing on the encoding techniques, synthesis methods, and decoding for applications including bio-detection, imaging, and anti-counterfeiting. Additionally, associated challenges in the field and potential solutions will also be discussed. We believe that a comprehensive understanding on this topic could significantly contribute towards the advancement of nano-barcodes for a broad spectrum of applications.

中文翻译：

---

纳米条形码的多功能设计和合成

编码的纳米结构/颗粒已用于条形码，并且对同时分析多个目标有很高的要求。由于其纳米级尺寸，除了其安全性和多重生物测定应用之外，纳米条形码还被有利地用于生物成像。在设计用于特定应用的纳米条形码时，需要考虑编码技术，合成策略和解码技术。生成用于纳米条形码的唯一多个代码的编码技术基于某些编码元素，包括纳米粒子的光学（荧光和非荧光），图形，磁性和相变特性或它们的不同形状和大小。这些编码元素通常可以嵌入到内部，装饰在纳米结构的表面或自组装以制备纳米条形码。每种编码技术的解码技术都不同，并且需要适合所需的应用。这篇综述将就设计纳米条形码提供详尽的讨论，重点是编码技术，合成方法以及用于生物检测，成像和防伪等应用的解码。此外，还将讨论该领域中的相关挑战以及潜在的解决方案。我们相信，对该主题的全面理解可能会极大地促进纳米条形码在各种应用中的发展。这篇综述将就设计纳米条形码提供详尽的讨论，重点是编码技术，合成方法以及用于生物检测，成像和防伪等应用的解码。此外，还将讨论该领域中的相关挑战以及潜在的解决方案。我们相信，对该主题的全面理解可能会极大地促进纳米条形码在各种应用中的发展。这篇综述将就设计纳米条形码提供详尽的讨论，重点是编码技术，合成方法以及用于生物检测，成像和防伪等应用的解码。此外，还将讨论该领域中的相关挑战以及潜在的解决方案。我们相信，对该主题的全面理解可能会极大地促进纳米条形码在各种应用中的发展。