FRET–Calc: A free software and web server for Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Calculation

• Published in: Computer physics communications 2023-06, Vol.287, p.108715, Article 108715
• Main Authors: Benatto, Leandro, Mesquita, Omar, Rosa, João L.B., Roman, Lucimara S., Koehler, Marlus, Capaz, Rodrigo B., Candiotto, Graziâni
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Energy transfer; Fluorescence; FRET; Förster radius; Organic semiconductor; Software
• ISSN: 0010-4655; 1879-2944
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cpc.2023.108715

Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Calculator (FRET−Calc) is a program and web server that analyzes molar extinction coefficient of the acceptor, emission spectrum of the donor, and the refractive index spectrum of the donor/acceptor blend. Its main function is to obtain important parameters of the FRET process from experimental data, such as: (i) effective refractive index, (ii) overlap integral, (iii) Förster radius, (iii) FRET efficiency and (iv) FRET rate. FRET−Calc is license free software that can be run via dedicated web server (nanocalc.org) or downloading the program executables (for Unix, Windows, and macOS) from the FRET−Calc repository on GitHub. The program features a user−friendly interface, making it suitable for materials research and teaching purposes. In addition, the program is optimized to run on normal computers and is lightweight. An example will be given with the step by step of its use and results obtained. •FRET parameters from experimental data to study organic materials such as polymers, fullerenes, non-fullerenes and dyes.•Simple and intuitive graphic interface for the FRET rate acquisition.•Possibility of use on your own computer or online.