SLPcalculator: a web-based tool to estimate nanoparticle heating with peak analysis and F-test

Abstract

Accurately determining the Specific Loss Power (SLP) remains a major challenge in magnetic hyperthermia and photothermal heating. In this work, we examine the practical implementation of the Peak Analysis Method (PAM), an alternative to Newton's-law-based approaches. Our focus is on how the number of data points affects the identification of the linear regime around the peak of the ΔT(t) curve, as this method relies on calculating and comparing the slopes of the heating and cooling branches around the maximum. Using an F-test-based statistical criterion, we objectively determine the valid linear range and compare the resulting SLP values with those obtained from the Initial Slope Method (ISM), one of the most common Newton-law-based approaches, which also relies on linear range fit. Our results reveal that the correct determination of the linear range leads to significantly different SLP values compared to those obtained using arbitrary time windows, underlining the necessity of employing statistical criteria for a robust and reproducible analysis. Finally, we introduce an open-access website (SLPcalculator.com) that integrates PAM with the F-test, providing a systematic and user-friendly tool for reliable SLP estimation without the need for manual fitting procedures.