The invention relates to compositions of DOTA derivative compounds, lanthanoid-DOTA derivative molecular complex, and lanthanoid-complex encapsulated solid lipid particles or capsules, and methods of making and using the compositions. The solid lipid particles or capsules contain micelle cores stabilized by a hyperbranched polymer shell based from a crosslinked DOTA derivative compound or crosslinked lanthanoid-DOTA derivative complex. These solid lipid particles or capsules can be used in various applications, such as contrast agents or drug delivery vehicles.