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HOBOKEN,
N.J. — Stevens Institute of Technology’s Dr. Henry
Du and his research team have pioneered work on the
integration of photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) with
nanoscale technologies that will potentially lead
to robust chemical and biological sensing devices.
The National Science Foundation recently granted Du’s
team $1.3 million to pursue a multidisciplinary project
in the area.
Using
molecular and nanoscale surface modification, state-of-the-art
laser techniques, and computer simulation, their research
seeks to enhance the prospects of PCF sensors, sensor
arrays, and sensor networks for diverse applications
such as remote and dynamic environmental monitoring,
manufacturing process safety, medical diagnosis, early
warning of biological and chemical warfare, and homeland
defense.
“Through
basic and applied research,” said Du, “the optically
robust PCFs with surface-functionalized, axially-aligned
air holes are expected to achieve a quantum leap in
chemical and biological detection capability over
conventional fiber-optic sensor technology.”
PCF
sensors enabled by nanotechnology also have the potential
to be a powerful research platform for in-situ fundamental
studies of surface chemistry and chemical/biological
interactions in microchemical and microbiological
systems.
Specifically,
PCFs will be fabricated via a modified sol-gel method
for optical fibers with the aid of simulation-based
design for optimum light-analyte interactions. Nanoscale
surface functionalization will be conducted following
two strategies:
1. Surface attachment of Ag nanoparticles mediated
by 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane self-assembled
monolayer (SAM) for chemical sensing of NOx, CO, and
SO2, where surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)
can be exploited for high sensitivity and molecular
specificity; and
2. Surface binding of biospecific recognition entities
for biological sensing using the following recognition
pairs: biotin/avidin, cholera toxin/anticholera toxin
and organophosphorous hydrolase (OPH)/paraoxon, where
SERS may also be exploited.
The functionalized hollow core or cladding air holes
will be filled with analytes for evaluation of sensing
capabilities of PCFs. Surface functionalization studies
will employ various surface-sensitive analytical techniques.
Sensing measurements will make use of a range of state-of-the-art
laser techniques. Experimental studies will be augmented
by computer simulation, taking into account of the
effects of surface functionalization, analyte medium,
and biospecific interactions on the optical characteristics
of PCFs.
An
interdisciplinary team of academic and industrial
researchers cutting across a broad spectrum of disciplines
has been assembled to carry out this project. The
project also involves postdoctoral fellows, graduate
students, and several undergraduate/high-school summer
research scholars, thus affording them the training
and exposure in chemical and biological sensing and
monitoring, a priority area of federal R&D, in
view of the challenges faced by the nation.
Broad
dissemination of research findings will be achieved
via conference presentations, publications, and yearly
on-site workshops.
A
program-specific website will also be developed for
timely release of significant research outcomes. The
project is being conducted in collaboration with OFS
Laboratories (formerly the Optical Fiber Division,
Bell Laboratories), a world leader in fiber optic
research, via NSF’s GOALI mechanism.
The
research team consists of Professor Du (PI), Stevens’
Department of Chemical, Biomedical, and Materials
Engineering; Professor Svetlana Sukhishvili (Co-PI);
Stevens’ Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology;
Professors Hong-Liang Cui (Co-PI), Rainer Martini
(Faculty Fellow), and Kurt Becker (Faculty Fellow),
Stevens’ Department of Physics and Engineering Physics;
Professor Christos Christodoulatos (Co-PI), Stevens’
Center for Environmental Systems; and Dr. Ryan Bise
(Co-PI), OFS Laboratories (formerly Fiber Optic Research
Department of Bell Laboratories).
Established in 1870, Stevens offers baccalaureate,
masters and doctoral degrees in engineering, science,
computer science, management and technology management,
as well as a baccalaureate in the humanities and liberal
arts, and in business and technology. The university
has enrollments of approximately 1,740 undergraduates
and 2,600 graduate students. Additional information
may be obtained from its web page at www.Stevens.edu.
For
the latest news about Stevens, please visit www.StevensNewsService.com.
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