Hybrid UV LED/elastomeric bio-instrumentation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Inst of Photonics
Abstract
The aim of the project is to develop a wearable photonic instrumentation platform and demonstrate its potential for biomedicine and quantum technology. The core of the platform is based on the integration of UV light-emitting diodes, mechanically flexible waveguides and semiconductor colloidal quantum dots.
The objectives of the research are (i) to explore, study and optimise the coupling of a microsize format of light-emitting diodes with elastomeric waveguides and associated integrated optics; (ii) to synthesise, characterise and optimise light-emitting composites; and (iii) to combine results from (i) and (ii) in order to demonstrate the enabling platform in application. Devices to be demonstrated responds to specific clinical and/or technological needs and include a wearable light source for phototherapy, a portable fluorescent biosensor (biomedicine) and a visible single photon source (quantum technology).
The student will be involved in activities to address all the above objectives. In particular, she will:
- Work with the LED fabrication team to inform the design of microLEDs fitted for the targeted devices
- Investigate different polymeric materials and colloidal quantum dots for the optimisation of light emitting composites; these activities include preparation of the composite in solid-state format such as thin films and the characterisation of their optical measurements by spectroscopy.
- Explore the incorporation of optofluidic channels and optics into the platform.
- Test and characterise the coupling performance of the microLEDs with the different elements of the platforms
- Demonstrate and characterise the aforementioned, targeted devices - e.g. with measurements of the spatial irradiance, optical spectrum and power efficiency of the wearable light source, or optical spectrum and light statistics of the single photon source.
The student will have the support of researchers from both FCAP and the University and will be able to capitalise on previous and on-going work on phototherapy device technology carried out by the team, and on established collaborations. The student will have the opportunity to engage with clinicians and collaborators at other universities and other Fraunhofer Institutes.
The objectives of the research are (i) to explore, study and optimise the coupling of a microsize format of light-emitting diodes with elastomeric waveguides and associated integrated optics; (ii) to synthesise, characterise and optimise light-emitting composites; and (iii) to combine results from (i) and (ii) in order to demonstrate the enabling platform in application. Devices to be demonstrated responds to specific clinical and/or technological needs and include a wearable light source for phototherapy, a portable fluorescent biosensor (biomedicine) and a visible single photon source (quantum technology).
The student will be involved in activities to address all the above objectives. In particular, she will:
- Work with the LED fabrication team to inform the design of microLEDs fitted for the targeted devices
- Investigate different polymeric materials and colloidal quantum dots for the optimisation of light emitting composites; these activities include preparation of the composite in solid-state format such as thin films and the characterisation of their optical measurements by spectroscopy.
- Explore the incorporation of optofluidic channels and optics into the platform.
- Test and characterise the coupling performance of the microLEDs with the different elements of the platforms
- Demonstrate and characterise the aforementioned, targeted devices - e.g. with measurements of the spatial irradiance, optical spectrum and power efficiency of the wearable light source, or optical spectrum and light statistics of the single photon source.
The student will have the support of researchers from both FCAP and the University and will be able to capitalise on previous and on-going work on phototherapy device technology carried out by the team, and on established collaborations. The student will have the opportunity to engage with clinicians and collaborators at other universities and other Fraunhofer Institutes.
Planned Impact
This section should be read with the accompanying Pathways to Impact document, which describes how we intend to ensure impacts is realized in several different aspects.
Real-world impact is the leading priority for our industrial partners. Their confidence that the proposed CDT will deliver valuable scientific, engineering and commercial impact is emphasized by their overwhelming financial support (£4.1M from industry in the form of cash contributions, and further in-kind support of £5.3M).
Here we summarize what will be the impacts expected from the proposed CDT.
(1) Impact on People
(a) Students
The CDT will have its major impact on the students themselves, by providing them with new understanding, skills and abilities (technical, business, professional), and by enhancing their employability.
(b) The UK public
The engagement planned in the CDT will educate and inform the general public about the high quality science and engineering being pursued by researchers in the CDT, and will also contribute to raising the profile of this mode of doctoral training -- particularly important since the public have limited awareness of the mechanisms through which research scientists are trained.
(2) Impact on Knowledge
New scientific knowledge and engineering know-how will be generated by the CDT. Theses, conference / journal papers and patents will be published which disseminate this knowledge.
(3) Impact on UK industry and economy
UK companies will gain a competitive advantage by using know-how and new techniques generated by CDT researchers.
Companies will also gain from improved recruitment and retention of high quality staff.
Longer term economic impacts will be felt as increased turnover and profitability for companies, and perhaps other impacts such as the generation / segmentation of new markets, and companies receiving inward investment for new products.
(4) Impact on Society
Research in the CDT spans many sectors, all of which impact society, e.g. in the improvement of healthcare diagnostics, or in the creation of new consumer products and services. This CDT has particular resonance with all of the RCUK stated societal challenge themes, with more detail provided in the Pathways to Impact document.
Greater internationalisation of the cohort of CDT researchers is expect from some of the CDT activities (e.g. international summer schools), with the potential impact if greater collaboration in the future between the next generations of UK and international researchers.
Real-world impact is the leading priority for our industrial partners. Their confidence that the proposed CDT will deliver valuable scientific, engineering and commercial impact is emphasized by their overwhelming financial support (£4.1M from industry in the form of cash contributions, and further in-kind support of £5.3M).
Here we summarize what will be the impacts expected from the proposed CDT.
(1) Impact on People
(a) Students
The CDT will have its major impact on the students themselves, by providing them with new understanding, skills and abilities (technical, business, professional), and by enhancing their employability.
(b) The UK public
The engagement planned in the CDT will educate and inform the general public about the high quality science and engineering being pursued by researchers in the CDT, and will also contribute to raising the profile of this mode of doctoral training -- particularly important since the public have limited awareness of the mechanisms through which research scientists are trained.
(2) Impact on Knowledge
New scientific knowledge and engineering know-how will be generated by the CDT. Theses, conference / journal papers and patents will be published which disseminate this knowledge.
(3) Impact on UK industry and economy
UK companies will gain a competitive advantage by using know-how and new techniques generated by CDT researchers.
Companies will also gain from improved recruitment and retention of high quality staff.
Longer term economic impacts will be felt as increased turnover and profitability for companies, and perhaps other impacts such as the generation / segmentation of new markets, and companies receiving inward investment for new products.
(4) Impact on Society
Research in the CDT spans many sectors, all of which impact society, e.g. in the improvement of healthcare diagnostics, or in the creation of new consumer products and services. This CDT has particular resonance with all of the RCUK stated societal challenge themes, with more detail provided in the Pathways to Impact document.
Greater internationalisation of the cohort of CDT researchers is expect from some of the CDT activities (e.g. international summer schools), with the potential impact if greater collaboration in the future between the next generations of UK and international researchers.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Nicolas Laurand (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Natalie Bruce (Student) |