Towards disease diagnosis through spectrochemical imaging of tissue architecture.
Lead Research Organisation:
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
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Publications
| Description | We have successfully deployed a high sensitivity, high resolution THz FT spectrometer onto a pulsed beamline. The ALICE THZ beam has been spectrally and spatially characterised. We have been contacted to quote for the permanent deployment of such an instrument as a beam diagnostic. We have spectrally characterised DNA and tissues in THz region. |
| Exploitation Route | Further instrumentation development for use in variety of science disciplines. Potential THz diagnostic. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Healthcare,Security and Diplomacy |
| Description | EPSRC DTA Studentship |
| Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2013 |
| End | 03/2017 |
| Title | THz Fourier Transform spectrometer |
| Description | We have designed, built and demonstrated a portable FT spectrometer for use on high intensity but unstable pulsed THz beamlines - one of the aims of the grant. This could further be developed to be a common user instrument for use on ALICE or other broad-band THz sources. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The impact is yet to come. But my research group's spin-out company now make a portable FTS instrument available commercially. |
| Description | Wales Cancer bank |
| Organisation | Wales Cancer Bank |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Exploration of new techniques for categorising cancer. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Supply of tissues and DNA for trial unique THz measurements. |
| Impact | N/A yet |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Title | A portable THz Fourier-transform spectrometer |
| Description | A portable THz Fourier-transform spectrometer has been developed for use with high intensity pulsed sources, such as the ALICE beamline at Daresbury. |
| Type Of Technology | Detection Devices |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Impact | Provided an excellent diagnostic tool for beamline physicists to understand spectral output of beam. Proof-of-concept for future station on a THz beamline. |
| Description | Cancer Research Open Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | PhD student-led Poster presentation and "talk to a scientist" representation. "Using astronomy instrumentation to diagnose early signs of cancer" Cardiff September 2014. CRUK organised. Members of the public were invited to come and talk to scientists involved in diagnosis, understanding and treatment of cancer. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Coleg Cendlaethol Cymraeg (The Welsh Collage), Cynhadledd wyddonol (Science conference) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A Welsh language science conference held at Aberystwyth, where Y1 PhD student gave a talk - "A all pelydrau 'Terahertz' ddatgelu arwyddion cynnar o gancr yn y corff?". This led to Welsh language media activity. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/coleg-cymraeg-cenedlaethol/membership-advantages/for-students |
| Description | Early Career Researcher poster competition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Early Career Researcher poster competition - "A all pelydrau 'Terahertz' ddatgelu arwyddion cynnar o gancr yn y corff?" Welsh language award run by Cardiff University. First year PhD student engaged with a range of primary language Welsh academics and students. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Research Network |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited talk for EPSRC Teranet meeting. Discussion of status and activities in UK THz community. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/projects?ref=EP/M00306X/1 |
| Description | Speaking of Science - Student led conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Speaking of Science - Student led conference "Using astronomy instrumentation to detect early signs of cancer", Cardiff May 2014. Given by 1st year PhD student. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/ugc/training/conferences/speaking-of-science |
| Description | Town meeting on Free electron light sources for the UK. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A Town Hall Meeting with representatives from EPSRC, ALICE and FELIX. Panel Discussion on: Scientific priorities; Technique development; Managing a joint Facility; Complementarity of the two FELs; Alternative sources; Resources required; Access mechanisms; The way forward with the EPSRC MRF mechanism. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | UCMMT conference talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | UCMMT conference talk - "Terahertz spectroscopy of nucleobases and nucleosides", given by 2nd year PhD student. Reporting on aspect of work relating to this grant, with purpose of opening discussion with potential collaborators on modelling techniques. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://easychair.org/smart-program/UCMMT-2015/index.html |
| Description | Women in Optics - Poster presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Women in Optics - Poster presentation "Terahertz spectroscopy of nucleobases and nucleosides", Marburg, Germany August 2015, attended by second year PhD student. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | https://www.uni-marburg.de/grk1782-en/nachrichten-2015/wioworkshop?language_sync=1 |