H600 PhD Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering
Abstract
This project is to design and implement novel ultrasonic transducer technology at the end of optical fibres for the measurement and detection of flaws and disease in engineering and biomedical applications. The aim is to be able to access harder-to-reach areas through the use of narrow optical fibres and endoscopic technology. This will be based on our novel ultrasonic cell imaging technology* and the project will be based around implementing this on optical fibre, the development of novel scanning and imaging systems and application in diverse areas. The project will also explore the implementation of these systems using conventional CW detection technology as well as pump-probe technology.
* Pérez-Cota et al, Appl. Opt. 54, 8388-8398 (2015)
* Pérez-Cota et al, Appl. Opt. 54, 8388-8398 (2015)
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509309/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/03/2021 | |||
| 1811178 | Studentship | EP/N509309/1 | 01/11/2016 | 15/12/2020 | Salvatore La Cavera III |
| Description | Sound is an incredibly useful tool for probing, and even imaging, a wide range of objects; for example, our research group has used ultrasonics to map features on objects as large as a biscuit tin, and as small as living cells. From an energy standpoint, sound is far less damaging than light, which makes it a great candidate for inspecting living things, as countless pregnant mothers will attest to. Sound can also reach places where light cannot, such as deep into metals, which allows inspection of the object's mechanical properties. Our lab has developed an advanced method of ultrasound imaging called "phonon microscopy." This technique has proven capable of imaging living cells in 3 dimensions and displays "colours" in the form of changes in mechanical properties such as cell stiffness and the local speed of sound, among other qualities. In general, my project has sought to leverage these developments to be able to deploy such technology onto the tip of an optical fibre, which would vastly expand the range of ultrasonic sensors. The technology I have developed over the course of my project proves, for the first time, that a GHz frequency ultrasonic imaging sensor can be placed on the tip of an optical fibre. After achieving this first milestone, the first area of development I have focused on is using the device as a conventional sensor (e.g. in industrial monitoring applications). I published this work in an internationally renowned optics journal (https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.27.025064). Next I have sought to continue advancing the capabilities of this technology in the form of an imaging system. I have achieved proof of concept that the optical fibre sensor can perform 3D imaging and elastography in parallel on a microscopic, and even nanoscopic, scale. This means that for the first time a single optical fibre will be capable of looking at the stiffness of a single biological cell, e.g. a colorectal cancer cell undergoing chemotherapy. Due to the optical fibre implementation of this technology, it can be deployed endoscopically, and therefore disease can be inspected on a cellular level inside the human body. The continued development towards this application is the topic of my forthcoming EPSRC Doctoral Prize 2021-2022. |
| Exploitation Route | The continued development of this young technology will lead to endoscopists and clinicians obtaining new information about disease. Instead of invasively extracting tissue biopsy specimens, processing the biological specimen, performing histology, and undergoing multiple rounds of analysis until a diagnosis is reached, the technology I have developed provides a pathway towards in vivo histology and diagnostics. The probe will look at the mechanical signature of biological cells and tissue, and report this mechanical information back to the clinician in real time. This mechanical information is related to the health of the specimen, e.g. stiffness plays a central role in how tumour cells migrate and proliferate, and often displays stark contrast compared with the mechanical signatures of healthy tissue and cells. |
| Sectors | Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Other |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.27.025064 |
| Description | EPSRC Doctoral Prize - Phonon endoscopy: a new generation of endoscopes for cancer diagnostics |
| Amount | £29,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2021 |
| End | 02/2022 |
| Description | ICU Poster |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The International Congress on Ultrasonics is an large academic conference on all things Ultrasound. The intended purpose is to share findings within the greater field of ultrasonics; and more specifically, in the sub-field of picosecond laser ultrasound, of which I am apart. I presented a poster during one of the conference's large poster sessions and engaged with approximately 20 people about my work. There are few tangible outcomes, however, I was able to engage with a variety of different researchers and broadcast my work/recent publication to the greater research field. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://kuleuvencongres.be/2019icu |
| Description | Invited Speaker - Hokkaido University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I was invited by the Hokkaido University Division of Applied Physics in Japan to present a lecture to a collection of undergraduate and postgraduate students on the latest advances in the field of optical fibre based picosecond acoustics. This lecture resulted in lively discussions between academics, researchers, and students in an international setting. As a result of this lecture, communication between two world leading opto-acoustics laboratories was renewed and future collaborations discussed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Invited Speaker - The First Academic Salon of Intracavity Detection Technology and Application for Urological Tumor |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Chinese endoscope manufacturer YouCare Technologies organised a professional workshop and technology transfer session for applying new optical fibre sensing and imaging technologies to gastrointesinal pathology. I was invited to be one of the keynote speakers. The audience consisted of endoscope engineers/designers, clinical endoscopists, surgeons, diagnostic specialists, and general physicians. Recent breakthroughs in technology were presented, and group discussions took place regarding the best application of these technologies, as well as the development of future devices suited for specific needs highlighted by practicing physicians and surgeons. The impact of these engagement is the development of future clinical tools which meet the needs outlined by the professional practitioners. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Laser Ultrasonics International Conference 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was an international conference for the field of Laser Ultrasound, which our university (The University of Nottingham) hosted. I presented a talk on my research for 15 minutes, and also presented a poster on a separate topic and fielded questions. The event allowed the opportunity for me to better integrate into the research field, and potentially identify like-minded projects/researchers which could be of use in a collaborative or assessor capacity in the future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://lu2018.iopconfs.org/home |
| Description | Tech Transfer (RCNDE) - 2020 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Technology Transfer is a networking, dissemination, and brainstorming event put on by the RCNDE; the primary purpose of the event is to bring forward recent developments in NDE to an audience of half-researchers and half-industry/industrial-sponsors. Key discussions took place regarding how to better streamline the transition from R&D to the market. I presented a 10 minute talk regarding my PhD's findings, and also presented a poster/demo. The audience was estimated to be ~50 people. I networked with a few individuals regarding future potential avenues of research, and one individual regarding a future job prospect. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Technology Transfer (RCNDE) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This event was organised (by the RCNDE branch of the EPSRC) in order to present and disseminate engineering research to an audience of industrial sponsors, all of whom were affiliated with the RCNDE. I presented a 5 minute talk to the audience, and later presented a research poster; I was also able to network with quite a few industry persons. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2018 |