SBIR PHASE I: Phase Fluorometer for Laboratory Instruction

9561013 Fernandez当前最普遍和最重要的技术趋势之一是利用光（光子学）来执行以前用电子技术完成的功能，或者用旧技术根本无法实现的功能；这是提供实验室经验的一个重要领域。这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目将开发一种新型仪器来测量荧光寿命，并开发相关的课件，用于大学本科阶段的实验室教学和物理、化学、生物和工程科学的学习。该仪器基于Ciencia最近开发的廉价，坚固的相位荧光计。在第一阶段，将开发适合本科普通物理课程（理科生）实验部分的特定实验的课件模块，以及适合大二光学课程和高年级学生研究的课件模块。Ciencia将与康涅狄格大学物理系合作开发教学模块，并在课堂上测试该系统。这台仪器将首次为本科实验室带来迄今为止仅在高度专业化的研究中心才能获得的能力。潜在的应用范围包括物理、化学、生物和工程实验课程。潜在的商业应用包括本科实验室研究以及本科科学和工程课程的实验室部分的课堂教学。潜在的市场包括大学的物理、化学、生物和工程部门。

9561013 Fernandez One of the most pervasive and important current technological trends is the use of light (photonics) to perform functions that previously were accomplished with electronics, or which simply were not feasible with older technologies; it is an important area within which to provide laboratory experiences. This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I Project will develop a novel instrument to measure fluorescence lifetimes and associated courseware targeted to undergraduate university level laboratory teaching and learning in the physical, chemical, biological and engineering sciences. The instrument is based on an inexpensive, rugged phase fluorometer recently developed at Ciencia. In the Phase I, courseware modules will be developed for specific experiments suitable for the laboratory component of general undergraduate physics courses (for science students), as well as for sophomore level optics courses and senior level student research. Ciencia will collaborate with the University of Connecticut Physics Department in the development of the teaching modules and for testing the system in the classroom. This instrument will make it possible to bring, for the first time, to undergraduate laboratories a capability that until now has only been available at highly specialized research centers. Potential applications span physics, chemistry, biology and engineering laboratory courses. Potential commercial applications include undergraduate laboratory research as well as classroom teaching in the laboratory component of undergraduate science and engineering courses. Potential markets include the physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering departments at colleges and universities.