Rare-earth-DNA-nanotube complexes for bio-sensing applications

本项目将研究用于生物传感应用的稀土离子纳米级配合物与dna包裹纳米管的近场光学。探索一类新的稀土基生物相容性材料。在这些材料中，dna包裹的纳米管，用生物分析物功能化，用于光学传感，将用作等离子体纳米天线。该方法是应用理论建模和光学表征来理解纳米管等离子体模式与周围生物分子存在的稀土发射器之间的近场相互作用。智力上的优点在于理解稀土/DNA/纳米管复合物中近场电磁模式的物理特性，开发其生物功能化方案，探索周围环境对其近场响应的影响。从长远来看，这将导致开发新的纳米材料并优化其用于生物传感器的应用。更广泛的影响将包括将积累的基础知识传播给理哈伊大学的本科生和研究生，以及通过基于网络的校际网络MatPAC向其他PA学院的学生传播。研究成果将通过里哈伊纳米技术网络传播给当地工业界，以及来自工业界、国家实验室和学术界的其他里哈伊合作伙伴。K-12推广计划将包括在利哈伊山谷当地学校的讲座，并为国家设施的展览捐款。达芬奇探索中心。计划为当地社区学院和库茨敦大学的教师提供STEM强化课程。研究将有利于物理系的REU和GAAN计划，特别注意来自stem下的特定团体的强烈参与。

This project will study near-field optics of nanoscale complexes of rare earth ions with DNA-wrapped nanotubes for bio-sensing applications. A new class of rare earth based bio-compatible materials will be explored. In these materials DNA-wrapped nanotube, functionalized with bio-analytes for optical sensing, will serve as a plasmonic nano-antenna. The approach is to apply a theoretical modeling along with an optical characterization, to understand the near-field interaction between nanotube plasmonic modes and rare-earth emitter in the presence of surrounding bio-molecules. The intellectual merit is in understanding the physics of the near-field electromagnetic modes in the rare-earth/DNA/nanotube complexes, developing schemes for their bio-functionalization and exploring effects of surrounding environment on their near-field response. This will lead to developing new nano-materials and optimizing it for bio-sensor applications on a long run. The broader impact will include dissemination of accumulated fundamental knowledge to undergraduate and graduate students at Lehigh University as well as to students from other PA Schools via the web-based inter-university network MatPAC. Research results will be disseminated to local industry, via the Lehigh Nanotech Network, and to other Lehigh part¬ners from industry, national labs and academia. The K-12 outreach program will include lectures at local schools in Lehigh Valley and contributions to the exhibition at the National facility ? DaVinci Discovery Center. STEM enhancement programs are planned for teachers from local Community Colleges and Kutztown University. Research will benefit the REU and GAAN programs of the Physics Department, with special attention paid to strong involvement from STEM-under¬rep¬re¬sen¬ted groups.