Lab-in-a-Fiber Optofluidic Platform: In-Situ Assembly and Response of Layer-by-Layer Polyelectrolyte Films in Confined Geometry

光纤光流控实验室平台：有限几何结构中逐层聚电解质薄膜的原位组装和响应

• 批准号: 1206669
• 负责人: Henry Du
• 金额: $ 38.96万
• 依托单位: Stevens Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-07-01 至 2015-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1206669&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Lab; Fiber; Optofluidic; Platform; Situ

This project is jointly funded by the Electronic and Photonic Materials Program (EPM) in the Division of Materials Research (DMR) and the Electronics, Photonics, and Magnetic Devices Program (EPMD) in the Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS).Technical Description: This project is a theoretical and experimental investigation to integrate layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of functional polyelectrolyte thin films with a long-period grating structure inscribed in index-guided photonic crystal fiber. The integrated system represents a lab-in-a-fiber optofluidics platform by virtue of its high refractive index sensitivity and the feasibility for molecular/nanoscale functionalization in axially aligned cladding air channels. The research is designed to gain fundamental insights into distinct features of LbL growth in fiber and to probe the response of the LbL film to stimuli in confined geometry in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the integrated scheme for optofluidic sensors. Project activities entail (1) simulation of mode coupling in various lab-in-a-fiber configurations to determine optimal platform with the highest possible index sensitivity; (2) inscription of the grating structure with the simulation as a guide to realize mode coupling at prescribed resonant wavelengths; (3) deposition of LbL polyelectrolytes with different propensity to chain exchange with a multitude of parameters while measuring the shift in resonance wavelength in situ; and (4) evaluation of the pH response of polyacid-based hydrogels constructed via LbL in the lab-in-a-fiber platform. The central goals of this project are to (1) establish a novel lab-in-a-fiber optofluidics to study LbL deposition in situ; (2) provide important insights into the distinct features of LbL deposition and response in confined geometry; and (3) build a knowledge foundation for the exploration of lab-in-a-fiber optofluidic sensing.Non-technical Description: The research component of this project is to investigate layer-by-layer thin-film growth inside a special type of optical fiber, photonic crystal fiber with long-period grating structure, and to study the response of the thin film to stimuli in confined geometry. The success of the project is expected to bring to basic and applied research community and potentially the market place a transformative lab-in-a-fiber optofluidic stimuli-responsive platform for scientific exploration and technological applications. From educational perspective, this project engages doctoral students, undergraduate students, as well as high-school students. Dissemination of research results is achieved via various channels, including peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, web posting, and case studies in classrooms.

该项目由材料研究部（DMR）电子和光子材料计划（EPM）和电气、通信和网络系统（ECCS）部电子、光子和磁性器件计划（EPMD）联合资助。技术描述：该项目是一项理论和实验研究，旨在将功能性聚电解质薄膜的逐层（LbL）组装与 刻在折射率引导光子晶体光纤中的长周期光栅结构。该集成系统凭借其高折射率灵敏度以及在轴向排列的包层空气通道中进行分子/纳米级功能化的可行性，成为光纤光流控实验室平台。该研究旨在深入了解光纤中 LbL 生长的独特特征，并探讨 LbL 薄膜对受限几何形状中的刺激的响应，以证明光流控传感器集成方案的可行性。项目活动包括 (1) 在各种光纤实验室配置中模拟模式耦合，以确定具有尽可能高的折射率灵敏度的最佳平台； (2)刻写光栅结构，以模拟为指导，实现规定谐振波长下的模式耦合； (3) 用多种参数沉积具有不同链交换倾向的 LbL 聚电解质，同时测量原位共振波长的变化； (4) 在纤维实验室平台中评估通过 LbL 构建的聚酸基水凝胶的 pH 响应。该项目的中心目标是（1）建立新型光纤光流控实验室来研究 LbL 的原位沉积； (2) 为受限几何中 LbL 沉积和响应的独特特征提供重要见解； （3）为探索光纤流控实验室实验室建立知识基础。非技术描述：该项目的研究内容是研究一种特殊类型的光纤——具有长周期光栅结构的光子晶体光纤内的逐层薄膜生长，并研究薄膜对受限几何形状中的刺激的响应。该项目的成功预计将为基础和应用研究界以及潜在的市场带来一个用于科学探索和技术应用的变革性光纤光流控实验室刺激响应平台。从教育角度来看，该项目涉及博士生、本科生以及高中生。研究成果的传播是通过各种渠道实现的，包括同行评审出版物、会议演示、网络发布和课堂案例研究。