Innovating functional colour changing photonic crystals - from gas sensors to tissue scaffolds

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Structurally coloured polymer-based photonic crystals enhanced with pristine graphene or other 2D related nanomaterials that can change colour upon external stimuli such as heat or mechanical pressure are promising for a range of novel and emerging sensing applications. These materials have the potential to disrupt several market sectors, yet work is still needed in developing the base technology and multidisciplinary commercial application of the resulting devices and products. The programme of work within this Future Leaders Fellowship will focus on the executive transition of the fellow from academia to industry and her leading further multidisciplinary developments and the subsequent commercial innovation of novel photonic crystal devices. Particular aims are to produce an ionizing radiation dosimeter with an effective atomic number similar to that of human tissue for accurate tissue equivalent dosimetry, a sensing device which changes vividly in colour upon exposure to toxic gas environment in civilian first responder applications as well as a novel in vitro tissue model, consisting of heart cells on a conductive photonic crystal scaffold, to create a commercially viable, functional, electrically stimulated, physiologically relevant, heart tissue scaffold.The economic and social impact of these will be widely felt. For example cheap and simple to use devices that can quantitatively and qualitatively detect the presence of toxic gases can save the lives of civilians and first responders responding to hazardous fire situations. A radiation dosimeter for careful radiation monitoring will protect radiation workers and patients from potential health risks, and contribute to enhancement of the health and safety standards, while the development of novel tissue scaffolds will enable easier design and testing of vaccines and drugs and significantly reduce the use of animals.