Programmable Voltage Source for the Spectroscopic Integration (SPIN) Program

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The proposed programmable voltage source is the key research tool needed to realize the emerging work of the Spectroscopic Integration (SPIN) Program. The program is a major multidisciplinary initiative between six engineering and medical physics researchers at the University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Cancer Agency. The SPIN Program is developing technologies to integrate Raman and terahertz spectroscopy within lab-on-a-chip architectures. Raman spectroscopy is an established technique for characterizations of cancerous tissue—but with known challenges. Terahertz spectroscopy is an emerging technology that has recently been shown to have heightened sensitivity to the physiological markers of cancerous tissue—and thus it has great potential. With these complementary capabilities in mind, the SPIN Program is developing lab-on-a-chip microsystems that integrate terahertz and Raman spectroscopy. Such systems would enable high-sensitivity and high-throughput monitoring of radiotherapy responses of cancerous tissue. The work will ultimately be implemented through a collaboration between the University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Cancer Agency. To carry out the proposed integration of spectroscopic technologies, it is necessary for the researchers in the SPIN Program to gain access to a programmable voltage source. It is the key research tool needed to characterize the capabilities of the developed spectroscopic microsystems. The programmable voltage source that has been requested in this application will enable full characterizations (and iterative developments) of the microsystems. The future prospects of such work are significant—both in terms of research discoveries and benefits to Canadians.