Advanced time-resolved optical sensing and imaging systems for biomedical and environmental applications

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Recent advances in photonics and electronics technologies are one of the driving forces behind many novel photonics devices development. Among these device technologies, optical sensing and imaging have been investigated for applications in life sciences research (e.g. microscopic imaging and analytical instruments), environmental sensing (e.g. water quality monitoring) and medical diagnosis (e.g. endoscopic imaging and laboratory test instruments). The majority of the instruments and devices operate by measuring the amplitude of the light intensity in the spatial (e.g. imaging) and spectral (e.g. spectroscopy) domain. Time-dependent intensity variation, especially at high speed, are not as widely used, even when many feasibility studies demonstrated that they provide important information for many applications. For example, comparing to intensive based measurements, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) can provide more efficient measure of protein-protein interaction at 1-10 nm scale, which could be very useful in drug discovery process. However, there is no commercial high content screening instrument with a high resolution FLIM capability for measuring protein-protein interaction. Another example is dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements. Although commercial frequency modulated DO instruments exist for more than 10 years, miniaturized lab-on-chip DO measurements are still relying on steady-state techniques and usually cost over $1000 each. In the proposed research program, we plan to study the integration of photonics, microelectronics, and mechanical components into next generation time-resolved optical sensors/imagers. Specifically, we will 1)develop technologies towards a FLIM microscope with the highest acquisition speed with high spatial and temporal resolution; 2)develop integrated time-resolved compact optofluidics sensor devices capable of continuous measurements while remain low-cost; 3)develop customized computational algorithms tailored to the detection technologies for accurate and fast time-domain parameter retrieval. The proposed advanced sensing and imaging technology program will be supported by the world class Micro/Nano material synthetization, component fabrication, characterization, and device integration facilities available at McMaster. The program will focus on integrated time-domain optical sensing and imaging device technology development. The applications of such technologies include life science analytical instruments, automated microscopy for drug discovery, and environmental monitoring. Research in these applications will be supported by project-based funding mechanisms including NSERC, OCE, and CIHR.