SBIR Phase I: Swept-Laser Spectroscopic System for High Resolution and Sensitivity Imaging of Gold Nanoparticles

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目建议生成一个原型高分辨率，高速光谱系统，由1060nm扫描激光器和光接收器组成，以表征金纳米颗粒的散射特性。研究目标将通过追求四个技术目标来实现：(1)产生宽范围，窄频带1060nm扫描波长激光器；(2)开发速度和灵敏度优化的光电接收系统；(3)表征金纳米颗粒的散射特性；(4)验证理论模型，确定关键光谱系统性能参数。通过造影剂在分子和细胞水平上对疾病进行高灵敏度成像的能力将极大地促进生物技术和纳米技术的进步。从传统的荧光和吸收染料到最新的半导体量子点和金属纳米颗粒，各种造影剂已经被探索用于成像应用。最近设计的金纳米颗粒具有优异的光散射和吸收特性以及长期稳定性，当与抗体结合时，可以实现各种疾病的高对比度分子和细胞成像。如果成功，SBIR一期项目的长期目标是开发一种基于1060nm区域高速扫描激光光谱系统的新型生物成像方式，以询问由金纳米颗粒制成的生物传感器。新系统应该能够通过深层组织渗透进行无创疾病检测。这种潜在的强大的生物医学传感模式可以从纳米技术、扫描波长激光系统和高灵敏度光电接收器的独特技术进步的融合中创造出来。此外，固有的光纤平台和纳米技术应该使紧凑的扫描激光光谱仪具有强大的商业部署。该项目的成果将实现三个关键目标：(1)用于安全和保健的可实地部署的生化和生物医学诊断系统；(2)光谱仪器，加强纳米粒子传感器和药物发现的研究；(3)促进疾病识别和理解细胞和分子生物学的新能力。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes to generate a prototype high-resolution, high-speed spectroscopic system consisting of a 1060nm swept laser and a photoreceiver to characterize the scattering properties of gold nanoparticels. The research goals will be accomplished by pursuing four technical objectives: (1) Generate a wide range, narrow-band 1060nm swept-wavelength laser; (2) Develop a photoreceiver system optimized for speed and sensitivity; (3) Characterize the scattering properties of gold nanoparticles; (4) Verify theoretical model and identify key spectroscopic system performance parameters. The ability to perform high sensitivity imaging of diseases in molecular and cellular levels through contrast enhancing agents will greatly benefit the advancement of biotechnology and Nanotechnology. Various contrasting agents have been explored for imaging applications, including the traditional florescence and absorption dyes, to the latest semiconductor quantum dots and metallic nanoparticles. The recently engineered gold nanoparticles possess superior light scattering and absorbing characteristics as well as long-term stability, and when bound to antibodies, can enable high-contrast molecular and cellular imaging of various diseases.If successful the long-term objective of this SBIR Phase I project is to develop a novel biological imaging modality based on a high-speed swept laser spectroscopic system at 1060nm region to interrogate bio-sensors made of gold nanoparticles. The new system should enable noninvasive disease detection with deep tissue penetration . This potentially powerful biomedical sensing modality can be created from a convergence of unique technological advancement in Nanotechnology, swept-wavelength laser system, and high-sensitivity photoreceiver. Furthermore, the inherent fiber-optics platform and Nanotechnology should enable a compact swept laser spectrometer for robust commercial deployment. The outcome of this project will accomplish three critical objectives: (1) A field deployable bio-chemical and bio-medical diagnostic system for security and healthcare; (2) An spectroscopic instrument to enhance research of nanoparticle sensors and drug discovery; (3) A new capability to facilitate the identification of diseases and the understanding of cellular and molecular biology.