Tunable Liquid Microlenses Actuated by Light-Responsive Hydrogels and Their Applications in Endoscopes

光敏水凝胶驱动的可调谐液体微透镜及其在内窥镜中的应用威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校蒋宏瑞教授摘要：本项目致力于(1)开发大焦距调谐范围、亚秒级调谐时间的光响应水凝胶驱动的可调谐液体微透镜，并将其集成到光纤中，以实现大扫描范围的内窥镜原型；以及(2)将高质量的教学和推广活动与研究相结合的连贯的跨学科计划。在所提出的微透镜中，水凝胶微结构在暴露于特定波长的光下时会发生体积变化，并作为微致动器来调节液-液半月板的形状，从而改变由此形成的微透镜的焦距。该研究计划包括(1)设计、制造和表征由光响应水凝胶激活的玻璃衬底上的可调谐液体微透镜；(2)通过将光响应可调微透镜集成到光纤中来开发内窥镜原型；以及(3)研究改善光响应水凝胶与其接口表面之间的粘附性，以提高微透镜和内窥镜的可靠性。这项研究在生物防御、环境监测和公共卫生方面具有广泛的潜在应用。基于水凝胶的微透镜系统可以结合许多水凝胶，这些水凝胶对不同的刺激做出反应，用作物理、生物或化学传感器。这项研究将为光学成像和微分析的变焦微光学做出重要贡献，这些光学和微分析在医疗诊断、生物光子学和芯片实验室技术中有着广泛的应用。它还将对微流体学，特别是光流体学和眼科学做出贡献。拟议的项目将为大学和K-12阶段的学生创造大量的教育机会。该项目的教育和宣传部分包括改进现有课程，开发新的跨学科课程，指导本科生和研究生，特别是代表性不足的学生，并通过许多渠道向当地社区和普通公众宣传和推广科学和工程学。

Tunable Liquid Microlenses Actuated by Light-Responsive Hydrogels and Their Applications in EndoscopesHongrui Jiang, University of Wisconsin at Madison0702095Abstract:This project focuses on (1) the development of light-responsive tunable liquid microlenses actuated by light-responsive hydrogels with large focal length tuning range and sub-seconds of tuning time, and integration of such tunable microlenses into fiber optics to realize a prototype endoscope with large scanning range; and (2) a coherent interdisciplinary program integrating high quality teaching and outreach activities with research. In the proposed microlenses, hydrogel microstructures undergo volumetric changes when exposed to light of certain wavelengths and serve as microactuators to tune the shape of liquid-liquid menisci, changing the focal length of the microlenses thus formed. The research program includes (1) design, fabrication and characterization of tunable liquid microlenses on glass substrates activated by light-responsive hydrogels that are thermo-responsive hydrogels incorporating gold colloids and nanoshells; (2) development of a prototype endoscope by integrating the light-responsive tunable microlenses into fiber optics; and (3) investigation on improving the adhesion between the light-responsive hydrogels and their interfacing surfaces for better reliability of the microlenses and the endoscope. The research has a broad range of potential applications related to biodefense, environmental monitoring and public health. The hydrogel-based microlens system can incorporate many hydrogels that respond to different stimuli to be used as physical, biological, or chemical sensors. This research will make significant contributions to variable-focus microoptics for optical imaging and microanalytics, which have wide applications in medical diagnostics, biophotonics and lab-on-a-chip technologies. It will also contribute to microfluidics, especially optofluidics, and ophthalmology. The proposed project will generate significant educational opportunities for students at both college and K-12 levels. The education and outreach components of this project include improving existing curriculum, developing new interdisciplinary courses, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, especially underrepresented students, and dissemination and outreach to the local community and general public on science and engineering through many outlets.