CAREER: Bio-inspired MEMS imaging platform with ultrawide, dynamically tunable field-of-view for biomedical and assistive applications

这个CAREER项目的目标是通过开发一种利用生物灵感的超宽视场成像系统来推进光学MEMS技术。还包括连贯的综合计划，通过教育和外联促进在教育早期阶段对科学和技术的兴趣，特别是在女学生中。智力优势：该项目旨在开发一种新型光学MEMS平台，将高度弯曲的光收集光学阵列与平面光学探测器阵列相连接，以实现超宽视场成像。一束柔性聚合物波导的灵感来自深海片脚类动物独特的眼睛结构，将两个阵列光学连接起来。与先前报道的宽视场解决方案相反，该方案允许两个阵列的单独制造，并允许动态调整视角。基于新型聚合物制造技术的生物尺度小型化所提出的结构也是一个目标。开发的技术将在生物医学、辅助设备和环境成像/传感方面得到应用。光学和微机电系统在仿生框架中的结合应用将促进未来科学技术的变革发展。更广泛的影响：具有动态可调、超宽视场的成像系统的成功演示将对光学MEMS产生重大影响，并大大加快新生的仿生领域的步伐。随着内窥镜成像和辅助安全监测作为它们的直接应用，它们将极大地造福人类福祉。在拟议的研究过程中获得的知识和技术将产生跨学科的影响，并通过拟议的课程和课外活动扩大科学和技术的界限。该项目的主题简单有趣，将吸引儿童和女学生，激发他们对科学技术的兴趣。

The objective of this CAREER project is to advance optical MEMS technology by developing an ultrawide field-of-view imaging system utilizing biological inspirations. Coherently integrated plans for promoting interests in science and technology at early stages of education, especially in female students, through education and outreach are also included.Intellectual Merit: This project aims to develop a novel optical MEMS platform interfacing a highly curved array of light-collecting optics with a flat array of optical detectors to accomplish ultrawide field-of-view imaging. A bundle of flexible polymer waveguides, inspired by the unique eye structure of deep-sea amphipods, connect the two arrays optically. In contrast to previously reported wide field-of-view solutions, the proposed scheme allows separate fabrications of the two arrays and enables dynamic tuning of the viewing angle. Biology-scale miniaturization of the proposed structure, based on a new class of polymeric fabrication techniques, is also an objective. The developed technologies will find applications in biomedicine, assistive devices, and environmental imaging/sensing. The combined utilization of optics and MEMS in biomimetic framework will promote transformative developments in future science and technology.Broader Impacts: The successful demonstration of imaging systems with dynamically tunable, ultrawide field-of-view will generate significant impact on optical MEMS and accelerate the pace of the nascent field of biomimetics greatly. With endoscopic imaging and assistive safety monitoring as their immediate applications, they will benefit human welfare significantly. The knowledge and techniques obtained in the course of the proposed research will create interdisciplinary influences and widen the boundaries of science and technology through the proposed curricula and extra-curricula activities. The easy and interesting theme of the project will appeal to children and female students, encouraging their interests in science and technology.