(CAREER) Real-Time Detection, Monitoring and Characterization of Single Nanoparticle/Bioaerosol Using On-Chip Resonators

目的：本项目的研究目的是探索和开发一种新的无标签光学技术，以实现便携式、廉价和高分辨率的设备，能够实时、原位检测粒子，以解决传统粒子计数器/光谱仪面临的问题。具体来说，我们将研究和利用超高质量的窃窃廊模式光学谐振器中的模式分裂，用于在单粒子分辨率下对具有各种化学和物理性质的纳米粒子进行超灵敏、实时、原位监测和表征。知识优势：实时、原位单颗粒检测和表征将为研究单个纳米颗粒的动力学和特性奠定基础，并有效地利用它们开发创新产品。然而，大多数传统的宏观尺度方法只能对纳米粒子进行系综测量，揭示纳米粒子系统的平均行为。我们的芯片级显微传感设备提供无标签、单粒子分辨率、自我参考功能和卓越的抗噪声能力，可在环境条件下进行实时、原位测量，与现有方案相比，这是一个重大进步。更广泛的影响：这项工作的跨学科性质鼓励与环境工程，生物学和物理学团体合作，探索新的光谱类别，以表征粒子，分子和配体之间的相互作用。该项目的成功将对材料科学、化学分析、能源、生物医学、通信、仪器仪表和纳米技术计量学产生重大影响。PI将开发教育项目，使不同水平的学生能够获得纳米科学和技术方面的广泛知识和各种技术技能。她将利用华盛顿大学和周边社区之间现有的外展项目，促进和促进公众对纳米技术的理解。

Objective: The research objective of this project is to explore and develop a new label free optical technique to achieve portable, inexpensive and high resolution devices capable of real time, in situ detection of particles to address issues faced by conventional particle counters/spectrometers. Specifically, we will investigate and exploit mode splitting in ultra high quality Whispering Gallery Mode optical resonators for ultrasensitive, realtime, insitu monitoring and characterization of nanoparticles with various chemical and physical properties at single particle resolution.Intellectual Merit: Real time, in situ single particle detection and characterization will lay the groundwork to investigate the dynamics and properties of individual nanoparticles and effectively utilize them to develop innovative products. However, most conventional macroscale methods only allow ensemble measurement of nanoparticles, revealing average behaviors of the nanoparticle systems. Our chip scale microscopic sensing device provides label free, single particle resolution, self referencing feature, and superior noise immunity for real time, in situ measurements at ambient conditions, which constitutes a significant advancement compared to existing schemes.Broader Impact: The interdisciplinary nature of this work encourages collaborations with groups in environmental engineering, biology and physics to explore new classes of spectroscopy for characterizing the interactions between particles, molecules, and ligands. The success of this project will have significant impacts on materials science, chemical analysis, energy, biomedicine, communication, instrumentation, and metrology for nanotechnology. The PI will develop education programs in which students at different levels can obtain broad knowledge and diverse technical skills in nanoscience and technology. She will leverage the existing outreach programs between Washington University and surrounding communities to foster and promote understanding of nanotechnology among the general public.