Rare-earth-DNA-nanotube complexes for bio-sensing applications

本项目将研究稀土离子与DNA包裹纳米管的纳米复合物的近场光学，用于生物传感应用。将探索一类新的稀土基生物相容性材料。在这些材料中，DNA包裹的纳米管，功能化的生物分析物的光学传感，将作为一个等离子体纳米天线。该方法是应用理论建模沿着的光学特性，以了解在周围的生物分子的存在下，纳米管等离子体激元模式和稀土发射体之间的近场相互作用。 其智力价值在于理解稀土/DNA/纳米管复合物中近场电磁模式的物理学，开发其生物功能化的方案，并探索周围环境对其近场响应的影响。这将导致开发新的纳米材料，并长期优化其生物传感器应用。 更广泛的影响将包括通过基于网络的大学间网络MatPAC向利哈伊大学的本科生和研究生以及来自PA其他学校的学生传播积累的基础知识。研究成果将通过利哈伊纳米技术网络传播给当地工业，并传播给来自工业、国家实验室和学术界的其他利哈伊成员。K-12外展计划将包括在利哈伊谷当地学校的讲座和对国家设施展览的贡献？达芬奇探索中心。计划为当地社区学院和库茨敦大学的教师提供STEM增强计划。研究将有利于物理系的REU和GAAN计划，并特别关注STEM代表团体的强烈参与。

This project will study near-field optics of nanoscale complexes of rare earth ions with DNA-wrapped nanotubes for bio-sensing applications. A new class of rare earth based bio-compatible materials will be explored. In these materials DNA-wrapped nanotube, functionalized with bio-analytes for optical sensing, will serve as a plasmonic nano-antenna. The approach is to apply a theoretical modeling along with an optical characterization, to understand the near-field interaction between nanotube plasmonic modes and rare-earth emitter in the presence of surrounding bio-molecules. The intellectual merit is in understanding the physics of the near-field electromagnetic modes in the rare-earth/DNA/nanotube complexes, developing schemes for their bio-functionalization and exploring effects of surrounding environment on their near-field response. This will lead to developing new nano-materials and optimizing it for bio-sensor applications on a long run. The broader impact will include dissemination of accumulated fundamental knowledge to undergraduate and graduate students at Lehigh University as well as to students from other PA Schools via the web-based inter-university network MatPAC. Research results will be disseminated to local industry, via the Lehigh Nanotech Network, and to other Lehigh part¬ners from industry, national labs and academia. The K-12 outreach program will include lectures at local schools in Lehigh Valley and contributions to the exhibition at the National facility ? DaVinci Discovery Center. STEM enhancement programs are planned for teachers from local Community Colleges and Kutztown University. Research will benefit the REU and GAAN programs of the Physics Department, with special attention paid to strong involvement from STEM-under¬rep¬re¬sen¬ted groups.