MRI: Acquisition of a femtosecond laser system to enable multiphoton polymerization, photoporation, and laser ablation in liquids research

能够产生超短脉冲的激光系统已成为基础研究和先进制造工艺的有力工具。该MRI奖项支持收购能够在宽光谱范围内发射相干光的最先进的飞秒激光系统（FLS）。FLS使潜在的变革性的多学科研究，导致新的绿色能源技术和增强的医学成像与更多的功能纳米粒子，更有效的基因治疗，通过知识如何将遗传物质引入细胞，并提高微电子设备的性能，通过开发新的工艺制造超小型3D设备。该仪器将极大地扩大新泽西南部激光加工工作的范围和意义。 来自几个STEM专业的学生将参与研究，仪器有助于罗格斯大学卡姆登分校接触STEM领域传统上代表性不足的群体。这些项目包括：（1）与基于激光的纳米粒子合成方法相关的激光-材料相互作用的基础研究。这种被称为液体激光烧蚀（LAL）的方法的好处是它在绿色技术和生产各种纳米颗粒的能力方面的基础。这项工作将结合联合收割机的实验和计算的努力，以更好地了解机制，导致颗粒的大小和组成，这两者都是在纳米粒子功能的关键参数。(2)在奈米粒子介导的光激粒子与细胞膜间相互作用之研究。基因治疗正在迅速成为医学从业者对抗疾病的最强大的技术之一。这种疗法中的一个重要过程是转染，即将遗传物质引入细胞中。该项目将确定光激发纳米粒子如何在细胞膜内产生瞬时孔，从而允许有针对性地引入遗传物质。(3)全面了解使用多光子吸收聚合（MAP）成功形成3D微结构的因素。例如，研究人员将研究具有亚波长特征的微流体热交换器的制造。在这方面，将配制光敏树脂，其在暴露于具有对材料透明的波长的强光下固化;因此，允许制造超小的3D结构。

Laser systems capable of generating ultra-short pulses have become a powerful tool for both fundamental research and advanced manufacturing processes. This MRI award supports the acquisition of a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser system (FLS) capable of emitting coherent light over a broad spectral range. The FLS enables potentially transformative multidisciplinary research leading to new green energy technologies and enhanced medical imaging with more functional nanoparticles, more effective gene therapy through knowledge of how to introduce genetic material into cells, and enhanced performance of microelectronic devices through development of new processes for fabricating ultra-small 3D devices. The instrumentation will dramatically expand the scope and significance of laser processing work in southern New Jersey. Students from several STEM majors will be involved in the research and the instrumentation facilitates efforts at Rutgers University-Camden to reach out to traditionally under-represented groups within the STEM fields.These projects include: (1) a fundamental study of the laser-material interactions associated with a laser-based method for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The benefits of this approach, dubbed laser ablation in liquids (LAL), are its foundations in green technology and capability of producing a wide variety of nanoparticles. This work will combine experimental and computational efforts to better understand the mechanisms leading to particle size and composition, both of which are critical parameters in nanoparticle functionality. (2) An investigation of the interactions between photoexcited particles and cell membranes found in nanoparticle-meditated photoporation. Gene therapy is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful techniques that medical practitioners have to fight disease. An important process in this therapy is transfection, i.e. introduction of genetic material into the cells. This project will ascertain how photoexcited nanoparticles generate transient pores within the cell membrane permitting the targeted introduction of genetic material. (3) Development of a comprehensive understanding of the factors leading to successful formation of 3D microstructures using multiphoton absorption polymerization (MAP). As an example, the researchers will investigate the fabrication of micro-fluidic heat exchanges that have sub-wavelength features. In this regard, photosensitive resins will be formulated that polymerize under exposure to intense light with wavelengths otherwise transparent to material; hence, allowing ultra-small 3D structures to be manufactured.