FUNDAMENTAL BIOPHYSICS INVESTIGATIONS ON UPCONVERSION NANOPARTICLES MODIFIED PHOTORECEPTIVE COMPOSITE ARCHITECTURES FOR ENHANCED QUANTUM OPTOELECTRON
Abstract
The overarching fundamental goal of this international collaborative effort is to investigate an artificial self-powered retina that incorporates photoabsorber polymers, biological media found in cells, and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). Artificial retina architectures investigated here will extend the spectral range of natural retinas via plasmon resonance and photon upconversion effects from the visible to even the near infrared field. Utilizing the artificial retina platform, team members from Penn State University, Macquarie University, and University of Rome Tor Vergata (URTV) will conduct bioelectronic investigations to unravel the optoelectronic and biological processes underlying photoreceptor, retinal, synaptic circuit and neuron systems and determine their signaling pathways. These artificial retina platforms will be systematically interfaced with photoreceptor systems to provide basic understanding of biophysical processes that enable transformation of light stimuli into electrical signals. URTV team has shown preliminary development of an artificial retina concept of a closed bio-hybrid electronic device comprising of two transparent electrodes separated by thermoplastic encapsulants, as well as a pixelated artificial retina with inkjet printing of photo-polymers with different photosensitivity spectra to mimic at lower resolutions, rods and cones photoreceptor cells. Penn State team has provided tremendous insight into organic semiconducting polymers that are highly biocompatible, flexible and able to adapt to the anatomical ocular shape.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2021
- Source ID
- FA95502010157
Entities
People
- Shashank Priya
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Pennsylvania State University
- United States Air Force