Establish Advanced Photoacoustic Imaging Facility at UTSA
Abstract
1.1 Objective This application proposes the acquisition of a state-of-the-art photoacoustic imaging system that will be used to establish a core facility at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). It will enable a wide range of innovative research related to biophysics, advanced materials, and bioimaging applications. The long term goal is to use this core facility to create a strong research and education program at UTSA for advanced, multidisciplinary research and training of diverse students at different levels to better prepare them for future careers in STEM fields. 1.2 Necessity of the equipment Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is a new imaging modality for non-ionizing, real-time visualization of both structures and functions of a variety of samples, a capability that meets a critical need for the progression of innovative research at UTSA. PAT is based on a novel hybrid imaging approach that utilizes pulsed lasers to generate ultrasonic signals in samples with optical contrast. When nanosecond laser pulses are delivered to the samples, the absorbed energy is converted into wideband ultrasonic emission due to transient thermoelastic expansion. The generated ultrasonic waves are then detected by ultrasonic transducers to form photoacoustic images, which, in contrast to conventional ultrasound imaging, contain rich information about the samples under study. Over the past decade, PAT has been evolving rapidly, leading to a variety of exciting discoveries and applications in neuroscience, dermatology, cardiology, ophthalmology, and cancer biology, as well as real-time detection of chemical warfare agents. 1.3 Choice of equipment A LUIS 3D system, a state-of-the-art photoacoustic imaging platform, will be acquired from TomoWave Laboratories, Inc. The core technology of this system relies on a well-designed image scanning module, which contains a transducer array with 96 wideband transducers arranged on a 150-degree arc that can be scanned at a fine step for optimized image resolution. A fiber-coupled, tunable laser outputting 8-ns pulses is used to illuminate samples for photoacoustic signal generation. This system represents the most sensitive and accurate approach available today for photoacoustic detection and image formation. 1.4 Significance and Impact Establishment of the photoacoustic imaging facility will have not only increased opportunities for innovative, highly interdisciplinary research, strengthening internal and external collaborations between researchers from across UTSA and the greater San Antonio area, but will also have provided an ideal research-intensive learning environment for education. This imaging platform is based on several fundamental physics principles and basic engineering concepts which are within the grasp of undergraduate and graduate students, and yet have far reaching applications in cutting-edge research projects. UTSA is a Hispanic Serving Institution with nearly 29,000 students, of which approximately 57% are from minority groups. All students, including those from underrepresented groups, will have gained an excellent learning experience as they receive training on the state-of-the-art imaging system and learn about related advanced imaging technologies and their applications. Engaging these students as well as postdoctoral fellows in advanced research will have a profound impact on increasing their academic success as well as creating a smooth pathway for them to enter the STEM workforce, which is one of the major goals set by DoD for this Research and Education Program for HBCU/MIs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1710488
Entities
People
- Jingyong Ye
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- University of Texas at San Antonio