Multiscale Ultrafast Volumetric Imaging (MUVI) Center
Abstract
Biological fluid dynamics includes problems from bacterial swimming to the large-scale dynamics of the ocean, spanning many orders of magnitude in time and space. Across these scales, however, traditional imaging tools are not able to collect three-dimensional data at the speeds required to resolve many phenomena. As a result, quantitative measurements must be made from insufficient data: either in two-dimensions or far too slow to elucidate the dynamics. This in turn impedes the development and refinement of mathematical models needed to explain biological systems. We propose to develop a new imaging center Ð the Multiscale Ultrafast Volumetric Imaging Center (MUVI) Ð at the University of California, Merced (UC Merced) to quantitatively investigate biological fluid experiments at high speeds and multiple spatial scales. The MUVI center will be a multi-user facility which allows for volumetric imaging of samples ranging from microns to meters at speeds roughly one hundred times faster than conventional techniques. A significant number of UC Merced faculty working broadly within the field of Mathematical Biology have expressed interest in the facilities, and have proposed many ongoing or new projects that would directly benefit. Moreover, the center would be designed to be a focal point for the development of new high speed three-dimensional imaging techniques, fostering the mathematical exploration of previously unresolvable phenomena. To collect high-speed 3D data at different spatial scales, the MUVI center will consist of three imaging heads, one macro-scale imaging setup (mm Ð m scales) and two different micro-scale imaging setups (?m Ð mm scales). Each imaging head will provide a fast technique for optical sectioning of a sample: either by laser sheet induced fluorescence or phase-contrast microscopy. These three imaging heads will share a pair of state-of-the-art high-speed cameras, allowing high resolution volumes to be captured at 100Ð1000 Hz. Furthermore, the center will have the computational capabilities for real-time viewing and analysis of the immense data sets (>100 GB) produced by such high-speed volumetric imaging. Beyond benefiting the research capabilities of UC Merced, the MUVI center will provide a unique educational opportunity for a diverse group of students and postdoctoral researchers on campus. UC Merced is a Hispanic and Minority Serving Institute, and also has a large number of first generation students. The students and postdoctoral researchers, through the MUVI center, will be able to learn, apply, and modify cutting-edge technology in imaging and data processing. This will directly result in an expanded pool of scientists and engineers with expertise in areas of interest to the Department of Defense. The MUVI center would have a number of broader impacts for the Army and Department of Defense (DOD). The imaging technologies developed in the MUVI center have many potential uses: either as sensors in the field, or in laboratory studies of fluid dynamics more broadly. The various projects enabled by the facility address a number of fields of direct interest for the Army and DOD, including biomechanics, aerodynamics, cellular and molecular biology, and the medical sciences. Moreover, the center would be active in developing methods for handling and analyzing large data sets; this is a significant area of concern in the emerging era of ÔBig DataÕ.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 02, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910215
Entities
People
- Shilpa Khatri
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of California