Probe System for Simultaneous Electro-Optic Analysis of Multifunctional Materials
Abstract
Developing materials with advanced optical and electrical performance is directly related to the DoD research mission. While the most common applications of new materials revolve around shielding, communications, and stand-off detection, innovation in materials can result in fundamental and transformative discoveries in other fields. For example, as part of a current DoD-funded research effort, we are creating an optically-triggered nanoprobe to improve our understanding of the role of bioelectric fields in wound healing and in intra/inter-cellular communication. Specifically, recent research has shown that, by increasing the intrinsic bioelectric field through external stimulation, it is possible to improve wound healing rates. While our current work is focused on heart muscle cells or cardiomyocytes, our nanoprobe material will be broadly generalizable to other cell systems, such as neurons. However, before we can begin the potentially transformative bioelectric studies that could reveal the secrets behind wound healing, we need to characterize our nanoprobeÕs material behavior. The nanoprobe consists of two key components: 1) an optically-triggered electrical field modulator and 2) an electrically controlled optical emitter. Therefore, the optical and electrical behaviors of both components are coupled or inter-dependent. This dependency is a key feature, as it will enable the nanoprobe to controllably ÒtuneÓ the bioelectric field and report the change on the surrounding cell system. However, the characterization of a material with coupled-functionality is extremely challenging, and custom instrumentation that can simultaneously analyze the optical and electrical properties has to be constructed. The present proposal requests support for the acquisition of electrical characterization instrumentation. This electrical equipment will be integrated with existing optical characterization instrumentation (laser and imaging spectrograph) to create the much-needed analysis system. The cost of the total multi-parameter analysis system is reduced by nearly half by the PIÕs ability to leverage the existing optical instrumentation. The system is being designed to operate with a visible (532nm) laser. However, the PI also has a near-IR (1550nm) laser and the associated requisite optics should that be of interest in the future. The spectrograph operates from the UV to near-IR. The requested four-terminal electrical probe station and parametric analyzer have both medium and high power modules and are compatible with a numerous electrical probe types, enabling a wide range of measurements and experiments. While the PI is primarily interested in bioelectric nanoprobe analysis, several other DoD-supported faculty at USC have expressed interest in using the proposed system for analyzing 2D material performance. Thus, this instrument provides a truly transformative opportunity for the current and future DoD-funded research activities in the PIÕs lab and at USC.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 10, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910265
Entities
People
- Andrea Armani
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Southern California