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What are Service Projects (SPs)? SPs are external projects that align with the aims of TR&D1-3 (see above). The P41 Center will serve as a unique resource for the design,fabrication, and testing of microsystems devices, as well as a resource for silicon-based materials that can enhance development of new imaging technologies. There are currently no commercially available resources for advanced micro-scanner and micro-manipulator technologies based on piezoelectric thin-films, electrothermal transduction, or electrostatic parametric resonance. The P41 Center will leverage the batch fabrication nature of microsystems methods, in which many different devices may be produced during a single fabrication run. This will permit test devices for other research groups to be prepared in parallel with devices used in the Center imaging systems. The Center will also serve as a resource for expertise and materials required to integrate or test microsystems-based imaging systems. This may include consultation on microsystems packaging and assembly, adaptation of operating or image reconstruction software, and/or sharing of genetically engineered animals.
SP1: Active Acoustic Noise Cancellation and Control for Scanning Probe Microscopy
SP1: Active Acoustic Noise Cancellation and Control for Scanning Probe Microscopy
Collaborating Investigator/Institution: Zou, Qingze PhD, Rutgers University
Grant number: PFI-TT 2234449
Project period: 03/15/23-02/28/26
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is being used to measure the mechanical properties of cells and tissues in culture on the nanoscale in response to drug therapy. These measurements can determine cell structure alterations, cell-substrate interactions, e.g adhesion force and relaxation time, dynamic variations in cell shape, and cytoskeleton alterations. A better understanding of these cell nanostructure properties can lead to new advances in disease diagnostics and treatment. The SP will use Center microsystems transducers and multi-spectral microendoscopes to reduce acoustic vibrations and localize different cells for AFM probing. Accurate measurements of cell response to drug therapy can be made to evaluate nanomechanical properties, adhesion forces, and cytoskeletal changes.
SP2: Space Charge Induced Flexoelectric (SCIF) Transducers: A New Technology to Eliminate the Environmental Cost of Leaded Piezoelectric Transducers
SP2: Space Charge Induced Flexoelectric (SCIF) Transducers: A New Technology to Eliminate the Environmental Cost of Leaded Piezoelectric Transducers
Collaborating Investigator/Institution: Roundy, Shad PhD, University of Utah
Grant number: ECCS2247453
Project period dates: 07/23-07/26
The SP is rigorously characterizing the performance of nanostructured silicon pyramidal arrays. Space charge induced flexoelectricity (SCIF) transducers can achieve effective piezoelectric coefficients over an order of magnitude greater than that of piezoelectric devices. These nanostructures can be designed for use as precision sensors, optical actuators, and acoustic transducers. The SP needs to evaluate potential for SCIF scan mechanisms to be used clinically, and requires an imaging testbed to validate their prototypes. The SP is also developing a computational framework to simulate interactions among strain gradients, electric fields, and diffusion of mobile charge carriers. A detailed investigation can be performed into the mechanisms that drive space charge flexoelectricity. The SP will use Center microsystems expertise and fiber-coupled microendoscopes to evaluate prototype SCIF scanners for in vivo imaging. Development of new sensing and actuation mechanisms that can achieve over an order of magnitude greater effective piezoelectric coefficient will be accelerated.
SP3: A Miniaturized and High-frequency Acoustic Imaging System for Oral Health
SP3: A Miniaturized and High-frequency Acoustic Imaging System for Oral Health
Collaborating Investigator/Institution: Jokerst, Jesse PhD, UC San Diego
Grant number: R01DE031307
Project period dates: 06/21/22 – 05/31/27
Periodontitis results from gum infections that damage soft tissues surrounding teeth. The SP aims to quantify imaging biomarkers using photoacoustic (PA) and ultrasound (US) imaging to evaluate disease severity. These parameters will be clinically validated in healthy and diseased human subjects. The Center will provide imaging instruments and computational tools to identify and annotate imaging biomarkers for real-time minimally-invasive assessment of the periodontal anatomy to assess for presence and severity of periodontitis.
SP4: Rapidly Incubating Translational Advances in QISE with a 2D-Quantum Materials Pipeline
SP4: Rapidly Incubating Translational Advances in QISE with a 2D-Quantum Materials Pipeline
Collaborating Investigator/Institution: Dickensheets, David L, Montana State University
Grant number: NSF1906383
Project period dates: 09/15/21 – 08/31/27
Associated with: TRD1
The SP is developing layered 2D materials and devices for quantum photonics and optoelectronics. These nanostructured materials possess unique properties that include a high surface-to-volume ratio, optical tunability, and mechanical flexibility. The SP will have access to more 2D materials, such as MoS2, that are currently unavailable in their existing pipeline and a working multiphoton microendoscope to accelerate development of miniature optical components, such as micromirrors and filters, for use in biomedical imaging applications.
SP5: Advancing On-Slide and Optical Biopsy Tools to Detect High-Risk Oral Premalignancy
SP5: Advancing On-Slide and Optical Biopsy Tools to Detect High-Risk Oral Premalignancy
Collaborating Investigator/Institution: Lei, Yu Leo DDS, PhD, MD Anderson
Grant number: U01DE033330
Project period dates: 09/21/23–07/31/28
Oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) is a pre-malignant condition that can develop into head & neck cancer (HNC), a disease that is rising rapidly in worldwide incidence. Tissue biopsies with histologic grading does not accurately predict risk for cancer transformation. The SP has developed genetically engineered mouse models to identify immune, metabolic, and mechanical signatures to advance optical biopsy technologies for early detection of high-risk lesions. The SP will be able to use Center imaging technologies to validate promising targets expressed by their pre-clinical models of OED. This advance will accelerate development of predictive biomarkers for high-risk oral lesions that can be confirmed in future clinical studies.
Outside investigators interested in initiating a new SP will be asked to apply on-line here. Criteria for selection will include 1) a research question that can be addressed with use of Center imaging technologies, 2) a research application that would benefit from fiber-coupled microendoscopes for in vivo imaging; and 3) identification of a meaningful push relationship with one or more TR&D Project. In most cases, additional or custom micro-devices can be fabricated as part of standard processes in TR&D1. When custom capabilities are required, the Center will negotiate with PI of the SP for a recharge to cover any extra expenses incurred during device fabrication. SPs may rotate out of Center activities when 1) there is mutual agreement, 2) the project has been completed, or 3) funding has ended. Also, SPs may convert into CPs and vice versa.
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