NER: Nanowire Spectrophotometer for Lab-on-a-Chip Chemical Analysis

University Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Abstract

0609083 Agarwal This project will develop a new type of nano-scale device called a nanowire spectrometer for chemical analysis. The work will involve four steps: (1) synthesis and characterization of CdS, CdSe and ZnS nanowires with energy band gaps in the UV-Visible region; (2) fluidic assembly of single nanowires and 2-D nanowire rafts onto insulator substrates; (3) fabrication and optical testing of self-aligned gaps within nanowires and nanowire rafts; and (4) fabrication of spectrometers (single and multiple wavelength) by integrating the nanowire light source and detector with microfluidics. The broader impacts of the project include closely coupled research and education plans. Successful completion of the project could lead the development of low-cost, portable, miniature optical spectrometers with potential applications in environmental monitoring, biomedicine and many other fields.