NIRT: Active Nanostructure Enabled On-Chip Spectroscopy System for Cancer Detection

University Of Colorado At Boulder, Boulder CO

Investigators

Abstract

0608934 Park The goal of the project is to develop an on-chip spectroscopy system for cancer detection. The project can have impact on treating melanoma, which is the cancer that the investigators have focused on for early detection. The proposed goal is to use nanoprobes attached to DNA probes as a tool for biomarker detection which will enable a compact on-chip detection system that will provide a highly accurate and inexpensive blood test. The planned device will be suitable for use in physicians' offices rather than only at hospitals. The important component of the system will be a tunable negative refractive index photonic crystal. Tunability will be achieved in Si nano-rods PC assembly embedded in polymeric medium by mechanical stretching of the film. The broader impacts will be in terms of nanotechnology and student training, especially in involvement of underrepresented minorities.