Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yujing Guo, Shuyi Zhu, Haoming Bao, Hao Fu, Hongwen Zhang, Le Zhou, Yue Li, Weiping Cai
Summary: This study demonstrates the significant impact of interfacial defects on the SERS activity and provides important guidance for the design and fabrication of efficient SERS substrates.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Hardware & Architecture
Minkyu Sung, Sang-Rok Moon, Eon-Sang Kim, Sungmin Cho, Joon Ki Lee, Seung-Hyun Cho, Tetsuya Kawanishi, Ho-Jin Song
Summary: The paper comprehensively analyzes and compares various potential THz communications systems with a focus on photonics-based THz transmitters. The research indicates that optical and phase noise have a significant impact on system performance.
IEEE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Rong Huang, Shuang Lian, Jingru Li, Yinyu Feng, Sisi Bai, Tongmiao Wu, Minjian Ruan, Pinghui Wu, Xiaojie Li, Shuangshuang Cai, Peipei Jiang
Summary: In this study, a low-cost and high-throughput laser-induced fractional reaction method was used to fabricate optical fiber SERS probes. The method utilized the local thermal effect and electromagnetic interaction between nanoparticles to promote the formation and growth of silver nanoparticles on the optical fiber facet. The addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution as a surfactant controlled the shape and size of the silver nanoparticles. The results showed that the fabricated probes achieved a detection limit of 1.0 x 10-11 M for Rhodamine 6G, which is the highest sensitivity reported for laser-induced fabricated optical fiber SERS probes. The method also demonstrated good repeatability with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 4.5%.
RESULTS IN PHYSICS
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kaiwen Zeng, Xiang Shi, Chengqiang Tang, Ting Liu, Huisheng Peng
Summary: One-dimensional fibre electronic devices are highly flexible and can be woven into breathable and comfortable textiles for wearable applications. However, most fibre devices work individually rather than as systems. This Perspective article highlights promising design concepts, assembly strategies and performance improvements for fibre electronic systems, and analyzes their real-life applications from a multidisciplinary perspective.
NATURE REVIEWS MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shanshan Lin, Ziyi Cheng, Qifu Li, Rui Wang, Fabiao Yu
Summary: Molecular imaging technologies, especially SERS imaging, offer significant advantages in clinical diagnostics, enabling accurate detection of biomarkers and cellular microenvironment. The integration of multimodal imaging helps achieve more comprehensive and accurate imaging outcomes, showing strong potential in discriminating pathological tissues and surgical navigation.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Wei Wang, Jun Ma, Bai-Ou Guan
Summary: A new fiber probe has been developed for common-path swept-source optical coherence tomography with optimized sensitivity. The probe, fabricated through mechanical polishing, allows for high-resolution imaging and is attractive for biomedical and clinical applications.
JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Nicolas Riesen, Nicholas Phillips, Linh Nguyen, Stephen C. Warren-Smith, Craig Priest, David G. Lancaster
Summary: This paper provides an analysis of fiber-optic Fabry-Perot interferometers using collimating graded-index fiber tips instead of standard single-mode fibers. It shows that the use of collimated GIF tips can significantly increase fringe visibility at 1550 nm. The study also explores the effects of using capillaries to align the fibers and offers easily accessible design guidelines for fabricating GIF-based devices at 1550 nm.
MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Optics
Zubair Buch, Silvan Schmid
Summary: This study investigates the internal optical forces emerging from plasmonic interactions in gold nanodisc, nanocube, and nanobar dimers using the finite element method. The results demonstrate a direct correlation between electric-field enhancement and optical forces, with the largest magnitude observed in nanocube dimers. Furthermore, the optical forces can be further amplified by increasing the optical power of the excitation source. The strength of optical forces is found to be governed by the magnitude of polarization density on the nanoparticles, which can be adjusted by modifying the nanoparticle geometry and source wavelength. Overall, the findings highlight the significance of nanoparticle geometry and inter-dimer distance in optimizing optical forces in plasmonic dimers.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Mario Ochoa, Jose Francisco Algorri, Pablo Roldan-Varona, Luis Rodriguez-Cobo, Jose Miguel Lopez-Higuera
Summary: This invited review provides an overview of recent advances in biomedical photonic sensors in the past five years, focusing on optical-fibre technology, diverse optical fibres, sensing techniques, and configurations applied in various medical fields. The review highlights technical innovations and advancements with increased implementations of optical-fibre sensors, multiparameter sensors, and control systems in real applications. Outstanding optical-fibre sensor performances for physical and biochemical parameters are covered, including diverse sensing strategies and fibre-optical probes integrated into medical instruments such as catheters, needles, or endoscopes.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shaghayegh Baghapour, Jasmine Nehema, Wen Qi Zhang, Stephen C. Warren-Smith, Shane M. Hickey, Sally E. Plush, Shahraam Afshar Vahid
Summary: Dysregulated production of hydrogen sulphide in the human body has been associated with various diseases including cancer, underlining the importance of accurate detection of this molecule. In this study, researchers developed a method to detect hydrogen sulphide using fluorescence-emission enhancement and optical fibres. The results showed a fast response time and pH insensitivity of the fluorophore coated on the optical fibre, suggesting the potential for developing a sensing system for hydrogen sulphide detection.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Adam C. Funnell, Peter James Thomas
Summary: This paper presents a flexible weight sensor that utilizes optical fibre macrobending loss with 1550 nm wavelength light and small fibre bending path lengths. An applied load on the sensor causes a increase in the optical loss of the fibre, which is achieved by depressing an impactor layer of cylindrical protrusions into a soft mat covered with optical fibre. Experimental study shows the effect of different fiber types, impactor materials, impactor designs, and protrusion bend radii on the optical loss.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xiao Yang, Congcong Li, Peifeng Li, Qinrui Fu
Summary: Biosensing by optical probes is revolutionizing our understanding of physiological and pathological states. Ratiometric optical probes, with built-in self-calibration signal correction, offer more sensitive and reliable detection compared to conventional optical probes. This review focuses on advancements and sensing mechanisms of ratiometric optical probes, discussing their versatile design strategies and a wide range of applications in biosensing, including pH sensing, enzyme sensing, and detection of various reactive species and factors. Challenges and future perspectives are also discussed.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xiaoxiao Qi, Yongqiang Cheng, Ranran Xu, Xiaotong Li, Ziwei Zhang, Longyu Chen, Yifan Shao, Zhenhui Gao, Meijia Zhu
Summary: A simple and flexible method for fabricating paper SERS substrate using nanoparticle droplet self-assembly at the paper tip with a temperature gradient was developed. The method effectively addressed the coffee ring effect and achieved significant enhancement of SERS performance. The paper-tip SERS substrate, combined with a portable Raman spectrometer, showed promising potential for on-site analysis in food safety and environmental health.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Osama Nasr, Jian-Ru Jiang, Wen-Shuo Chuang, Sheng-Wei Lee, Chih-Yen Chen
Summary: This article demonstrates the growth of high-quality Ag/Cu2S nanosheets through the galvanic reduction method, which are efficiently applied for surface-enhanced Raman scattering and photocatalytic degradation applications. The Ag/Cu2S nanosheets show higher sensitivity in detecting organic pollutants and degrading dyes compared to undecorated Cu2S nanosheets. Reproducibility experiments indicate their potential for dual functionality as highly sensitive SERS probes and stable photocatalysts.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Rachel Salama, Sofia Arshavsky-Graham, Osnat Sella-Tavor, Naama Massad-Ivanir, Ester Segal
Summary: We present a label-free optical biosensor based on porous silicon (PSi) for sensitive and continuous detection of protein biomarkers in gastrointestinal fluids. The biosensor can continuously monitor the target protein in complex GI fluids without sample preparation and washing steps.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Adam P. Lister, William J. Sellors, Chris R. Howle, Sumeet Mahajan
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Duanyang Xu, Sijing Liang, Lin Xu, Konstantinos N. Bourdakos, Peter Johnson, James Read, Jonathan H. V. Price, Sumeet Mahajan, David J. Richardson
Summary: The study showcases a continuous wave seeded synchronization-free optical parametric amplifier (OPA) with high performance in CARS, SHG, and two-photon fluorescence microscopy, making it a promising tool for biomedical imaging research. The OPA offers simplified setup and rapid tuning capabilities, enabling label-free multiphoton microscopy techniques for potential translation into a diagnostic tool in healthcare settings.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Aikta Sharma, Alice Goring, Peter B. Johnson, Roger J. H. Emery, Eric Hesse, Alan Boyde, Bjorn R. Olsen, Andrew A. Pitsillides, Richard O. C. Oreffo, Sumeet Mahajan, Claire E. Clarkin
Summary: Collagen assembly during development is crucial for bone quality and mechanical competence, but the mechanisms driving pathological skeletal collagen configuration are still unclear. Deletion of VEGF in bone-forming osteoblasts leads to sex-specific alterations in extracellular matrix conformation and mineralisation. The study highlights the importance of genetic regulators and matrix signatures in treating dimorphic bone disorders.
DISEASE MODELS & MECHANISMS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Tomoko Takahashi, Krzysztof Pawel Herdzik, Konstantinos Nikolaos Bourdakos, James Arthur Read, Sumeet Mahajan
Summary: This study proposes a method for the detection and classification of microplastic and organic biotic particles in flow based on the simultaneous detection of CARS and TPEAF signals, with high spatial and temporal resolutions. The method successfully classifies PMMA and alga particles in flow by simultaneously detecting CARS and TPEAF signals. This approach allows for the monitoring of microplastics in continuous water flow without the need for collection or extraction, revolutionizing the current sampling-based microplastic analysis.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Optics
Peter Johnson, Artemis Karvounis, H. Johnson Singh, Christopher J. Brereton, Konstantinos Bourdakos, Kerry Lunn, James J. W. Roberts, Donna E. Davies, Otto L. Muskens, Mark G. Jones, Sumeet Mahajan
Summary: The study utilizes photonic nanojet phenomenon to achieve super-resolution second-harmonic generation (SR-SHG) imaging, improving resolution by approximately 2.3 times compared to traditional methods. This technique allows observation of changes in SHG-active structures such as collagen at the nanoscale, offering a potential new tool for biological research and drug discovery.
Article
Optics
Mani Priyadarshini, Jitendra Nath Acharyya, Sumeet Mahajan, G. Vijaya Prakash
Summary: Gold nanoparticles prepared by femtosecond laser ablation and wet-chemical citrate reduction synthesis were studied for optical nonlinearities, showing distinct characteristics in nonlinear absorption. The study also demonstrated the potential of laser-produced nanoparticles for optical limiting applications due to their strong nonlinear absorption properties.
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Adam P. Lister, Callum J. Highmore, Niall Hanrahan, James Read, Alasdair P. S. Munro, Samuel Tan, Raymond N. Allan, Saul N. Faust, Jeremy S. Webb, Sumeet Mahajan
Summary: The current methods for diagnosis of infections are complex and time-consuming. This study presents a novel multi-excitation Raman spectroscopy-based method that can detect microbial pathogens using unprocessed clinical samples, providing rapid data for diagnosis. The method uses differential excitation of molecular components in bacterial cells to obtain strain-level distinction. The results demonstrate high accuracy in detecting respiratory pathogens associated with cystic fibrosis.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Joshua Prestage, Coco Day, Shamus L. G. Husheer, William T. Winter, Wah O. Ho, John R. Saffell, Tanya Hutter
Summary: The study developed a novel thermal separator system combined with a photoionization detector, which can selectively detect specific VOC compounds in a mixture. By adsorbing VOCs in nanoporous silica at 5 degrees C and then detecting them during the heating process up to 70 degrees C, the separation and detection of isopropanol and 1-octene in a mixture was successfully achieved.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongchang Hao, Tanya Hutter, Brad L. Boyce, John Watt, Pengcheng Liu, David Mitlin
Summary: This article provides a critical review of the state-of-the-art in functional separators and interlayers for lithium, sodium, and potassium based metal-sulfur batteries. It discusses various approaches to improve electrochemical performance and highlights the challenges in the emerging sodium and potassium based systems. The article also explores the use of functional separators in emerging alkali metal systems based on metal-selenium and metal-selenium sulfide. The review concludes with an outlook on advanced techniques for analysis of functional separator structure and recommendations for future research topics.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chisomo Zimphango, Farah C. Alimagham, Keri L. H. Carpenter, Peter J. Hutchinson, Tanya Hutter
Summary: Cerebral microdialysis technique provides useful information on brain metabolites for clinical decision making and medical treatment, but the limitations of hourly result retrieval exist. Recent focus has been on developing biosensing techniques for continuous online monitoring. Further research and future perspectives are still worth attention.
Article
Optics
Tomoko Takahashi, Zonghua Liu, Thangavel Thevar, Nicholas Burns, Dhugal Lindsay, John Watson, Sumeet Mahajan, Sato Yukioka, Shuhei Tanaka, Yukiko Nagai, Balair Thornton
Summary: Researchers have developed a method that combines morphological and chemical information to accurately identify different particle types using optical measurement techniques that don't require sample preparation. By using a combined holographic imaging and Raman spectroscopy setup, they collected data from six different types of marine particles suspended in a large volume of seawater. Unsupervised feature learning was performed on the images and spectral data, and the learned features were combined to achieve better clustering results compared to using only image or spectral features. This method can be used for long-term monitoring of ocean particles without the need for sample collection, and it can be applied to different types of sensor measurements without significant modifications.
Article
Neurosciences
Ergina Vourkou, Eva D. Rouiz Ortega, Sumeet Mahajan, Amrit Mudher, Efthimios M. C. Skoulakis
Summary: Tau protein accumulation is not the main cause of memory deficits, and suppressing the expression of Tau can reverse neuroplasticity defects.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Duanyang Xu, Konstantinos N. Bourdakos, Anna Crisford, Peter Johnson, Ibrahim Abughazaleh, Panuwat Srisamran, Richard O. C. Oreffo, Sumeet Mahajan, David J. Richardson, Lin Xu
Summary: We present an all-fiber ized 1840-nm thulium-fiber-laser source for label-free biological imaging through nonlinear microscopy. The source consists of a dissipative-soliton mode-locked seed laser and a chirped-pulse-amplification system. It utilizes short pulses generated by the mode-locked laser and pulse compression techniques to achieve high-quality imaging of biological samples.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Optics
Konstantinos N. Bourdakos, Duanyang Xu, Peter B. Johnson, Anna Crisford, Lin Xu, Sijing Liang, Jonathan H. Price, David J. Richardson, Sumeet Mahajan
Summary: Multimodal CRS microscopy, utilizing multiphoton imaging methods, offers rich chemical and structural information, but the traditional OPO light source has limitations in terms of cost and complexity, hindering wider adoption.
FRONTIERS IN BIOPHOTONICS AND IMAGING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
George Devitt, Anna Crisford, William Rice, Hilary A. Weismiller, Zhanyun Fan, Caitlin Commins, Bradley T. Hyman, Martin Margittai, Sumeet Mahajan, Amrit Mudher
Summary: Tauopathies are a group of disorders characterized by abnormal deposition of tau protein and neurodegeneration. Raman spectroscopy has been shown to be useful in characterizing and distinguishing different conformers of tau protein, with factors such as aggregation environment, cofactors, and post-translational modifications influencing tau conformation. The study highlights the conformational polymorphism of tau fibrils and provides a benchmark for understanding how different factors influence tau conformation.
