ANGEWANDTE PHOTONIK
Field of research:
- Duration:
- 01.01.2021 - 31.12.2024
- Project status:
- ongoing
- Institutions:
- Department of Applied Sciences and Mechatronics
- Project management:
- Prof. Dr. Hauke Clausen-Schaumann, Prof. Dr. Thomas Hellerer, Prof. Dr. Heinz P. Huber, Prof. Dr. Johannes Roths
- Funding program:
- Programm zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung und Entwicklung an Hochschulen für angewandte Wissenschaften und Technischen Hochschulen (BayFH)
- Third-party funding type:
- Land
- Project type:
- Forschung
- Laser-induced cell transfer and 2-photon stereolithography of bio-based materials on a micro and nano scale for the manufacture and characterisation of single-cell niches.
Using this new method, an fs laser pulse (1030 nm, 600 fs, ~μJ) is focussed approx. 50 μm below a cell, which is located close to the surface in a hydrogel reservoir. Non-linear absorption leads to an optical penetration, local plasma ionisation, generation of a pressure wave and expansion of a cavitation bubble, that forms on the surface of a jet, at the tip of which a cell from the hydrogen is transferred to an acceptor substrate (see Fig. 1).
The objective is to integrate the fs bioprinting process in an inverse optical microscope for simple and user-friendly handling, as well as subsequent automation and multiplexing. Furthermore, a 2-photon polymerisation procedure (2PP) is to be integrated for the additive 3D printing of bio-based materials.
: The latest, highly-parallel organ-on-a-chip approaches, that combine all human tissue functions on a single chip, further permit an unprecedented degree of multiplexing in materials research and can thus significantly accelerate the development of medicines. Animal testing is also likely to be significantly reduced as a result. - Multi-photon microscopy and optimal coherence tomography with enhanced penetration depth through the application of adaptive optics for correction of wavefront distortions in tissue.
In 2-photon stereolithography of bio-based materials on the micro and nano scale, three-dimensional matrices are formed with embedded, living cells (building on the project described above). With an adaptive lens based on a spatial light modulator (SLM), the wavefront distortions caused in the sample are to be compensated for and the focusability of the fs laser is to be guaranteed even in larger penetration depths up to 300 μm. In addition, an OCT structure with an ultra-short pulse-supercontinuum source is to be developed and integrated in this microscope, which permits a penetration depth up to 2 mm.
: Artificial cartilage, grown from the cells of patients themselves, is already being used in knee operations. In the future, even transplantable organs will be created in this way. A quality control developed in this project for artificial tissue can increase the long-term success of operative interventions and lower the risk of trauma, so that the intervention can be minimally invasive. - Processing of glass fibres by means of an ultra-short pulse laser for functionalisation of new types of fibre-optic sensors on the basis of fibre Bragg gratings.
Fibre Bragg gratings (FBG) are periodic refractive index variations in the core of an optical fibre, which represent an effective reflector for a specific wave length. External influences, such as e.g., temperature or linear expansions, influence the reflected wave length and are thus recorded metrologically. In recent years, fibre Bragg gratings (FBG) that are inscribed in glass fibre wave guides using an fs laser have been growing in importance. The focus of this research is on manufacturing improved, application-specific sensor elements.
: Recording temperature distributions with fibre-optic multi-point temperature sensors for the chemical processing industry and in the high-temperature range for the instrumentation of power units and gas turbines in the test stand. Recording of strain and load states of cast metal parts with embedded fibre optic sensors and high casting temperatures (e.g., Cu casting). Indenting of cartilage for highly sensitive diagnosis of arthritis with simultaneous recording of indentation force and temperature.
Project funding
