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TECHNOLOGY
Nanyang Technological University
The specialty fibre research team assessing optical fibres used to create the fibre labs
A lab in a fibre
detects the binding of two molecules in solution. The ability
Researchers in Singapore have developed fibre-based
to detect such biological interactions in small volumes of
“optofluidic” sensors for measuring the properties of tiny
fluid could be important for life science research and
amounts of fluid. The innovation increases the sensitivity
medical diagnosis.
of measurements and makes it less expensive for
Their latest work improves on the previous technology,
researchers and clinicians to study the properties of
in which fluid was added to channels that run along the
fluids.
fibre. In the new approach, the researchers add
The technology uses a photonic crystal fibre
fluid to a transverse microchannel that is
(PCF) – an optical fibre in which air channels
The new design
drilled through the PCF and crosses its core.
surround a central core along which light
This maximises the interaction between the
passes. These air channels allow the integration is highly sensitive to
light and the fluid.
of elements that provide the fibre with additional
The new design is highly sensitive to
properties. Such elements often include
changes in the
changes in the refraction of light. In addition, it
microelectronics and semiconductors. Now, a
is easier to clean fluid from the new transverse
collaborative group of researchers from
refraction of light.
channel than from channels that run along the
Nanyang Technology University (NTU) and the
fibre, making it easier to reuse the device.
A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology, and Research)
The researchers now aim to improve the technology
Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) has focused on
further by incorporating optical antennae, which will
developing microfluidic devices in which the air channels
further increase its sensitivity to changes in light.
are filled with fluid.
Fluid properties can be measured by analysing the
extent to which light changes direction – or refracts – when
For further information contact:
it passes through the fluid. By filling the channels in PCFs
Professor Perry Shum
with fluid, scientists can use the light in the fibre to
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
measure the properties of this fluid. PCF channels are so
Nanyang Technology University, Singapore
small that just trillionths of a millilitre are needed.
E-mail: [email protected]
The NTU and I2R team previously used this approach
to develop a temperature sensor. The researchers filled one
Dr Dora Hu
channel with a rod-like liquid crystal, which changes its
Institute for Infocomm Research
Agency for Science, Technology and Research,
properties when heated. The resulting changes in the
Singapore
refraction of light passing through it can be measured to
E-mail: [email protected]
determine the temperature.
They have also developed a biological sensor that
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