|
Sensor platform developmentA highly sensitive refractive index sensor and evanescent wave absorbance based sensor is developed by fabricating U-bent optical fiber with very low bend diameters. A simple technique for Plastic optical fiber bending and decladding has been developed. Optimization studies have been carried out theoritically and experimentally and these probes have been utilized for refractive index, force and level sensing applications. Read more |
|
Nanomaterials and surface chemistryPlasmonic nanomaterials such as gold and silver, with their high extinction coefficient and their sensitivity to the refractive index of the surrounding medium, are useful labels for evanescent wave absorbance based sensors. Preparation, characterization, bio-conjugation and surface immobilization of these nanomaterials onto silica or plastic U-bent optical fiber probe surface is a challenge and several protocols have been utilized successfully by our group. Read more |
|
Protein and DNA detectionDetection of biomarkers such as proteins and nucleic acids at very low concentrations is achieved by performing sandwich immunoassays using U-bent optical fiber sensors. Several protocols for efficient analyte detection, reduction of non-specific binding, increased sensitivity using plasmonic bio-conjugates have been developed. There is ongoing research in this field to reach lower limits of detection with better sensitivity and repeatability. Read more |
|
Pathogen detectionPathogens absorb light at 280 nm. The U-bent probe, with its increased depth of penetration, can detect the presence of pathogens on the surface, by evanescent wave absorbance measured at 280 nm. Research is being carried out to use suitable bioreceptors and detect target molecules and pathogens present in sample. Read more |
|
Device development and microfluidicsDevice development towards large scale repeatable fabrication of U-bent fiber optic refractive index sensors; array sensors, distributed sensors, hand-held detectors are ongoing. Research is also carried out towards integration of U-bent optical fiber sensors with microfluidic devices fabricated in-house. Read more |
