Atomic forces for sorting ultrabright nanodiamonds. This project aims to sort fluorescent nanodiamonds according to their brightness using atomic radiation pressure. Fluorescent nanodiamonds can overcome all limitations associated with conventional fluorescent bio-labels. While readily available, their brightness varies greatly, so a method for yielding high-quality material with consistent brightness is needed. This project combines techniques from laser manipulation of cold atoms and microflui ....Atomic forces for sorting ultrabright nanodiamonds. This project aims to sort fluorescent nanodiamonds according to their brightness using atomic radiation pressure. Fluorescent nanodiamonds can overcome all limitations associated with conventional fluorescent bio-labels. While readily available, their brightness varies greatly, so a method for yielding high-quality material with consistent brightness is needed. This project combines techniques from laser manipulation of cold atoms and microfluidics to create an optofluidic method of particle separation. The proposed device could sort nanodiamonds more than a billion times faster than active sorting techniques. This is expected to lead to better tools for bio-imaging and bio-manipulation.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100810
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$343,450.00
Summary
Optical tweezers for bio-nanotechnologies. This project aims to develop a platform of diamond nanosensors and novel optical tweezers for probing cellular processes with single-molecule resolution, in vivo and over physiologically relevant time scales. In biomedicine, long-term imaging of single-molecules is beyond reach with existing bio-labels. The project combines the superior properties of nanodiamond biomarkers (brightness, stability, small size and non-toxicity), with new optical tweezers w ....Optical tweezers for bio-nanotechnologies. This project aims to develop a platform of diamond nanosensors and novel optical tweezers for probing cellular processes with single-molecule resolution, in vivo and over physiologically relevant time scales. In biomedicine, long-term imaging of single-molecules is beyond reach with existing bio-labels. The project combines the superior properties of nanodiamond biomarkers (brightness, stability, small size and non-toxicity), with new optical tweezers which exploit laser trapping of atoms to manipulate nanodiamonds in three-dimensional biological environments. By accessing smaller size and higher force regimes, the platform will improve bio-imaging and bio-manipulation techniques, and potentially advance pathogentracking and early detection of diseases.Read moreRead less