Natalie Bruce
2018/2019
Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd
Heriot Watt University
Hybrid UV LED/elastomeric bio-instrumentation
Fraunhofer CAP has projects across a diverse range of themes including quantum technology, renewable energy, defence, health and life sciences, environmental monitoring, etc. with photonics as the key underpinning technology. The student will adopt a portfolio approach to their research and will benefit from the opportunity of exposure to a number of different photonics research areas and industrial collaborators.
The overarching aim of the project will be to explore the integration of UV-emitting LEDs with elastomeric waveguide optics, microfluidics, and possibly nanofluorophores, for the development of novel sensing/diagnostic and wearable therapeutic instrumentation. The project will capitalise on recent advances in mechanically-flexible LEDs [1] and in UV LED technology. It will create new knowledge in the design and fabrication of mechanically-flexible UV LED-coupled waveguide devices and in their applications.
In the first instance, elements of the technology platform are being developed to enable a phototherapy device. This strand will build upon a current project involving a clinical advisor [2]. Phototherapy is a fast-growing technology that is used in the treatment of skin disorders by exposing the skin to light of specific wavelengths, often UVA and UVB light [3-4]. A current focus of research for these applications is on obtaining a wearable technology that is unobtrusive and can be used at home, bringing user convenience and cost-saving for the health system. While several products exist on the cosmetic market and industry has been aware of the medical potential for some time, no existing devices are truly wearable or conformable, and none are operating in the UV.
The project will also look at point-of-care diagnostic applications by combining the LED/elastomeric waveguide platform with microfluidics and there will be the opportunity for the student to be immersed in other FCAP industry facing projects under the health and life sciences theme, amongst others.
[1] A J trindade et al., “Nanoscale-accuracy transfer printing of ultra-thin AlInGaN light-emitting diodes onto mechanically flexible substrates”, Applied Physics Letters 103, 253302 (2013).
[2] F A Farell et al., “Wearable LED based device for phototherapy applications”, oint International Conference on UV LED Technologies & Applications 2018 (Invited)
[3] R Vangipuram and SR Feldman, “Ultraviolet phototherapy for cutaneous diseases: a concise review”, Oral Diseases, doi: 10.1111/odi.12366, (2015)
[4] S Zhandi et al., “UVA1 phototherapy: a concise and practical review”, Skin Therapy Letters 17(1), 1-4, (2012).