Research Areas
Fiber optic sensors; micromachining technology and applications; electroluminescent display devices; optoelectronic devices (photodetectors, diode lasers); optical properties of materials

Research Description
My research interest areas are optoelectronic materials and devices and microscale fabrication and devices. I try to always collaborate with researchers from industry or other departments to make my research relevant to problems of immediate interest and to make it interdisciplinary in nature.

My optoelectronics research is currently aimed at making novel fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) and applying them to sensitive sensor systems for strain, humidity, etc. We have developed a process for making high-temperature FBGs that work up to 600C making them useful for monitoring the curing of composite materials for lightweight spacecraft and airplanes. We are also working with Horticulture to develop a new portable optical probe for accurately measuring the chlorophyll, nitrogen, and water content of trees and plants.

In the microfabrication area, we are collaborating with several interdisciplinary teams of the OSU Center for MECS (Microscale Technology for Energy, Chemical, and Biological Systems) in research on novel cytosensors (living-cell-based) for chemical and biological agents and also on devices for miniature fuel cells and highly efficient portable coolers. We use deposition and etching equipment normally used in semiconductor research and apply it to unconventional materials such as thin metal foils or plastic sheets. We also have to develop expertise in fabricating transparent ITO heaters and electroplated contacts. This research is truly interdisciplinary in nature bringing together faculty from ECE, ME, IME, ChE, BioE, Chemistry, and Physics.

Applications of Research
My research is applicable to many different areas such as horticulture (optical chlorophyll, nitrogen, and water sensor), civil engineering and aviation/space (fiber strain sensors), environmental assessment and cleanup (microscale sensors and chemical processors), energy (fuel cells and portable coolers), etc. There are so many challenging problems out there to be worked on, and optical electronics and microfabrication apply to nearly all of them.

Recent Research Collaborations & Projects

1. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA): "Testing and Development of the SOS Cytosensor System," (with P.J. McFadden, J. Trempy, F. Chaplen, G. Javanovic, J. Liburdy, B. Paul) Oct. 2001-Sept. 2004, $2,990,775 ($375,000)
2. NSF: "Snapshot Toxicology," (with P. J. McFadden, J. Trempy, F. Chaplen, G. Jovanovic, J. Liburdy, B. Paul) Oct. 1, 1999-Sept. 30, 2003, $370,000
3. DARPA: "The SOS Cytosensor System," (with P.J. McFadden, J. Trempy, F. Chaplen, G. Javanovic, J. Lidburdy and B. Paul) Sept. 1999-Sept. 2002, $740,000
4. NASA: "Novel fiber Bragg gratings for high-temperature applications," June 1-Sept. 30, 2001, $47,953
5. DARPA: "Phosphor Technology Center of Excellence," (with J.F. Wager) August 1993-August 1999 $110,858; August 1997-August 1998, $ 117,000; August 1999-March 2001, $168,000
6. ESI Inc.: "Laser/Material Interactions," Jan. 2000-Jan. 2001, $37,000
7. Smith Funds OSU COE: "Interdisciplinary Research Programs in Optical Fiber Sensors and Applications," (with A. Weisshaar, D. Kachlakev) January 1999-December 1999, $35,000
8. Planar/DARPA: "Next Generation EL Display Consortium," (with J.F. Wager) October 1997-September 1999, $200,000