| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/T27792/01 |
| Title: |
Phosphors for Biomedical & Environmental Sensing Technology |
| Principal Investigator: |
Ranson, Dr RM |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
School of Science & Technology |
| Organisation: |
Nottingham Trent University |
| Scheme: |
First Grant Scheme Pre-FEC |
| Starts: |
22 March 2005 |
Ends: |
21 August 2008 |
Value (£): |
114,133
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Continued market expansion in the field of optical sensors, has highlighted the need for research into the characterisation and deposition of materials with adequate sensing capabilities to meet the demands of specific applications. Of particular importance, is the need for sensors in biomedical and environmental applications to be optically based and therefore eliminate any interference with or from electronic equipment. Such an example is the monitoring of human body temperature within a magnetic resonance imaging system.Phosphors are used throughout industry due to their light emitting properties. Previous research has clearly illustrated the dependence of the photoluminescent emission upon environmental parameters such as temperature, pressure and gas concentration,This proposal is aimed at utilising the experience and knowledge gained during the principle investigators PhD, but focusing on the new area of biomedical and environmental sensor technology.The research will follow the programme below :i) Literature survey to identify potentially suitable phosphors for the detection of temperature and/or gas concentration within the human body. The research student will also familiarise themselves with the fabrication and PL facilities at NTU. This will also include the design of a glass environmental chamberii) Once identified, samples of the phosphor material will be supplied by Phosphor Technology Ltd at various dopant concentrations in order to characterise the phosphor's sensing capabilities. The photoluminescent tests will initially characterise the emission spectra at various environmental conditions at pre-specified excitation wavelengths. These pre-specified excitation wavelengths will be defined via consultation with the suppliers, Phosphor Technology Ltd. Analysis of the emission spectra will provide valuable information on the behaviour of the peak wavelengths in relation to temperature and/or oxygen concentration. A study on the decay/rise rates of the emission peak wavelengths will be subsequently investigated.iii) The optimised phosphor powder will subsequently be grown via RF magnetron sputtering to form a thin film. Its photoluminescent properties will be characterise in respect to those measured as a powder.iv) Further treatment of the thin films via the process of laser annealing - localised heat treatment via high energy pulses - will alter the crystallinity of the phosphor. In turn, this may or may not effect the sensitivity of the luminescent characteristics to environmental conditions, hence would subsequently be characterised.v) Finally, a feasibility study will be carried out on the fabrication of a simplified sensor head.The conclusion of the programme, would be the identification of phosphor, in the form of a thin film, whose sensitivity to environmental conditions can be fine tuned through the variance of dopant concentration and laser annealing conditions.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ntu.ac.uk |