EIGER FELLOW 2005-2008

EDUCATION

Virginia Tech
Ph.D., Physics, 2008

The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
M.S., Physics, 2004

Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA
B.S., Physics, 2003

ADVISOR

Professor Randy Heflin, Department of Physics

CURRENT RESEARCH

I am currently working on optical fiber biosensors with Long Period Gratings (LPGs).  The goal of this research is to develop a highly sensitive biosensor platform that can exhibit simplicity and versatility in a wide range of applications, including basic research, environmental monitoring, biodefense and medicine.  The sensor works by depositing thin films onto the fiber as a platform.  These films are deposited using a technique called ISAM (Ionic Self-Assembled Multilayers) deposition.  The films are composed of opposing polyelectrolyte solutions that are held together by ionic bonds.  They can build upon each other until the desired thickness is achieved.  Once the platform is made, then different biological and chemical sensing agents, such as antibodies can be deposited on top of the ISAM films.  They are also held together by ionic bonds.  The sensing part comes into play when different concentrations of the antigen are deposited onto the fiber and detected.  The experimental set up is as follows: one end of the optical fiber with embedded LPG is connected to a light source and the other end is connected to an OSA (Optical Spectrum Analyzer).  Light travels through the optical fiber, through the LPG and into the OSA, which gives the output of transmitted light intensity vs. resonant wavelength.  When the resonant frequency of the light matches the resonant frequency of the LPG, that particular frequency gets coupled out of the fiber, which, in turn creates a sharp dip in the transmitted light intensity at that resonant wavelength.  When films are deposited onto the fiber, this allows light to couple out of the fiber and into the film.  Thus, less light makes it through to the OSA, which yields an overall decrease in the transmitted light intensity.  Depositing an antibody causes further decreases in the transmitted light intensity.  Now, when the antigen is deposited, if it is detected, this will lead to even further decreases in the transmitted light intensity at the resonant wavelength.  These decreases in intensity are how we know the sensor has detected its target.      

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: elming@vt.edu
Phone: 540-231-8190

Page last updated 11/10/09