Electrochemiluminescence as a tool for microscopy at the nanoscale.
A team of University of California--Irvine engineers, led by Professor James Brody and Professor Peter Burke, will construct a prototype of a new nanoscale microscope. This microscope will combine two very different technologies; one developed to manufacture microprocessors and the other to analyze blood.
The pilot nanoscale microscope will measure the motion of tiny micro-spheres in water. An electronic signal applied to a series of electrodes will cause a chemical tag attached to the micro-spheres to emit red light. This red light will be correlated with the applied electronic signal to sense the motion of the micro-spheres.
This project leverages the considerable research and development investment by industry to develop a revolutionary method for nano-scale imaging. This imaging method will allow one to see some objects as they have never seen before. Furthermore, finer and finer detail will be observable as industry is able to produce more powerful microprocessors.
