Exploring a paradigm of quantum imaging for biomedical and agricultural applications

• Grant number: 18/23794-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2019
• End date: February 28, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computing Methodologies and Techniques
• Agreement: Texas A&M University
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Odemir Martinez Bruno
• Grantee: Odemir Martinez Bruno
• Principal researcher abroad: Vladislav Yakovlev
• Institution abroad: Texas A&M University, United States
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/08026-1 - Artificial vision and pattern recognition applied to vegetal plasticity, AP.R

Abstract

The House of Representatives passed the National Quantum Initiative Act last month. When signed into law, the bill will outline a 10-year plan to push forward applications using the counterintuitive science of subatomic particles. Texas A&M University (TAMU) is moving forward towards application of quantum science and technology to enhanced imaging and sensing. The PI, Dr. Yakovlev, is currently supported in the area of quantum imaging and quantum sensing by AFOSR and DARPA grants. It is widely accepted that specially prepared quantum states of light allow better sensitivity and better resolution optical imaging, which is especially critical for assessing biological structure and function without interfering with any physiological pathways. Dr. Yakovlev's laboratory is at the forefront of developing new methods for spectroscopy, sensing and imaging, which are based on those quantum states of matter. In the same time, traditional or "classical" approaches to analyze those signals and images acquired with quantum states of light are not directly applicable. Dr. Bruno and his group are working at the cutting edge of data / signal analysis methods, and his expertise in complementary to Dr. Yakovlev's experiences. Both groups are synergetically aligned to tackle the problem of quantum sensing and imaging and apply those results to important problems of biomedical and agricultural imaging. Both PI's are connected through Dr. Vanderlei Bagnato, who is working closely with Dr. Bruno (the University of Saõ Paulo; USP) Brazil and who has recently been appointed as a HIAS fellows in Biomedical Engineering Department, where he will be working, in part, with Dr. Yakovlev. Thus, this proposal capitalizes on existing strengths of both groups in the specific area of science and technology which is set to flourish for the next decade. If successful, it will result not only to support and enhancement of current awards in the area of Quantum Science and Engineering (AFOSR and DARPA), but will also open up exciting opportunities within NIST, DOE, DOJ, DTRA, DOA and NIH to take advantage of experimental techniques and data analysis methods for enhanced optical imaging and sensing developed as a part of this proposal. The broader impact of this proposal includes strengthening ties between two premier institutions and setting up the students' exchange program, which can benefit TAMU and the USP in providing undergraduate and graduate students involved in the project with unparalleled experiences working on the frontier of science and technology and developing real-live applications. With an additional skill set developed as a part of this proposal, students like TAMU's students Eddie Gil (first year graduate student; Hispanic) and Mark Keppler (second year graduate student; Army veteran) will get a better chance to succeed in their projects at the Air Force Research Laboratory, where they are working as a part of a collaboration between Tri-Service Research Lab and TAMU on a closely related project aimed at imaging and signal analysis. In the same time, students from the USP will be exposed to the mainstream of science and technology and will have an opportunity to work at the forefront of quantum imaging and sensing, which is considered in many respects the future technology in the years to come. The proposed research activities would benefit existing collaboration between four colleges at TAMU, Engineering, Science, Agriculture and Medicine, and will provide other researchers from those university units to develop collaboration with researchers at the USP. (AU)