Development of agar-based biodegradable optical fibers for sensing

• Grant number: 23/09181-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Eric Fujiwara
• Grantee: Eric Fujiwara
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica (FEM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Cristiano Monteiro de Barros Cordeiro

Abstract

Biocompatible and bioresorbable photonic devices are crucial for in vivo applications regarding medicine, optogenetics, and environmental surveillance. Apart from widespread biopolymers and hydrogels, agar features as a versatile, edible, transparent, thermoreversible, renewable, and low-cost material. However, despite its usage in culture media and tissue engineering, few works explored the agar capabilities to manufacture photonic devices. Therefore, this proposal aims to develop novel agar-based optical fibers for sensing. Firstly, we will fabricate structured multimode fibers with different chemical compositions and molded into several geometries to tailor their optical and mechanical properties. Subsequently, fiber specklegram sensors comprising image processing and machine learning-based interrogation systems will explore the agar waveguide response to external stimuli for assessing physical and biochemical parameters, such as strain, temperature, electric current, humidity, concentration, and biological activity. This proposal contributes to the development of novel biocompatible devices, providing technological advances to the areas of photonics, instrumentation, materials science, and medicine. Besides, publications involving international cooperation will disseminate the results and establish new multidisciplinary topics that integrate education and research activities. (AU)