Med-Tech Innovation University News


Diamonds work wonders at Strathclyde


A University of Strathclyde team has developed a new type of Raman laser that harnesses diamonds to produce light beams with more power and a wider range of colours than current Raman lasers. These capabilities could open up important new applications. The University says its research, funded by the


Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, has achieved two major world fi rsts. One is the fi rst ever “tunable” diamond Raman lasers, where the colour of the light can be adjusted to meet specifi c needs. For example, the treatment of vascular lesions requires a yellow/orange light that is diffi cult to produce with conventional lasers, but this is needed to maximise absorption by the lesion while minimising damage to surrounding tissue. Its second achievement is the fi rst ever continuously operating diamond Raman laser. This is important


Continuing progress in graphene


Bluestone Global Tech, a leading graphene manufacturer has agreed in a £5 million collaborative research partnership to open a European base at the University of Manchester. The partnership will allow the University’s academics to work closely with the company on projects to produce the next generation of graphene applications. Work has begun on the £61 million National Graphene Institute at the University, the “home” of graphene, which is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the European Regional Development Fund. Bluestone currently has laboratories in New York and Taiwan and provides mass production of high-quality 2D materials. In addition to providing the material for research projects, it will initially open a pre-production facility and offi ces at the University, before setting up larger European headquarters and a pilot production plant in Manchester. www.manchester.ac.uk


www.med-techinnovation.com City tackles sepsis


City University London’s Biomedical Research Group in the School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences recently secured funding totalling £1,554,894 from the National Institute of Health Research for two projects.


One project involves the development of a Personal Lithium Blood Level Analyser for patients with Bipolar mood disorder. The second project is the development of a multi-


parameter esophageal sensor for the early detection of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are vulnerable to complications related to sepsis, which once it takes hold can develop into more serious conditions such as MODS. Approximately 19% of patients admitted to intensive care develop MODS, which is estimated to cause from 47% to 80% of deaths in the ICU. Monitoring the blood supply to the oesophagus, stomach or small intestine can give an early warning of the onset of sepsis and allow rapid treatment to prevent septic shock and MODS. Currently, there is no bedside monitor suitable for providing an early indication of inadequate oxygen supply in abdominal organ tissues. The Group, led by Professor Panicos Kyriacou, proposes the use of a disposable optics- based probe to continuously monitor the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the wall of the lower gullet. This will provide valuable information on the adequacy of the blood supply to the gut and vital organs. The ultimate aim is to develop a new type of sensor to reduce death from sepsis and MODS and provide shorter stays in intensive care. www.city.ac.uk


September/October 2013 ¦ 05


because lasers that can only provide short pulses of light are unsuited to some applications, for example, where pulses would damage delicate structures in the eye.


Dr Alan Kemp, who was Principal Investigator on the project, said, “Exploiting single-crystal diamonds directly in lasers opens up a world of possibilities. A key benefi t is that you don’t need a big crystal to generate the power you require, so you can make lasers much smaller. Conventional Raman lasers have to incorporate a crystal 3-6 cm long. But our new lasers can produce the same amount of power with a diamond crystal just 2–6 mm long. That means lasers could be deployed in confi ned spaces where they currently simply can’t go, such as in aeronautical applications and medicine where high-power lasers of particular colours are required but space is at a premium.” www.strath.ac.uk


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