Imaging, Sensing, and Wearable Devices Using Nanophotonic Platforms
Abstract – Personalized health emphasizes prevention and early diagnosis over solely tailoring therapies. My lab’s nanophotonic approaches center on developing precision tools to detect biomarkers, imaging molecular interaction functions, and designing sustainable wearable devices. In this talk, I will highlight two research areas: ultrafast optical force nanoscopy and wearable metasurface sensors. I will introduce Decoupled Optical Force Nanoscopy (Dofn), a technique that addresses current limits in nanoparticle thermal profiling by enabling nanosecond temporal and nanometer spatial resolutions. Dofn also offers a non-invasive way to identify cell membrane molecules without purification. Next, I will discuss wearable metasurface-enabled sensors for wireless charging of implanted devices. Tested on live animals, this technology demonstrates a tenfold power enhancement, enabling long-term tracking of brain activity. These innovations mark significant strides in wearable sensing for personalized health.
Bio – Yang Zhao is an assistant professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She is affiliated with the Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory and holds courtesy appointments in Bioengineering, Institute for Genomic Biology, and Translational Sciences of Carle Illinois College of Medicine at UIUC. Prof. Zhao received her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was advised by Professor Andrea Alù. Following her Ph.D., she served as a postdoctoral research fellow in Materials Science at Stanford University, under the guidance of Professor Jennifer A. Dionne. Prof. Zhao directs the BioNanophotonics Lab at UIUC. Her research group focuses on studying nanoscale forces and fields by developing optical and nanophotonic tools, which are instrumental for imaging, sensing, and actuation across subwavelength to wavelength scales. Prof. Zhao is a recipient of the 2023 Engineering Council Outstanding Advisor Award, the 2024 Dean’s Award for Early Innovation, and the 2024 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research.
Super-resolution PAUL Brain Imaging for Guiding Blood-brain Barrier Modulation
Abstract – The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a formidable obstacle in delivering therapeutic agents to the brain, blocking nearly all potential treatments for neurological diseases. Focused ultrasound (FUS) offers an exciting solution by temporarily opening the BBB to allow targeted drug delivery. Yet, understanding the safety and effectiveness of this approach remains a major challenge. Traditional brain imaging modalities fall short—they either lack the resolution or the sensitivity needed to monitor subtle changes in BBB permeability and the resulting hemodynamic responses. In this talk, I’ll introduce a groundbreaking multimodality imaging approach: PAUL imaging. By integrating the molecular sensitivity of photoacoustic imaging with the microvascular detail of super-resolution ultrasound localization—and further enhancing it with deep learning—PAUL imaging delivers fast, high-resolution insights into BBB permeability and cerebral hemodynamics. This powerful platform provides a transformative tool for advancing brain-drug delivery and uncovering the biological impacts of BBB modulation, opening new avenues in the treatment of neurological disorders.
Bio – Yun-Sheng Chen is an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), where he leads the Multimodality Imaging Research Laboratory. Dr. Chen received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, advised by Prof. Stanislav Emelianov, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in the Radiology Department at Stanford University’s School of Medicine, working with Prof. Sam Gambhir. Dr. Chen has been recognized with prestigious honors, including the Google Faculty Research Award, the Innovative Science Accelerator Award, UIUC’s 2024 Dean’s Award for Innovation Impact, and, most recently, the Stephen I. Katz Early-Stage Investigator Research Project Grant from the NIDDK. His research focuses on developing pioneering imaging technologies that integrate light and ultrasound for advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. His work, published in leading journals such as Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Biotechnology, and PNAS, spans impactful applications in molecular imaging, neuronal stimulation, and cancer diagnostics, contributing to significant advancements in medical imaging and targeted treatment strategies. For more information about Dr. Chen’s research, please visit http://photoacoustics.ece.illinois.edu/.
This is an in-person seminar. If you opt to join via zoom use meeting ID 876 8386 3171 Passcode 844443