Final Report Summary - MICROCHEMICALIMAGING (Enhancing microfabricated devices with chemical imaging for novel chemical technology)
In this project we have been developing new approaches in chemical imaging by taking “chemical photographs” of materials and dynamic systems. To achieve this, we pioneered a number of approaches based on Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) FTIR spectroscopic imaging and the use of modified or novel spectroscopic accessories. For example, we can now analyse complex processes involving proteins by studying many samples simultaneously, helping us to advance the area of biopharmaceuticals; we can now image processes within the dissolving tablets. Advances made by combining chemical imaging with microfluidics now enable us to see the processes in micro-channels in greater detail by producing “chemical movies” of chemical reactions in moving droplets or studies of live cells. We made a major advance in demonstration of the removal of the effect of chromatic aberration for measurements of live cells in transmission. The demonstration of obtaining chemical images focused across all wavelengths of infrared light is essential for obtaining reliable FTIR imaging of living systems. This new approach has produced much sharper images of high spectral quality when imaging cells, tissues and polymeric materials. We also developed advanced technique of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy that would allow us to study carbon nanotubes at high spatial resolution which should help in improving nanostructures of many materials. Finally, the level of dissemination of the results obtained in this project has been very high via scientific exhibitions, science festivals, conferences, workshops, industry engagement and numerous publications.
More specifically, we have introduced a new approach based on combing miniaturised devices with ATR-FTIR imaging which allows for identification of protein crystals in situ directly distinguishing protein from salt or other precipitants. This imaging approach was also used for high-throughput analysis of thermal stability of monoclonal antibodies addressing challenges in development of new therapeutics. We also created gradient structures using self-assembled monolayers directly on the surface of silicon ATR crystal resulting in wettability gradient surface. This provided a powerful method to study directly the effect of surface properties on protein adsorption and protein crystallization. We have also demonstrated a novel ATR imaging approach to study layered polymer structures in 3D with controlled probing depths via variable angle of incidence. The inherent chemical specificity of FTIR imaging significantly added to the “detection toolbox” of laminar flows in microfluidic devices. We introduced an innovative approach for the rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices suitable for use with FTIR imaging. The new device is based on the direct printing of microfluidic channels on the window surface of transmission liquid cell or on the surface of an ATR crystal. This new type of microfluidic device for infrared imaging was used for analysis of flows in microchannels. In exciting advance, we developed fast FTIR imaging of fast-segmented flows, and have demonstrated imaging of aqueous droplets of protein solution moving within a continuous oil flow. Image acquisition times were reduced to 50 ms to obtain “chemical movies”. These chemical movies were used for analysis of chemical reactions and can be applied to a variety of fast processes in microfluidics ranging from reactions to separations. In other part of our project, we used an approach that combines the high resolution of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and the wealth of chemical information of Raman spectroscopy. We demonstrated chemical imaging with such approach and applied this method to study carbon nanotubes and other nanostructured materials. We have also demonstrated tip-enhanced Raman mapping with top-illumination AFM, and introduced methodology which is suitable for chemical imaging of non-transparent and non-conductive samples with nanoscale spatial resolution.
More specifically, we have introduced a new approach based on combing miniaturised devices with ATR-FTIR imaging which allows for identification of protein crystals in situ directly distinguishing protein from salt or other precipitants. This imaging approach was also used for high-throughput analysis of thermal stability of monoclonal antibodies addressing challenges in development of new therapeutics. We also created gradient structures using self-assembled monolayers directly on the surface of silicon ATR crystal resulting in wettability gradient surface. This provided a powerful method to study directly the effect of surface properties on protein adsorption and protein crystallization. We have also demonstrated a novel ATR imaging approach to study layered polymer structures in 3D with controlled probing depths via variable angle of incidence. The inherent chemical specificity of FTIR imaging significantly added to the “detection toolbox” of laminar flows in microfluidic devices. We introduced an innovative approach for the rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices suitable for use with FTIR imaging. The new device is based on the direct printing of microfluidic channels on the window surface of transmission liquid cell or on the surface of an ATR crystal. This new type of microfluidic device for infrared imaging was used for analysis of flows in microchannels. In exciting advance, we developed fast FTIR imaging of fast-segmented flows, and have demonstrated imaging of aqueous droplets of protein solution moving within a continuous oil flow. Image acquisition times were reduced to 50 ms to obtain “chemical movies”. These chemical movies were used for analysis of chemical reactions and can be applied to a variety of fast processes in microfluidics ranging from reactions to separations. In other part of our project, we used an approach that combines the high resolution of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and the wealth of chemical information of Raman spectroscopy. We demonstrated chemical imaging with such approach and applied this method to study carbon nanotubes and other nanostructured materials. We have also demonstrated tip-enhanced Raman mapping with top-illumination AFM, and introduced methodology which is suitable for chemical imaging of non-transparent and non-conductive samples with nanoscale spatial resolution.