Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The long-term goal of this proposed NSERC DG program is to develop cost-effective, low-energy required, user-friendly sensing arrays for overcoming the challenges of healthcare and the environment to provide accurate and timely information. Multifunctional nanocomposites have shown powerful capabilities in producing miniaturized and multifunctional devices. To reach the full potential of nanomaterials and nanotechnology in the future biosensing industry, Dr. Zhang will continuously develop new multifunctional nanocomposites for advanced biosensing devices. The specific objectives of this proposed NSERC DG program are to (1) synthesize and surface modification of multifunctional nanocomposites to optimize the interface between nanostructures and bioreceptors; (2) to develop new luminescent energy transfer resonance (LRET) biosensors with a non-invasive manner; (3) to design and develop efficient electronic biosensor systems by using two-dimensional nanostructures for remotely harvesting health/environment information.      Our previous research demonstrated that well-defined nanostructures can be modified with biomolecules, e.g. antibody, by combining chemical process and a laser-assisted process, a catalyst-free process. In the proposed activities, we will continuously integrate both the chemical solution process and the laser-assisted process to produce multifunctional nanocomposites. In addition, new LRET biosensor system by using emerging upconversion nanomaterials will be developed which can be used in deep-tissue detection with less or without photon-damage and low toxicity. It is also noted that biocompatible carbon-based nanocomposites with advanced optical, magnetic, electrical, mechanical properties as one-entity have been shown promising potential in the field of point-of-care (POC) devices. Dr. Zhang invented a hybrid graphene-based magnetoresistance (MR) sensor that can be seamlessly integrated with the wireless system due to the capability of MR sensor for quickly converting the change of bioreactions to electronic signals. In the next 5 years, we will tailor the fine structure of carbon-based two-dimensional nanocomposites to achieve real-time and remote detection.      The proposed research program will provide a highly multidisciplinary platform for students and young researchers to gain experiences in nanofabrication, design, and development of advanced and miniaturized biosensor systems to quickly detect the bioprocesses occurring in the cell, or body fluids, or ecosystem. Diversity and increased gender quality are the priority in recruiting the trainees. The proposed NSERC DG program will efficiently transfer new knowledge and technology to industry, and to provide a pool of human resources available for the high-tech sector of the Canadian industry and for the development of emerging sensing technology, which position the country as a major competitor on the global market.