Now, researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University have created groundbreaking 3D-printed microlaser sensors which can be used for highly sensitive on-chip biosensing. These pioneering sensors, produced from polymer, incorporate a Limacon-shaped whispering-gallery-mode microlaser design. They provide seamless incorporation into lab-on-a-chip devices. For instance, their explosive potential paired with highly sensitive detection is on the cusp of enabling early diagnosis of diseases from cancers to Alzheimer’s.
Environmental microlasers sensors are made using precision 3D micro-printing technology. This technique provides fast, large area printing of the microcavity designed with precisely placed structures that facilitate high-precision passive trimming of the suspended microdisk. These sensors reach an effective lasing threshold of just 3.87 μJ/mm². They have a very narrow lasing linewidth of less than 30 picometers, demonstrating their incredible sensitivity. They operate via the localized trapping light within small microcavities, making them intrinsically powerful platforms among label-free biodetection.
The combination of these microlaser sensors into lab-on-a-chip devices promise to revolutionize diagnostic procedures in the medical field. Ping Zhang, a leading researcher on this project, is optimistic about where this technology can go. He thinks it holds tremendous promise beyond early uses.
“In the future, these whispering-gallery-mode microlaser sensors could be integrated into a microfluidic chip to enable a new generation of lab-on-chip devices for ultrasensitive quantitative detection of multiple biomarkers,” – A. Ping Zhang
Zhang stressed that these sensors are a key ingredient to revolutionizing healthcare when he said,
“This could be used for early diagnosis of diseases such as cancers and Alzheimer’s disease or for fighting major health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The team recently published their research breakthrough in Optics Letters. Their presentations and subsequent discussions offered a deep dive into their methodologies and results. The DOI for this important study is 10.1364/OL.557384.
According to the authors, the development of these 3D-printed microlaser sensors is a significant step forward in biosensing technology. Convenience of integration Due to their simple integration into small form-factor devices, their overall utility greatly increases. This progress lays the groundwork for accelerated diagnostic methods that can help save lives in the long run.