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Voltage-Sensitive Diamond Nanosensors

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Contract: D14PC00121
Agency Tracking Number: D141-002-0031
Amount: $100,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: SB141-002
Solicitation Number: 2014.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2014
Award Year: 2014
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2014-06-16
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2015-05-15
Small Business Information
89 Needham St #2414
Newton, MA 02461
United States
DUNS: 968785720
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Ophir Gaathon
 PI and CEO
 (917) 622-1866
 ophir@diamondnanotechnologies.com
Business Contact
 Douglas Weber
Title: program manager
Phone: (703) 526-2856
Email: douglas.weber@darpa.mil
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

In this Small Business Innovation Research program, we will develop a new class of nanosensors that are high contrast, ultrabright and fast optical voltage-indicators from diamond nanocrystals for neural activity imaging applications in vitro and in vivo. These photostable and cytocompatible diamond nanosensors will be able to monitor the bioelectric states and sub-threshold events in human cells at the nanometer scale without photo bleaching (hundreds of hours of continuous readout from a single nanosensor). Our optical detection scheme is based on the exceptional capabilities of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers in diamond but does not rely on spin-based interrogation techniques commonly deployed for NV center sensing. In Phase I of this program we will conduct a feasibility study to test the viability of this new approach. To do so, we set three objectives: (1) fabrication of the nanosensors, (2) voltage sensitivity characterization in cultured neurons, and (3) theoretical and computational analysis of performance of the diamond nanosensors. In Phase II of this program we will optimize the voltage-indication performance of the diamond nanosensors, develop a scalable fabrication process, and design targeting schemes to ensure broad use of the nanosensors in the life sciences.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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