Welcome to a world where everything is smaller, faster, stronger
and always reliable. In Nanoworld, the nation’s military can
detect dangerous activities or substances within seconds and
doctors can detect cancer long before it even appears.
This is the world the Institute for Cell Mimetic Space
Exploration envisions. Defense and aerospace technology supplier
Raytheon shares this vision, particularly in areas of defense and
aerospace, and has formed a partnership with CMISE that is hoped to
revolutionize defense technology.
“Raytheon believes nanotechnology will have a great impact
in our industry,” said Peter Pao, vice president of
technology at Raytheon.
Nanotechnology studies physics and chemistry at the atomic
level, called a nanometer, which is one billionth of a meter.
At the institute, big things are expected from the tiny cells
that researchers study.
Cells are extremely efficient: able to switch genes on and off,
divide, communicate with other cells and many more things ““
all at the same time.
Using machines such as the Fourier Transform Infrared
Spectroscopy, researchers hope to understand how cells convert
chemical energy into motion.
FT-IR is able to determine the frequencies and intensities at
which samples of DNA, RNA, proteins and different cell membranes
absorb radiation. This ultimately helps identify the chemical
makeup of the sample since chemical groups are known to absorb
light at specific frequencies.
Understanding the mechanisms involved in cellular motion can
lead to molecule-sized devices to help humans combat illnesses.
“This is a long way off though,” said Professor
Chih-Ming Ho, associate vice chancellor for research at UCLA and
director of the institute.
Real world application of current research however, is not too
far off.
The partnership has focused on two specific projects that is
expected to yield results within five to 10 years.
Professor Bruce Dunn, CMISE energetic research group leader,
will be researching properties of electrochromic filters in the
infrared region.
Researchers predict Dunn’s findings will greatly improve
infrared optical systems, such as sensors used for aerospace,
defense and security purposes.
The second project, headed by Professor Ming Wu, CMISE energetic
interdisciplinary research group faculty member, focuses on
developing new technology for steering optical beams and improving
communications.
“This will be especially helpful in remote sites,”
said Wu.
The collaboration between UCLA and Raytheon is expected to
last.
“We are basically looking at what are today’s
problems and we try to identify the technology that can help solve
these problems,” said Dr. Alice Muntz, associate director of
development.
By partnering with Raytheon, the institute can help jump-start
their technology and supplement their research and development
since most corporations have cut their internal research
drastically, Muntz said.
“It’s an advantage for both because we can find an
exiting route for our technology,” Ho said.
Currently, the institute is largely funded by a five-year, $15
million grant from NASA, with renewal in five years for a total of
$30 million.
“NASA hopes CMISE will be self-sustaining in 10
years,” Muntz said.