Liwei Lin (Advisor)

Image resolutions of modern optical systems are many times limited by wavefront aberrations due to turbulence in the optical media. Adaptive Optics (AO) is a technology that utilizes deformable mirrors (DM) to correct the wavefront distortion, thereby enhancing the image resolution. In this research, we investigate the design and fabrication of micromechanical-deformable-mirror arrays for AO applications. The mirror arrays are produced using surface micromachining techniques developed for the fabrication of Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS).

Because many AO...

The goal of this research is the creation of robust, flexible, polymer sensors and circuits fabricated partially from the low cost biopolymer, chitosan, the deacetylated form of chitin which is the second most abundant polyssacharide in nature. Chitin is found in crustaceans, insects, bacteria and fungi. The sensors will detect diatomic gases and DNA to more complex macro molecules (e.g. exotoxins) in a fluidic or dry environment. Polymer-nanoparticle (e.g. Ge) hybrid films allow for development of robust polymer thin-film transistors and, with optimization of the hybrid film,...