SBIR-STTR Award

In this SBIR effort, Nikira Labs Inc. proposes to develop a high-resolution ( 1 cm2). The technology will provide both bright-field and fluorescence imaging and be capable of retrofitting into a wide variety of existing microscopes at a low retail price. This work will complement the microscopy efforts that are ongoing at the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST). In Phase I, we will demonstrate technical feasibility by fabricating two optical microscopes that utilize Fourier Ptychographic Imaging (FPI) via highly controlled, inhomogeneous illumination sources. The first imaging system will target high-performance applications, whereas the second system will be more cost-effective for educational applications. In both cases, the illumination source will be improved to increase the imaging speed, and the camera will be optimized for lower noise and cost. Image analysis and reconstruction software will be developed in a platform-portable language to allow for retrofitting on existing systems. The Phase I prototypes will be characterized to determine their resolution, field Large Field of View Microscope for Rapid, High-Resolution Imaging Nikira Labs Inc. of view (FOV), imaging speed, and depth-of-focus. Finally, Phase II instruments will be designed to include fluorescence and phase imaging.

In this SBIR effort, Nikira Labs Inc. proposes to develop and deliver a high-resolution (< 1.2 micron) microscope that can rapidly (< 60 seconds) image a large field of view (> 1 cm2). The instrument will provide a wide array of imaging modalities, including brightfield, darkfield, fluorescence, quantitative phase, and Rheinberg imaging. In Phase II, Nikira Labs will fabricate, test, and deliver a turnkey microscope system that provides all the aforementioned imaging modalities. The system will include the hardware(microscope, incubator, motorized XY stage…), electronics (LED array, LED driver, computing…), and software (data control/acquisition/analysis/reporting and user-interface) necessary to take periodic images of live cell cultures. After extensive testing of each imaging modality, the final, fully-documented instrument will be delivered to the NIST Cell Systems Science Group where it will be used to study live stem cell growth and dynamics as part of the emerging field of stem cell therapy, with eventual application in the process control of stem cell growth lines. It will enable researchers to scan 12 well plates in under 15 minutes. Additionally, it will allow for higher power objectives to provide imaging of individual cells without being limited by the working distance of the objective.