Compact Photonic Explorer

Download CPE Brochure (pdf)

The City University of New York, in partnership with six other universities, has embarked upon an innovative, multidisciplinary research project to develop a variety of smart, compact, remote-controlled mobile photonic sensing devices. Called “Compact Photonic Explorers,” (CPE), these devices will have a range of diagnostic applications, including remote health monitoring, bacterial detection, cancer screening, chemical sensing and industrial and military surveillance.

This project combines miniaturized techniques for emitting, detecting and filtering light, impacting diverse industries and disciplines by spinning off new microscale components and technologies. The initial focus is in the biomedical arena, where we are developing a “photonic pill” that would detect cancer and monitor body functions in living subjects. Future CPEs will detect biological and chemical hazards, such as bacteria and pollutants, and monitor the "health" of compact structures and devices.

Based upon a $1.34 million grant from the Infotonics Technology Center in Rochester, NY, the CPE project is coordinated by Prof. Robert R. Alfano of the City University of New York (CUNY). Researchers at CUNY are collaborating with teams at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, SUNY-Albany, SUNY-Binghamton, University of Rochester and Boston University to develop and test the technologies for a CPE prototype.