Research

We develop physical methods for applications in biology and medicine. Our research spans from x-ray science and synchrotron instrumentation to ultrasonics, microscopy and visual optics. We teach courses in physics, optics, visual optics, microscopy and much more.

Hard x-ray bio imaging
We invented the liquid-metal-jet electron-impact hard x-ray source. The spatial coherence and power of this source enables phase-contrast imaging to be performed with unprecedented spatial resolution. Applications include micro-angiography, small-animal tomography and soft-tissue imaging.

Coherent x-ray scattering
We use coherent x-rays produced by 4th generation synchrotrons and free-electron lasers to study mesoscale structures and ultrafast dynamics in soft matter. Applications include coherent diffractive imaging of viruses, serial femtosecond crystallography of proteins and x-ray scattering of water and ice.

Nanochemistry
We design, synthesise and characterize nanomaterials with complex materials architectures, and engineer their interfaces to couple effectively with, or protect from, the surrounding media. The main focus is materials at nanoscale with novel physical and chemical properties, optimized for the intended application. Main application areas for the developed nanomaterials range from biomedical applications, including contrast enhancement in MR and XRF imaging, to various sensing and energy conversion.

Soft x-ray microscopy
We developed the first sub-visible-resolution laboratory water-window microscope. It is based on pioneering work in liquid-jet laser-plasma sources and in-house zone-plate optics. Applications include 2D and 3D nanoimaging of cellular and other wet samples samples.

We use ultrasound in microfluidics for cellular and molecular diagnostics and research. Technology includes acoustophoresis, acoustic trapping, acoustic streaming and cavitation used for clinical sample preparation, 3D acoustic cell culture and dynamic monitoring of individual cell-cell interactions. All work is performed on lab-on-a-chip platforms and in close collaboration with medical partners.

Visual optics
Our research concerns the formation of the retinal image and the optical limits to vision. We develop techniques in wavefront sensing, adaptive optics, and psychophysics specially to investigate the peripheral visual field and the effects of optical manipulation. Applications span from basic research to central visual field loss and myopia development.

X-ray optics and nano imaging
We design, simulate and fabricate diffractive x-ray optics for high-resolution x-ray imaging and nano-focusing. The major application area is synchrotron-based x-ray microscopy with the goal to achieve 10 nm isotropic 3D resolution. Our optics are also used in our in-house soft x-ray microscope.