Events

Adventures in Biomedical Optics in Customized Vision Correction, Real-time Intraoperative Nerve Imaging and Microplastics/Microfiber Detection

Wayne H. Knox, Professor of Optics, Physics, Vision Science, Materials Science and Distinguished Scientist, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, and Chief Science Officer, Clerio Vision

Presented in-person in Goergen 101 and on Zoom

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Abstract

We discuss recent adventures in the field of Biomedical Optics, starting with (a) recent experiments in high-speed writing of customized refractive index corrections in hydrogel ophthalmic materials, and (b) demonstrating clinically relevant refractive index changes in a totally new biocompatible and even biodegradable material system with promising applications in vision correction and care (silk optics). A second new area of research involves multispectral birefringence imaging as applied to two completely different fields: (c) Intraoperative imaging of nerves in real-time as a surgical aid, where we have demonstrated efficacy in human clinical trials, and (d) detection of microplastics in water and air samples.  We will discuss fundamentals and applications of these diverse WHK research group topics.

Biography

Wayne H. Knox obtained BS (1979) and PhD degrees (1983) at The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester in Rochester, NY. He went to Bell Labs in Holmdel NJ in 1984 and worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow, was promoted to Member of Technical Staff in 1985 and to Distinguished Member of Technical Staff in 1990. In 1997, he was promoted to Director of the Advanced Photonics Research Department where he was responsible for forward-looking research and technology transfer in a number of areas related to advanced technologies in telecommunications in long-haul, access and Metro networks. He is a Fellow of the Optical Society of America and a Fellow and Life member of the American Physical Society, and won the National Academy of Sciences W.O. Baker Award for Initiatives in Research and the Richtmyer Award for Physics teaching from the American Association of Physics Teachers. In April 2001 he returned to The Institute of Optics as Director (2001-2011) and Professor of Optics where he currently carries out a research program in ultrafast nonlinear optics and applications in vision correction. He was recently inducted as Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. He has authored over 200 publications and has 71 or more patents granted or pending, and has chaired many international professional society meetings. He is a founder and Chief Science Officer of Clerio Vision that is working on commercializing femtosecond micromachining for vision applications.