# Light-guide Image Processing (LIP) 3D printed snapshot spectrometer for molecular imaging

> **NIH NIH R21** · RICE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $192,906

## Abstract

Light-guide Image Processing (LIP) 3D printed snapshot spectrometer for molecular imaging
The overall goal of this research is to develop a new generation of a high performance, compact,
snapshot hyperspectral imaging device that is compatible with research grade light microscopes.
To accomplish this goal we will build a Light-guide 3D printed Imaging Processing spectrometer.
The LIP Spectrometer will leverage two innovative technologies: fiber optics and 2-photon additive
manufacturing to allow effective fabrication of custom fiber bundles providing different input vs.
output organizations. These custom bundles will capture densely packed input and yield an
arbitrary output with void spaces that allow spectral information to be spread out. Thus, the LIP
device will convert an image from 2D image (input) to separated spatial-spectral information (after
dispersion) on a large format sCMOS/CCDs image sensor. The proposed approach requires no
significant computation or processing to create the (x, y, λ) data cube. Simple data re-organization
will be sufficient to create spectral cubes.
LIP spectrometer will be a widefield method acquiring full spectral information simultaneously
from every pixel and therefore it will offer significant advantages in imaging speed and signal
collection. The LIP spectrometer will allow changing spectral / spatial sampling through different
fiber bundle and disperser configurations. The project will pursue two specific aims: (1) developing
a proof-of-concept LIP spectrometer (250x250x60 over visible range 470—670nm) and (2) testing
the LIP Spectrometer the dynamic range, imaging speed and sampling over in reference to other
techniques like IMS or scanning methods. We will also perform imaging in several living cell
imaging applications. These experiments will focus on tests in dynamic biological systems,
specifically to study [ATP]/[ADP] ratio, cAMP signaling, and Ca2+ dynamics investigated in Dr.
Piston’s lab. We will also quantitatively evaluate the results from the LIP, against the Zeiss
LSM880, Optical Insights Spectral DV commercial systems and Image Mapping Spectrometry
(IMS) developed previously by project’s PI (Dr.Tkaczyk).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10447267
- **Project number:** 1R21EB033160-01
- **Recipient organization:** RICE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** TOMASZ S TKACZYK
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $192,906
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-05-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10447267

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10447267, Light-guide Image Processing (LIP) 3D printed snapshot spectrometer for molecular imaging (1R21EB033160-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10447267. Licensed CC0.

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