Liquid crystals and Liquid Crystal Polymers : The focus of this research is the properties and applications of the nonlinear response of liquid crystalline and liquid crystal polymer materials to optical waves and applied electrical fields. The optical wavelength under study is 1320 nm, which is suitable for fiber optic communication system applications, such as signal routing, switching, restoration, and other processing. Current goals are to identify and measure the mechanisms of optical response, and realize photorefractive behavior with an eye on storing images and data holographically.
Fiber-Optic Sensors for Harsh Environments : The project focuses on developing distributed temperature and pressure point-sensors for improving process control in distillation towers and other components of oil and gas refineries. Artificial Vision Project : This project is being pursued jointly with Dr. Warren Finn at the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM). The objective of this research is to construct a visual prosthetic which restores basic visual functions to individuals who suffer from degredation or other loss of the retinal photoreceptors (light detecting cells) by direct electrical stimulation of the intact neural cells within the retina.