Federal Grant Award Summary

Professors Ellen M. Sletten and Justin R. Caram at the University of California, Los Angeles are developing novel fluorescent chemical compounds that emit light in the shortwave infrared (SWIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum under this $848,097 project grant awarded February 15, 2026. The research, supported by the National Science Foundation's Division of Chemistry under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049), focuses on engineering cyanine aggregation and self-assembly to create exceptionally red-shifted organic chromophores with applications in mammalian tissue imaging and fiber-optic telecommunications. The project will deliver fundamental design principles for SWIR-emitting compounds through structure-property relationship studies on superradiant trimethine and heptamethine dyes, with completion targeted for January 31, 2029.

Beyond the primary research deliverables, the grant will provide substantial training and educational benefits through support for undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. The project includes public engagement activities such as PhotonBooth and Illuminating the World of Molecules demonstrations designed to generate grade school interest in science and scientific innovation. These complementary outputs reflect the program's emphasis on advancing fundamental scientific knowledge while supporting the development of the next generation of researchers in the mathematical and physical sciences.