Applications of laser-based techniques in environmental and biomedical domains
Laser-based techniques are widely used in numerous applications in different domains. The rapid development of laser technology, among other scientific fields, has profoundly affected environmental and biomedical research. Using laser-based techniques, analysis, and diagnostics may be performed with remarkable sensitivity and precision. Besides, most such techniques are nondestructive and noninvasive. This special issue aims to compile state-of-the-art research, reviews, and case studies demonstrating how laser technology is utilized in these essential fields.
The environmental applications utilizing Laser-based techniques include spectrochemical analysis of soil, sediment, water, and air to evaluate contaminants qualitatively and/or quantitatively in such media. The most adopted techniques are laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), and Laser-ablation-inductively coupled plasma (LA-ICP). Laser absorption spectroscopy can be used to detect and monitor greenhouse gases. Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) is also used for pollutant remote sensing in the atmosphere, where the laser is mainly used as the light source.
Numerous topics are well-known in laser-based biomedical applications, such as Photodynamic therapy (PDT), Photocoagulation, Biomodulation, and Bioactivation. On the other hand, Biomedical imaging and diagnostics are of great interest, such as (Optical coherence tomography, Fluorescence lifetime techniques, Diffuse optical imaging, Terahertz imaging, Doppler imaging, and Raman spectroscopy). In addition, laser techniques are also used to improve drug delivery systems that adopt nanotechnology. Laser tweezers are also used in cellular and molecular biology. Laser spectrochemical analytical methods differentiate and identify microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses.
We welcome scholars from academia, research centers, and industry to submit their full research articles, letters, perspectives, and reviews on the above topics. This special issue will promote environmental and biological laser applications.
Topics covered include, but are not limited to:
- Assessment of the environmental hazards via laser techniques.
- Soil, sediments, water, and air spectrochemical analysis.
- Laser-based detection of pesticide residuals in plants and food.
- Follow up of contamination resources in crowded cities and the countryside.
- Utilizing photodynamic therapy for malignancy and wound healing.
- Study of point-of-care approaches for disease diagnosis and treatment.
- Laser-based detection, Identification, and differentiation of microorganisms.
- Low-level laser irradiation in different biological and medical applications.
Guest Editors
Mohamed Abdel-Harith, Cairo University, Egypt.
Asmaa Elhassan, Higher Technological Institute, Egypt
Submission Instructions
For those interested in submitting, please take note of the following instructions:
- Navigate to the journal’s online submission system. You may need to create an account if you do not already have one.
- During the submission process you will be asked if your manuscript is part of a special topic. Please answer “yes” and select “Applications of laser-based techniques in environmental and biomedical domains” from the subsequent drop-down menu.
Papers that are accepted for publication will publish immediately upon acceptance and will appear online in a virtual collection dedicated to this special topic. Any questions or concerns about the submission process or deadline should be directed to the Journal of Laser Applications journal manager at jla-journalmanager@aip.org.