Skip to main content

Research

Advanced 3D imaging technology
• Terahertz imaging and compressed sensing
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

Applications in healthcare, pharmaceutical, automotive and energy
• Medical diagnosis and tissue dynamics
• Non-destructive & quantitative evaluation/testing
• In-situ process monitoring
• High-speed ultrahigh-resolution OCT for the diagnosis of eye diseases and systemic disorders

If you are interested, please contact me (e-mail: ycshen@liverpool.ac.uk; mobile: 07954391635; WeChat: ycshen888) to discuss opportunities around.

Useful links:
➢ How to apply for PhD study at Liverpool: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/
➢ PhD scholarships and awards: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-awards/
➢ For Chinese Applicants: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-awards/the-university-of-liverpool-and-china-scholarship-council-awards/

(a) A photo of the LiveOCT device, (b) schematic diagram of human eye, (c) OCT image showing an overview of cornea. OCT image obtained using our ultrahigh resolution LiveOCT (d), and its enlarged view (e).

Ultrahigh resolution OCT for corneal imaging

The LiveOCT device is based on our patented line-field illumination technology. It achieves high imaging speed of over 200,000 A-scans per second and an ultra-high axial resolution of 2 microns that is higher than typical axial resolution of existing OCT systems (5 -10 microns).
Our LiveOCT device meets all the regulatory standards and is currently being used for clinical studies at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.
This project is funded by NIHR via i4i scheme (II-LA-0813-20005, 2015—2017) and (II-LA-1116-20008, 2017—2022).

(a) Photograph of the new low-cost true-colour fundus camera with an integrated OCT, designed specifically for the DR screening needs of China. The high-quality colour image (a) and OCT image (b) of the retina obtained using our new camera without pupil dilation.

New Low-Cost Point of Care Imaging Technologies for Diabetic Eye Disease in China

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an eye disease that can cause vision loss and blindness in people who have diabetes. Treatments are effective but only if the disease is detected early enough. Current methods of detecting DR rely on costly imaging equipment and many skilled personnel to take and interpret retinal images. We have developed novel, low-cost, diagnostic technologies for the detection of DR. These technologies will enable cost-effective, large-scale detection of sight-threatening disease to be performed by non-expert health care workers at the time and place of patient care in China and worldwide.
This project is funded by EPSRC Global Challenges Research Fund (EP/R014094/1, 2018—2022).
The group will also develop a low-cost handheld OCT to make this technology accessible in sub-Saharan Africa, as part of a large project funded by the UK Wellcome Trust (222530/Z/21/Z, 2022—2026).

Development of an innovative imaging solution for screening of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is nerve damage caused by diabetes and can lead to numbness, loss of sensation, nerve-related pain in the feet, legs, and hands. Screening of DPN will improve care by enabling early intervention where DPN is more readily reversible. At present, there is no effective screening programme for DPN due to a lack of sensitive, scalable population-based tests.
In this project we will develop the first kind of integrated intelligent imaging solution tailored to the needs of DPN screening. Early detection and timely treatment of DPN by our innovations will prevent disability and save lives with substantial benefit to the UK's society and economy.
This project is funded by EPSRC (EP/X01441X/1, 08/2023--07/2027)

Research grants

Closed Loop Digitalised Data Analytics and Analysis Platform (DAAP) for Intelligent Design and Manufacturing of Next Generation Power Semiconductor Modules

ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL

April 2022 - March 2025

Predicting Acute and Post-Recovery Outcomes in Cerebral Malaria by Optical Coherence Tomography

WELLCOME TRUST (UK)

April 2022 - March 2026

High temperature heat resistant silicone gel and its effect on the reliability of high temperature SiC power module

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY (BEIS) (UK)

December 2018 - June 2023

Quantitative Detection of Trace Biomarkers using Graphene-integrated Tunable Metamaterials based Attenuated Total Reflection Terahertz Spectroscopy

ROYAL SOCIETY (CHARITABLE)

March 2019 - March 2022

Market Research for Commercialisation of a Next Generation OCT Device

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST (UK)

August 2018 - October 2018

GCRF/Newton Consolidation Award

ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL

February 2018 - March 2023

Clinical Development of an Ultrasensitive OCT Device to Improve the Management of Eye Disease

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)

November 2017 - July 2022

Impact Acceleration Account - University of Liverpool 2012

ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL

October 2012 - March 2017

Ultrasensitive OCT Imaging for Eye Disease

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)

February 2015 - January 2019

Towards disease diagnosis through spectrochemical imaging of tissue architecture.

ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL

June 2013 - September 2016

Intelligent Manufacturing of Pharmaceutical Film Coating Using Terahertz Pulsed Imaging, Optical Coherence Tomography and Numerical Modelling

ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL

June 2014 - October 2016

Small items of Research Equipment at the University of Liverpool

ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL

November 2012 - March 2013

Real-time in-situ monitoring and control technique for high value pharmaceutical manufacturing

INNOVATE UK (UK)

July 2008 - June 2010

Advanced terahertz sources and imaging configurations for rapid analytical measurement applications

ROYAL SOCIETY (CHARITABLE)

September 2008 - October 2008