Facebook

Program:

Facebook - Next-generation computational optical tomography for diffuse optical imaging

Type:

Request for Information (RFI)

Program deadline:

September 15, 2018

Research focus:

Facebook requests information about novel approaches to perform noninvasive optical sensing of brain activity. We seek opportunities for research and development in academic and industry to advance the field of optical brain computer interfaces. Facebook may use the information received in response to this RFI to guide our program for future research collaborations.

At Facebook we have performed a number of research and innovation projects in an open and collaborative manner. With this approach we hope to combine the respective strengths of Facebook and the academic community to advance research areas of interest to us. To make well informed decisions for our future research programs, we want to engage with the academic research community at the earliest possible stage, for which we use Requests For Information (RFI).

Goals and requirements of this RFI

In light of the potential of coherent diffuse optical tomography to quantify brain physiology, and given the recent dramatic advances in computational optics, this RFI seeks to solicit proposals for next-generation computational optics methods for coherent diffuse optical tomography of the brain. We have an explicit requirement that submitted proposals use or develop cutting-edges concepts and methods in computational optics. Additionally, we require that methods assume realistic conditions, in particular [i] there is no exact, instantaneous knowledge of the complete scattering medium; fluctuations happen faster than can be compensated, and [ii] only a small fraction of the total optical field can be collected.

We have an expectation that the developed computational optical methods have a robustly-argued basis in the relevant fields of mathematics, computer science, physics, optics, and neuroscience. It is not an explicit requirement but it is strongly preferred if the performance of the proposed computational optics methods are compared to more traditional approaches (e.g. L2 norm-based linear reconstruction). Such comparisons can be made on simulated data and/or experimental data.

For additional details, please read the Information Sheet

Funding:

Not Applicable

Program submission instructions:

  1. Copy of all proposal files to Office of Research contact below.
  2. Respondents are free to choose whatever form most effectively conveys the intended information - examples include, but are not limited to, .pdf documents or .txt documents, and interactive web content. There is no formatting specification, nor limit on the amount of content that can be included. Submissions should be sent to frl_academics@fb.com with the identifier RFI_BCI_002 in the subject line, or through https://fbresearch.wufoo.com/forms/facebook-request-for-information-rfi_bci_002/. Responses to this RFI will be reviewed between the dates of 15 July 2018 and 15 September 2018, during which time open discussions will be hosted on Workplace. (Workplace is intended to serve as a forum or bulletin-board for open discussion of general questions and observations related to the RFI’s and submission process. Invitations to register at Workplace will be sent separately via e-mail.) 

Office of Research contact:

Julia De Paola Almeida Carvalho

519-888-4567 ext. 30545

or

Bridget Moloney

519-888-4567 x36526

Program contact:

For questions or assistance with the application process, you can connect via email:  frl_academics@fb.com