The MICROBS laboratory has three core objectives:
Development of next-generation microrobots
The field of microrobotics has shown great progress in the last decade, specifically in the control of the mobility of untethered microscopic devices. However, these devices are simple machines consisting of monolithic structures that are passively moved by external fields. Physical and manufacturing constraints limit the integration of electronic components. Alternative solutions are required for incorporating sensing and computation into the machinery to transform them into robots.
Development of ultraflexible microengineered biomedical instruments
Physiological function depends on electrochemomechanical signaling at the cellular level. To build a scientific foundation of human physiology, it is essential to measure and modulate diverse signals within tissues and organs. Likewise, minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic tools emerged to treat neurological and cardiovascular conditions as well as cancer, with minimal side effects and maximum efficacy compared to conventional procedures. To this end, slender instruments such as needles, probes, and catheters have widespread use in research laboratories and clinics. We develop novel methods to design and manufacture ultraflexible microengineered devices, and build mechatronic control systems to navigate these devices inside soft tissues, hollow organs, ducts and vessels.
Discovering mesoscale physical principles of biological self-organization
Many experiments in the biomedical sciences are greatly aided by robotic and automation technologies. Our strategy is to engineer novel microrobotic systems that can be seamlessly integrated with high-throughput bioengineering platforms for the study of mechanobiology and biological organization. The distinguishing features of our technological approach are the fine control, extreme dexterity, high-throughput, and multi-dimensionality.