Dr.
Linda (Xiaolin) Chen
(Graduate Assistantship Available!)
Simulation of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)
Micro-electro-mechanical System is a rapidly growing research area that may ultimately rival integrated circuit in importance. The past few decades have seen innovative MEMS applications in biomedical, telecommunication, electronic, automotive, aerospace and other industries. Microfabrication technologies now allow development of highly miniaturized structures of unprecedented level of functionality on small-scale devices such as biochips, optical switch arrays, airbag sensors and other critical applications across diverse fields.
Experimentation at small scales is quite challenging and expensive. This leads to a strong need for high fidelity simulation to effectively predict the performance of micro-electro-mechanical systems. Our interest in this area is to develop computational tools to simulate complicated physical behaviors of MEMS by accounting for multiphysics interactions between coupled fields.
Computer-aided tissue engineering
Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field to develop strategies for regenerating biological tissues. Current surgical practice in treating diseased or damaged tissues through transplantation is constantly facing the risk of immune rejection and limited donor supply. This leads to emerging research areas in tissue engineering that has the potential to revolutionize traditional ways of health care treatment.
A particular challenge in addressing material issues in tissue engineering is to design biocompatible materials to guide the growth of the seeded cells in the process of forming functional tissues. Desirable biomaterials should not only match properties of the healthy tissue but also have an interconnected porous microstructure to allow cell proliferation. Computational simulations can play an important role to augment experimental techniques in the design of emerging biomaterials. Our research interest in this area is to approach clinical challenges by applying and developing simulation tools in the modeling and characterization of biomaterials.
For research opportunities at the undergraduate or graduate level, please contact Dr. Chen.