The past and ongoing design and device research in the M2D2 laboratory spans multiple disciplines and multiple scales. The focus of the laboratory is on developing systematic design methodologies using optimization. We use these methods to develop devices and systems of sizes ranging from nanometers to a few meters: from proteins to large devices. Prototyping the designs at the macro, meso, and micro sizes is also an integral activity of the laboratory. The materials used for prototyping include metals, polymers, ceramics, and semiconductors.
Areas of research pursued in the laboratory:
- Compliant mechanisms
- Kinematics
- Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)
- Structural optimization (topology optimization in particular)
- Synthesis and inverse problems
- Design with smart materials
- Bio-design (protein design and bioreactors in particular)
- Cell and tissue mechanics
- Micromanipulation
- Biomedical and other products
