Labs and Capabilities

Medical Sensors/Microfluidics Labs

The Medical Sensors/Microfluidics Labs are equipped with cutting-edge tools for microfabrication and sensor development. Key equipment includes laser cutters and 3D printers for rapid prototyping, high-pressure pumps for precise liquid and gas injections, and advanced imaging tools like high-speed cameras, optical profilometers, and fluorescence microscopes. These labs also feature analytical tools like microplate readers and spectrophotometers for biochemical and cellular analysis.

Laser Cutter: Universal Laser System VLS 3.2 – Cuts plastic materials like polymethylmethacrylate for fabricating microfluidic devices.
3D Printer: Formlabs 3B+ – Performs rapid prototyping of detailed medical sensor components via 3D printing.
Teledyne High Pressure Pump – Delivers precise, high-pressure injections of liquids or gases, essential for microfluidic experiments.
UV-Visible Spectrophotometer – Measures chemical absorbance to determine sample concentration and identify compounds.
Multi-Wavelength Laser – Emits light at multiple wavelengths for advanced optical and fluorescence applications.
3D Optical Profilometer: KEYENCE VR-6000 – Enables non-contact surface profiling for high-precision material analysis.
High-Speed Cameras (FastTech TL5 and TS5 / Photron Nova S9) – Captures detailed high-speed images for studying dynamic processes.
Inverted Microscopes (Olympus/Nikon) – Provides optical and fluorescence imaging for cell studies and medical research.
Fujifilm Dimatix Materials Printer DMP 2850 – Prints conductive films using nanoparticle silver inks for microelectrode fabrication.
Deben 200 N Stage – Performs tensile and compression testing, compatible with SEM and optical microscopy.
Zeta 20 3D Profiler – High-resolution optical profiler for 3D imaging and metrology in microfabrication processes.
Formlabs Form 3 SLA Printer (with wash and cure) – Utilizes resin-based stereolithography for high-precision rapid prototyping of medical devices.
Microplate Reader Molecular Devices: SpextraMax – Analyzes biological assays, such as protein expression and ELISA, by reading optical density.
Fluorescent Microscope Nikon TE2000 – Enables imaging of cells and tissues labeled with fluorescent dyes for biomarker analysis.

Biomedical Signal and Image Analysis Lab

The Biomedical Signal and Image Analysis lab is featured with wearable sensor technologies such as APMD IMUs, Shimmer IMUs, Shimmer Electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors, and g.Tec 32 electrode Electroencephalogram (EEG) caps for biomedical research and human studies.

Shimmer IMU and ECG Sensors – Wearable sensors for capturing real-time movement and electrocardiogram (ECG) data.
APDM IMU Sensors – Wearable sensors specialized for capturing movement data, ideal for biomechanical studies.
tec EEG Sensors – Records electroencephalography (EEG) data, widely used to monitor brain activity.

Clean Room

The Clean Room is designed for precise fabrication and manipulation of materials in a controlled, contamination-free environment. It houses tools such as fume hoods, spin-coaters, ion sputter coaters, and reactive ion etchers, which are essential for thin-film deposition, sample preparation, and micro/nanostructure fabrication. Surface profilometers, fluorescence microscopes, and vapor deposition systems further support the high-precision research conducted here, especially in fields like microelectronics and photonics.

Aurora Spin-Coater EZ6S – Applies thin-film coatings, such as photoresists, onto substrates for microfabrication processes.
Ion Sputter Coater MCM-100 – Prepares samples for SEM by coating them with a conductive layer, essential for electron microscopy.
OAI Mask Aligner Model 200 – Aligns and exposes photomasks to UV light for precise photolithography in semiconductor and microfluidic fabrication.
Samco Reactive Ion Etcher – Performs plasma etching for the fabrication of micro and nanostructures, commonly used in microelectronics.
Filmetrics Surface Profilometer Profilm3D – Conducts non-contact surface roughness and topography measurements to characterize materials.
Keyence BZ-X810 Fluorescence Microscope – Performs fluorescence microscopy and visualizes biological samples labeled with fluorescent markers.
Angstrom Covap – Deposits thin films via physical vapor deposition, essential for microelectrode fabrication in sensor devices.
Labconco Fume Hood (6 ft) – Provides a controlled environment for working with hazardous fumes, ensuring user safety.

Biorobotics Lab

The Biorobotics Lab is specialized for robotics and prosthetics research, featuring a variety of robotic arms and dexterous prosthetic hands designed for advanced manipulation tasks. The lab also includes EEG headsets, wearable sensor gloves, and biosafety hoods for safe biological research. Additionally, incubators and microscopes support the culture and imaging of biological cells, bridging the gap between robotics and biomedical applications.

Dexterous Shadow Hand Robot with BioTac SP Fingertip Sensors – Capable of dexterous manipulation of objects, providing tactile feedback for advanced robotic applications.
UR-10 Robot Arm – A versatile robotic arm designed for manipulating objects up to 10 kg, with adaptability for attaching prosthetic hands.
UR-5 Robot Arm – A versatile robotic arm designed for manipulating objects up to 5 kg, with adaptability for attaching prosthetic hands.
i-Limb Quantum Prosthetic Hand – A state-of-the-art prosthetic hand that can grasp and manipulate objects, designed for use by amputees.
Bebionic Prosthetic Hand – Advanced prosthetic hand with multi-articulation capabilities for grasping objects.
Two Motion Control Prosthetic Hands – Used by amputees to perform basic grasping tasks with mechanical assistance.
22 Sensor CyberGlove II – Measures the posture and movement of the hand, used in robotics and human-machine interaction research.
32 Channel EEG Headset – Records brain wave activity via electrodes placed on the scalp, used for neurophysiological research.
HERACELL VIOS 160i Incubator – Used for culturing cells, maintaining optimal conditions such as temperature and CO₂ levels for cell growth.
Leica DMi1 Microscope and Camera – Allows for viewing and photographing cells, typically used in cell culture research and biological imaging.
Biosafety Hood – Provides a sterile environment for working with cell cultures and other sensitive biological materials.

Biophotonics and BIST (Bio-inspired Science and Technology) Labs

The Biophotonics and BIST Lab focus on advanced optical imaging and spectroscopy, equipped with tools like OCT systems, fluorescence tomography, and cryo-imaging instruments for 3D tissue imaging and analysis in vivo or ex vivo. High-power light sources, motorized micromanipulators, and sensitive CCD cameras enable precise imaging and manipulation of biological samples. This lab’s capabilities make it a hub for cutting-edge research in ophthalmology, neuroscience, and cardiopulmonary studies, where both structural and functional imaging are critical.

Nikon TIE Time-Lapse Fluorescence Microscope – Automates wide-field fluorescence microscopy, enabling live-cell imaging over extended periods.
3D Tissue Cryo-Imaging Instrument – Provides 3D volumetric imaging of fluorescent biomarkers in biological tissue, ranging from small biopsies to small animal organs.
Optical Coherence Tomography Instrument – Uses light interference to image vascular networks in transparent tissues like the eyes and brain, commonly used in ophthalmology.
OCT + Fluorescence Tomography Instrument – Combines high-resolution 3D vascular imaging with fluorescence imaging of biomarkers for advanced research and diagnostics.
Fluorometer (Fiber-Based Fluorescence Spectroscopy) – Measures fluorescence intensity from biomarkers in tissue samples, providing in situ, real-time analysis.
High-Power Light Sources (X-cite and Lambda DG-4) – Provide intense, stable illumination for optical imaging and fluorescence experiments.
Motorized Micromanipulators – Used for precise positioning and manipulation of microscopic samples during experiments.
CO₂ Incubator – Maintains a controlled environment for cell culture growth with regulated temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels.
Ultra-Low Freezer – Stores biological samples, reagents, and sensitive materials at extremely low temperatures (around -80°C).
Sensitive CCD Cameras – High-resolution devices used to capture low-light, high-contrast images for detailed analysis of biological samples.
Other Photonics Components – Includes laser systems, light sources, spatial light modulators, detectors, and optical fibers, essential for conducting precision optical experiments.

BME Teaching Lab

The BME Teaching Lab provides students and researchers with access to key biomedical tools such as PCR systems, flow cytometers, and automated cell counters. It is equipped with biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, and autoclaves for safe handling and sterilization of biological samples. Other essential instruments include ultrapure water systems, refrigerators, and freezers for storing and preparing cell culture media and biological reagents.

AriaMx Real PCR System – Analyzes gene expression via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).
Nanodrop for RNA/DNA – Measures the concentration of nucleic acids (RNA/DNA) to support PCR and gene expression experiments.
FTIR Spectrometer – Identifies organic materials by analyzing their molecular structures and functional groups (requires replacement).
Automated Cell Counter – Quickly and accurately counts cells, ensuring consistent cell density for experiments.
Ultrapure Water System – Produces highly purified water, free of contaminants, for cell culture and other sensitive experiments.
Flow Cytometer – Measures the physical and chemical properties of individual cells, such as size, granularity, and fluorescence.
Autoclave – Sterilizes lab equipment using high-pressure steam to ensure a sterile environment.
Biosafety Cabinets – Create a sterile workspace to protect both the user and samples from contamination.
Chemical Fume Hood – Protects the user by ventilating harmful or toxic fumes and vapors out of the workspace.
Refrigerator/Freezer – Stores and preserves temperature-sensitive cell culture media, reagents, and biological samples.

Tissue Engineering Lab

The Tissue Engineering Lab is dedicated to the development and testing of biomaterials and tissue models. Equipped with a 3D bioprinter, mechanical tester, and rheometer, this lab allows for the fabrication and analysis of hydrogels, soft tissues, and scaffolds used in tissue regeneration. Additional tools like freeze-dryers, CO₂ incubators, and microtomes support the preparation, culture, and sectioning of biological tissues for long-term research and experimentation.

Microtome – Cuts thin sections of paraffin-embedded tissue samples for histological staining and microscopic analysis.
Tissue Lab 3D Bioprinter – 3D prints cells, hydrogels, and soft materials to create tissue models and scaffold structures for tissue regeneration.
Mechanical Tester – Tests the compressive strength of materials with small force resistance (<3N).
Rheometer – Measures the rheological properties of biomaterials, such as hydrogels and viscoelastic fluids, by analyzing their flow and deformation behavior.
6L Labconco Freeze-Dryer – Used to dry temperature-sensitive materials, such as proteins, nanoparticles, and hydrogels, by removing water through sublimation.
-80°C Freezer – Stores biological samples, reagents, and other sensitive materials at extremely low temperatures, typically around -80°C.
CO₂ Incubators – Provide a controlled environment with regulated temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels for the growth and maintenance of cell cultures.
Autoclave – Sterilizes lab equipment through high-pressure steam to ensure a sterile environment for experiments.
Biological Hood – Provides a sterile environment for performing cell culture work, protecting both the cells and the user from contamination.