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Physical Measurement Laboratory / Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division

Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group

Projects/Programs

Displaying 1 - 13 of 13
Microfluidic tissue/organ on a chip system

Bioelectronic Sensors for Tissue/Organ-on-a-Chip Systems

Ongoing
We apply our expertise in micro/nanofabrication, electrokinetics and cell-based assays to develop bioelectronic sensors in microfluidic platforms. We are working on a platform that entraps cells for electrochemical monitoring in an environment that has mechanical properties more similar to those
Optofluidic device

Dynamic Nanoflow Metrology

Ongoing
Ultra-precise and dynamic flow measurements are needed for high-throughput biological studies and for dynamic control of chemical delivery systems in medical and biotechnology applications. In addition, existing analytical methods, such as analytical high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and
surface acoustic wave sensor

Electroacoustic Wave-Based Flow Sensors

Ongoing
As part of our NIST-on-a-Chip efforts, we are developing strategies to measure local flow in microfluidic systems. This project will develop label-free flow sensors using surface acoustic waves embedded in microfluidic devices. In this approach, an electromechanical transducer is placed on a
modular measurement platform

Electronic Biophysical Measurements

Ongoing
We develop measurements that leverage electronic signal transduction using FETs to maximize sensitivity and improve the resolution of biomolecular measurements. The techniques allow direct charge transduction during molecular interactions to quantify fundamental biophysical processes. Critically the

Metrologies for Nanobiomaterials in Artificial Photosynthesis

Completed
A transition to solar fuel will require high-efficiency catalysts that make use of domestic fuel feedstocks with minimal additional energy input. In the past several years, novel water oxidation catalysts from abundant elements have been reported. Catalysts deposited onto a photoactive substrate
molecular physiology illustration

Molecular Physiology

Ongoing
In close collaboration with experimentalists, we are seeking to increase the resolution, scope, and throughput of single-biomolecule and ensemble techniques, such as nanopore-based biomolecular analysis, ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy, and FRET, among others. These developments rely heavily on
pumpless body cube with four tissues

Multi-Organ Microphysiological Systems

Ongoing
We are developing tissue chips and multi-tissue microphysiological devices that support the culture of multiple tissues with physiologically relevant connections and streams of cell-culture medium. The goal in this project is to construct a device that realistically mimics human metabolism as a
Talin_fig_1

Nanostructures for Energy Conversion

Completed
Transportation is the single largest contributor to U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. Moving to an electrically powered transportation system that draws on sustainable energy supplies has the potential to lower transportation costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help further reduce the nation's
Optofluidic chip

Optofluidic Cytometry

Ongoing
Flow cytometers are commercial instruments that provide rapid multiparameter measurements of single cells, which makes them indispensable in basic research and clinical studies of diseases and drug therapies. Measurements of cellular attributes can include indicators of cell size and shape and well
golden aspect ratio illustration

Sensing, Transport, and Simulation

Ongoing
We have recently developed a finite-size scaling approach and special simulation cell aspect ratio—the golden aspect ratio—to enable accurate incorporation of access resistant and bulk diffusion in ionic transport, see the figure. This enables quantitative, and efficient, prediction of ion transport
nanopore event

Single-molecule biosensors

Ongoing
We are developing new tools to investigate the energy landscape of single-molecule sensors. Our goal is to apply a wide-ranging array of technologies to probe the critical physicochemical properties of nanopore biosensors. These properties include the free energy of confinement for polymers as they