Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

About the Lab

Iowa State University’s Micro/Nano Systems Laboratory is operated by Assistant Professor Santosh Pandey and Assistant Professor Liang Dong. The following summarizes current research projects underway by Pandey and Dong.

Pandey’s Research

We study the behavior and physiological changes in live microorganisms and biological cells in special electronic and microfluidic devices being designed in our lab. As we know, the way an organism reacts or responds to its environment (i.e. changes in temperature, pH, attractants, deterrents, and other organisms around it) is related and intertwined with its genetic and molecular makeup. Unraveling this complex interrelationship between behavioral changes and biological makeup is a major goal of our research.

At present, we are designing experiments to measure the physical parameters of locomotion for the microorganisms including velocity, force measurements, and perceived changes to the physical environment. Our projects involve hands-on experience for students from the design of experiments to fabrication and electrical measurement.

Pandey Lab Equipment:

• Transmission microscopes
• Chip fabrication instruments and gadgets
• Microfluidic handling tools
• CAD design tools
• Microelectronics testing platforms and imaging tools
  

Pandey’s Current Students

• Baozhen Chen
• Alex Deutmeyer
• Joe Grady  
  

Dong’s Research

Dong's research covers five main areas:

• Single-cell manipulation and analysis: When it comes to biological cells researchers generally derive information about their behavior, status, and health from the collective activity of thousands or millions of them. A more precise understanding of differences between individual cells could lead to better fundamental understanding and treatments for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. We are working on two types of single-cell manipulation and analysis platforms using mechanical and optical methods to realize trapping, transport, and sensing of single molecule and cell on a lab-on-a-chip microsystem.
• Nanoscale light sources: We are exploring a new class of light source at the nanoscale that could break the paradigm of requiring an external light source to propagate through a microscope for chemical and biological analysis such as single cell and single molecule fluorescence microscopy. We have developed the first continuous electroluminescent nanoscale light emitting nanofibers using a unique nanofabrication technique, with an attempt to realize single-cell endoscopy that can implement high resolution bioimaging directly inside an individual cell.
• Flexible and extendable electrodes for wearable electronics: Integrating electronics into clothing is an interesting concept that opens up a whole array of wearable electro-textiles for sensing and monitoring body functions, individual environment control, and many other applications. Although various efforts have tried to build polymer devices on flexible substrates, the electrode materials cannot always cope with being bent and extended. We are working on a new polymer-based nanotechnology to enable improved design and cost effective automated manufacturing of the flexible and extendable electrodes. This research will open up many new opportunities in flexible microsystem design.
• Bioinspiration and biomimetics: We are designing and building bioinspired devices or systems that can provide new insight into the original animal or plant model, and more importantly, can be utilized to implement sensing, actuation, and data transmitting and analyzing. Particularly, we are interested in developing night navigation devices and balance sensing devices inspired byMother Nature.
• Implantable glucose sensors: Continuous glucose monitoring is a key issue to reduce the risk of diabetes and diabetes-related complications. Many diabetics require insulin injections, and all must carefully monitor and manage their blood glucose levels.  For millions of diabetics this means drawing blood several times a day, usually from finger pricks.  But glucose levels can fluctuate widely throughout the day, making it difficult to know when to do blood tests for optimal control of glucose levels.  We are designing and building implantable glucose sensor that can continuously monitor glucose levels from outside of the body with high reliability, low cost, and high sensitivity.
  

Dong’s Students and Collaborators

• Graduate students: Pooja Ramesh, Depeng Mao, and Haifeng Yang
• Undergraduate students: Carin Lighter, Tony Gedwillo, and Alexandra Bruce
• Visiting scientist: Dr. Dongyan Tang