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Active theoretical and applied research projects include the following. (1) Nanotechnology: Increasing the Throughput of Scanning Probe Microscopes Emerging technologies such as nano-fabrication require precision positioning systems with nano-scale resolution. During high-speed positioning, say with piezo-actuators, one of the critical challenges is to overcome motion-induced vibrations. This current effort (funded by NSF), aimed at vibration compensation in such high-speed nano-positioning systems, seeks to develop image-based positioning techniques to control Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs) and Scanning Tunneling Microscopes (STMs) with sub-angstrom-level precision. It is noted that the AFM and STM are key enabling tools in the nano area; therefore the current work aimed at increasing their throughput will have a significant impact on the real-time investigation and manipulation of nano-scale and sub-nano-scale phenomena. (2) Nano-scale Bio-Imaging: High-Speed Atomic-Force-Microscopy Imaging of Cells: Biomedical applications like high-speed imaging of human cells to investigate cell migration (funded by NIH). The key goal is to improve the temporal resolution of Atomic Force Microscopes when imaging soft samples such as human cells. This work is being pursued in collaboration with the U. of Washington Medical School. (3) High-Density Information Storage: Dual-Stage Disk-Drive Head Positioning: Future high-density storage systems such as the 1-2 terra-bit per square inch storage will require nanometer scale positioning of the read/write head. Algorithms for nano-precision, high-speed, positioning using dual-stage systems are currently being investigated under this research effort, which is currently being funded by the Information Storage Industry Consortium (INSIC) which consists of companies such as Seagate, Hitachi Global Storage, Samsung, and others --- see http://www.insic.org/ for additional information on INSIC (4) Micro/Nano Fluidics: Bio-Mimetic Cilia for Fluid Transport: Critical challenges in emerging bio-fluidic devices lie in bio-compatible transport of small sample volumes and bio-reaction enhancement without damaging biomolecules. This research employs a biomimetric cilia actuated by low frequency acoustic waves (~100Hz) in order to manipulate micro-fluids in a bio-compatible manner. In nature, biological cilia are hairlike structures whose rhythmic beating provides motility for cells and micro-organisms, and hence which transports fluids and particles in biological ducts. We are developing high aspect ratio of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structure to mimic biological cilia and their motions and using optimal control techniques to minimize the energy needed to maximize the fluid transport. This work is funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
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Contact Santosh:
devasia@u.washington.edu
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