Research

The following research is either ongoing through, or planned for, Fall of 2024:

Open Positions on new projects for Fall 2024

• High-speed continuous sectioning of brain tissue for mapping of the human connectome
  - R Asst: Open position for Fall 2024 - Internal MIT funding
  - Fellow: Open position for Fall 2024 - Internal MIT funding
  A complete map of neural “wiring” in the human brain is the next big step in understanding human physiology. This will require equipment and instrumentation that enables high-rate sectioning of tissue with nanometer-level accuracy. Computational tools can track connections between neurons in these sections and recreate a map of how we are “wired” . Current technologies can not section with the requisite speed and accuracy. We are developing the world’s first high-speed continuous sectioning machine (custom actuators, sensors, tooling, process parameters, etc…) for nm-level sectioning.

Ongoing Research, some with open and/or pending positions

• High-speed imaging of brain tissue for mapping of the human connectome
  - R Asst: Pending for Summer/Fall 2024 - NIH
  - Fellow: Pending for Fall Summer 2024 - NIH
  A complete map of neural “wiring” in the human brain is the next big step in understanding human physiology in understanding human physiology. This will require equipment that enables imaging of tissue at rates exceeding tens of GHz. The combined bandwidth of all brain imaging equipment on the planet is less than 15 GHz. We are generating the technology and equipment (actuators, sensors, material handling, precision motion stages) that make possible imaging at 50GHz in one machine. This will fundamentally change the race to map the human connectome.

• Ruggedized alignment of optics for space-based imaging
  - R Asst: Pending position for Fall 2024 - Lincoln Laboratory
  - Fellow: Possible position for Fall 2024 - Lincoln Laboratory
  Many optical systems for satellite technology require challenging optical designs that are robust enough for the demanding launch processes and spaceflight environments. This is particularly challenging for new optical technologies; those that require micron-level (e.g. 1% thickness of a piece of paper) or better alignment, which must be (i) achieved during assembly, (ii) maintained through the shock/vibrations that are experienced during launch, and (iii) maintained while experiencing thermal fluctuations in space. We are developing the precision motion/alignment capability (fixation, actuation, sensing) to enable the deployment of these next generation optical systems.

• Muscles as actuators in mechanical systems
  - R Asst: Pending position for Summer/Fall 2024 - Internal MIT funding
  - Fellow: Available position for Fall 2024 - Internal MIT funding
  Nearly all robots require actuators that generate force and produce motion. However, the abiotic actuators typically used by engineers have yet to match biological actuators in their ability to dynamically adapt their form and function to changing environments. There is a need to deploy biological actuators as functional components in robots. This research is focused on (i) characterization of the static and dynamic force-displacement behavior of engineered muscle and (ii) concepts and design rules that enable integration of engineered muscle into proof-of-concept biomechanical robotics. In collaboration with Prof. Ritu Raman [MIT MechE].

• Role of agency and social impact on self-efficacy in marginalized students
  - R Asst: Open position for Fall 2024 - NSF & internal MIT funding
  - Fellow: Open position for Fall 2024 - NSF & internal MIT funding
  Student agency, or the control a student feels over their learning (e.g. building a project they want vs one that is assigned), has been noted as contributing to a sense of inclusion. There is evidence that socially impactful themes may increase enrollment in university STEM programs. The goal of this work is to create a model and a set of metrics that characterize makerspaces' role in impacting key characteristics that are important for marginalized students, such as engineering identity, sense of belonging, and views on failure.

• 3D printing of biological and abiotic materials for biorobotics
  - R Asst: No available positions
  - Fellow: Possible position for Fall 2024 - Internal MIT funding
  There is a critical need to map and modulate intercellular signaling in tissues. This will enable deeper understanding of how cell to cell communication at the microscale orchestrates complex biological phenomena at the macroscale. Before this can happen, we need fabrication equipment that enables integration of biological and abiotic tissues (for example, abiotic materials to create electronics and structures that are coupled with biological tissues, such as engineered muscle). This research focuses on creation of 3D printing and fixturing technology that enable the multi-material printing of hybrid biological systems. In collaboration with Prof. Ritu Raman [MIT MechE].

• Design for high-shock and impact in precision time pieces
  - R Asst: Pending position for Summer/Fall 2024 - International Watch Company
  - Fellow: Possible position for Fall 2024 - International Watch Company
  This research focuses on the design, testing and manufacturing knowledge required to use small-scale fasteners (~1mm) used to assemble small and delicate parts in instruments that experience 100s to 1000s of Gs. The joints that rely on these fasteners are sensitive to variations in performance requirements (e.g. magnitude of shock loads and frequency from user activity can vary widely), variation in design specifications and fabrication/assembly errors (e.g. tolerances and magnitude of preload). We are creating design models, measurement instruments, new fastener design concepts and shock mitigation mechanisms that enable precision time pieces to withstand extreme shock loading.

• High-speed laser processing for microfluidics
  - R Asst: Pending for Summer/Fall 2024 - Internal MIT funding
  - Fellow: Possible open position for Fall 2024 - Internal MIT funding
  Lab on a chip technologies are poised to make possible rapid advances in drug development. This will only matter if it is possible to rapidly fabricate prototypes for experiments so that the best designs can be moved forward as products. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been “one technology” that meets the cost-quality-rate-flexibility needs for prototyping; though laser ablation shows a lot of promise. This research focuses on generating the equipment and process optimization knowledge required to reliably employ laser processing in order to generate the requisite 2D and 3D geometries for lab on chip applications

• Reconfigurable compliant mechanisms
  - R Asst: No positions available (may change by summer 2024)
  - Fellow: Open position for Fall 2024 - Internal MIT funding
  Creation of compliance-based mechanisms that are capable of morphing their topology and thereby enabling markedly difference performance. This enables 1 actuator and 1 morphing mechanism to display a wide range of characteristics (range, resolution, stiffness, force, etc.) that would otherwise require multiple actuators/mechanisms. For example, a robotic gripper that can produce fine force/motion in one configuration and large motion/force in another using the same actuator. This is a nascent informal project with Prof. Raman and a co-advised student.