Overview

Iowa State University’s Laboratory for Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) and Lab-Chips is operated by Assistant Professor Liang Dong.

The research activities in this lab are focused on development of micro/nano devices and systems for applications in biomedical science, agriculture, energy, and information by exploiting and exploring micro/nanofabrication techniques. The research projects are strongly multidisciplinary, drawing expertise from microelectronics, photonics, mechanics, fluidics, biology, chemistry, agronomy, and material science and engineering. 

• Thrust 1: Lab-on-chip and biomicrofluidic devices for large-scale, high-throughput, and high-resolution whole, multicellular organism and single cell assays.
• Thrust 2: MEMS/NEMS for programmable photonic circuits, nano-opto-mechanics, optoelectronics, and metamaterials.
• Thrust 3: Smart materials and structures at the micro/nanoscale for chemical and biological sensors, cell/tissue engineering, controlled molecule delivery, and bioimaging.
• Thrust 4: Energy harvesting and storage.

Location

• 1046 and 1048 ECpE Building Addition, Iowa State University

Equipment

• Optics: Optical vibration-free table; optical spectrum analyzer; light power and energy meter; tunable NIR laser (1.48-1.61 μm); tunable mid-IR laser (2.4-3.45 μm); various solid state and diode lasers (405 nm, 445, 532 nm, 665 nm, 832 nm, 1330 nm); mid-IR photodetector; UV-vis spectrometer; spectrophotometer; micro- and nano-positioners; blackbody; optical shutter/chopper; digital micromirror device DLP kit; and etc.
• Microfluidics: Programmable syringe pumps; high-resolution stereo microscope with fluorescence detection capability; phase contrast microscope; high-speed video camera; zoom stand stereoscope; microcentrifuge; and etc.
• Electronics: Electronic probe station; lock-in amplifier; boxcar amplifier; dynamic signal analyzer; various power supplies/meters/function generators; and etc.
• Materials and microfabrications: electrospinning; atomic force microscope; glove box; chemical hood; etcher; liquid-phase photopolymerization setup; soft lithography setup; and full access to extensive facilities at the ISU Microelectronics Research Center.