Research Mission

To identify fundamental phenomena in materials and processes at the micro-nano length scales and in biological systems. Solve challenging issues in these areas to realize advanced applications in the fields of energy, manufacturing, materials, design and medicine. Realizing this objective primarily involves the development appropriate computational and experimental tools and measurement techniques specific to micro, nano and biological systems.

Overview

Faculty with MNBE (Micro-Nano-Bio Sciences and Engineering) as their research focus look at a range of phenomenon which occur at length scales in the order of a few nano-meters to micro-meters and also at various processes in biological systems. Understanding gleaned from these phenomena are then transformed to enable several advancements such as microlevel systems for energy harvesting, to realize advanced materials for energy applications, for the treatment of diseases and the manufacture of nanograined materials useful for hydrogen storage.

Job Prospects

Having a significant science and interdisciplinary flavor, students with MNBE as the focus, are employable in a wide range of industries, national and international research enterprises. We also encourage them to take up academic positions and fortify their research and teaching abilities through specialized seminar courses on research methods and teaching assistantships in close association with faculty.

Research Snippets

• Development of MEMS devices: Micro Electro Mechanical System or MEMS provide viable options for several structural and biological applications. One of the research groups is currently involved with the design and analysis MEMS devices for energy harvesting which are suitable for several remote applications such as structural health monitoring, human body monitoring and smart dust applications. Faculty in this area develop advanced laser based set ups for experimental characterization and develop reduced order, mutilphysics models for explaining complex phenomenon in these systems.
• Microfluidics and Micro-scale flows: There are ongoing research efforts towards both fundamental and applied microfluidics and micro-scale flows. Faculty working in this area are trying to understand the dynamics of droplets and bubbles, multi-phase flows, capillary flows and fluid-structure interaction inside microchannels. Micropumps are being developed, which can be used for drug delivery and other biomedical applications. We are also developing microfluidic technologies for blood cell-plasma separation for detection of biomarkers and sorting of cells for the development of lab on chip diagnostics.
• Treatment of eye diseases: In this study, faculty examine the cooling effects of large blood vessels on temperature distribution in tissues during laser irradiation using computational simulations. Such simulations provide useful insights into the realistic temperature distribution that the practitioner might expect. Such a monitoring of temperature profiles is crucial and is to be done over large areas of the tissue making computational methods very effective over other invasive techniques.
• Development of nanograin materials for high strength applications: One of the research groups is actively involved in developing bulk nanograined metallic materials and nanocomposites by severe plastic deformation. Such materials have a high potential for structural applications in aerospace and automotive industries and functional in the manufacture of nanomagnets, materials for hydrogen storage, thermoelectric materials, superconductors, catalysts, and biomedical implants.

Laboratories Involved

• HTTPL – Heat Transfer and Thermal Power Laboratory

• FSL – Fluid Systems Laboratory

• MDS – Machine Design Section

• MES – Manufacturing Engineering Section