The Laboratory for Advanced Materials at Pittsburgh (LAMP) under the direction of Professor Paul W. Leu, focuses on designing and understanding advanced materials by computational modeling and experimental research. Simulations and experiments are used in a synergistic manner to study the mechanical and electronic properties of nanomaterials and surfaces for various applications. Take a virtual tour of our lab, which resides right across the hallway from the Pitt Nanoscale Fabrication and Characterization Facility. 

The goal of LAMP is to design better material systems through a combined modeling and experimental approach. Much in the same way that finite element modeling is now foundational in mechanical engineering design, multiscale and device modeling will become increasingly important in the prediction and understanding of nanomaterial and surface properties. In addition, these techniques can be used as a design tool for evaluating and optimizing various design metrics. Current areas of interest include:

• Ab initio modeling of nanomaterials and surfaces 

• Combining physical simulations with optimization methods 

• Nanomaterial manufacturing and characterization

• Solar cells

Website

This research group, headed by Dr. Youngjae Chun, is a collaboration between the Departments of Industrial Engineering and Bioengineering. Current research interests include artificial biomaterials, composites, endovascular devices, diagnostic vascular implants, and micro-bio-systems, as well as fundamental device-associated biocompatibility and development of experimental techniques. Specifically, the work in the area of:

• Designing and Manufacturing Medical Devices for Treating Vascular Diseases
• Development of Artificial Biomaterials and Bio-hybrid Composites
• Micro Fabrication and Nanoscale Characterization
• Studies on Hemocompatible Surface Modification of Biomaterials
• In-vitro tests: Device functionality, Hemocompatibility, Inflammatory Response
• Investigation on Hemodynamics using MEMS transducer arrays
• In-vivo Animal Testing and Post-mortem Examination

Website

The NanoProduct Lab, also known as the Bedewy Research Group, at the University of Pittsburgh was established by and is currently led by Dr. Mostafa Bedewy (Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering).

The group focuses on fundamental experimental research at the interface between nanoscience, biotechnology, and manufacturing engineering. Researchers in the NanoProduct Lab make basic scientific discoveries and applied technological developments in the broad area of advanced manufacturing at multiple length scales, aiming at creating novel solutions that impact major societal challenges in areas related to energy, healthcare, and the environment.

We are located in Benedum Hall in the Swanson School of Engineering (SSoE). We are part of the manufacturing group in the Department of Industrial Engineering (IE), and we are also affiliated with the Center for Energy, and the Petersen Institute of NanoScience and Engineering (PINSE).

Research Interests

• Science and technology of nanomanufacturing process development
• Nondestructive materials characterization and metrology
• Precision design and fabrication of scientific instruments, manufacturing machines, and medical devices
• Synthesis and self-organization of nanofilaments, such as carbon nanotubes, and their composites
• Bottom-up self-assembly of 2D/3D nanoparticle structures and block copolymers
• Patterning of biomolecular systems and biointerfaces

For more info, please visit www.nanoproductlab.org

In an ongoing study, we are exploring the design and characterization of multifunctional surfaces and bulk metallic-forms that are composed of nano-scale grain structures. In another study, we are developing new in situ methodologies for examining the mechanics of deformation and microstructure evolution in micro-scale deformation processing. Recently, we have begun a new study aimed at developing scalable routes for manufacturing hierarchical nano-scale topographies in polymeric materials, as well as the development of novel photomechanical machines that are actuated, controlled and assembled exclusively with light. 

Applications of our research include the development of high performance structural and functional materials, innovative biomedical components with tunable functional and mechanical properties, as well as the utilization of novel biomimetic hierarchical nano-architectures in engineering applications.

Shankar Research Group website

The primary mission of the Stochastic Modeling, Analysis and Control (SMAC) Laboratory, co-directed by Drs. Jeffrey Kharoufeh and Lisa Maillart, is to support doctoral-level research that addresses the mathematical modeling, analysis and control of engineering, service and other systems that have inherently stochastic elements.  Research in the lab emphasizes analytical and computer-based modeling of such systems (e.g., energy, reliability, maintenance, production, telecommunications, inventory, medical decision making, healthcare operations, healthcare policy), and their optimization by exploiting applied probability, stochastic processes and stochastic optimal control techniques (e.g., completely and partially observed Markov decision processes).  

This collaborative laboratory’s aim is to generate, analyze and provide viable solutions to complex, often sequential, decision-making problems in uncertain environments.  The SMAC Lab is primarily funded through grants from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other governmental agencies.  Current research thrusts in the laboratory include:

• the modeling, analysis and optimization of energy storage systems;
• maintenance optimization of wind energy systems;
• degradation-based reliability modeling and evaluation;
• data-driven, adaptive maintenance planning models;
• spare parts inventory modeling and control;
• dynamic optimal control of service systems;
• co-sourcing and pricing in customer contact centers;
• medical decision making applications in organ transplantation,
• cardiac device care and therapy sequencing;
• healthcare operations applications in vaccine administration and donor milk processing;
• health policy applications in organ allocation and paid sick days legislation.