Gelsy Torres, PhD

Our work focuses on identifying factors modulating the motor adaptation of human locomotion and balance control, considering both the plasticity of the brain and the role of biomechanics in movement. To this end, we combine computational tools and psychophysical experiments in humans with and without cortical lesions to investigate: 1) the adaptation of muscle coordination, 2) the functional consequences of changes in muscle activity, and 3) the generalization of newly-acquired motor patterns across different situations. The overreaching goal of our studies is to understand how to stimulate learning mechanisms available to patients with brain lesions to improve their gait during 'real life' situations.

Established 1990 by Savio L-Y. Woo, Ph.D., D.Sc. Hon, D.Eng. Hon
Phone: 412-648-2000
Email: ddecenzo@pitt.edu

The MSRC, which is located at the Center for Bioengineering, offers diverse multidisciplinary research and educational opportunities. Graduate and undergraduate students conduct research toward their degrees in the Department of Bioengineering or any of the traditional engineering disciplines. The MSRC encourages collaboration between clinical and basic scientists in the study of the musculoskeletal system. Education is the primary goal of the MSRC. Students work with bioengineers, orthopaedic surgeons, biochemists, molecular biologists, and gene therapists, exploring innovative orthopaedic applications of basic science principles and technologies. Savio L-Y. Woo, PhD, DSc, DEng is the Founding Director of the MSRC. Bioengineering faculty, Steven Abramowitch, PhD and Patrick McMahon, MD maintain their primary laboratories within MSRC.

We are a group based in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh focusing on Nano-Electronics and Devices. The NEDL group was founded in 2005 under the PI, Professor Minhee Yun. We focus on:

• The synthesis of nanostructure materials
• The detection of chemical and biomolecules by using electrical signals such as resistance and current changes
• The fabrication of nanodevices for environmental and biomedical applications
• Development of electronics devices based on nanomaterials
• Development of microfabrication techniques (MEMS, NEMS) for electric devices

The NEDL equips with the cutting edge fabrication and characterization instruments for the nanoelectronic devices. It also hosts delicate control and measurement systems for accurate bio/chem molecule sensing and carbon-based nanomaterial (Graphene and Carbon nanotubes) fabrication.

Nanoionics and Electronics Lab

Susan Fullerton, PhD

Phone: 412-624-2079

fullerton@pitt.edu

www.fullertonlab.pitt.edu

Next-generation electronics

The vision of the Nanoionics and Electronics Lab is to translate the use of ions as a tool for exploring transport in new materials to an active device component that makes possible new electronic and photonic devices with functionalities that cannot be achieved using conventional materials.

Beyond batteries: Reinventing the role of ions in electronics and smart materials

The interplay between ions and electrons governs processes as common as the biochemistry essential for life and the performance of devices as ubiquitous as batteries. The energy that powers our smart phones and laptops is stored by ions, yet when we peer past the battery and examine the device-scale electronics, ions are nowhere to be found. This is a missed opportunity because the coupling between ions and electrons/holes in unconventional electronic materials - such as two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors - has is uncovering exciting new properties of these ultra-thin materials (e.g., spin-polarization, superconductivity and others). While many groups use ions as a tool to uncover new properties of 2D semiconductors, we ions as an active device component to impart completely new device functionalities.

For example, we have invented a monolayer-thick ion-conductor that introduces bistability for application as a flash memory (Liang et al., Nano Letters2019, 29, 12); we are custom-synthesizing electrolytes to induce strain in 2D materials (Xu et al., ACS AMI2019, 11, 35879); and we are using ions to make the next-generation of smart materials (Chao et al., Adv. Func. Materials2019 1907950). Please visit www.fullertonlab.pitt.edu and check out our recent publications.

Susan Fullerton is an Assistant Professor and Bicentennial Board of Visitors Faculty Fellow in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Penn State in 2009. Prior to joining Pitt, she was a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame from 2009 - 2015. Fullertons work has been recognized by an NSF CAREER award, a Marion Milligan Mason award for women in the chemical sciences from AAAS, a Ralph E. Powe Jr. Faculty Award from ORAU, an Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship in Chemistry, and the 2018 James Pommersheim Award for Excellence in Teaching in Chemical Engineering at Pitt.

NanoProduct Lab

The NanoProduct Lab, also known as the Bedewy Research Group, at the University of Pittsburgh was established by Dr. Mostafa Bedewy in fall 2016. The group focuses on fundamental experimental research at the interface between nanoscience, biotechnology, and manufacturing engineering. We 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. Facilitates include a rapid thermal processor for chemical vapor deposition (RTP-CVD), tube furnace for pyrolysis, chemical fumes hood, and other wet chemistry apparatuses. More info at http://nanoproductlab.org/

Hong Koo Kim, PhD 

Phone: 412-624-9673  
Email:  hkk@pitt.edu 

Facilities exist for research in developing new device structures and device physics that are based on optical and electronic phenomena occurring in nanoscale structured materials. A broad spectrum of instruments are available for synthesis, fabrication, and characterization, including bottom up (self-assembly) and top-down processes of nanostructured materials and their integration at all length scales (from nano to wafer scale). Plasmonic phenomena occurring in nano-optic structures are of particular interest, since many novel properties derived from the phenomena can be incorporated into an on-chip configuration for nanosystems-on-a-chip that offer multifunctionality across heterogeneous domains (optical, electrical, chemical, biological, etc). The facilities include wafer cleaning and chemical etching; deep-UV contact mask aligner (Karl Suss MJB 3); plasma etching (Unaxis ICP-RIE 790); surface profilometer (Alpha-Step 200); thermal oxidation, annealing, diffusion, pyrolysis, or alloying processes; optical microscope; wire saw and polishing/lapping machine; UV holographic lithography; anodic oxidation and electrodeposition processes; physical vapor deposition (RF magnetron sputtering and thermal evaporation); semiconductor parameter analyzer (Hewlett Packard 4145B); electrochemical doping profiler (Bio-Rad PN4300); capacitance-voltage measurement (Keithley); deep level transient spectroscopy (Bio-Rad DL4600); probe-station (Karl Suss PM 3); LN2 cryostat; a broad spectrum of optical apparatus for spectroscopy and imaging in the UV-visible-IR and (200-1750 nm); plasmonic optical trapping; scanning-probe-based near-to-far-field optical characterization setup.

Zhi-Hong Mao, PhD

Phone: 412-624-9674
Email: maozh@engr.pitt.edu 

The Networked Control Laboratory (NCL) works on (i) control in large-scale and networked dynamic systems including electric power systems, transportation systems, and neural systems, (ii) human performance and human-machine interaction in networked control systems, and (iii) neural control and learning principles. Currently, the lab is equipped with workstations, CyberGlove (a data glove for capturing hand movement), GWS Mini Dragonfly (a remotely controlled, electronically powered helicopter), Polhemus' Fastrack (a 3 dimensional motion-tracking device), and Delsys EMG machine.

X. Tracy Cui, PhD

Website: http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/cui/

Our primary research focus is on the interactions between neural tissue and smart biomaterials. Two fields of research require the fundamental understanding of these interactions, neural interface technology and neural tissue engineering. We provide a center of research activities focused on biomaterials and biosensor research in central nervous system and peripheral nervous system for the next generation neural prosthesis, diagnostics and therapy. We have a multidisciplinary team of researchers with expertise from chemistry, material science, to neurobiology, neurophysiology and imaging.  Together we strive for rapid scientific discovery and therapeutic advancement. Research projects are in the areas of 1) Neural Implant Biocompatibility; 2) Control of Embryonic and Neural Stem Cell Growth and Differentiation; 3) In vitro Neuronal Network Model; 4) Smart Drug Delivery; 5) Implantable Biosensors for Detection of Neurochemicals and Cytokines.