The main focus for the Laboratory for MicroTechnologies is creating new technologies that combine inorganic materials (silicon chips, optical fibers, etc.) with organic materials (polymers, cells, etc.) at the micro-scale. 

• We are active in bioMEMS, working in the areas of cell-based sensing, cell manipulation, microfluidics, and mapping nucleic acids in tissue sections. 
• We have a long history of working with "artificial muscles", previously conjugated polymers and dielectric elastomer actuators and, more recently, nastic actuators. 
• Recently we began working in the area of tactile skins for robotics based on thin film piezoresistive latex/graphite composite paints.

Location: 3124 Glenn L. Martin Hall, Building #088
Phone: 301-405-7630/301-405-9215

Elisabeth Smela Professor 301.405.5265 | smela@umd.edu Profile