Facilities
MRC faculty and affiliates preparing proposals: click here for a complete list of MRC facilities useful for inclusion in a proposal.
Orientation for new MRC users and training on MRC equipment is available. Please submit your requests to the Lab Manager at ipenskiy@umd.edu.
Faculty Labs
Laboratory for Microtechnologies
Principal Investigator(s): Elisabeth Smela
The Laboratory for MicroTechnologies has state-of-the art facilities for realizing next-generation micro-scale to meso-scale polymer robots. We are developing new actuation technologies, based on soft materials that utilize electrochemical, electroosmotic, and electrostatic phenomena. The lab has the following capabilities.
Laboratory for Neural Control of Locomotion
Principal Investigator(s): Avis H. Cohen
The Laboratory for Neural Control of Locomotion studies the simple vertebrate, the lamprey. They investigate how systems work and the potential problems associated with spinal cord regeneration.
Maryland MEMS and Microfluidics Lab
Principal Investigator(s): Don DeVoe
We are an interdisciplanary group of researchers developing microscale technologies for applications in biology and the biomedical sciences. Research areas include scalable synthesis of nanomedicines, microfluidic diagnostics, high throughput biomarker analysis, and microscale platforms for probing lipid membranes and ion channels. MML researchers also develop silicon and piezoelectric MEMS technologies for medical robotics and beyond. Microfabrication is performed using dedicated facilities in the MML cleanroom, and in the UMD FabLab.
Multi-Scale Measurements Laboratory
Principal Investigator(s): Hugh Bruck
The Multi-scale Measurements Laboratory conducts research on composite and non-composite materials of various length scales.
It conducts state-of-the-art microstructural and nanostrural characterization as well as mechanical and thermal analysis of these materials.
Multiscale Biomaterials Engineering Laboratory
Principal Investigator(s): Xiaoming (Shawn) He
The Multiscale Biomaterials Engineering Laboratory is focused on developing novel microfluidic,
nanoscale, and stem-cell technologies for the treatment and early detection of various diseases
including but not limited to cancer, reproductive disorders, cardiovascular and
neurodegenerative diseases. The laboratory is capable of performing chemical synthesis,
production and characterization of micro and nanoparticles of various biomaterials (e.g.,
hydrogel, polymer, lipid, silica, and carbon), freeze-drying, high temperature and vacuum drying,
soft lithography, cell culture, thermal analysis, photothermal therapy, magnetothermal therapy,
cryotherapy, cryopreservation, and real time digital imaging.
Neuromechanics Research Core
Principal Investigator(s): Jae Kun Shim
The UMD Neuromechanics Research Core studies neural and mechanical mechanisms of human movements in general. The current research focus includes locomotion in persons with lower extremity amputations and footwear, hand and multi-digit actions of people with neurological disorders, and sensory processing mechanisms.
Neuromotor Control and Learning Laboratory (NMCL)
Principal Investigator(s): Rodolphe Gentili
The Neuromotor Control and Learning (NMCL) Laboratory focuses on understanding the brain processes underlying human motor behavior by employing experimental cognitive-motor neuroscience, computational and robotics-based approaches.
Perception and Robotics Group
Principal Investigator(s): Yiannis Aloimonos, Cornelia Fermüller
Perception and Robotics Group works on active and bio-inspired perception and tests their theories by developing implementations in robotic systems, specifically autonomous drones and humanoid robots. In this way, they need to develop an integration of perception, with control, planning, reasoning and language in new cognitive architectures. A long term goal in the lab is the understanding of human activity. This led to the development of grammars for action which opened a new way for imitation learning in robotics, where learning happens at the level of the sub-goals in the action and not only at the level of the movement.
PYC Lab
Principal Investigator(s): Po-Yen Chen
The PYC Lab focuses on the programmable texturing of 2D materials, accelerated materials design, investigating self-assembly behaviors between metal ions and 2D material nanosheets, and assembling nanomaterials into soft machines.
Robotics Algorithms & Autonomous Systems Lab (RAAS)
Principal Investigator(s): Pratap Tokekar
The Robotics Algorithms & Autonomous Systems (RAAS) Lab designs algorithms and build systems to enable teams of robots to act as sensing agents. Their research is at the intersection of theory and systems and is motivated by real-world applications to environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and precision agriculture.
Semi-Autonomous Systems Laboratory
Principal Investigator(s): Nikhil Chopra
The Semi-Autonomous Systems Lab focuses on developing a comprehensive framework for semi-autonomous coordination of networked robotic systems. The purpose of this lab is to develop fundamental advances in control algorithms and methodologies to address these problems.
Sensors and Actuators Laboratory
Principal Investigator(s): Miao Yu
The Sensors and Actuators Laboratory includes a 1500 square foot research facility that is equipped with state of the art optical testing equipment and dynamical characterization equipment dedicated to research on micro/nano sensors, photonics, and smart materials and structures.
Separated and Transient Aerodynamics Laboratory
Principal Investigator(s): Anya R. Jones
The Separated and Transient Aerodynamics Laboratory is an experimental laboratory in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland. Our research focuses on unsteady, separated, and three-dimensional flows on flapping wings, rotorcraft, and wind/water turbines. We perform experiments in water tanks and wind tunnels to better understand the flow physics and vortex dynamics of these flows.
Space Systems Laboratory
Principal Investigator(s): David Akin
Research in Space Systems emphasizes space robotics, human factors, applications of artificial intelligence and the underlying fundamentals of space simulation. There are currently five robots being tested, including Ranger, a four-armed satellite repair robot, and SCAMP, a 6 degree of freedom free-flying underwater camera platform. Launched by NASA in 1996, Ranger and its predecessor robot were both constructed in the Space Systems Lab.
Tubaldi Lab
Principal Investigator(s): Eleonora Tubaldi
The Tubaldi Lab uses a combination of theoretical, numerical, and experimental methods to study complex systems at the interface of nonlinear dynamics, soft materials, and fluid-structure interactions.