MEMS Sensors and Actuators Laboratory (MSAL)

The MEMS Sensors and Actuators Laboratory (MSAL) in the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland (UMD) was established in January 2000. Our lab focuses on application-driven technology development using micro-nano-bio engineering approaches. A centerpiece of our efforts is “systems integration” to provide holistic solutions for real-world use. The focus of our work is aimed at in-situ biomedical and clinical applications, specifically toward gastrointestinal diagnostics, biofilm monitoring and inhibition, and platforms for investigating gut-brain interactions. This research is complemented by efforts in energy storage, harvesting and conversion to provide power for the desired embedded, self-sustaining MEMS sensors and actuators. Our devices incorporate system-oriented design elements relying on MEMS materials and fabrication technology, novel biosensing and biofabrication processes, microelectronics integration, and 3D printed packaging techniques.