Ongoing Research Projects
Prof. MinJun Kim @ Drexel Innovations
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We have been investigating the biological and physical phenomena of biological molecules and microorganisms to develop new types of bionanotechnology. There exist a wide range of nano/microfabrication techniques which directly access to the relevent length scale from nanometer to milimeter. Especially, miniaturization to the nanometer scale opens up the possibility to probe biology on the length scale where fundamental biological processes take place, such as epigenetic and genetic control of single cells. We are using conventional and non-conventional fabrication methods to fabricate novel small-scale architectures, for examples, colloidal structures and patterns for biologically inspired robotic microswimmers, synthetic gold nanorods for rapid cell lysis, and solid-state nanopore and nanopore arrays for single molecule analysis. At the microscale, we are utilizing prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells such as flagellated bacteria and Tetrahymena pyriformis to autonomously actuate microsystems for various engineering works, microassembling and micromanipulation. At the nanoscale, our study is focused on the characterization of biological macromolecules at single molecule level and the configuration and detection of pathogenic single cells at high resolution.
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Research Thrust 1: Microbiorobotics for Manipulation and Sensing
Motion control of bacteria-powered microrobots: (a) A microbiorobot is directed through the entrance of a C-shaped microfabricated goal using tele-operation. Scale bar represents time (2 min) as well as length (100 micrometers), (b) block diagram for vision-based computer control of microbiorobots with a picture of the experimental setup, and (c) using a feedback control algorithm, a microbiorobot is steered along a specific path. Scale bar represents time (1 min) as well as length (50 micrometers).
- The Integration of Biomolecular Motors for Biological Actuation, Sensing and Transport [More Information]
- Hybrid Control of Microbiorobots at Low Reynolds Number [More Information]
- Biologically-Inspired Robotic Microswimmers for Novel Drug Delivery Systems [More Information]
- Chemotaxis in Flagellated Bacteria [More Information]
- Tactic Behaviors in Eukaryotes [More Information]
Research Thrust 2: Nanoscale Metrology and Manufacturing for Single Molecule Analysis
(Left) Examples of nanopores and bacterial flagellar translocation events recorded at 700 mV using a 470 nm diameter pore and a 140 nm diameter pore. (Right) A sequence of TEM images displaying the dynamics of drilling (a) and contraction (b) in the 50 nm thick silicon nitride membrane. The scale bar is 5 nm.
- High Resolution Folding/Binding Kinetics of Single Protein Molecules [More Information]
- Bacterial Flagellar Polymorphic Transformation in Various Fluidic Environments [More Information]
- Next Generation DNA Sequencing Techniques [More Information]
Research Thrust 3: Biologically Inspired Metamaterials for Nano/Optoelectronics
(Left) SEM image of (a) bare flagellar filament, (b) TiO2-coated flagellar filament (crystalline phase formed at 50 degree celcius), and (c) TiO2-coated flagellar filament (amorphous phase formed at 40 degree celcius). (Right) Plot of the current as a function of applied voltage between the source and drain electrodes (noted S/D on the insert). Sensitive to light is noted, as the current recorded was found to be higher with irradiation with a source of white light.
- Flagella-Templated Nanotube Formation for Nanoelectronics [More Information]
- Synthesis of Gold Nanorods for Rapid Cell Lysis [More Information]
- Fabrication of Inorganic-Organic Nanopores [More Information]
Research Thrust 4: Multi-scale Fluid Mechanics & Transport Phenomena
Smoke wire visualization of the flow around the wings of Allomyrina dichotoma (USDA permit# P526P-09-03427): (a) free flight and (b) tethered flight. LEV (green arrow), TEV (red arrows) on the hind wing, and TEV on the elytron (yellow arrows). (c) Experimental setup of three-dimensional PIV systems for aerodynamics of insect flight.
- Lipoprotein Separations in Nanoscale Architectures [More Information]
- Dynamics of Pattern Formation by Bacterial Swarms [More Information]
- Flow Visualization for Mimicking Low Reynolds Number Insect Flight [More Information]
- Aerodynamics and Flight Control of Coleopteran Insects [More Information]
Past Research Projects
- Fabrication of Single-digit Nanometer Solid-state Pore for Single Molecule Analysis
- Bacterial Flows: Mixing and Pumping in Microfluidic Systems Using Flagellated Bacteria
- Microfluidic Flow Control Using Electroosmosis
For questions about research, click here. last updated December 28, 2009