Active Micro and Nanostructures for Sensing and Robotics

Mechanical Engineering Professor Yong Shi

Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology

ABSTRACT

One dimensional nano materials, such as nanofibers, have great potential as either building blocks for micro/nano devices or as functional materials for micro-scale sensing and actuation applications. They provide more design flexibility and performance than was previously achievable. Functional nanowire such as PZT is a very good example that was commonly used in bulk or thin film forms.   In this talk, performance and characteristics of nano piezoelectric (PZT) nanofibers will be discussed and summarized.  We will demonstrate the piezoelectric properties of polycrystalline PZT nanofibers through electro-mechanical coupling tests such as dynamic loading and mechanical vibration. Applications of nanofibers in sensors, actuators and potable energy harvesting devices will be discussed. In addition, recent work attempting to develop active mechanical thrombectomy devices and micro robotic systems for Neurointerventional Stroke Endovascular Revascularization Therapy (ERT) will be introduced and demonstrated. I will discuss the challenges of the project; specifically, the endovascular robotic systems, consisting of active guidewire and thrombus retriever, and how they experience complex interaction with artery walls and thrombus.  

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Yong Shi is an associate professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey. He is also the Associate Chair for Graduate Education in Mechanical Engineering at Stevens and the Director of the Active Nanostructures and Device Laboratory.  Dr. Shi obtained his M.S and Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA in 2001 and 2004, respectively.  He obtained his bachelor’s degree from National University of Defense Technology on China.  His research interests include functional nanofibers and nanocomposites, micro/nano actuators and sensors, biomedical micro robotic systems design, modeling, and fabrication. He has won several awards such as the ASNT fellowship from the American Society of Nondestructive Testing and Davis Memorial Award for Research Excellence at Stevens. Dr. Shi has made important contributions to his field and his work has been published in premiere journals and books and highlighted on various media and websites for popular sciences.