Double-peak signal features in microfluidic impedance flow cytometry enable sensitive measurement of cell membrane capacitance In a microfluidic impedance cytometer with co-planar microelectrodes, unusual “double peak” features were observed in the reactive component of the electrical signatures from individual red blood cells. This phenomenon was observed only at specific frequencies (400 - 800 kHz) and its occurrence was facilitated by the microelectrode geometry. |
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NANOMOTORS PROBING TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT In this work the team of researchers steered helical nanomotors remotely, via an external magnetic field, through a tumour model to sense, map and quantify changes in the cellular environment. The model comprises both healthy and cancer cells embedded within a reconstituted basement membrane matrix and mimics the breast cancer environment. |
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GATE TUNABLE COOPERATIVITY BETWEEN VIBRATIONAL MODES Coupling between a mechanical resonator and optical cavities, microwave resonators, or other mechanical resonators have been used to observe interesting effects from sideband cooling to coherent manipulation of phonons. Here we demonstrate strong coupling between different vibrational modes of MoS2 drum resonators at room temperature. We observe intermodal as well as intramodal coupling. |
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A NEW ‘‘TWEEZER IN A TWEEZER” TECHNOLOGY Manipulation of colloidal objects with light is important in diverse fields. While performance of traditional optical tweezers is restricted by the diffraction-limit, recent approaches based on plasmonic tweezers allow higher trapping efficiency at lower optical powers but suffer from the disadvantage that plasmonic nanostructures are fixed in space, which limits the speed and versatility of the trapping process. |
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ANTI-MICROBIAL SURFACES Antimicrobial-resistant infections currently claim 700,000 lives each year from across the world and this figure will increase alarmingly to 10 million by 2050 if it is not stopped. One of the methods to tackle biofilms involves prevention of biofilm formation by actively killing the bacteria as soon as they arrive on the surface. |
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DROP IMPACT PRINTING Pursuit to accurately print microscale droplets is not new. However, with the advent of additive manufacturing and 3D bio-printing, research interest in this technology has been renewed. Newer applications demand use of inks which are not well suited for conventional printers. For example, bio-printing requires dispensing live cells. Viability of cells is dramatically reduced by the thermal or piezoelectric actuation used in conventional printers. |
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NANOROBOTS AS MOBILE NANOTWEEZERS Controlled manipulation of nanoscale objects in fluidic media is one of the defining goals of modern nanotechnology. So far, plasmonic tweezers – nanosized tweezers made up of noble metals -- are used to trap such small sized cargo. |
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BREAKING THE BOLTZMANN LIMIT FOR LOW POWER NANO-TRANSISTOR Power consumption in modern electronic devices is a major technological and environmental concern. This is because although technologists are able to reduce the dimensions of the transistor, they are unable to reduce the voltage required for its operation (called supply voltage). |
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Development of a novel vapor-annealing process to consistently and reliably get high-performance perovskite solar cells Spin coated perovskite thin films are known to poor device-to-device repeatability, mostly due to poor control on morphology of the deposited films. In this work, a post-deposition vapor annealing process was developed, which “fixes” the issues with as-deposited films, leading to high-efficiency perovskite solar cells with excellent repeatability (standard deviation of only 0.7%). |
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Fate of an Intruder in Colloidal Nanocrystals is Governed by Entropy Using a modified and highly configurable optical trap we have observed formation of 2D colloidal crystallites whose phase and sizes can be controlled. This system allows us to study the dynamics of foreign dopants injected into the crystallites. The striking result obtained here was the ability of finite-sized colloidal clusters to expel or internalize a foreign dopant depending on its initial position. |
NEMS Lab / Micro and Nano Sensors Lab
The Micro and Nano Sensors Lab focuses on physics and applications of Nanoelectromechanical Systems (NEMS). Activities of this lab include fabrication of resonant NEMS devices with frequencies in VHF and UHF ranges, novel actuation and detection schemes at these frequencies and nano-dimensions, study of noise processes that govern the frequency stability of these ultra-sensitive devices and their utility in various applications including NEMS mass spectrometery and gas sensing. Facilities include a NEMS-based mass spectrometery system, two closed cycle cryostats capable of reaching below 10K, an ultra-high vacuum system to probe frequency noise in NEMS devices and electrical characterization equipment including spectrum analyzers and microwave signal sources.
Bio Sensors Lab
Focuses on developing low-cost biosensors for various bioanalytes of interest. Involves study of various surface modification methodologies. Facilities include electrochemical workstation, chemical synthesis equipment, equipment for processing biomolecules.
MEMS/MOEMS Lab
Design and development of MEMS inertial sensors, MEMS microphones, capacitive and peizoelectric ultrasound transducers (CMUTs and PMUTs), suspended gate FET-coupled MEMS sensors, all-optical actuation and sensing MEMS, study of energy dissipation in micro and nanoscale structural vibrations, study of microscale biosensors in insects, haltere dynamics, and cell dynamics. Facilities include experimental measurement tools for subnanoscale vibrations, angular rate measurements, ultrasound transmitters and receivers, and optical imaging, including high speed videography.
Biophotonics and Bioengineering
Our work follows two themes. One is the development of sensors to sense various molecules (molecular sensors) for bio/chemical applications and the other is to understand the molecular sensing process in terms of robustness to interference or perturbation. The robustness often emerges as a consequence of complexity in sensor design and/or in sensory signal processing. Examples of complexity in sensor design could be our olfactory receptors which enable our sense of smell or the signalling cascades employed by immune cells in our body to identify infective pathogens. We are interested in understanding the performance limits of molecular sensing, i.e. limits of sensitivity, accuracy, tolerance to interference and so on.
Optics, Nanostructures and Quantum Fluids
Study of optical and hydrodynamic properties of nanostructured particles and films, with emphasis on developing nanoscale drug delivery vehicles and nanoplasmonic sensors for biological applications. Facilities include nanostructured thin film fabrication system, optical microscope, and various optical characterization tools.
Gas Sensors Lab
The Lab has facilities to characterize sensors employing different concentrations of gases – both inorganic and volatile organics – from ppb (~1) to ppm (>10,000); an IR camera to study the thermal morphology of microheaters; a microdispenser to dispense a desired amount of an analyte (solution) with a 20 μm spatial resolution. The lab also has the facility to fabricate sputtering targets of sensor materials.
Functional Thin Films Lab
The lab conducts investigations on influence of process parameters on the structure and properties of functional thin films, leading to the development of micro and nano sensors and actuators. Faciltiies include evaporation, sputtering and ion beam systems, designed and fabricated for specific requirements.
Photovoltaics and Energy Lab
The lab is primarily designed to fabricate various types of photovoltaic devices. The lab also shares the workload of the National Nano Fabrication Facility.
Polymer Process Lab
The lab specializes in microwavebased chemical synthesis, wet-etching, chemical processing, electrochemical characterization, organic electronics, and thin-film batteries.
Non-linear Photonics and High Power Lasers Lab
This laboratory focuses on development of novel optical sources and processing technologies for varied applications from optical communications, sensing and biomedical imaging to high power industrial and defense lasers. Fundamental research on non-linear optics in guided-wave devices, an enabler for many of the novel laser technologies, is also undertaken.
Neuro-Electronics Lab
The research emphasis is on interfacing neurons of the brain with electronic devices. The broad aim is to understand how learning takes place in biological neuronal networks using electrical and optical recording and stimulation, and to utilize it for robotic control. Facilities available are: nanofabrication of multi-electrode arrays, tissue culture laboratory for neuronal culture, electrophysiology rigs for multi-electrode array recording with feedback control, an electronics lab bench, high-end microscopes with fast fluorescence imaging and optical stimulation of neurons using a femto-second laser.
Heterojunction Lab
This laboratory conducts research in design, fabrication and characterization of novel electronic devices. The focus is on integrating different semiconductor materials with each other, e.g. silicon with metal-oxides or germanium to silicon. Such heterogenous integration introduces novel functionality and improves performance for the next generation of electronic devices.
Photonics
Photonics Research Laboratory is a dedicated characterization facility for integrated photonic devices and circuits. The primary focus of the lab is to develop high-speed integrated photonic devices for next-generation computing and communication. The lab houses a comprehensive high-speed electro-optic testbed for characterizing bandwidth of discrete devices such as Wavelength filters, light modulators, photodetectors, and amplifiers in the O, C, and L bands. The device and circuits developed are tested using a custom developed vertical and horizontal optical probe station. Research in the lab is also aimed at exploiting the photonic circuit for on-chip gas and biosensors. Spectrometers spanning from visible to Near-IR are used to develop such on-chip sensors.
CeNSE works with several hazardous materials and equipment. We operate with considerable autonomy, so it our responsibility to maintain the highest levels of safety. Furthermore, safety is an important part of any training in nanoelectronics. Potential job givers, be it industry or academia, expect a certain awareness about safety. This is especially true for leadership positions where project managers are responsible for the safety of their whole group. Remember, at CeNSE, it is always Safety First.
The four essential principles of safety are:
FOLLOW RULES
Safety may mean different things to different people. To prevent confusion, we institute policies that clearly define standards for safe work practices. These rules need to be followed in letter and spirit, even if they appear burdensome or pointless. Trust us, there is a reason for everything. DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY, NOT THE QUICK WAY.
BE ACCOUNTABLE
Everyone is personally responsible for safety. Be a good citizen. Highlight hazards using labels, notices and signage, so that other are adequately warned. Act responsibly in the event of an accident. Confront unsafe behaviour, even if it is uncomfortable to do so. SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBLITY.
TRUST STRUCTURES MORE THAN PEOPLE
No matter how careful they are, people make mistakes. An effective safety policy does not rely on people to be “careful” but relies on systems to reduce the probability of accidents. Prior to beginning any project, think about all the things that can go wrong. Focus should be on reducing the probability of hazards, even the improbable ones, by intelligently designed precautions. Seek solutions that are “idiot-proof”.
RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES
In case of an emergency, everyone must respond quickly and effectively. Be familiar with fire exits, assembly points, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, safety showers, spill kits, and first aid boxes. Just a few moments of preparation could save a life during an emergency.
In case of confusion please refer to the CENSE safety manual. For any clarification, feel free to drop an email to safety.cense@iisc.ac.in. Be safe.
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