PERSONAL EDUCATION

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
M.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

AFFILIATION

Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group
Mechanical Engineering Graduate Group
Bioenergy Research Group
Micro-Nano-Bioengineering Research Group
Visual Science Research Group

RESEARCH INTEREST

Innovative Micro/Nanofabrication Technologies

We keep seeking simple and creative solutions to manufacture 2D and 3D micro and nanoscale structures in an inexpensive and reproducible way. Learning from emerging technologies in both chemistry and electronics, we are extensively exploring novel top-down and bottom-up approaches to establish MEMS fabrication schemes for future biological and medical applications.

Bio-Inspired Micro/Nano Electromechanical Systems

The field of bio-mimicry has attracted considerable attention recently. This is due to the ingenious ways in which nature has solved its evolutionary challenges through natural selection. We are particularly interested in transferring existing nature's designs into our micro/nano world development. Several bio-inspired designs are currently under the investigation, including biological attachment systems, micromotion systems, biophotonic systems, and biofluidics.

Bioinstrumentations for Ophthalmic Diagnosis and Therapeutics

Wireless implantable micro/nanosystems are of particular importance in ophthalmology where the limited anatomical space requires miniature surgical instruments and implants. Our ongoing research focuses on design of bioinstrumentations, including implantable devices, for ophthalmic diagnosis and therapeutics. We are currently developing several novel clinical prototypes using flexible MEMS and electronics technologies.

PUBLICATIONS

T. Pan, A. Baldi, and B. Ziaie, “A Reworkable Adhesive-Free Interconnection Technology for Integrated Microfluidic Systems”, IEEE/ASME Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, vol. 15, no. 1, pp.267-272, February 2006.

M. S. Stay, T. Pan, J. D. Brown, B. Ziaie, and V. H. Barocas, “Thin-Film Coupled Fluid-Solid Analysis of Flow through the Ahmed™ Glaucoma Drainage Device”, ASME Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, vol. 127, pp. 776-781, October 2005.

T. Pan, M. S. Stay, V. H. Barocas, J. D. Brown, and B. Ziaie, “Modeling and Characterization of a Valved Glaucoma Drainage Device with Implications for Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy”, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, vol. 52, no. 5, pp. 948-951, May 2005.

T. Pan, S. J. McDonald, E. M. Kai, and B. Ziaie, “A Magnetically Driven PDMS Micropump with Ball Check-Valves”, IOP Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 1021-1026, May 2005.

T. Pan, A. Baldi, E. Davies-Venn, R. F. Drayton, and B. Ziaie, “Fabrication and Modeling of Silicon-Embedded High-Q Inductors”, IOP Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 849-854, April 2005.

RESEARCH FIELDS

Bio-Micro-Nano Electromechanical Systems (BioMEMS/NEMS)
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Microsystems for Ocular Diseases
Biomimetic Sensors and Actuators
Controllable Drug Delivery Systems