Welcome to the THEAM lab at UMass Amherst! Our research agenda is focused on advancing additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, exploring fabrication methodologies for novel materials, including composite metamaterials and biomaterials, and pushing the boundaries of 3D micro and nano printing technologies to create high-value, next-generation products transforming precision and personalized healthcare. We harness and extend micro/nanoscale AM methods to create precision medical microdevices, i.e., novel sensing, manipulation, and therapeutic tools. A deep understanding of the biophysical and mechanical properties of tissues and organs on a cellular level in situ—deep inside the living body—directly and precisely holds immense promise in comprehending disease states and advancing disease diagnosis and treatment. However, conventional microfabrication processes, limited by mold-based or subtractive methods, suffer from a number of critical limitations that directly impede the production of devices with complex internal geometry, multi-material interfaces, and multi-functional components that are essential to realize micro/nanotools for precision medicine tailored to address distinct, individual challenges untouched by traditional batch methods. AM strategies offer unprecedented opportunities for designing, producing, and utilizing products. Our overarching goal is to pave the way for innovative AM techniques and solutions to not only decipher disease progression or enhance treatment but also as transformative methodologies that transcend healthcare, addressing enduring challenges in precision and intricate manufacturing.
Featured Project
