MEMS, Microfluidics and Nanoelectronics (MMNE) Lab

The MEMS, Microfluidics and Nanoelectronics (MMNE) Lab is an advanced interdisciplinary research facility dedicated to innovation in the fields of microsystems, fluidics, sensors, and nanoelectronics. Based at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani – Hyderabad Campus, the laboratory is engaged in cutting-edge research aimed at developing next-generation devices and technologies that operate at the micro and nano scale. The lab integrates engineering principles with materials science, chemistry, biology, and physics to design intelligent systems capable of addressing contemporary challenges in health, environment, and energy.

Background and Foundation

The MMNE Lab was established with the vision of fostering innovation in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), microfluidic platforms, and nanoelectronic devices. It operates under the leadership of faculty with expertise in electronics, microfabrication, and interdisciplinary engineering. The laboratory functions as a hub for collaborative research and technology development, connecting researchers from electrical, mechanical, and bioengineering backgrounds.
The term “MEMS, Microfluidics and Nanoelectronics” represents the three technological domains at the core of the lab’s activities. MEMS refers to the integration of mechanical and electrical systems at the microscale, microfluidics focuses on the manipulation of fluids in small volumes, and nanoelectronics deals with electronic components and circuits built at the nanometre level. Together, these disciplines enable the creation of miniaturised devices for sensing, diagnostics, energy harvesting, and data processing.

Research Areas and Objectives

The MMNE Lab’s research spans a wide spectrum of emerging technologies, with a strong emphasis on smart, energy-efficient, and multifunctional systems. Its projects are designed to address real-world challenges in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and renewable energy.
Major research domains include:

• MEMS-based Sensors and Actuators: Design and fabrication of micro-scale mechanical systems that detect physical, chemical, or biological signals.
• Microfluidic Systems: Development of lab-on-a-chip devices for chemical and biological analysis, integrating fluid handling, reaction, and detection in compact platforms.
• Nanoelectronic Devices: Exploration of novel materials and fabrication techniques for ultra-small transistors, circuits, and flexible electronics.
• Energy Harvesting and Storage: Creation of microscale energy systems such as biofuel cells, thermoelectric generators, and micro-supercapacitors.
• Printed and Flexible Electronics: Use of printing and additive manufacturing for low-cost, lightweight, and flexible electronic devices.
• Wearable and Implantable Systems: Research into biocompatible materials and designs for continuous health monitoring and bio-sensing applications.

These areas combine to support the development of compact and efficient technologies that can be integrated into portable, wearable, and smart systems.

Facilities and Capabilities

The MMNE Lab is equipped with an extensive range of fabrication, testing, and characterisation tools. These facilities enable end-to-end research from conceptual design to functional device realisation.
Key capabilities include:

• Microfabrication and Printing: Facilities for soft lithography, inkjet and 3D printing, and laser-based patterning to create intricate microstructures.
• Microfluidic Prototyping: Tools for designing and testing microchannels and droplet-based systems for fluid control at the microscale.
• Electrochemical and Optical Characterisation: Systems to measure the performance of sensors, electrodes, and materials.
• Cleanroom Access: Controlled environments for micro/nano device fabrication and assembly.
• Advanced Materials Analysis: Equipment for studying the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of microfabricated components.

These tools provide a platform for researchers to experiment with a wide range of materials from silicon and polymers to graphene, MXenes, and other nanostructures facilitating multidisciplinary innovation.

Applications and Impact

The research undertaken at the MMNE Lab has significant implications for both science and society. The integration of microfluidics, MEMS, and nanoelectronics supports the creation of:

• Point-of-Care Diagnostic Devices: Portable systems for rapid disease detection and biomedical analysis.
• Environmental Sensors: Devices capable of detecting pollutants, toxins, and gases at extremely low concentrations.
• Energy Solutions: Self-powered sensors and sustainable microenergy sources for remote and wearable systems.
• Flexible and Wearable Electronics: Smart patches, biomedical implants, and motion sensors for healthcare and sports applications.
• Smart Material Interfaces: Hybrid materials designed for improved performance in sensing, catalysis, and electronics.

By merging multiple technologies, the lab contributes to the advancement of miniaturised systems that are efficient, scalable, and affordable.

Innovation and Research Methodology

The MMNE Lab follows a multidisciplinary approach to research, encouraging collaboration across fields such as physics, chemistry, materials science, and electrical engineering. The research methodology involves:

1. Design and Simulation: Conceptual modelling using computational tools.
2. Fabrication: Micro/nano-scale device creation using advanced manufacturing methods.
3. Characterisation: Testing device properties through electrochemical, mechanical, and thermal techniques.
4. Integration and Testing: Incorporating devices into functional systems and validating performance.

This end-to-end process ensures that innovations can be rapidly transformed into functional prototypes and potential commercial technologies.

Educational and Collaborative Role

Beyond research, the MMNE Lab plays a significant role in education and skill development. It provides hands-on training to undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students in areas such as microfabrication, microfluidics, and sensor technology. The lab’s environment promotes interdisciplinary learning, where students gain expertise in design software, material processing, and experimental methods.
Collaborations with industry and government organisations support the lab’s mission of translating research outcomes into practical technologies. Partnerships often focus on developing low-cost, efficient solutions for healthcare diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and energy systems suited to industrial and societal needs.

Achievements and Research Highlights

Research conducted at the MMNE Lab has resulted in several notable outcomes, including:

• Development of microfluidic viscometers using laser-induced graphene technology.
• Creation of MXene-enhanced bioelectrodes for sensitive electrochemical detection of biomolecules such as dopamine.
• Design of paper-based fuel cells and flexible supercapacitors for portable power generation.
• Fabrication of miniaturised biosensors for real-time physiological monitoring.
• Innovation in 3D-printed and inkjet-printed microdevices for environmental and biomedical applications.

These achievements reflect the lab’s capacity to combine novel materials with microengineering to create efficient, scalable technologies.

Significance and Future Outlook

The significance of the MEMS, Microfluidics and Nanoelectronics Lab lies in its contribution to the growing field of micro and nanotechnology-driven systems. By bridging the gap between materials science and system-level engineering, it strengthens the foundation for emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), wearable sensors, and autonomous energy systems.