RFID Center of Excellence

The RFID Center of Excellence, under the direction of Ervin Sejdic, PhD, is likely the most well equipped RFID Research Center in the world. The Center is currently housed in two laboratories within Benedum Hall. Equipment includes numerous Real Time Spectrum Analyzers, state of the art Network Analyzers, numerous professional grade power meters, Spectrum Analyzers, LCR meters and all the necessary bench support equipment including as RF amplifiers, power supplies, various antennas, etc. The Center also houses two Anechoic Chambers and a GTEM Cell. Commercial RFID readers and tags for all classical RF bands are available for use in standards and performance testing.

Radio Frequency (RF) technology is permeating most all aspects of everyday life well beyond cellular telephones and pagers including the Internet of Things. The components to use RF in various devices are relatively simple to use and they extend the functionality of common household, personal and industrial, scientific and medical objects and equipment.
The RF Prototyping and Measurements facilities provide for testing and demonstration of novel and unique applications of this technology. The devices available include commercially available components and custom designed devices built within the Swanson School of Engineering of the University of Pittsburgh. Examples include: implantable medical devices, low power communications, and human interface systems.
This laboratory is the home of the PENI Tag. The PENI Tag technology is an enabling technology that makes possible operational devices that are currently as small as 3 cubic millimeters in size with no batteries or connecting wires. The design of the small Systems On a Chip devices (SOC) requires the most modern computer workstations and software.
Chips are designed and simulated in this laboratory by a team of researchers. They are then submitted for fabrication over the internet to a remote foundry. The completed chips are then tested here.

The PENI Tag technology makes it possible to remotely provide power to operate a wide range of devices and systems that are used for product identification, such as bar codes in the supermarket, as well as sensing things such as temperature and humidity, and also to provide security functions.
Devices designed by teams using this laboratory have been the subject of extensive media coverage and have acquired the interest of technology and management persons of numerous major US corporations.

This laboratory, directed by Gelsy Torres-Oviedo, offers graduate and undergraduate students the infrastructure to investigate human motor learning mechanisms during balance and locomotor behaviors. The space for this facility is 700 square footage with a state-of-the-art 14-camera motion analysis system for recording three-dimensional body kinematic data in real time. The laboratory is also equipped with an instrumented split-belt treadmill and 2 force plates flushed with the ground, allowing kinetic recordings from each foot while human subjects from all ages walk on the treadmill or over ground. The facility also has a system for electromyographic recordings and instrumentation to digitize up to 64 analogue signals.

The Shiwarski Tissue Engineering Lab within the Departments of Bioengineering and Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh is located within the recently renovated main floor (12th) of the Vascular Medicine Institute within the Biomedical Science Tower. The focus of the lab is to create an open and inclusive environment that encourages technical innovation and promotes the application of engineering principles to answer biological questions for clinical translation by integrating vascular mechanobiology with cell biology, microscopy, biomechanics, and tissue engineering. A specific question we are trying to address is how high blood pressure alters the structure and function of small diameter blood vessels. By integrating advanced 3D bioprinting, regenerative medicine, and microfluidics we develop novel experimental platforms to investigate relationships between engineered 3D tissue structure, extracellular matrix composition, biomechanical forces, and altered receptor signaling that drives vascular tissue maturation and hypertensive disease pathology. Additionally, the Shiwarski Lab prioritizes developing open-source scientific hardware and software for tissue engineering and cell biology to drive innovation and biomedical translation via reducing cost and improving device functionality. Project topics in the lab include engineering 3D model systems to study: thrombosis and hemostasis, congenital cardiac disease, cancer migration, kidney physiology, portal vein hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, aortic aneurism, GPCR receptor trafficking, and the cell biology of molecular condensates and phase separation. 

PI: Amin Rahimian, rahimian@pitt.edu

At the Sociotechnical Systems Research lab, we target questions that help society navigate the age of data. On the one hand, the landscape for scientific research is itself changing: The combined force of high-end data analytics and high-performance computing opens new ways for scientific discovery; more and more data from various sources and in novel forms are available to facilitate scientific inquiries. On the other hand, to overcome the trust barriers and embrace the increasing role of data and algorithms in our lives, we need a scientific understanding of the algorithmic, data-driven and platform-based economies that algorithms enable. The lab’s research into large-scale sociotechnical systems should help society in this transition by deepening an understanding of the emerging, data-enabled infrastructure within their societal context. On the methodological side, we face a variety of challenges such as calibration and down-scaling of massive models with costly data for granular predictions, optimizing and locally targeting large-scale interventions, and making inferences about local interactions and micro mechanisms from observation of meso-scale behaviors and macro trends. With ongoing support from DOD and HHS, we focus our efforts on pressing societal problems and issues of national concern, ranging from interventions to improve education, health and welfare among vulnerable populations, human-machine teaming in mission critical applications, the opioid epidemic, and COVID-19 pandemic to misinformation and malign influence campaigns.

Soft Tissue Biomechanics Laboratory 

stb-lab.com/

This laboratory is under the direction of Jonathan P. Vande Geest, PhD and focuses on studying the structure function relationships of soft tissues in human health and disease. Undergraduate and graduate students in the Soft Tissue Biomechanics Laboratory (STBL) are offered opportunities to participate in research that successfully integrates state of the art tools in cell mechanobiology, continuum mechanics, computational simulation, and bioimaging. The STBL is composed of a cell culture room equipped with the necessary equipment for cell and tissue culture, including several novel bioreactors for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering research. The STBL also consists of a main wet laboratory equipped with devices for advanced biomechanical and microstructural tissue characterization, computational simulation, biochemistry, molecular biology, histological processing, and medical device functional assessment. The STBL also has access to and manages an advanced intravital microscope for quantifying the growth and remodeling of soft tissues using nonlinear optical microscopy.

Jeffery Vipperman, PhD  

Phone: 412-624-1643  
Email:  jsv@pitt.edu 

This mechanical engineering laboratory is dedicated to development, modeling, and experimental characterization of active systems at the micro (MEMS) and macro scales. The diverse range of projects typically blend the related fields of acoustics, noise control, hearing loss prevention, vibrations, structural-acoustic interaction, controls, and analog/digital signal processing. A 1,000 ft2 laboratory equipped with state of the art equipment is complemented with an ancillary 250m3 anechoic chamber facility. Past and current applications include biological modeling and control, analysis of novel composite structures, development of automated classification systems, and hearing loss prevention.

The primary mission of the Stochastic Modeling, Analysis and Control (SMAC) Laboratory is to support research that addresses the modeling, analysis and control of engineering and service systems that have inherently stochastic elements.  Research in the Lab emphasizes analytical and computer-based modeling of such systems (e.g., maintenance, production, telecommunications, inventory, transportation and healthcare), and their optimization by exploiting applied probability, stochastic processes and discrete stochastic optimal control techniques.  This collaborative Laboratory's aim is to gain valuable insights into solutions to complex decision-making problems in uncertain environments.  The SMAC Lab is primarily funded through grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Veterans Affairs and other governmental agencies.  Current research thrusts include the performance evaluation of large-scale sensor networks; degradation-based reliability modeling and evaluation; data-driven, adaptive maintenance planning models; spare parts inventory modeling and control; multi-server retrial queueing systems; medical decision making applications; healthcare operations; and satellite constellation maintenance modeling and optimization.

Ravi Shankar Meenakshisundaram, PhD
ravishm@pitt.edu

This lab is directed by Dr. Ravi Shankar and its objective is to characterize, control and exploit physical phenomena that are operative at the nanometer length-scale to engineer material systems with unprecedented properties. To this end, we focus on understanding the fundamental mechanics of deformation at the nano-scale, elucidation of kinetics of atomic transport in nanostructured domains and characterization of phase-transformations in nanomaterials. Facilities include sample preparation capabilities for electron microscopy and micromechanical characterization, microhardness and tensile testing and capabilities for the creation of ultra-fine grained multi-phase materials. Current research is focused on the elucidation of microstructure evolution and behavior of multi-phase materials subjected to severe thermo-mechanical deformation and investigations of development of environmentally benign machining processes.

Surfaces and Small-Scale Structures Laboratory

https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/jacobslab/

Directed by Tevis Jacobs, the focus of our research is to reveal the physical processes governing the mechanics of surfaces and interfaces. Contacting surfaces are of critical importance in advanced applications, including advanced manufacturing schemes, micro-/nano-electromechanical systems, and scanning probe microscopy applications. The function of such applications depends on the ability to precisely predict and control contact parameters such as contact area, contact stiffness, adhesion, and electrical and thermal transport.

Our group uses novel combinations of in situ electron microscopy, multi-scale mechanical testing, and scanning probe microscopy to interrogate the mechanics, tribology, and functional properties of contacts. On the small scale, we can achieve Angstrom-scale spatial resolution and nanonewton force resolution, to interrogate atomic-scale processes. On the large-scale, we use micro- and macro-scale testing of larger contacts that contain multi-scale surface roughness. This enables us to scale-up these nanoscale insights to describe functional properties of larger-scale surfaces.

Our goal is to develop quantitative, fundamental, and predictive understanding of contact behavior, which will enable tailored surface properties for advanced technologies.

Swanson Center for Product Innovation

J. Andrew Holmes

Phone: 412-624-8878

Email: jholmes@pitt.edu

The John A. Swanson Center for Product Innovation (SCPI) is housed within the SSOE and has been assisting industry and education since 1999.  SCPI was designed to give industry and entrepreneurs access to Pitt's state-of-the-art product development technology through the technical services of its talented students, world-class faculty and dedicated technical staff members. Clients connect with a high quality, one-stop job shop that provides efficient turnaround for product analysis and design, process design and development, rapid prototyping and reverse engineering, small-lot product manufacturing, and additive manufacturing.  SCPI includes four facilities the W.M. Keck Rapid Prototyping and Reverse Engineering Laboratory, the Kresge Rapid Manufacturing Laboratory, and the SSOE Machine and Electronics Shops all under the same SSOE-level administration to ensure close coordination, integrated operations  and sharing of resources  These facilities, described further below, house both traditional equipment as well as the latest in product development technologies, and will be made available as integral components of the Consortium.

The W.M. Keck Rapid Prototyping and Reverse Engineering Laboratory allows for the development and production of functional prototypes through the utilization of leading-edge rapid prototyping and reverse engineering technologies. This state-of-the-art laboratory helps faculty and students gain hands-on access to leading-edge rapid prototyping, automated machining and reverse engineering technologies.  Rapid prototyping describes the technology that produces models or prototype parts directly from 3D computer-aided design model data. The rapid prototyping systems in the W.M. Keck laboratory create prototypes from a variety of polymer-plastic materials layer by layer using thin, horizontal cross sections directly from a computer-generated model. When the computer-generated model is created from an existing part, the surface geometry is accurately reproduced in 3D through a computer-aided design system. This allows SCPI to quickly generate new prototypes or take ' existing prototype designs and change the specifications to create new prototypes with varying characteristics, significantly reducing the time needed for new and redesigned products to reach the market. Technology in this facility includes a 3D Systems (VIPER) Stereolithography (SLA) System, a Stratasys Dimension 1200EX Fused Deposition Modeler (FDM), a BF-B 3000 FDM, a Zcorp 310 3D Printer, a FARO Platinum Arm 3D Laser Scanner, a Minolta VIVID 910 Laser Camera Scanner, a Brown & Sharpe (Gage 2000) Coordinate Measurement Touch Probe, a Renishaw Cyclone Contact Scanner and a Master View Optical Gauging Machine.

The Kresge Rapid Manufacturing Laboratory completes the product development cycle within SCPI through the strength of today's manufacturing technology. This facility helps clients meet turnaround deadlines by rapidly fabricating small batches of new products using its state-of-the-art technology. To ensure quality control, two test cells within the lab enable the products to be put through the rigorous testing required for product design and improvement. Technology in this facility includes a Kern HSE 25 Laser Cutting Table, a Haas TM1-P 4 Axis CNC Machining Center, a Haas TL-1 CNC Lathe, a Hardinge Precision Toolroom Lathe, an MCP Vacuum Casting System, and a Morgan 15 Ton Injection Molding Machine.

The SSOE Machine Shop provides full-service conventional and CAD/CAM machining, precision grinding, cutting, shearing, welding, and CNC lathing and milling for a wide variety of materials. This facility prepares prototypes and custom-designed parts for every engineering discipline in the SSOE as well as other entities within the University including the School of Medicine, the School of Dental Medicine, and the Department of Physics.

The SSOE Electronics Shop provides a wide variety of electronics expertise to the SSOE including repair, laboratory support, and prototyping encompassing design, wiring, motors, sensors, computer A-D and D-A interfacing, and data acquisition and control using LabView and other software.