Research Overview
Research activities at the MTL span an extraordinarily broad set
of activities. If one were to identify a unifying theme associated
with those projects, it would be the system-level interest in micro-
and nano technology. The MTL represents a research community, which
brings together experimentalist skilled in materials and technology
at the micro and nano-levels jointly with circuits/systems
researchers to realize visions for new systems that are enabled
by the integration of these disciplines.
The MTL nano-micro fabrication facilities also serves as a campus
wide resource providing researchers access to a broad array of technologies
that can be employed across an enormous breadth of investigation.
Many of the research investigations conducted at the MTL can be
viewed by exploring our Annual
Report.
Research Centers
MTL is home to the following research centers:
- The Center for Integrated Circuits
and Systems (CICS) serves to promote closer technical
relation between MIT's Microsystems Technology Lab's
(MTL) research and industry, initiate and fund new research
in integrated circuits and systems, produce more students skilled
in the same area, address important research issues relevant to
industry, and solicit ideas for new research from industry.
- The vision of the Medical Electronic Device Realization Center (MEDRC) is to transform the medical electronic device industries: to revolutionize medical diagnostics and treatments, bringing health care directly to the individual; and to create enabling technology for the future information-driven healthcare system. Specific areas that show promise are wearable or minimally invasive monitoring devices, medical imaging, laboratory instrumentation, and the data communication from these devices and instruments to healthcare providers and caregivers.
- The MIT/MTL Center for Graphene Devices and Systems (MIT-CG) brings together, MIT researchers and industrial partners to advance the science and engineering of graphene-based technologies. The center explores advanced technologies and strategies that enable graphene-based materials, devices and systems to provide discriminating or break-through capabilities for a variety of system applications ranging from energy generation and smart fabrics and materials, to RF communications and sensing. The MIT-CG supports the development of the science, technology, tools and analysis for the creation of a vision for the future of graphene-enabled systems.
- The inter-departmental MIT/MTL Gallium Nitride (GaN) Energy Initiative (MIT-GaN) brings together, MIT researchers and industrial partners to advance the science and engineering of GaN-based materials and devices for energy applications. The Center explores advanced technologies and strategies that enable GaN-based materials, devices and systems to provide discriminating or break-through capabilities for a variety of system applications ranging from RF power amplification, to energy processing and power management, as well as advanced optoelectronics. The MIT-GaN is focused on GaN materials and devices which are compatible with Si fabrication technologies and works with industrial partners to accelerate the insertion of these devices into systems.
Programs & Initiatives
- The Digital Integrated
Circuits and Systems Group is involved with the
design and implementation of various integrated systems ranging
from ultra low-power wireless sensors and multimedia devices
to high performance processors. The research spans across multiple
levels of abstraction ranging from innovative new process technologies
and circuit styles to architectures, algorithms, and software
technologies. A key focus of this group is developing energy
efficient integrated solutions for battery operated systems.
- MARCO/DARPA Materials,
Structures, and Devices Focus Research Center
Research in this center is organized into five research themes.
Four of the themes concentrate on experimental research in science
and technology while the fifth collaborates with the other four
in addressing key technology and device issues by advanced modeling
and simulations. The themes are:
- Nano-engineered Materials and Devices
- Nano-tube and Nano-wire Devices
- Molecular Devices
- Spin-Based Quantum Devices
- Theory, Modeling and Simulation
