Research

[ Mingjun's Research Interests | Introduction to General Interests | Projects ]

In 2011, our research was featured by the National Science Foundation Dicoveries webpage The Nanotechnology of Sundew and English Ivy.

In 2011, we reported the unique swimming mechanism of Giardia trophozoite in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). News about this research can be found here. We are currently studying a swimming micro-robot inspired by the unique swimming mechanism.

In 2010, we found that naturally occurring nanoparticles from Engish ivy could be used as an alternative to metal-based nanoparticles for UV protection (Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2010). The research received national media attention

  • Science Update from AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science). 08/04/2010.
  • Cosmetics and Toiletries magazine Au Naturale Nanoparticle Sun Protection.
  • Science Daily Nanoparticles in English Ivy May Hold the Key to Making Sunscreen Safer.
  • Physics News, Chemistry Times and R&D Magazine.
  • and more news.

    In 2008, we discovered that ivy secretes nanoparticles for surface climbing (Nano Letters, 2008). The discovery was highlighted by

  • Science Magazine on Editors' Choice columns: inching up the wall.
  • Nature Materials on Research Highlights: climbing secrets.
  • Chemical and Engineering News the Secret Of Ivy's Sticking Power.
  • Nature Nanotechnology on Research Highlights: Top down bottom up: Ivy league.
  • and more reports.

    Mingjun's Research Interest

    Learn nature's design principles for micro/nano-scale biological systems for engineering innovations. Nature often does the great things that are far beyond current human capabilities and imagination. The beauty is that there are always fundamental principles underneath complex system behaviors. Learning from biological systems in nature, especially at the nano-scale, is and will continue to inspire and guide many emerging approaches to research in terms of robotics, materials, design, control and systems theory. My current research focuses on

    1. Mechanobiology and Green Nanomanufacturing.

    2. Cell Motility and Control Theory for Cellular Systems.

    3. Bio-inspired Robotics and Bio-inspired Materials.

    4. Naturally Occurring Nanoparticles and Nanofibers.

    • Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering • University of Tennessee • Knoxville • Tennessee 37996-2030