USC Viterbi Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)

Faculty: Ellis Meng

Project Description: Implantable medical microdevices enable exciting possibilities such as communicating with neurons and monitoring disease conditions inside the body. Many of these devices rely on specialized thin-film polymers to electrically insulate them from fluids and tissues. However, the harsh environment inside the body can affect this insulation and cause the devices to fail. This project will involve making samples of specialized polymers in a microfabrication cleanroom, subjecting the samples to a simulated in vivo environment, and measuring their insulating qualities over time. The findings will tell researchers and engineers how they can best make implantable medical microdevices so that performance inside the body is reliable and long-lasting.

Prerequisites: Enrolled in engineeering, applied physics, physics, or related undergraduate program

biomems.usc.edu