The researchers are developing soft, flexible electronics using nanomaterials, biosensors, and synthetic rubber-like polymers. Their soft, bioelectronic systems are distinct from conventional electronics, which have a hard and rigid structure. These low-profile systems are designed to have better contact and interaction with human tissue, including external (skin) and internal (organs) tissue. For example, nanotechnologies enable Dr. Yeo’s research group to deliver power to implantable sensors via coils less than a millimeter wide, eliminating the need for circuits and batteries.
Used for disease diagnosis and therapeutics, these systems also have potential for human-machine interfaces, allowing signals from a human user to control external hardware and software to operate robots or construction systems.
“I am currently working on around 20 different projects, 17 of which are biomedical devices,” said Dr. Yeo. “I just founded a company with my Ph.D. students that is working to develop wearable technologies that can measure heart and lung sounds and physiological signals for patients who need to be monitored continuously. This would replace a conventional stethoscope or similar device that needs to be applied by hand. It is like a small bandage that is connected to a smart phone or tablet and will show the heart or lung function data.”
Research Goals
- Flexible electronics: Applying research to develop soft and flexible wearable and implantable biomedical devices
- Biointerfaced devices: Incorporating biological feedback into biomedical solutions
- Nanomicrofabricated electronics: Integrating miniaturization into electronics
Activities
- Nanoengineering: Developing nanomaterials for flexible electronics
- Bioelectrical systems engineering: Developing sensor-based systems that eliminate the need for bulky circuits and batteries
- Human-machine interfaces: Integrating machine intelligence and soft electronics for health monitoring and diagnostic biomedical devices
Leadership
- NIH Trailblazer Young Investigator Award, the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2021
- 1st Place Award, SharQ Tank Innovation Competition, Global Center for Medical Innovation, 2021
- Outstanding Engineer Award, IEEE Atlanta Section Award, 2021
- Lucy G. Moses Lectureship in Medical Imaging and Bioengineering, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 2020
- Medtronic Design Competition Award, Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, 2020
- Sensors Young Investigator Award, Sensors, 2020
- IEEE Senior Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2019