Research Group
Optomechanical Biointerfaces
Group leader: Massimo De Vittorio
We use a combination of micro and nanotechnologies, functional materials, and nanophotonic and piezoelectric approaches to produce sensors that can record optical and biomechanical signals from the body and correlate them to physiological and pathological conditions. We also produce microactuators for controlling behavior and for drug delivery on demand.
Our technologies include i) photonic multimodal brain probes technologies for recording brain activity and for neuromodulation and tissue identification in animal models of brain disorders, ii) piezoelectric smart patches for unobtrusive biomechanical sensing (hearth activity, respiration, sleep …) and iii) biodegradable and functional piezoelectric materials and devices for ingestible applications and drug delivery on demand.
Our goal is to produce smart healthcare devices that are able to collect asymptomatic signals of conditions for early diagnosis and prompt closed-loop therapy.
The group is part of the Drug Delivery and Sensing (IDUN) section of the DTU HealthTech Department.
Projects
Ongoing research projects
SUstainable PiezoElectrics tRansducers for health (SUPER)
Piezoelectric materials are among the best candidates for the conversion between biomechanical and electrical signals. SUPER aims at developing an entire new class of efficient, safe, flexible piezoelectric transducers based on sustainable materials and technologies and at applying them for monitoring and controlling physiological parameters in humans and animal models.
The project ambition is to produce new technologies and methodologies with clinical relevance and to contribute to the discovery and treatment of the dysfunctions underlying the pathogenesis of selected conditions.
SUPER is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (grant n. NNF23OC0079433, 2023 Research Laureate Grant).
Group Leader
Massimo De Vittorio Department of Health Technology mdevit@dtu.dk
Massimo De Vittorio is Full Professor at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and principal investigator of the Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies of the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia in Lecce – Italy, where he has served as Director for the past 10 years. His research activity deals with the development of science and technology applied to nanophotonics, nanoelectronics, and nano and micro electromechanical systems (NEMS/MEMS) for applications in the fields of technology for healthcare and ICT. He is currently focusing his research on implantable probes for manipulating and recording brain activity and on wearable and skin sensors based on flexible piezoelectrics for monitoring and controlling pathophysiological signals and symptoms in real-time.
He is the recipient of the 2023 Novo Nordisk Foundation Research Laureate Award and of the Fellow Award from the International Micro and Nano Engineering Society (iMNEs).
Complete list of publications: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=23501214900
