Research Groups

Composite Materials Lab showing sample loading.

Composite Materials Laboratory

The Composite Materials Laboratory conducts research on improving mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of composites through the use of innovative processing techniques and nano-scale reinforcement. The lab is closely involved with the Institute for Ultra-Strong Composites (US-COMP), which is a NASA Space Technology Research Institute focused on developing novel ultra-strong and lightweight structural materials for use in deep space exploration.

The lab involves researchers in chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Contact: Gregory M. Odegard or Paul G. Sanders


Heldt Bioseparations Lab

Heldt Bioseparations Lab

The Heldt Bioseparations Lab focuses on the science of viral surface interactions and apply it to vaccine manufacturing and purification. We are interested in how viruses interact with different surfaces and chemistries. This could be important in how viruses infect cells, but we focus on how we can change surfaces to improve purification and manufacturing of viral therapies. Our goal is to better understand manufacturing and inactivation processes and bring viral therapies to market faster.

Contact: Caryn Heldt


Lab for Separation Technologies

LAboratory for Separation Technologies

The LAboratory for Separation Technologies (LAST) aims to advance knowledge base on intermolecular forces, kinetics and transport at fluid-gas and fluid-solid interfaces. Our group is developing mineral processing and extractive metallurgy technologies to support efficient and economic production of critical materials with a minimal life cycle impact. Another research thrust in our lab involves physical and chemical separation to recover value-added constituents from the current waste stream.

Contact: Lei Pan


Medical micro-Device Engineering Research Lab

Medical micro-Device Engineering Research Lab

Our M.D.-ERL group engineers medical diagnostic microdevices with a primary focus on human blood electrokinetics. Our goals are to develop portable, point-of-care tools providing rapid, quantitative results for disease diagnosis and monitoring. This approach will streamline disease identification and streamline treatment methods that can be better tailored to the patient.

Contact: Adrienne Minerick


Ong Research Lab

Ong Research

Biofuel and Bioproducts Laboratory

  • Environment, Biomass, and Process Interactions
  • Upgrading Waste Plastics
  • Bio-based Product Development

Contact: Rebecca G. Ong


Liu Research Group SCBSL

Smart Chemical and Biological Sensing Laboratory

The Smart Chemical and Biological Sensing Laboratory (SCBSL) at Michigan Technological University is an interdisciplinary lab that integrates advanced nanostructured materials, device design and data driven approaches to develop high performance chemical and biological sensing technologies. Our research interests include 1) electronic noses/tongues, bioinspired materials, and integrated sensing systems for applications in environment monitoring, smart agriculture, food assessment and healthcare; 2) machine learning assisted sensing material development.

Contact: Yixin Liu


“Lei Pan, an associate professor of chemical engineering at Michigan Technological University, has researched critical mineral recycling for years. In 2022, he was part of a team that partnered with Eagle Mine in the Upper Peninsula and was awarded a total of $10.6 million in federal dollars to research domestic battery recycling and reprocessing mine tailings.”Izzy Ross, Interlochen Public Radio