- Assistant Professor of Economics, College of Business
- jlapries@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2223
- Academic Office Building 123
Teaching Interests
- Principles of Economics
- Microeconomics
- Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
Research Interests
- Coupled human and environmental systems
- Fishery economics and management
- Computable General Equilibrium Modeling
- Regional economic modeling
- Research Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- aasthana@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2637
- M & M Building 435
Teaching Interests
- Electron Microscopy
- X-ray Diffraction
- Solid State Physics
- Nanotechnology
- Electronic Materials
Research Interests
- Nanomaterials, Semiconductors, Superconductors, Giant Magnetoresistance Materials, Magnetic Materials
- Materials Characterization by SEM, TEM, X-ray Diffraction, Raman Spectroscopy and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy
- Applications of Nanomaterials in Electronics, Energy Harvesting and Quantum Switching
- In-Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy
- Mechanics of Nanomaterials and Composites
- Electron Transport Properties of Nanomaterials and Composites
- Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- ebarziv@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3151
- MEEM 1012
Areas of Expertise
- Clean Coal Combustion
- Fuel Switching in Coal Power Plants
- Torrefaction and pyrolysis of Biomass
Links of Interest
Solvent-targeted Recovery and Precipitation (STRAP) Application
Research Interests
- Emissions from Coal Power Plants
- Simulation of Operation of Coal Power Plants
- Torrefied-biomass (biocoal) as a Renewable Clean Replacement of Coal
- Kinetics of Torrefaction and Pyrolysis of Biomass
- Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Affiliated Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- paulb@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2058
- EERC 630
Links of Interest
Areas of Interest
- Micro-electromechanical systems
- Micromachining materials and process technologies
- Inertial pressure
- Nanoscaled technologies enabling nanoelectronic devices
- Technologies for the monolithic integration of sensors and actuators with electronics
- Professor, Chemical Engineering
- Affiliated Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- caneba@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2051
- H-STEM 252
Research Interests
- Controlled chain polymerizations
- Radiation-Initiated FRRPP
- Thermoreversible Nanobiomaterials
- Sustainability polymer materials/systems
- Enhanced oil recovery and cleanup operations
- Mathematical modeling/computer simulation of dynamic systems
- Carbon Nanotube/polymer composites
- Associate Professor, Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
- Witte Family Endowed Faculty Fellow in Mining Engineering
- schatte1@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2516
- Dow 625
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Generative AI for mine safety
- Remote sensing for critical mineral exploration
- InSAR for mining hazards
- Geophysical inversion using deep learning
- Stochastic resource modeling and stochastic optimization in mining
Teaching Interests
- Mine Planning and Design
- Mineral Resource Estimation
- Mining System Reliability and Optimization
- Geostatistics and Data Analysis
- Assistant Professor of Economics, College of Business
- leconn@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2809
- Academic Office Building 125
Teaching Interests
- Labor Economics
- Economic Decision Analysis
- Microeconomic Theory
Research Interests
- Labor Economics
- Economics of Gender
- Public Policy
- Applied Microeconomics
- Distinguished Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- Richard Witte Endowed Professorship
- jwdrelic@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2932
- M & M Building 506
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Biodegradable metals
- Temporary medical implants
- Wetting of solids and liquids
- Characterization and modification of materials’ surfaces
- Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Endowed Faculty Fellow
- Director, Graduate Programs, Chemical Engineering
- tceisele@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2017
- HSTEM 237
Research Interests
- Particulate processing
- Chemistry and thermodynamics of metals extraction; physical separation processes,
- Sustainable raw materials production
- Research Engineer/Scientist II, Materials Science and Engineering
- pdfraley@mtu.edu
- 906-281-7720
- M & M Building 522
Research Interests
- Lightweight/High Strength Structural Materials
- Metal Matrix Composites
- Alloy Development
- Net Shape Processing Methods
- Powder Metallurgy
- Failure Mechanisms in Materials
- Research Scientist, Materials Science and Engineering
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- efragafr@mtu.edu
- Cell: 906-299-2714
- M&M 622
Links of Interest
Specialties
- TEM
- STEM
- EELS
- EFTEM
- EDX
- Electron Diffraction (SAD, CBED, NBD)
Research Interests
- Nanostructured materials characterization
- Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- agglover@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2601
- M&M 505
Research Interests
- Mechanical behavior of materials
- Strengthening mechanisms
- Deformation processing and design for manufacturing
- Steels
- Shape memory alloys
- Deformation induced phase transformations
- Diffraction
- Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- Affiliated Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- Affiliated Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
- jgoldman@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2851
- H-STEM 359
Research Interests
- The biology and physiology of the lymphatic and blood vascular systems including vascular regeneration, remodeling and pathology
- Vascular biomaterials, including polymeric, natural, and metallic, for vascular repair and regeneration
- Professor Emeritus, Materials Science and Engineering
- Adjunct Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- hackney@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2170
- M & M Building 508
Teaching Interests
- Electron microscopy
- Materials characterization
- Thermodynamics and kinetics
- Electronic materials
- Senior design
Research Interests
- Lithium ion batteries, ceramic battery materials
- Surface and interface dynamics
- Thin films and nanostructures
- Thermodynamics
- Magnetic materials
- Diffusional instabilities and applications of electron microscopy
- Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering
- Affiliated Assistant Professor, CEGE and Social Sciences
- Faculty Advisor, Green Campus Enterprise
- rhandler@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3612
- H-STEM 235
Courses
- ENG 4515/5515 Introduction to Sustainability and Resilience
- ENG 4525/5525 Systems Analysis for Sustainability and Resilience
- CM 3980 Sustainable Chemical Engineering
- Green Campus Enterprise
Research Interests
- Life-cycle assessment
- Sustainability and resilience
- Food, Energy, and Water systems
- Sustainable materials and manufacturing
- Ecosystem services
- Aquaponics and hydroponics
- Professor, Chemistry
- paheiden@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3452
- Chem Sci 415
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Synthesizing, processing, and characterizing polymers and composites or nanoparticles
- Stimulus-response nanoparticles for drug delivery
- Electrospinning of nanofibers for tissue scaffolds
- Structured nanoparticles for low-leaching wood preservation
- Biocomposites and biofibers
- Studies of controlled nanoscale interfaces of rice-hull reinforced composites
- Engineered wood- or biopolymer-reinforced composites having improved processing, longevity, moisture resistance, and mechanical properties
Allison M. Hein
- Research Engineer/Scientist I, Institute of Materials Processing (IMP)
- Staff, Materials Science and Engineering
- amhein@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1821
- M & M Building 509
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Beneficiation of coal, minerals, and solid waste.
- Plating sludge leaching and pyro processing.
- Environmental compliance and permits.
- Technical and financial project planning and reporting.
Allison M. Hein
- Research Engineer/Scientist I, Institute of Materials Processing (IMP)
- Staff, Materials Science and Engineering
- amhein@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1821
- M & M Building 509
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Beneficiation of coal, minerals, and solid waste.
- Plating sludge leaching and pyro processing.
- Environmental compliance and permits.
- Technical and financial project planning and reporting.
- Professor of Practice, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Affiliated Professor of Practice, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Director, Machining and Additive Manufacturing Facilities
- nvhendri@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2424
- EERC 327
Research Interests
- Automation of manufacturing processes
- Additive, subtractive, hybrid manufacturing systems
Teaching Interests
- Fundamentals of Machine Tool Technology
- Computer Aided Manufacturing
- Applied Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
- Design for Additive Manufacturing
- Research Engineer I, Materials Science and Engineering
- imwakeha@mtu.edu
- M & M Building 206
Specialties
- STEM Imaging and EDS
- SEM Imaging and EDS
- EBSD
- Metallography
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Sample Preparation Techniques
- carbon extraction replica
- electropolishing
- carbon coating
- cross sectional polishing
- anodizing, and so on
- XRD
- Mechanical Testing
- MatLab
- AZtec
- Thermo-Calc
- Altair Inspire Extrude
- Olympus Stream Essentials
Peter Jaszczak
- Lab Associate, Materials Science and Engineering
- peterjas@mtu.edu
- M & M 203
Specialties
- EDM maintenance and machining
- Sample prep and polish including electro-polish
- Monitor furnaces and assist pours in the foundry
- Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- kampe@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2036
- M & M Building 606
Research Interests
- Microstructural mapping in laser additive manufactured titanium
- Modeling and characterization of Nextel® reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites
- Reactive synthesis processes
- Thermomechanical processing
- Co-deformation of multiphase alloys
- Mechanisms of strengthening
- Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- kampe@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2036
- M & M Building 606
Research Interests
- Microstructural mapping in laser additive manufactured titanium
- Modeling and characterization of Nextel® reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites
- Reactive synthesis processes
- Thermomechanical processing
- Co-deformation of multiphase alloys
- Mechanisms of strengthening
- Assistant Professor, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Affiliated Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Faculty Advisor, Advanced Metalworks Enterprise
- dmlabyak@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3658
- EERC 310
Research Interests
- Biomechanics—Solid Mechanics
- Head Impacts
- Helmet Performance and Design
- Solid Mechanics
- Finite Element Analysis and Vibration Analysis
- Manufacturing
- Machinability of Metals
Specialties
- Understanding football helmet design and performance
- Solid mechanics and finite element analysis methods
- Helping student groups with design and analysis of components
- Vibration analysis
- Shock analysis methods
- Senior Research Engineer/Scientist II
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- ealaitil@mtu.edu
- 906-369-2041
- M & M Building 628
Links of Interest
Teaching Interests
- Focus on X-ray diffraction techniques
Research Interests
- X-ray diffraction theory and applications
- Mechanical alloying
- Intermetallic materials
- Physical metallurgy
- Nanoscale materials
- Materials characterization
- Powder metallurgy
- Associate Dean for Research
- Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- Director, Rail Transportation Program, Michigan Tech Transportation Institute
- ptlautal@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3547
- Dillman 318, M&M 707
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Rail and highway transportation / engineering
- Highway-rail grade crossing and trespasser safety
- Multimodal transportation; planning, policy, supply chain logistics and economics
- Sustainability of transportation and life cycle/life cycle cost analysis
- Railway capacity analysis and modeling
- Curriculum and engineering education development
- Industry/university collaboration
- Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- bplee@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3262
- H-STEM 337
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Biomimetic, bio-inspired materials
- Biointerface
- Antimicrobial and antifouling coatings
- Polymer chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Tissue adhesives
- Research Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- trleftwi@mtu.edu
- M & M Building 633
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Surfaces and interfaces
- Surface functionalization, thin films, photovoltaics and catalytic surfaces
- Material characterization by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS (ESCA)), SEM, Auger and Raman spectroscopy
- Professor, Physics and Materials Science and Engineering
- mlevy@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2084
- Fisher 115
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Photonics
- Nonreciprocal Phenomena
- Research Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- boli@mtu.edu
- 906-487-4325
- M & M Building 511
Research Interests
- Porous ceramics
- Phase transformation
- inorganic nonmetallic materials
- Antimicrobial behavior of materials
- Materials characterization
- Mineral processing and applications
- Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Affiliated Professor, Physics
- ctmiddle@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1622
- EERC 628
Links of Interest
Plexus Supports MTU Students and Innovation in New Electronics Lab
Areas of Interest
- Integrated optical devices
- Electronic substrate manufacturing and design
- Director, Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory (ACMAL)
- Staff, Materials Science and Engineering
- eafraki@mtu.edu
- Cell: 906-370-6538
- M & M Building 717
- Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- muellerj@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3745
- M & M Building 503
Research Interests
- Physical Metallurgy
- Phase Transformations
- Thermodynamics
- Microstructure Evolution
- Heat Treatment of Metals and Alloys
- Calorimetric and Dilatometric
- Characterization of Materials
- Microstructure-Mechanical Property Relationships
- High Strength-High Toughness Materials
- Fracture/Rupture of Materials
- Steels
- Welding
- Heavy-Industry Manufacturing
- Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Affiliated Assistant Professor, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Director, Michigan Tech Center for AI; Coordinator, MTU NIST PREP Program
- vinhn@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3110
- MEEM 926
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Advanced manufacturing
- Industry 4.0
- Human-robot-machine interaction
- Physics-based/data-driven modeling
- Manufacturing process monitoring
- Industrial automation
- University Professor
- John O. Hallquist Endowed Chair in Computational Mechanics, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Affiliated Professor, Materials Science and Engineering and ASME Faculty Advisor
- gmodegar@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2329
- MEEM 805
Links of Interest
Areas of Expertise
- Mechanics of Materials
- Materials Science
Research Interests
- Computational Mechanics
- Computational Materials Science
- Computational Chemistry
- Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering
- leipan@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2569
- HSTEM 236
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Particulate Separation
- Surface Chemistry
- Process Modelling
- Graduate Director of Physics
- Professor, Physics
- patir@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3193
- Fisher 218
Links of Interest
Specialties
- Quantum Materials
- Associate Professor, Chemistry
- Affiliated Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- kaperrin@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3214
- Chem Sci 402C
Links of Interest
- Perrine Research Group
- Positions are open for undergraduate, masters, and PhD students.
- Google Scholar Publications
- ORCID
Research Interests
- Surface chemistry and interfacial science
- Bridging reactions at the gas/solid and liquid/solid interfaces under model (ultra-high vacuum) and real (near ambient pressure) conditions
- Growth, properties, and reactions on complex surfaces for energy and environmental applications
- Designing metal and oxide architectures and nanostructured materials using tailored bottom-up approaches; growth techniques including, atomic layer deposition, physical vapor deposition, self-assembly, solution nucleation
Matthew Portfleet
- Director Mine Safety Program, Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
- Cell: 906-231-7127
- Dow 620
- Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- Affiliated Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
- smithar@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3230
- H-STEM 338
Links of Interests
Research Interests
- Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) and Nanotechnology
- Microfluidics for cancer research
- Microenvironment platforms to characterize cellular interactions
- Sensors and devices for biomedical sensing and implantable devices
"Every artist, every scientist, must decide NOW where they stand. They have no alternative. There is no standing above the conflict on Olympian heights. There are no impartial observers. Through the destruction-in certain countries-of the greatest of human literary heritages, through the propagation of false ideas of racial and national superiority, the artist, the scientist, the writer is challenged. The struggle invades the formerly cloistered halls of our universities and other seats of learning. The battlefront is everywhere. There is no sheltered rear. The artist must take sides. They must elect to fight for freedom or slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative."
—Paul Robeson, 1958, Here I Stand
—Paul Robeson, 1958, Here I Stand
- Assistant Professor of Geography
- marhodes@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2459
- Schedule an Appointment
Research Interests
- Post-Industrial Geographies & Heritage
- National Identity in the 21st Century
- Cultural Sustainability and Sustainable Tourism
- Political Ecology, Place, & Memory
- Critical Geographies & Memorial Landscapes
Areas of Expertise
- Memory and Memorialization
- Heritage Institutions
- Cultural Landscape
- Welsh Studies
- Historical Geography
- Cultural Geographies
- Associate Professor of History
Areas of Expertise
- Commodity history
- Global economic and business history
- History of colonialism
- Food history
- Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- tsain@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2977
- MEEM 921
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Multiscale, multiphysics modeling of aging in polymers & polymer composites
- Degradation of metallic implants in physiological environment
- Fracture, damage and impact behavior on materials
- Analysis, design and testing of novel multifunctional lightweight polymer composite materials
- Patrick S. Horvath Endowed Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
- Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) Key Professor
- Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) Foundation Steel Professor
- sanders@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2339
- M & M Building 501
Teaching Interests
- Lead MSE undergraduate senior design program: integrate mechanistic models, ICME tools, experiments, and statistics
- Apply design knowledge via real-world, industry-sponsored projects
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Alloy design in Al, Cu, Fe, Ni, and MPEAs
- Apply ICME and statistical tools with machine learning and DOEs in alloy optimization
- Verify via production through casting, wrought processing (extrusion, rolling, drawing, swaging), and/or (wire) additive manufacturing
- Applications in sustainability (recycling), transportation (lightweighting), and efficiency (thermal stability)
"Whereas innovation, in the backwards reading of creativity, lies outside of time, improvisation, in a forward reading, is inherently temporal."
—Elizabeth Hallam and Tim Ingold (2007) Creativity and Cultural Improvisation. Berg, New York.
—Elizabeth Hallam and Tim Ingold (2007) Creativity and Cultural Improvisation. Berg, New York.
- Associate Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology
Links of Interest
- Industrial Archaeology Graduate Program
- Society for Historical Archaeology
- Society for Industrial Archaeology
- The International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage
- Historical Archaeology Group on LinkedIn
- Register of Professional Archaeologists
- Academia.edu
- ResearchGate
- Google Scholar
- Digital Commons
Research Interests
- Historical and Industrial Archaeologies
- Heritage and Energy Systems, Sustainability and Development
- Creativity and Work Process
- Remote Sensing, Survey, and Geospatial Sciences
- Heritage, Placemaking, and Culture Building
- Archaeometry and Conservation Sciences
- Community-based scholarship, public science/humanities
- Engineer/Scientist, Materials Science and Engineering
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- Undergraduate Academic Advisor, Materials Science and Engineering
- djseguin@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3375
- M & M Building U101
Advising Contact
Teaching Interests
- Senior design
- Corrosion
- Mechanical behavior of materials
- Materials characterization
Research Interests
- Corrosion
- Environmental effects
- Deformation processing
- Light metals
- Research Professor, Chemical Engineering
- Robbins Chair in Sustainable Use of Materials
- drshonna@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3468
- Dow 840A
Research Interests
- Bioprocess engineering
- Alternative energy/Biofuels
- Sustainability
Russell Stein
- Research Engineer/Scientist II, Materials Science and Engineering
- restein@mtu.edu
- 906-281-8639
- M & M Building 202
- Associate Professor, Physics
- jsuh@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2272
- Fisher 113
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Light-matter interactions and quantum optics on nanoscale platforms (i.e. nanostructures)
- Coherent and nonlinear processes in metal or semiconductor nanocavities
- Time-resolved laser spectroscopy and nanofabrications
- Professor Emeritus and Research Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
Teaching Interests
- Materials Characterization
- Cementitious Materials
- Concrete & Concrete-Making Materials
Research Interests
- Materials Characterization
- Cementitious Materials
- Concrete & Concrete-Making Materials
- Concrete Durability
- Secondary & Recycled Materials
- Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Director, Multi-Scale Technologies Institute (MuSTI)
- SAE Aero Faculty Advisor
- ktajiri@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2675
- MEEM 932
Links of Interest
Areas of Expertise
- Ex-situ and in-situ characterization of transport properties through porous media
- Proton exchange membrane fuel cell in-situ diagnostics and modeling
- Fuel cell systems modeling and analysis
- Primary / secondary metal-air battery diagnostics and modeling
- Gas-liquid two-phase flows in microchannels
- Shock wave compression in microchannels
Research Interests
- Transport phenomena in multiscale/multiphase systems
- Thermo-fluid system diagnostics, modeling, and optimization
- Polymer electrolyte fuel cells for automotive application
- Renewable energy
- Combustion dynamics modeling
- Senior Geospatial Research Scientist
- Visiting Assistant Professor, Social Sciences
- djtrepal@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3580
- GLRC 303
Education
- PhD, Industrial Heritage and Archaeology, Michigan Technological University
- MS, Industrial Archaeology, Michigan Technological University
- BS, Anthropology and History, Cleveland State University
Research Interests
- Industrial and Urban Archaeology
- Historical GIS
- Deindustrialization
- Industrial Landscapes
- The Archaeology of Brownfields
- Spatial Analysis of Historical Industrial Pollutants
- Big Data Approaches to Archaeology
- Publicly-engaged Scholarship
- Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- sriramv@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1466
- M & M Building 504
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Understanding microstructural evolution in materials under complex thermal conditions
- Electron microscopy
- Phase transformations
- Process-structure-property relationships of additively manufactured builds
- Materials for nuclear reactor applications
- Thin films
- In situ TEM
- Strategies for high-throughput characterization of materials
Thomas Wood
- Senior Research Engineer/Scientist I, Materials Science and Engineering
- tdwood@mtu.edu
- 906-281-6258
- M & M Building 207
- Associate Professor of Economics, College of Business
- emolivei@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2301
- Academic Office Building 127
Teaching Interests
- Macroeconomics
- Monetary Theory and Policy
- International Economics
- Economic Decision Analysis
Research Interests
- Barriers to technological adoption
- Entrepreneurship
- Institutions and regulation
- Informal economy
- Growth and development
- Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- Affiliated Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
- chunxiuy@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2353
- Dow 528
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Neuroengineering
- Brain Stimulation (Optogenetic and Electrical)
- Neural Signal Processing
- Brain-Computer Interface
- Brain and Behavior (Parkinson's Disease, Depression, Stroke, and Addiction)
BME Research Areas
- Biosensors and Biomedical Instrumentation
- Biomedical Optics and Ultrasound
- Adjunct Associate Professor, Physics
Specialties
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
- Bio-nanotechnology