Micro and Nano-scale Transport Laboratory (MNT Lab) is located at the first floor of the Quantum-Nano Centre, QNC 1512, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN).
Dr. Mitra's visionary research in interfacial science and wetting phenomena at the micro and nano-scale has unlocked groundbreaking pathways for materials discovery and technological innovation. His pioneering work addresses some of humanity's most pressing challenges across the energy, environment, and health domains. By harnessing the power of micro and nanotechnology, Dr. Mitra has developed cutting-edge solutions for enhanced oil and gas extraction, sustainable bio-energy production through coal bioconversion, and affordable, efficient water quality monitoring. His research has also led to the creation of transformative health diagnostics for vector-borne, viral, bacterial, and cardiac diseases. Dr. Mitra's seminal contributions to interfacial science through the novel liquid-liquid encapsulation technology has opened up exciting new frontiers in drug delivery, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and food & beverages, enabling the development of advanced materials and methods that promise to reshape these industries. Furthermore, Dr. Mitra's ingenious approach to confining water molecules within angstrom-scale spaces has yielded pioneering techniques for ion trapping, paving the way for next-generation sensing, purification, and energy storage applications. Through his multidisciplinary research at the intersection of fundamental science and real-world impact, Dr. Mitra is not only pushing the boundaries of knowledge but also driving the creation of technologies that have the potential to transform our world for the better. Current research projects at MNT Lab can be viewed on the research page.
News
Redefining physics to roll a ball vertically
Waterloo researchers discover how to make a soft ball roll – not fall, slide or tumble – down a vertical surface that “challenges our basic understanding of physics”
The academic journal Soft Matter, which published a study on the work, Spontaneous rolling of a soft sphere on a vertical soft substrate, said in a summary that the discovery “challenges our basic understanding of physics.”
In practical terms, Mitra said, the finding could be used in the development of soft robots to inspect pipes, explore cave systems, or assist in the manufacturing of better equipment for missions to Mars or other space exploration endeavors.
“This opens up a whole new way of thinking about movement on vertical surfaces,” said Mitra. “Currently, robots and vehicles are limited to horizontal or slightly inclined surfaces. This discovery could change that.”
The research teams also included Dr. Boxin Zhao, a professor of chemical engineering at Waterloo, and post-doctoral fellows Dr. Surjyasish Mitra and Dr. A-Reum Kim.
For details, click here.
This Male Fertility Test Makes Assessing Sperm Health a More Accurate At-Home Affair
A new study suggests a way to more accurately test sperm health from home.
MME Professor Dr. Sushanta Mitra led a research team with two postdoctoral fellows, Shirshendu Misra and Sudip Shyam, and a professor in systems design engineering, to discover a simpler method to test the fertility of male sperm. Through their research they have found a positive correlation between sperm cell activity and droplet adhesion. This discovery could lead to the development of at-home strip test kits that can assess the viability of sperm cells.
Dr. Suhsanta Mitra collaborated with systems design professor Dr. Veronika Magdanz, because of her expertise on sperm cell behaviour. Meanwhile, the team led by Dr. Mitra used their knowledge used their knowledge that spanned multiple engineering disciplines with interface science to approach this topic in a new direction.
For details, click here.
Uncovering how harmful microplastics stick to coral reefs
Waterloo engineering researchers discover secreted mucus traps microplastics floating in the ocean.
"By understanding the forces involved in microplastic adhesion, we can design solutions that not only prevent further harm, but also mitigate further microplastic pollution in coral reefs," said Dr. Sushanta Mitra, executive director of the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology.
The study, which also included Dr. A. Reum Kim, a post-doctoral fellow at Waterloo, recently appeared in ACS ES&T Water.
For details, click here.