Faculty Directory

Smela, Elisabeth

Smela, Elisabeth

Professor
Mechanical Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Maryland Robotics Center
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Brain and Behavior Institute
Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices
2112 Glenn L. Martin Hall
Website(s):

Background

Research Scientist, Linköping University, Sweden
Senior Scientist, Risø National Laboratory, Denmark
Vice President of Research and Development, Santa Fe Science and Technology, Inc. (SFST), New Mexico
University of Maryland since 2000

Education

Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania
B.S., Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Honors and awards

NSF Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), 2004
(converted from NSF CAREER for "Development of Advanced MEMS Actuator Technology for Microrobotics," 2003)

Outstanding Invention of 2004, Office of Technology Commercialization, UMD
for cell sensor-based pathogen detection

E. Robert Kent Teaching Award for Junior Faculty, UMD, 2004

DuPont Young Professor Award, 2003

Danish Research Councils Talent Project award, 1998

NSF Fellow, Summer Institute in Japan, 1991

 

Dr. Smela's research is primarily in the field of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), particularly polymer MEMS and bioMEMS. She focuses on the use of organic materials (from polymers to cells) in microsystems to realize microactuators, cell-based sensors, and CMOS/MEMS integrated systems.

Bio-Nose Technology: Conferring a Sense of Smell

NSF grant funds UMD-led team developing portable “nose” device.

Alum Timir Datta-Chaudhuri develops VNS biosensor for mice

The invention could transform bioelectronic medicine research.

UMD Researchers to Have a Strong Showing at ICRA 2021

The 2021 International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2021) will be held both in person and online from May 30 to June 5, 2021.

Search Initiated for New Clark School Dean

A national search has been initiated for a new Dean of the A. James Clark School of Engineering.

ECE Ph.D. student Timir Datta wins Graduate All-S.T.A.R. Fellowship

The fellowship honors scholarship, teaching, administration and research.

Miniature Robotics REU students give final presentations

Ten undergrads from around the country give talks on their summer projects.

Antbot research profiled in Pacific Standard magazine

Article explores potential of antbots in search and rescue operations

ISR organizes NSF Workshop on Micro, Nano, Biosystems

Event is held March 30-31 in Arlington, Va.

Pamela Abshire wins Kent Teaching Award

Chosen for engaged teaching, curriculum development and advising student research.

Systems Researchers Partner with Trento, Italy

Joint efforts to target bioengineering, renewable energy, nanomaterials, microsystems, education.