People

Dr. Robert Hower’s doctoral research at the University of Michigan focused on reducing the size, improving the manufacturability and reproducibility, and increasing the yield of integrated chemical sensors and their packaging. His thesis work includes the fabrication of integrated arrays of potentiometric and optical chemical sensors, increasing the number of analytes detectable while further improving sensor accuracy and precision. Dr. Hower integrated CMOS circuitry into the chemical sensing devices, thereby reducing noise from the high impedance signals associated with sensors. Customized processes were designed and developed that allow all sensor processing to be performed after standard CMOS processing, so that standard CMOS circuits could be utilized. Additionally he developed a SOI CMOS process to produce the circuits at the University Solid-State electronics Laboratory. 

Work previously performed by others to reduce the size of the sensor dimensions resulted in compromised electrochemical performance. Dr. Hower has tuned his abilities to address these specific issues. He developed various micro-machining techniques for packaging schemes in addition to development of injection-molded packages for sensors.  

At Advanced Sensor Technologies, Dr. Hower had several research projects involved utilizing specially constructed MEMS sensors and actuators in biological applications. First, his research work developed a micro-fluidic system to enhance the capabilities of microscopic blood and biological fluid chemical sensing systems. Second, he developed an integrated array of sensors to monitor both neuro-chemical and action potentials for monitoring neural communication in cell cultures. Third, he developed both transdermal sampling and delivery systems to monitor and deliver minute quantities of biological fluids for closed loop monitoring of interstitial fluids and delivery of drugs. Finally, developed micro-three-dimensional micro-fluidic systems to improve the functionality and capabilities of biological chemical sensing systems, utilizing biocompatible materials, while maintaining the accuracy of conventional systems. All of these  projects demonstrated improvement of the biological sensing systems, as well as the design of integrated circuitry to: a) reduce environmental noise levels; b) reduce the number of interconnecting electronic leads from the sensors, c) improve temporal performance of the sensors, and d) reduce the power requirements of the devices. 

Following the breakup of Advanced Sensor Technologies, Dr. Hower began aiding the University of Michigan by improving the capabilities for processing in the Michigan Nanofabrication Facility (MNF). He currently is aiding researchers in developing new MEMS and nano-fabrication processes and characterizing the results. Numed Technologies is a newly formed company to allow the continued research and development of new medical devices and consulting with other local companies to improve the reproducibility and manufacturability of their new medical and MEMS devices.