Aaron D. Mazzeo

Whitesides Group

Harvard University

amazzeo at gmwgroup.harvard.edu

Mobile: 1-617-888-0295 Lab: 1-617-495-9436

Professional Interests

Micro/nano manufacturing, design, control, modeling, mechatronics, metrology,

soft materials, energy harvesting, flexible electronics, robotics, combustion

 

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering, June 2009

Thesis: Centrifugal casting and fast curing of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for the manufacture of micro and nano featured components

 

Masters of Science, Mechanical Engineering, June 2005
Thesis: Accurate capacitive metrology for atomic force microscopy

 

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, June 2003    GPA: 5.0/5.0

Thesis: Redesign and testing of Limpet bellows (pump for drug delivery)

 

Research Experience

Harvard University, Whitesides Group, Postdoctoral Fellow (Aug 2009-present)

Advisor: George M. Whitesides (Dept. of Chemistry and Chemical Biology)

·         Paper-based Electronics and MEMS

Invention and development of accelerometers and capacitive, paper-based touch pads

·         Low-cost, Paper-based Diagnostics and Manipulation of Cells

Invention of a method for patterning PDMS on paper with contact printing

Development of algorithms for characterization of contact-printed areas

Development of a platform for individually addressable zones for paper-based manipulation of mammalian cells

·         Soft Robots

Design and modeling of pneumatically-driven, soft robotic components

Development of a system for real-time, pneumatic actuation of soft robots

Awarded grant proposal (collectively written by group members) for soft robotics (DARPA-BAA-10-65) worth more than $2 million over 4 years

·         Acoustic and Electric Extinction of Flames

Discovery and modeling of acoustic extinction of flames in resonant cavities

Development of systems for characterizing acoustic and electric extinction

·         InfoChemistry/InfoBiology

Invention of materials/biology for timed-release steganography

·         Self-assembly of Optical Components

Development of a method for fabricating meso-scale optical components

 

MIT Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity, Postdoctoral Associate

 (Jun 2009-Aug 2009)

Advisor: David E. Hardt (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering)

·         Double-sided Centrifugal Casting of Microfluidic Devices

Invention of a method for manufacturing micro-scale valves in opposite sides of a PDMS-molded, flexible substrate.

 

MIT Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity, Research Assistant (Sep 2006-Jun 2009)

Advisor: David E. Hardt (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering)

·         Centrifugal Casting and Fast Curing of Microfluidic Components

Invention of a method to mold micro/nano features, remove bubbles, and  control the thickness of thermoset-based parts

·         Numerical Simulations for Removal of Bubbles in Centrifugal Casting

Development of an iterative, numerical model to predict the behavior and removal of bubbles in centrifugal casting

·         Liquid-based Molding and Demolding of Components

Invention of a method for molding and removal of parts with smooth features

·         Metrology of Micro-molded Features

Development of algorithms and a technique for characterizing part-to-part variation of microfluidic channels

·         Hot Embossing of Microfluidic Components

Development of a method for single-step punching of through-holes and microfluidic channels

 

Fusion Optix, Startup Company Employee (Jun 2005-Aug 2006)

Managers: Chris Scott and Zane Coleman

·         Films of Thermoplastic Blends for Optical Scattering

Laboratory- and large-scale production of polymer-based, volumetric diffusing films

 

MIT Precision Motion Control Lab, Research Assistant (Sep 2003-Jun 2005)

Advisor: David L. Trumper (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering)

·         Accurate Capacitive Metrology for Atomic Force Microscopy

Development of accurate metrology for an atomic force microscope with a spherical target surrounded by a set of capacitive sensors

·         Fabrication of Low-cost Scanning Probes for Atomic Force Microscopy
Further development of a scanning probe based on a pulled optical fiber and a quartz tuning fork common to digital watches

 

MIT Bioinstrumentation Lab, Senior Thesis Student (Sep 2002-May 2003)

Advisor: Ian Hunter (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering)

·         Bellows for a Portable, Drug Delivery System

Development of an electrolysis-based pump with maximum expansion of approximately 650 microliters.

 

MIT, Undergraduate Researcher or UROP (Sep 2001-May 2002)

Advisor: Frank McClintock (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering)

·         Slip Line Fracture Mechanics

Modeling of fracture in Charpy-test specimens

 

Research Internships at ASML (twice) and Milliken Research Corporation

 

Awards/Honors

NSF Travel Grant of $750 for the ASME IMECE 2011 Micro/Nano Poster Forum (2011)

Runner-up at DARPA’s Info Chemistry II (2009)

NSF Travel Grant of $2,500 for ISNM in Singapore (2008)

MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering Nominee (within MIT) for King Abdullah

Scholar Award (2007)

Semi-finalist, MIT 6.270 Autonomous Robotic Design Competition (2003)

MIT Class of 1950 Scholar (2001-2003)

 

Teaching Experience

Mentor for Harvard and MIT Undergraduate Students (2007-present)

10 undergraduates and 3 senior theses

MIT Modeling, Dynamics, and Control, Teaching Assistant (Fall 2003 and 2004)

 

Principle Teaching Interests

Modeling and Control, Manufacturing, Design, Mechatronics, Instrumentation, Microfabrication, along with traditional subjects in mechanical engineering

 

Affiliations

Member, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

Member, ASM International

Team Director and VP of Internal Affairs, MIT VentureShips (2007-2009)

MIT Tutoring Chair, Pi Tau Sigma (2002-2003)

 

Publications

For access to restricted links, just send an email to Aaron.

 

Journal Articles

  1.  “Atomic force microscope for accurate dimensional metrology.” A. D. Mazzeo, A. J. Stein, D. L. Trumper, and R. J. Hocken. Precision Engineering.  Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 135-149, 2009.  Fifth “hottest article” in the journal (April to June 2009)  Online Record  Restricted Link

  2. “Millimeter-scale contact printing of aqueous solutions using a stamp made out of paper and tape.” C. -M. Cheng, A. D. Mazzeo*, J. Gong*, A. W. Martinez*, S. T. Phillips, N. Jain, and G. M. Whitesides, Lab on a Chip, Vol. 10, pp. 3201-3205. 2010.  *Equal Contributors.  Online Record Link

 

  1. “Soft robotics for chemists.” F. Ilievski, A. D. Mazzeo, R. F. Shepherd, X. Chen, and G. M. Whitesides. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. Vol. 50, pp. 1890 –1895, 2011.  Online Record  Link  Featured on the cover. 

 

4.      “Reconfigurable self-assembly of mesoscale optical components at a liquid-liquid interface.” S. K.Y. Tang, R. Derda, A. D. Mazzeo, and G. M. Whitesides. Advanced Materials. Vol. 23, Issue 21, pp. 2413–2418, 2011.   Online Record  Link

 

  1. “InfoBiology: arrays of microorganism colonies for timed and on-demand release of messages.” M. Palacios, E. Benito-Peña, M. Manesse, A. D. Mazzeo, C. LaFratta, G. M. Whitesides, and D. Walt. PNAS. Vol. 108, Issue 40, pp. 16510-16514, 2011.  Online Record  Link  Nature News  AAAS Science NOW

 

  1. “Bubble removal in centrifugal casting: combined effects of buoyancy and diffusion.”  A. D. Mazzeo, M. E. Lustrino, and D. E. Hardt. Polymer Engineering and Science. Vol. 52, Issue 1, pp. 80-90, 2012.  Published online on October 1, 2011. DOI: 10.1002/pen.22049  Online Record  Google: centrifugal casting bubble

 

  1. “Multi-gait soft robot.” R. F. Shepherd, F. Ilievski, W. Choi, S. A. Morin, A. A. Stokes, A. D. Mazzeo, X. Chen, M. Wang, and G. M. Whitesides. PNAS. Vol. 108, Issue 51, pp. 20400-20403, 2011.  Online Record  Link  Fox News with Bill Nye

 

  1. “Paper-based, Capacitive Touch Pads.” A. D. Mazzeo, W. B. Kalb, L. Chan, M. G. Killian, J.-F. Bloch, B. A. Mazzeo, and G. M. Whitesides. Advanced Materials.  Published online on April 27, 2012.  DOI: 10.1002/adma.201200137.  Early View Online  RSC Chemistry World  ChemistryViews  AAAS Science NOW

 

  1.  “Centrifugal casting of microfluidic components with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).”  A. D. Mazzeo and David E. Hardt. Submitted on February 13, 2012.

 

Handbook Article

  1. “Welding process fundamentals.” T. W. Eagar and A. D. Mazzeo.  Welding Fundamentals and Processes, Vol 6A, ASM Handbook, ASM International 2011. Revision of article published in 1993 release of Volume 6.  Online Record

 

Conference Proceedings

  1. “Slip line fracture mechanics applied to crack growth across fully plastic Charpy-type specimens.” F. A. McClintock, K. L. Dobson, A. D. Mazzeo, and R. L. Speth. Plasticity, Damage and Fracture at Macro, Micro and Nano Scales, Numerical Engineering Analysis and Testing Press, pp. 588-590, 2002.  Online Record

 

  1. “Atomic force microscope for accurate dimensional metrology.” A. D. Mazzeo, A. J. Stein, R. J. Hocken, and D. L. Trumper. In Proceedings of ASPE 20thAnnual Meeting, volume 37, pp. 295-298, 2005. Online Record  Link

 

  1. “Tooling for micro- and nano-imprinting and its consequences for manufacturing.” M. Dirckx, H. K. Taylor, A. D. Mazzeo, and D.E. Hardt. In Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Nanomanufacturing (ISNM), 2006.  Online Record  Restricted Link

  2. “Process selection for microfluidic device manufacturing.” A. D. Mazzeo, M. Dirckx, and D. E. Hardt. In Proceedings of the Society of Plastics Engineers Annual Technical Conference (ANTEC), 2007.  Online Record  Restricted Link

 

  1. “Production of micro-molding tooling by hot embossing.” M. Dirckx, A. D. Mazzeo, and D. E. Hardt. In Proceedings of the ASME 2007 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference, 2007.  Online Record  Restricted Link

  2. “Single-step through-hole punching by hot embossing.” A. D. Mazzeo, M. Dirckx, and D. E. Hardt. In Proceedings of the Society of Plastics Engineers Annual Technical Conference (ANTEC), 2007.  Online Record  Restricted Link
     
  3. “Single-step through-hole punching and double-sided hot embossing of microfluidic channels.” A. D. Mazzeo, N. Diaz, M. Dirckx, and D. E. Hardt. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Micromanufacturing (ICOMM), 2007.  Online Record  Restricted Link

  4. “Toward the manufacture of micro and nano features with curable liquid resins: mold materials and part-to-part dimensional variation.” A. D. Mazzeo and D. E. Hardt. In Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Nanomanufacturing (ISNM), January, 2008.  Online Record  Restricted Link

 

  1. “Evaluation of thermoplastic tools for hot micro-embossing.” M. Dirckx, A. D. Mazzeo, and D. E. Hardt. In Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Nanomanufacturing (ISNM), January, 2008.  Online Record  Restricted Link

 

  1. “Measuring polydimethylsiloxane shrinkage and distortion in the manufacturing of microfluidic devices.” E. Wong, V. Hong, A. D. Mazzeo, and J. H. Chun. In Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Nanomanufacturing (ISNM), January, 2008.  Online Record  Restricted Link

  2. “Review of production of microfluidic devices: material, manufacturing and metrology.” S. Li, Z. Xu, A. Mazzeo, D. J. Burns, G. Fu, M. Dirckx, V. Shilpiekandula, X. Chen, N. C. Nayak, E. Wong, S. F. Yoon, Z. P. Fang, K. Youcef-Toumi, D. Hardt, S. B. Tor, C. Y. Yue, and J. Chun. MEMS, MOEMS, and Micomachining III, Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 6993, 2008.  Online Record  Restricted Link

 

Filed Patents

  1. “Fast curable liquid resin procedure for the manufacture of micro/nano featured parts.”

A. D. Mazzeo, A. J. Schrauth, and D. E. Hardt. US Non-provisional Patent.  Publication number: US 2011/0254199 A1. Filed on 9/17/2009.  Published on 10/20/2011.

 

  1. “Soft robotic actuators.” F. Ilievski, X. Chen, A. Mazzeo, R. Shepherd, R. Martinez, W. J. Choi, and G. M. Whitesides. US Provisional Patent. Serial Number: 61/415,508. Filed on 11/19/2010.

 

  1. “Capacitive paper-based accelerometers.” A. D. Mazzeo, L. Chan, W. B. Kalb, X. Liu, G. M. Whitesides. US Provisional Patent 61/552,990.  Filed on 10/28/2011.

 

  1. “Capacitive paper-based touch pads.” A. D. Mazzeo, W. B. Kalb, L. Chan, B. A. Mazzeo, and G. M. Whitesides. US Provisional Patent 61/552,992. Filed on 10/28/2011.

 

  1. “Manipulation of flames and related methods and apparatus.” (A. D. Mazzeo, R. F. Shepherd, J. R. T. Barber, C. R. Mace, W. Choi, K. J. M. Bishop, L. Cademartiri)*, and G. M. Whitesides. US Provisional Patent 61/559,677. Filed on 11/14/2011.  *Order of authors will change on the non-provisional application.

 

  1. “Flexible robotic actuators.” A. D. Mazzeo, S. A. Morin, R. F. Shepherd, G. M. Whitesides, and W. B. Kalb. US Provisional Patent 61/588,596. Filed on 1/19/2012.

 

Theses

Redesign and testing of Limpet bellows (pump for drug delivery). A. D. Mazzeo. S.B. Thesis, MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2003.  Restricted Link

 

Accurate capacitive metrology for atomic force microscopy. A. D. Mazzeo. S.M. Thesis, MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2005. Online Record  Link  Restricted Link

 

Centrifugal casting and fast curing of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for the manufacture of micro and nano featured components. A. D. Mazzeo. Ph.D Thesis, MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2009. Online Record  Link  Restricted Link

 

 

 

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