Bio

Bio

We are a curiosity driven research group working in the field of physical biology. Our approach brings together experimental and theoretical techniques from soft-condensed matter physics, fluid dynamics, theory of computation and unconventional micro and nano-fabrication to open problems in biology: from organismal to cellular and molecular scale. We design and build precision instrumentation including droplet microfluidic tools to probe and perturb biological machines and their synthetic analogues. Along the way, we invent novel technologies in global health context with clinical applications in extreme resource poor settings.

Academic Appointments

Honors & Awards

  • Pew Scholar, Pew Foundation (2013-2017)
  • Frederick E. Terman Fellow, Stanford University (2011-2013)
  • TED Senior Fellow, Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) (2011-2013)
  • Junior Fellow (Physics), Harvard Society of Fellows (2008-2011)
  • Lemelson MIT Student Finalist Award, Lemelson Foundation (2008)
  • MIT Ideas Sustainability Prize, MIT (2003)

Professional Education

  • Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Field of Study: Applied Physics (MAS) (2008)
  • M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Field of Study: Applied Physics (MAS) (2004)
  • B.Tech, Indian Institute of Technology, Field of Study: Computer Science and Engineering (2002)

Community and International Work

  • Low-cost scanning of oral cavity, Kenya and India

    Topic

    oral cancer

    Location

    International

    Ongoing Project

    Yes

    Opportunities for Student Involvement

    Yes

Contact

Links

Teaching

2013-14 Courses

Postdoctoral Advisees

Graduate and Fellowship Programs

Publications

Journal Articles

  • The hungry fly: Hydrodynamics of feeding in the common house fly PHYSICS OF FLUIDS Prakash, M., Steele, M. 2011; 23 (9)

    View details for DOI 10.1063/1.3640023

    View details for Web of Science ID 000295621800010

  • Face-selective electrostatic control of hydrothermal zinc oxide nanowire synthesis NATURE MATERIALS Joo, J., Chow, B. Y., Prakash, M., Boyden, E. S., Jacobson, J. M. 2011; 10 (8): 596-601

    Abstract

    Rational control over the morphology and the functional properties of inorganic nanostructures has been a long-standing goal in the development of bottom-up device fabrication processes. We report that the geometry of hydrothermally grown zinc oxide nanowires can be tuned from platelets to needles, covering more than three orders of magnitude in aspect ratio (~0.1-100). We introduce a classical thermodynamics-based model to explain the underlying growth inhibition mechanism by means of the competitive and face-selective electrostatic adsorption of non-zinc complex ions at alkaline conditions. The performance of these nanowires rivals that of vapour-phase-grown nanostructures, and their low-temperature synthesis (<60 °C) is favourable to the integration and in situ fabrication of complex and polymer-supported devices. We illustrate this capability by fabricating an all-inorganic light-emitting diode in a polymeric microfluidic manifold. Our findings indicate that electrostatic interactions in aqueous crystal growth may be systematically manipulated to synthesize nanostructures and devices with enhanced structural control.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/NMAT3069

    View details for Web of Science ID 000293000000019

    View details for PubMedID 21743451

  • Interfacial Propulsion by Directional Adhesion International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics Manu Prakash, John W. M. Bush 2011; 46 (4): 607-615
  • Surface tension transport of prey by feeding shorebirds: The capillary ratchet SCIENCE Prakash, M., Quere, D., Bush, J. W. 2008; 320 (5878): 931-934

    Abstract

    The variability of bird beak morphology reflects diverse foraging strategies. One such feeding mechanism in shorebirds involves surface tension-induced transport of prey in millimetric droplets: By repeatedly opening and closing its beak in a tweezering motion, the bird moves the drop from the tip of its beak to its mouth in a stepwise ratcheting fashion. We have analyzed the subtle physical mechanism responsible for drop transport and demonstrated experimentally that the beak geometry and the dynamics of tweezering may be tuned to optimize transport efficiency. We also highlight the critical dependence of the capillary ratchet on the beak's wetting properties, thus making clear the vulnerability of capillary feeders to surface pollutants.

    View details for DOI 10.1126/science.1156023

    View details for Web of Science ID 000255868300042

    View details for PubMedID 18487193

  • Microfluidic bubble logic SCIENCE Prakash, M., Gershenfeld, N. 2007; 315 (5813): 832-835

    Abstract

    We demonstrate universal computation in an all-fluidic two-phase microfluidic system. Nonlinearity is introduced into an otherwise linear, reversible, low-Reynolds number flow via bubble-to-bubble hydrodynamic interactions. A bubble traveling in a channel represents a bit, providing us with the capability to simultaneously transport materials and perform logical control operations. We demonstrate bubble logic AND/OR/NOT gates, a toggle flip-flop, a ripple counter, timing restoration, a ring oscillator, and an electro-bubble modulator. These show the nonlinearity, gain, bistability, synchronization, cascadability, feedback, and programmability required for scalable universal computation. With increasing complexity in large-scale microfluidic processors, bubble logic provides an on-chip process control mechanism integrating chemistry and computation.

    View details for DOI 10.1126/science.1136907

    View details for Web of Science ID 000244069000065

    View details for PubMedID 17289994

  • The Integument of Water-walking Arthropods: Form and Function Advances in Insect Physiology John W. M. Bush, David L. Hu, Manu Prakash 2007; 34: 117-192

Conference Proceedings

  • Probing the Mechanical Coupling of the Cell Membrane to the Nucleus with Vertical Nanopillar Arrays Hanson, L., Urzay, J., Lin, Z., Zhao, W., Prakash, M., Cui, B. CELL PRESS. 2013: 546A-546A

    View details for Web of Science ID 000316074305286

  • Hydraulic stress induced bubble nucleation and growth during pupal metamorphosis Prakash, M. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2012: E140-E140

    View details for Web of Science ID 000303165001028

  • Flying in two dimensions Prakash, M., Donald, K. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2012: E141-E141

    View details for Web of Science ID 000303165001029

  • Hydraulic stress induced bubble nucleation and growth during pupal metamorphosis PRAKASH, M. AMER SOC CELL BIOLOGY. 2011

    View details for Web of Science ID 000305505501236

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