Current Research

BioMedical Nanoelectronics Research

Biomedical Nanoelectronics and Neurotransistor

A "neurotransistor" connects a network of living brain cells wired together to a transistor incorporated on a silicon chip using nanotechnology. An individual neuron is attached to the gate of a neurotransistor and feeds essential nutrients and grows dendrites that branch out and make connections with other neurons attached to the gates of other neurotransistors. As a result each neuron can be recorded and manipulated by the transistor. This novel technology is used in studying the development of living neural networks. This “hybrid” neural network will allow the study of how neurons maintain and change their interconnections with time. It will also enable the study of chemical reactions at the “synapses” for long periods of time.

These biochips are of extremely small size (smaller than the thickness of a hair) and are being fabridated using nanotechnology. A biochip with memory and sensors (just like a computer chip) may mimic the function of neurons in the brain (neurons are brain cells). Silicon Germanium Bio-Electronics nanotechnology is being developed for the investigation of living neural networks of the brain. The chip can be used to replace the damaged part of the brain for Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s.

Silicon-Germanium Nanotechnology for Microwave Applications

Silicon germanium (SiGe) nanotechnology is being developed for the investigation of low noise electronics for space communication applications. The electronic devices and circuits are being fabricated on silicon-germanium virtual substrates using Nanotechnology.

Students at University of Central Florida

Cryogenic Nanoelectronics for Space-Borne Systems

Concerns exist regarding the ability of currently available electronics to operate at temperatures below 40K for deep space probe missions. Therefore, the development of electronics devices and systems which can function and cold restart over the range from 77K down to 20K offers great advantages for future space missions. Currently, the bandgap engineering of SiGe is being investigated to design, fabricate and test 77K to 20K nanoelectronics.

Overall Research Impact

Dr. Kapoor has published over 170 scientific papers in prestigious journals and scientific conference publications. He has been a major advisor for 40 M.S. and Ph.D. student theses/dissertations and directed 38 undergraduate students’ projects/theses with multimillion dollar research grants from federal/state government and industry. His students have been faculty at U.S.A. universities or have responsible positions at major high-technology companies. The overall research funding of Prof. Kapoor has been approximately 300K per year (1978-2008) in addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. His overall student course evaluation ratings have been from excellent to very good teacher.

Microwave Network Analyzer Design Project