Peter J. Hesketh

Professor

Office:	Love, Room 317
Phone:	404.385.1358
Fax:	404.385.1417
E-mail:

Education

• Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1987
• M.S., University of Pennsylvania, 1983
• B.Sc., University of Leeds, United Kingdom, 1979

Research Areas and Descriptors

• Microelectromechanical Systems and Manufacturing
Microfabrication, micromachining, sensors, acturators, biosensors, and microfluid

Background

Began at Tech in Winter 1993 as an Associate Professor. Prior was an Assistant and an Associate Professor at The University of Texas at Austin.

Research

Dr. Hesketh's research interests are in Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS). His interests include both the microfabrication processes used to build micromechanical devices and structures, and the application of these devices to engineering problems. The design and fabrication of microvalves, micropumps, and their integration into miniature chemical analysis systems is a current focus of his efforts. Both magnetically and piezoelectrically actuated devices are under investigation, in addition to novel electrochemical pressure generation as a means to drive the MEMS device. The ultimate goal of this work is to produce portable, handheld, microchemical and bioanalysis systems - the so called micro-chem-lab-on-a-chip technology.

A second focus area is biosensing. He has worked on a number of biomedical sensor issues. including the biocompatibility of surfaces for implantable sensors, microdialysis for subcutaneous sampling, glucose sensors, and DNA sequencing by hybridization. His most recent work has been an impedance-based biosensor for the detection of microbial toxins.

A critical aspect of MEMS technology is the development of new materials and processes that can be integrated with integrated circuit fabrication methods. Two areas of current interest are the use of SiC on silicon for conductive abrasion resistance coatings and the integration of polymer components for flexible diaphragms in microfluidic devices.

Dr. Hesketh also has a longstanding interest in understanding the fundamental mechanisms that define micromachining processes including, bulk silicon etching of 3-dimensional high aspect ratio structures, anodic etch stop techniques, rapid thermal processing, and physical vapor deposition.

Distinctions

• Artech House, Inc. MEMS Series Editor, 2003-2005
• American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow, 2004
• The Electrochemical Society (Sensor Division) Chairman, 1998-2000
• Whitaker Foundation Biomedical Engineering Research Grant Award, 1994-98

Patents

• Pin Array Assembly and Method of Manufacture, U.S. Patent 6,455,352, with Joel Pikarsky and Gennadiy Yershov, September 24, 2002.
• Miniature Electrically Operated Diaphragm Valve, U. S. Patent 6,328,279, with Douglas R. Adkins, Barry L. Spletzer, Chungnin C. Wong, Gregory C. Frye-Mason, and Gary J. Fisher, December 11, 2001.
• Antibody Covalently Bound Immunobiosensor, U. S. Patent No. 5,567,301, with J. Stetter, S. Gendel, and G. J. Maclay, October 22, 1996.
• Miniature Pressure Sensor and Pressure Sensor Arrays, U. S Patent No. 5,277,067, with C. E. Holland, January 11, 1994.
• Miniature Pressure Sensor and Pressure Sensor Arrays, U. S Patent No. 5,163,328, with C. E. Holland, November 17, 1992.
• Thermopile Having Reduced Thermal Noise, U. S. Patent 5,087,312, with Martin T. Gerber, February 11, 1992.

Representative Publications

• Mircea Capanu, James Boyd, Peter Hesketh, Eniko Enikov. 2000. Design and Fabrication of an Electromagnetically Actuated Bistable Microvalve. Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems (to appear).
• James Cunneen, Yu-Cheng Lin, Simone Caraffini, James G. Boyd, Peter J. Hesketh, Susan M. Lunte, and George S. Wilson. 1998. A Positive Displacement Micropump for Microdialysis. Mechatronics Journal 8, 561-583.
• P. J. Hesketh, S. Zivanovic, S. Pak, B. Ilic, L. St.Clair, B. Shih, K. Y. Chung, J. C. Cunneen, S. Cariffini, J. G. Boyd, J. R. Stetter, S. M. Lunte, and G. S. Wilson. 1998. Biosensors and Microfluidic Systems. In Tribology in MEMS, B. Bhushan (Editor). Kluwer Science Publications, Amsterdam.
• V. E. Borisenko and P. J. Hesketh. 1997. Solid State Rapid Thermal Processing of Semiconductors. Plenum Press, New York.
• Chang-Dong Feng, Yu Dong Ming, Peter J. Hesketh, Steven M. Gendel, and Joseph R. Stetter. 1996. Confirmation of Immobilizing IgG on Different Surfaces with AFM and Impedance Investigations of a Pt Electrode During the Immobilization. Sensors and Actuators B35, 431-434.