July 19, 2002 — Wayne State University in Detroit announced that the state of Michigan has awarded $2.64 million to the Smart Sensors and Integrated Microsystems (SSIM) lab at the College of Engineering to advance research in bio-sensor implant coverings. The award is part of the $45 million Michigan Life Sciences Corridor fund.
The SSIM’s work on nanosize smart sensors includes retinal and cortical implants for patients with impaired vision. The implant coverings serve as an interface between the microsystem of the device and its biological host. Creating such coverings requires laser micromachining, novel material synthesis and atomic layer engineering.