Faculty Directory

Smela, Elisabeth

Smela, Elisabeth

Professor
Mechanical Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Maryland Robotics Center
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Brain and Behavior Institute
Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices
2112 Glenn L. Martin Hall
Website(s):

Background

Research Scientist, Linköping University, Sweden
Senior Scientist, Risø National Laboratory, Denmark
Vice President of Research and Development, Santa Fe Science and Technology, Inc. (SFST), New Mexico
University of Maryland since 2000

Education

Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania
B.S., Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Honors and awards

NSF Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), 2004
(converted from NSF CAREER for "Development of Advanced MEMS Actuator Technology for Microrobotics," 2003)

Outstanding Invention of 2004, Office of Technology Commercialization, UMD
for cell sensor-based pathogen detection

E. Robert Kent Teaching Award for Junior Faculty, UMD, 2004

DuPont Young Professor Award, 2003

Danish Research Councils Talent Project award, 1998

NSF Fellow, Summer Institute in Japan, 1991

 

Dr. Smela's research is primarily in the field of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), particularly polymer MEMS and bioMEMS. She focuses on the use of organic materials (from polymers to cells) in microsystems to realize microactuators, cell-based sensors, and CMOS/MEMS integrated systems.

A Wider Lens

UMD engineering faculty are finding ways to introduce sustainability concepts throughout the curriculum.

Bio-Nose Technology: Conferring a Sense of Smell

NSF grant funds UMD-led team developing portable “nose” device.

UMD’s Tubaldi Wins NSF CAREER Award

Improved cardiovascular implants could be one result of an ME faculty member’s groundbreaking research.

Engineering Outreach Through Next-Generation GOALKits

Hands-on learning gets a new twist with a design created by UMD students.

UMD Mechanical Engineering Retains Strong Position in Rankings

Program is #12 among public universities and #20 overall, according to U.S. News & World Report

UMD Researchers to Have a Strong Showing at ICRA 2021

The 2021 International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2021) will be held both in person and online from May 30 to June 5, 2021.

Search Initiated for New Clark School Dean

A national search has been initiated for a new Dean of the A. James Clark School of Engineering.

Investing in Environmentally Responsible Engineering

A grant from The Lemelson Foundation will accelerate environmentally and socially responsible engineering through innovation in undergraduate curricula.

Spread Hope: The "Smart Bra"

The "smart bra" is a low-cost wearable device that could conceivably detect breast cancer early enough for treatment.

Elisabeth Smela one of five honored with Campus Women of Influence Award

Recipients have contributed to improving the quality of women's lives.

Salamanca-Riba Appointed 2017/2018 UMD ADVANCE Professor 

Dr. Salamanca-Riba will help facilitate opportunities for advancement among University faculty members, especially under-represented groups.

University of Maryland, College Park & Baltimore Campuses Announce Seed Grant Winners

Program, now in eight year, spurs inter-campus research collaboration

Smela Named ADVANCE Professor

Mechanical Engineering Professor Elisabeth Smela Named University of Maryland ADVANCE Professor

Bruck Named SEM Fellow

Department of Mechanical Engineering Professor Hugh Bruck named SEM Fellow.

The Future of Small

Ghodssi, Clark School researchers in NSF workshop on micro, nano, bio systems.

Systems Researchers Partner with Trento, Italy

Joint efforts to target bioengineering, renewable energy, nanomaterials, microsystems, education.

Faculty News Roundup

Clark School faculty promotions, moves announced.

$1.5M NSF Grant for Ant-like Microrobots

An interdisciplinary team of Clark School faculty wins multi-year grant.

Engineers Collaborate on New Cell-Based Sensors

New bio-sensors could speed up and improve the detection of pathogens, explosives.

Dandin Named 2008 Fischell Fellow

BioE grad student to develop fast, portable biosensor.

Clark School Leads "Microsystems Mechanics" Center

$10M effort to develop networked micro-vehicles for assisting soldiers.

Engineering Change in Burkina Faso

Engineers Without Borders team improves quality of life for African village.

Smela Earns Presidential Early Career (PECASE) Award

Assistant Professor Elisabeth Smela is the recipient of the Presidential Early Career (PECASE) Award for 2003, presented in 2004.

Clark School Faculty Receive Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) Award from the Department of Defense (Dod)

Clark School faculty succeeded in obtaining Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) award of $5.25M.