Ian Hunter

Professor Ian Hunter is the George N. Hatsopoulos Professor in Thermodynamics at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He runs the BioInstrumentation Laboratory which focuses on multidisciplinary research combining biology, optics, mechanics, mathematics, electronics and chemistry (BOMMEC).

Professor Hunter's research interests include:

• Micro-instrumentation and micro-fabrication
• Micro-robotics and medical devices
• Biomimetic materials and artificial muscles
• Needle-free drug delivery technologies
• Instrumentation physics and laser imaging systems

Professor Hunter's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on artificial muscles, needle-free drug delivery systems, and advanced materials. His work on nylon-based artificial muscles and vertically aligned niobium nanowire arrays for supercapacitors represents significant contributions to the fields of biomimetics and energy storage. The research often involves collaborations with colleagues like N.C. Hogan, A.J. Taberner, and S.M. Mirvakili.

Scientific awards received by Professor Hunter include:

• 2022 IEEE Joseph F. Keithley Award in Instrumentation and Measurement
• 2021 AAAS Fellow
• 2017 Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
• 2007 Den Hartog Distinguished Educator Award
• 2004 Amar Bose Award for Excellence in Teaching
• 2004 Keenan Award for Innovation in Undergraduate Education

Professor Hunter has advised numerous graduate students through their PhD and Master's degrees. His laboratory, the BioInstrumentation Lab, maintains extensive facilities for rapid prototyping and iteration of device concepts. He has also founded or co-founded over 25 companies based on his research innovations.

The BioInstrumentation Lab is known for its multidisciplinary approach, bringing together students and postdocs from diverse fields to tackle complex problems in bioinstrumentation and medical device development.