The Degertekin group performs research in transducers and systems with a focus on medical imaging and sensing. Our research projects are innovation and application driven, and span a wide range, from fundamental research on novel transduction methods to complete catheter based imaging systems close to commercialisation. We utilize acoustics and optics concepts and their combinations for different applications, and develop models with various levels of complexity to guide our designs. Most of the time, we complete the full cycle and fabricate eventual devices and systems for experimental evaluation using conventional, microfabrication and integrated circuit technologies.

Over the years, we developed diffraction grating based optomechanical sensing methods which are now commercialized (Silicon Audio), novel atomic force microscopy imaging probes and methods, micromachined ultrasonic ejector structures for cell transfection (Opencell technologies) to name a few. Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) have been a focus of our work continuously over the years, where we contributed to CMUT modelling, device and array design, imaging methods as well as system implementation with a focus on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE). Recently, our graduates have been instrumental in practical implementation of first CMUT based hand-held ultrasound imaging systems (Butterfly Network).

Our current work, detailed on this website includes fundamental work on capacitive parametric transducers and their applications, acousto-optic sensors for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), novel transducer and imaging methods for focused ultrasound (FUS) in the brain, microsystems for ICE and implanted wireless ultrasound imaging systems for the brain and CMUT-on-CMOS systems for IVUS imaging.