TALKE GROUP

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The focus of Professor Talke’s research is in the areas of medical device technology and information storage. 

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In the area of information storage, Prof. Talke and his students have been involved for more than 50 years in studying tribology and mechanics of disk and tape drives, and more recently, the optimization of thermal flying height control sliders and heat assisted magnetic recording.

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In the area of medical device technology, Prof. Talke and his students are involved in developing an intraocular pressure sensor for implantation in the human eye and the design of novel internet-enabled ophthalmic instrumentation.  In addition, research efforts on 3-d printed endoscopes, esophagus deflection devices, detachable bronchoscopes, and biofilm retardant catheters are under way.

The research in Professor Talke’s group is very interdisciplinary, combining aspects of mechanical engineering, physics, materials science and high precision instrumentation to advance information storage and biomedical device technology.

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Ongoing Research Projects in the Head/disk and Tribology Area

• Effect of voltage biasing on the head disk interface

• Investigation of the effect of laser current on the reliability of heat assisted magnetic recording

• Effect of helium, air, and low environmental pressure on repeatable and non-repeatable runout of disks

Ongoing Research Projects in Medical Device Technology

• Design and optimization of intraocular pressure sensor for implantation in the human eye

• Placement of the intraocular sensor in the eye and investigation of histology of tissue in contact with the sensor

• Measurement of transient pressure in the eye using the intraocular pressure sensor

• Internet–enabled ophthalmic instrumentation (slit lamp, fundus, eye pressure and visual acuity)

• Design of an esophagus deflection device

• Design of a detachable bronchoscope for ease of intubation

• Development of biofilm retardant catheters

• Design of an inflatable vaginal dilator for cervical cancer treatment complications

• Development of vaginal phantom that mimics tissue mechanical properties

Recent Projects in the Head/disk and Tribology Area

• Hydrocarbon contamination of the head disk interface

• Lubricant transfer from slier to disk using molecular dynamics

• Investigation of fretting wear at the gimbal dimple interface

• Investigation of dual stage co-located suspension-based dual stage actuators

• Development of new and improved lubricants for HAMR

• Modeling of time-dependent flying height

• Simulation of TFC sliders with single and dual heaters for HAMR and conventional magnetic recording

Recent Projects in Medical Device Technology

• Design of disposable endoscope by 3-d printing

• 3D printing of biodegradable stents

• MEMS type sensor optimization of glaucoma pressure sensor

• Instrumentation development for measurement of middle ear dimensions (stapedectomy)

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