Our Research

We develop and investigate advanced acoustofluidic sensor and actuator platforms based on surface acoustic waves (SAWs) and other microacoustic wave modes. While actuators can be used for the precise manipulation of liquids, particles, droplets, and biological cells in microchannels and chamber-based lab-on-a-chip systems, acoustofluidic sensors enable compact, highly sensitive, and label-free diagnostic platforms for biomarker detection, and cell characterization. Our research combines acoustic wave fundamentals, microfluidics, and microsystems engineering to realize versatile platforms for e.g. particle focusing and trapping, mixing, and liquid control.

A major research interest lies in understanding the interaction between acoustic fields and confined liquids, including three-dimensional acoustophoretic effects, vortex formation, and wave-structure interactions. By combining numerical modeling, high-resolution analytics, and scalable device fabrication, SAWLab Saxony develops versatile microfluidic technologies for biomedical analysis, sample preparation, diagnostics, and next-generation point-of-care systems.

We investigate and pioneer surface acoustic waves (SAWs) based aerosol generation and associated effects, i.e. the controlled transformation of thin liquid films into aerosols with tunable droplet size distributions. We also develop and transfer compact and scalable SAW-based aerosol generators, odor sources and aerosol printing approaches that combine high controllability and integration capability with low power consumption. Our research activities further address liquid-property-dependent aerosol generation mechanisms, cavitation effects, and resonance phenomena. For us, SAW aerosol generation is an enabler for future applications ranging from inhalation therapy and mass spectrometry to thin-film deposition, olfactory displays, and nanomaterial processing.

We perform fundamental research on promising (piezoelectric) materials, higher order acoustic wave phenomena and wave-structure interaction on the low-dimensional scale, forming the basis of future advanced acoustoelectronic devices. Our work investigates acoustic wave propagation, electromechanical coupling, mode conversion, resonator behavior, and scattering phenomena in crystals and hybrid material systems.

Our research combines analytic modeling, finite-element simulations, and experimental characterization to understand and optimize acoustic interactions in complex device architectures. Particular emphasis is placed on polarization control, acoustic symmetry effects, transducer design, and material-dependent wave propagation for future high-performance SAW sensors, actuators, and integrated microacoustic systems.

A central research direction of SAWLab Saxony is the development of acoustic wave devices and sensor technologies for harsh environments and extreme operating temperatures, i.e. above 300°C or at liquid hydrogen temperature. Our work focuses on the characterization and optimization of piezoelectric materials, metallization systems, and transducer architectures capable of stable operation under extreme thermal and mechanical conditions.

Our research combines experimental high-temperature measurements, electromechanical material characterization, and reliability analysis for multilayer thin-film systems. Particular expertise exists in langasite-type crystals and related piezoelectric materials for passive and wireless sensing technologies. SAWLab Saxony aims to establish robust acoustic sensor platforms for industrial process monitoring, aerospace technologies, energy systems, and extreme-temperature MEMS applications.

Beyond sensing and acoustofluidics, SAWLab Saxony explores emerging applications of surface acoustic waves in adaptive and multifunctional microsystems. Our research investigates acoustic-wave-driven deicing, active anti-icing technologies, wireless actuation, torque generation, tube rotation, and smart functional surfaces.

We study how acoustic waves can transfer energy, induce controlled motion, dynamically modify interfaces, and enable novel physical functionalities in compact devices. These activities demonstrate the broad technological potential of SAW-based systems far beyond traditional acoustoelectronics.