Supervisor: Andreas Kyprianou

The Vibration Analysis and Signal Processing laboratory is equipped with research infrastructure needed in testing and analysis of vibrating structures and systems. It includes equipment of (a) vibration excitation, electromagnetic and pneumatic vibrators (b) vibration response measurements, accelerometers and load cells, and (c) experimental vibration analysis system, LMS, for experimental extraction of frequency response functions, structural mode shapes and natural frequencies. The laboratory hosted the research activities of Phds on human vibrations and structural health monitoring. The expertise of the laboratory in advanced signal processing was also used in co-supervising PhDs on other engineering areas such as in environmental and electrical engineering. The laboratory is located in room A063 of the Central Buildings, Kallipoleos Str, of University of Cyprus.

Supervisor: Vasileios Vavourakis

The In silico Modelling Group (ISMG), based at UCY's Mechanical & Manufacturing Department, research activities are in applied mechanics, biomechanics and biomedical engineering using innovative computational tools and methods. ISMG's research interestests span from theoretical mechanics in solid materials, structures and biological tissues, in computational and mathemetical modelling in physics and biology, in numerical methods (finite elements, boundary elements, isogeometric analysis, mesh-free methods) and high-performance computing. The group is also part of the UCY-CompSci Laboratory with members being affiliated with the UCY-RespiHub.
Website: https://in-silico-modelling.ucy.ac.cy/

Supervisor: Dimitrios Tzeranis

Laboratory for Biomaterials & Biomedical Devices (department of Mechanical and Manufacutring Engineering) conducts research in the design and development of systems and devices for specific biomedical applications (regenerative medicine, tissue models, drug screening). The lab contains equipment and know-how for a) biomaterial fabrication via lyophilization (Virtis Genesis 25EL, vacuum oven Fisher Scientific, IKA homogenator), b) device fabrication that contain scaffolds, c) seeding, culture and quantification of cells inside biomaterials, d) scaffold microfabrication via ultrafast lasers, e) fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy, image processing. Ongoing research focuses on the development of novel grafts for central nervous system injuries, 3D neural tissue model and drug discovery systems for neurodegenerative diseases.

Supervisor: Eftychios Christoforou

The UCY Robotics Lab is a research laboratory within the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Cyprus. Research activity focuses on the dynamic analysis, control, design and development of robotic systems. It includes both theoretical as well as experimental investigations and concerns various practical applications of industrial and service robotics. The focus is both on robotic manipulation as well as autonomous mobile robots. It extends to various applications of robotics in industrial production, supply chain management, medical robotics, telerobotics and telemedicine, nursing robotics, elderly care and assisted living, and reconfigurable/ adaptive mechanisms with applications in architectural buildings. Equipment in the UCY Robotics Lab includes research and industrial robotic manipulators, mobile robotic platforms, as well as equipment used for the design, development and testing of robot prototypes. An extensive network of local and international research collaborators is a basis for working on multidisciplinary projects including applied topics with industrial partners.

Supervisor: Theodora Krasia-Christoforou

The Polymers Laboratory focuses on the synthesis and molecular characterization of polymers of various chemical compositions and architectures as well as on nanocomposite polymeric materials. The laboratory includes equipment used in the synthesis of polymeric materials such as a laboratory fumehood, vacuum lines, high vacuum pumps, heating plates with magnetic stirrers, a rotary evaporator, a drying oven, a vacuum oven, a high precision balance etc. Moreover, a Size Exclusion Chromatography system is available in the lab that is used for the molecular characterization of polymers (determination of molar masses and molar mass distributions).

Supervisor: Theodora Krasia-Christoforou

The Polymer Processing Laboratory focuses on the processing of polymers by electrospinning that is used in the manufacturing of polymeric nano- and microfibers as well as the use of spin-coating employed in the preparation of thin films. At this stage in this laboratory equipment of the MME Department used in materials characterization is hosted i.e. ultraviolet spectrophotometry and infrared spectroscopy. The laboratory is also equipped with a laboratory fumehood, pH meters and a high precision balance. In collaboration with research teams in Cyprus and abroad, the materials prepared in the Polymers and Polymer Processing Laboratories are further investigated in biomedical, environmental, optoelectronic, energy-related applications, etc.

Supervisor: Theodora Kyratsi

The research activities in the Powder Technology Laboratory involve Materials Science and Engineering and, more specifically, the application of powder techniques on materials for energy and environmental applications. Τhe Powder Technology Lab is fully equipped for research on the field of thermoelectric materials using powder techniques. Research activities include materials synthesis (from melt, solid state reactions, mechanical alloying, manipulations in glove box, high vacuum line etc), processing (ball milling, sintering), basic characterization (XRD/SEM/EDX/Thermal Analysis; equipment available in the Department) as well as state-of-the-art systems for high temperature Seebeck coefficient and electrical and thermal conductivity measurements. Currently, research projects funded by EU as well as Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation involve the development and optimization of thermoelectric materials with potential application on energy systems and the recovery of “waste” energy; 3D printing of metals based on Selective Laser Melting/Sintering; Processing of natural materials via mechanical methods for enhanced CO2 storage. More info: https://ucy.ac.cy/powdertechlab/

Supervisor: Ioannis (John) Giapintzakis

The Complex Functional Materials Laboratory (CFMLab) of the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Cyprus, by bringing together various scientific disciplines and combining a wide range of technical expertise, conducts basic research that leads to new technologies, which positively affect the quality of human life. CFMLab engages in the field of Science and Technology of Materials with emphasis currently on materials for energy and neuromorphic computing applications. CFMLab has equipment for (i) growth of bulk materials (micro-/nano-structured) by two synthesis methods: solid state reaction and Pechini (Lindberg and Carbolite Furnaces with atmosphere and gas flow control, etc.), (ii) development of thin films by two methods: pulsed laser deposition (Coherent COMPex Pro 201 F KrF Excimer Laser, SURFACE HV deposition chamber with RHEED, TimeBandwidth Duetto ps Laser 50kHz-8MHz, Homemade UHV deposition chamber) and with AC/DC ion sputtering (ANATECH Hummer Reactive Sputtering System, BAL-TEC SCD 500 Sputter Coater), (iii) fabrication of micro-devices with ultraviolet lithography (SUSS Microtec MA/BA6 Mask Aligner) and (iv) characterization of materials’ structure (Rigaku SmartLab X-Ray Diffractometer with 9 kW Rotating Anode) and properties related to the applications being studied (e.g., electrical, magnetic, thermoelectric - Quantum Design Physical Properties Measurement System (1.8-400 K, 9 Tesla magnet), and DC and pulsed I-V measurement system Keithley 6487 with SUSS Microtec micropositioners and digital microscope). CFMLab has carried out research projects funded by the European Union, as well as by the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation, in subjects related to the development of innovative thermoelectric materials, photovoltaic materials and devices, quantum magnets for heat management, etc.

Supervisor: Loucas Louca

The activities of the lab focus on the use of robotic devices and haptic interfaces for the functional rehabilitation of upper extremities. The developed rehabilitation systems assist the user during physical therapy, and they are designed to be enjoyable during use while simultaneously providing an efficient therapy (Figure 1). We also work on the development of haptic environments that can be used for training (Figure 2). Our systems are designed and optimized in order to take full advantage of the robotic system’s capabilities and the physical and neurological potential of the user. The advantages of haptic interfaces are also used for the assessment of upper limb motion through objective and quantitative metrics that are developed in our lab. The lab is equipped with two haptic interface devices with different workspace sizes, which provide the required range of motion of upper limbs when they are constrained at either the wrist or the elbow.

Supervisor: Matthew Zervos

Nanostructured Materials and Devices Laboratory, Research activities are currently focused on the synthesis of n- and p-type semiconductor nanostructures including metal oxides, nitrides and chalcogenides for energy conversion and storage applications i.e. solar cells, batteries, supercapacitors. These are prepared by chemical vapor deposition in three different dedicated reactors. Other methods include electrodeposition, spin coating etc. The electrical properties of these materials are measured with a series of Keithley instruments such as current sources, voltmeters etc. Their structural and optical properties are also measured at UCy in other department such as Physics and Chemistry. The Nanostructured Materials and Devices Laboratory is under the responsibility of Prof. M. Zervos. A complete list of publications may be found at http://ucy.ac.cy/dir/en/component/comprofiler/userprofile/zervos

Supervisor: Denis Politis

The Manufacturing and Materials Modelling Laboratory works on the development and optimization of manufacturing processes, modelling and testing for composite and metal materials. These processes include forging, sheet metal forming and rolling under a range of processing conditions. The laboratory aims to assist industry in Cyprus and internationally in material characterisation, tooling design, processing route optimisation and prototype development and testing. The laboratory is managed by Dr. Denis Politis, Lecturer at the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.

Supervisor: Stavros Kassinos

UCY-CompSci was established as a Marie Curie Transfer of Knowledge Center (TOK-DEV) aiming at the promotion of Computational Science and Engineering and is operated by the Engineering School at the University of Cyprus (UCY-Eng) under the leadership of Prof. Stavros Kassinos. UCY-CompSci provides a multi-disciplinary research core aiming at the promotion of excellence in a range of computational science and engineering themes that support the research activities of the School of Engineering, such as Complex Fluid and Plasma Flow, Molecular Dynamics and Ab Initio MD Simulations for Nanofluidics and Plasma-Wall Interactions, Multi-Phase Flows and Pollutant Dispersion, Biomedical Fluid Dynamics, and Turbulence Theory, Modeling and Simulation. UCY-CompSci operates a number of parallel computing systems that are described in detail under the Laboratory Infrastructure link. These systems provide an overall computing power of roughly 2.5 Teraflops.

Supervisor: Stavros Kassinos

RespiHub is a multi-disciplinary science core housing several individual laboratories at the University of Cyprus. The scientific alliance of RespiHub aims to promote excellence of research in the area of respiratory medicine and biomechanics. Focus areas include human respiratory physiology, pathology and function, chronic and acute respiratory diseases, drug delivery to the lungs and the interaction between neurophysiological disorders and respiratory function during sleep. RespiHub is truly multidisciplinary in the sense that it brings together research teams from the Schools of Medicine, Engineering and Pure and Applied Sciences at the University of Cyprus.

Supervisor: Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos

The Cancer Biophysics Laboratory of the University of Cyprus (http://www.ucy.ac.cy/cancer_biophysics/en) is a vibrant and internationally competitive research environment where novel computational approaches are combined with state-of-the-art experimental techniques to further explore the mechanopathology of cancer and overcome the barriers to the effective delivery of drugs to solid tumours. The focus of the lab is the application of principles from engineering and biology in order to investigate the mechanisms with which physical forces are related to tumour growth, progression and treatment and how these forces can be modulated to improve therapy.

Supervisor: Dr. Claus Rebholz

Research in the Advanced Coatings Engineering Laboratory focuses on thin films and advanced materials with the goal to contribute towards the basic understanding required to synthesise tailor made functional materials. Activities span over a wide range with an emphasis on the processing-structure-properties relation in advanced materials for automotive, biomedical, energy and nanomanufacturing applications. Examples include the deposition of nanostructured coatings by plasma-assisted physical vapour deposition (PVD) techniques; the fabrication of reactive materials by PVD, ball-milling, ultrasonic powder consolidation and high-pressure torsion; the synthesis of functionalized carbon-based materials with optimized porosity and pore size for improved hydrogen sorption and ion electro-sorption, gas separation and water purification; and the design and manufacture of new tribological testing equipment and implants. The Advanced Coatings Engineering Laboratory is under the responsibility of Dr. Claus Rebholz, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. More information can be found on the web site http://www.ucy.ac.cy/en/people/claus