Steve Tung Elected Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers

University Relations

Steve Tung, University of Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Steve Tung, professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Arkansas and a leader in the design and development of micro- and nano-fluidic systems for biological and biomedical applications, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Tung has made significant contributions in microtechnology and nanotechnology, specifically micro- and nano-fluidic systems for biological and biomedical applications. His micro-fluidic systems have been successfully applied to the sensitive measurement of insulin, an important indicator of diabetes. This work has led to the development of a point-of-care, low-cost diabetes screening method for high-risk populations.

Tung is also developing a nano-fluidic system for rapid DNA sequencing. Funded by the National Science Foundation, this project explores a revolutionary approach based on nanochannels to analyze DNA faster and less expensively than conventional techniques. 

Tung's research team pioneered the application of bacterial flagellar motors as micro sensors and actuators in micro-fluidic systems. (Meaning "whip" in Latin, flagellum or flagellar filament is found on the body of certain bacterial cells like E. coli. Bacteria use their flagellar filaments like corkscrews for locomotion.) This research has attracted considerable attention in the nanoscience community. The flagellar, micro-fluidic devices were covered by news organizations and technology research and development publications, including MIT Technology Review, which called the devices one of the most innovative designs in nanotechnology.

Tung has been active in organizing international conferences sponsored by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, or IEEE. Since 2004, he has contributed significantly to the development of new nanotechnology conferences. He has served as chair or organizing committee member of IEEE-NANO, IEEE-NANOMED, IEEE-ROBIO, and IEEE-NEMS. He is a founding member and twice served as the general chair of IEEE-CYBER. In 2015, he was selected to serve as the general chair of 2017 IEEE-NEMS, a major nanotechnology system and device conference sponsored by the IEEE Nanotechnology Council.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is the largest and most prestigious professional organization of mechanical engineers. The organization promotes the art, science and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences. The organization's Committee of Past Presidents confers the membership grade of fellow to worthy candidates to recognize their outstanding engineering achievements.