Precision Engineering Research Laboratory · Boston University
Shaping light with deformable mirrors
We design, build, and use micromachined deformable mirrors. They correct the blur that the atmosphere, living tissue, and imperfect optics impose on light, in telescopes, microscopes, and laser systems.

Director, BU Photonics Center
Research
All researchDeformable mirrors
Micromachined mirrors with hundreds to thousands of actuators that reshape a wavefront in microseconds.
Adaptive optics for imaging
Correcting aberrations and scattering so microscopes can see deeper into living tissue.
Beam steering
Segmented mirrors that point one or several laser beams at once.
Engineered heart tissue
Instruments to grow, stimulate, and measure engineered cardiac tissue.
News
- New Bifano Lab Website Live!
- Beam steering with segmented mirrors
A 37-segment hexagonal MEMS mirror steers one or several laser beams at once. Watch the demonstration.
- Ruifeng Hu defends his Ph.D.
Dissertation: Electrical and mechanical stimulation of engineered cardiac tissue. Congratulations, Dr. Hu!
- New patent issued
US 12,436,317: High throughput screening system for engineered cardiac tissues.
- Cover article in Micromachines
A design approach to reducing stress and distortion caused by adhesive assembly in micromachined deformable mirrors.
- Featured article in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering
Dynamic control of contractile force in engineered heart tissue.
Lab members
People and alumni
Nate HartPh.D. candidate, Mechanical Engineering
Francisco SanchezPh.D. candidate, Mechanical Engineering
Paul AduM.S. candidate, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Erik CamperREU student
Dr. Jose ColmenaresRET participant, Berkshire Community College