The  MEMS  Research  Laboratory (MRL)  in  the  Department of  Physics  and  Astronomy  at  the 
Univeristy of  Texas at  San Antonio  (UTSA) was established  in June 2004 by Dr.Arturo A Ayon

Areas  of  research  include  the utilization of MEMS actuators onphase array antennas, Nanotechnology, 
CMOS-compatible microwave varactors, Negative index of  refraction materials  for  imaging  and  other 
photonic applications,  sensor arrays,  Micro-chemical reactors,  Micropropulsion employing  solid  fuels.

This laboratory was made possible thanks  to Sony Electronic Inc, donation of  nearly $2  million  worth
of equipment as a way of "giving back to the community". With this generous  donation UTSA  will  train 
students for carrers in micro and Nanotechnologyareas which will be a gaint leap in turning UTSA into a 
first-class research facility.