Dr. Stuart Smith is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Center for Precision Metrology at UNC Charlotte. Within this Center he has been running an Instrumentation Development Group for more than 25 years regularly producing metrology instrumentation components and devices that have been successfully transferred to commercial industries. In addition to his academic interests Dr. Smith has worked extensively as a consultant to manufacturing industries in both the US and UK primarily in relation to metrology instrument and machine design. Throughout his research career his main focus has been the development of instrumentation and sensor technologies, including advanced signal processing techniques, for measurement of surface profile, micro-geometry and displacements, primarily aimed towards the challenge of atomic scale discrimination and modifications. Development of these systems has required the innovation of many high bandwidth, precision positioning and translation systems. This work has resulted in 13 patents, over 70 journal publications, 60 conference proceedings and the authorship of two books in the field of precision instrument and machine design. Current interests include the integration of multi-sensing methods into precision electromechanical systems for nanometer and micrometer level assembly and development of novel instrumentation for biological and life science studies.