Bioengineering

From spinal cord stimulation to cryopreservation, our experts are finding solutions for human health issues.

Bioengineering

Biomechanics

Our experts investigate biomechanics at the molecular, cellular, and human body scales.

Their work includes exploring myosin protein for synthetic muscle, using DNA origami for nanomechanics of multiprotein systems, developing robotic interfaces for microsurgery, and making bio-inspired robots. They pair wearable medical devices with advanced analytics and machine learning to personalize rehabilitation for joint injuries and pathologies. They investigate the physiological mechanisms underlying sensory perception, feedback control of movement, and neuroplasticity in sensorimotor systems.

Faculty involved: Noelia Grande Gutiérrez, Eni Halilaj, Aaron Johnson, Philip LeDuc, Rebecca Taylor, Douglas Weber, Victoria Webster-Wood, Inseung Kang, Ophelia Bolmin

Neurotechnology

Our faculty work collaboratively with neuroscientists to understand the neurophysiology of sensory and motor systems in the body. They are inventing new strategies and devices to transform the treatment of neurological disorders.

Faculty involved: Philip LeDuc, Douglas Weber, Vickie Webster-Wood, Burak Ozdoganlar, Jessica Zhang, Ding Zhao, Rahul Panat, Inseung Kang

Biomedical manufacturing

From implantable medical devices for neural probing and wireless temperature sensing to dissolvable transdermal drug delivery systems, our faculty and students develop and analyze manufacturing processes for bioinert, effective medical tools.

Examples include tissue engineering, a gluten sensing device, bio-micro fluidic device fabrication, 3D printed bones for surgical training, repairing and replacing damaged tissues and organs, and wearable devices for enhancing sensory, motor, and cognitive functions.

Faculty involved: B. Reeja Jayan, Philip LeDuc, Burak Ozdoganlar, Rahul Panat, Yoed Rabin, Rebecca Taylor, Kenji Shimada, Douglas Weber

Learn more ... Scalable manufacturing unlocks potential of soft electronics

Computational modeling

Researchers develop models and simulations with computational geometry, mesh generation, finite element method, and isogeometric analysis for applications like micro-scale computer simulations of the circulatory system and biomedical imaging. They use patient-specific geometry from musculoskeletal imaging and real-world movements captured by wearable sensors to design assistive devices and ergonomic products.

They are combining molecular dynamic simulations, machine learning, and statistical learning to understand and predict the properties and interactions of biomolecules such as DNA and proteins.

Faculty involved: Amir Barati Farimani, Noelia Grande Gutiérrez, Eni Halilaj, Yoed Rabin, Kenji Shimada, Victoria Webster-Wood, Yongjie Jessica Zhang, Inseung Kang

Biothermal technology

Our experts develop sensors, surgical hardware, and physical modeling for the field of thermal energy in biology and medicine.

They apply their research to areas such as cryopreservation of tissue, cryosurgery, and heat and mass transfer in biological systems.

Faculty involved: Yoed Rabin

Learn more... New modeling approach helps advance cryopreservation

People

Learn who in Mechanical Engineering is working in bioengineering.

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Review of microfluidic tools shows flow of innovation

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A passion for invention

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Virtually awarded

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Engineering faculty receive CAREER awards Opens in new window

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Where mechanics meets artificial intelligence

Amir Barati Farimani is bringing state of the art machine learning algorithms to mechanical engineering and exploring research topics in physical phenomena, materials discovery, robotics, bioengineering, and more.

The root of the matter Opens in new window

A team from the College of Engineering has used the natural architecture of the mangrove tree to unlock a better method of desalination.

Biothermal pursuits

Introduced to cryopreservation of organs and tissues as a master’s student, Purva Joshi decided to pursue a Ph.D. to continue this research in the Biothermal Technology Laboratory.

Collaborators’ creation reveals how mechanical forces control genes

A LeDuc/Minden collaboration in mesofluidics—a medium-sized twist on microfluidics—was featured on the cover of the journal Lab on a Chip. The research team merged expertise in biomechanics, biology, and engineering to develop a new device.

Step by step

New Mechanical Engineering faculty member Eni Halilaj applies biomechanics to treat and prevent musculoskeletal injuries and diseases.

Step by step

New Mechanical Engineering faculty member Eni Halilaj applies biomechanics to treat and prevent musculoskeletal injuries and diseases.

From bioinspired to biohybrid

Victoria Webster-Wood uses organic materials to build robotic devices for future applications in medicine and environmental science.

Mapping the brain’s traffic Opens in new window

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Measuring macro with micro Opens in new window

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Jayan wins Berkman Faculty Development Fund for gluten sensor

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Saving lives through advanced cryopreservation Opens in new window

Professor Yoed Rabin received a $1.6 million award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health to develop technology for cryopreservation, the preservation of tissues and organs at extremely low temperatures.

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CMECS

Center for the Mechanics and Engineering of Cellular Systems

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