Bioengineering

From cryopreservation of tissue and the nutritional bioavailability of foods to computational modeling for biomedical imaging, experts in the Department of Mechanical Engineering are exploring ways to address human health issues.

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Learn who in Mechanical Engineering is working in bioengineering.

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, Hartmut Geyer (courtesy), Cameron Riviere (courtesy)

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, Gary Fedder (courtesy), Xi Charlie Ren (courtesy)

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 bio-molecules 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

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

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Biothermal pursuits

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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.

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Center for the Mechanics and Engineering of Cellular Systems

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