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Summer 2008 New Research Awards

Who's Doing What in MEM
Dr. Wei Sun, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics (MEM), presented “Bioprinting of Micro-Organ Tissue Analog for Drug Metabolism Study” at the 37th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Montreal, Canada on July 17, 2008. He also chaired the session entitled “Metabolic Changes of Biosystems in Space Environment” at the conference.
Ed Steager, Dr. Chang-Beom Kim, and Dr. MinJun Kim have demonstrated swarming bacterial thermotaxis on the agar plate in the Journal of Heat Transfer. The paper is entitled "Temperature effects on swarming flagellated bacteria in microfluidic environments," in which non-labeled bacteria tracking algorithm has been developed to map bacterial velocity fields through a phase contrast microscopy.
Dr. Alexander Fridman has released the first comprehensive book ever published on plasma chemistry. The book titled Plasma Chemistry, provides a fundamental introduction to all aspects of modern plasma science and describes plasma applications to material treatment, organic and inorganic chemistry, energy systems, fuel conversion, hydrogen production, environmental control, biology and medicine. More than a 1,000 pages, the book was published by Cambridge University Press in the beginning of May.
Pak Kau Lim (Advisor: Dr. Alisa Morss Clyne) won Best Undergraduate Poster at the 2008 Drexel University Research Day competition in the category Computation, Modeling, and Simulation (Biological) for his poster “Application of the Lattice Boltzmann Equation Method to Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Transport through Biological Tissues.”
Dr. Baki Farouk was honored with the Ira Cohen Fluid Dynamics Award at the Greater Philadelphia section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Honors and Awards Banquet on May 29.
Bobby Chang and Halim Ayan placed second overall in the 2008 Baiada Business Plan Competition. Their project, InvitroPharm earned them the second place prize of $1000. They developed InvitroPharm to test a high-fidelity, high-throughput in vitro toxicology platform as a bridge between traditional in vitro and in vivo testing of drugs. Their technique fuses aspects of tissue engineering, solid freeform fabrication, and microfabrication technology to offer competitive advantages over available methods today. This methodology allows rational design, fabrication, and characterization of a microfluidic device to serve as a physiologically pertinent in vitro liver model for drug metabolism testing.
Edward Steager received the "Highly Commended" award in the 2008 Graduate Student Research Awards Competition. Sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Office of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate Student Organization, the Graduate Student Excellence Committee grants these awards to graduate students (full-time masters and doctoral) who have performed outstanding research/scholarship in the past year. He is advised by Dr. MinJun Kim.
Dr. Brad Layton’s paper entitled, “Recent Patents in Bionanotechnologies: Nanolithography, Bionanocomposites, Cell-Based Computing and Entropy Production,” was published in Recent Patents in Nanotechnology, 2 (1) 1-7, 2008.
Dr. Alisa Morss Clyne and biomedical engineering graduate students Greeshma Manomohan and Kavitha Rajendran, presented a paper titled "Design and development of dielectrophoretic device for testing endothelial cell mechanics" at the Materials Research Society Meeting in San Francisco on March 26, 2008.
Dr. MinJun Kim just recently published his first book, "Bacterial Microfluidics". The book is based on Dr. Kim’s NSF CAREER research program, in which flagellated bacteria are used as individual actuators to do useful works, such as pumping and mixing fluids autonomously. "Bacterial Microfluidics" was published by VDM Verlag, 2008. "Bacterial Microfluidics" is now available for purchase on Amazon.com
Dr. Brad Layton’s paper entitled, “Recent Patents in Bionanotechnologies: Nanolithography, Bionanocomposites, Cell-Based Computing and Entropy Production,” was published in Recent Patents in Nanotechnology, 2 (1) 1-7, 2008.
Dr. Brad Layton recently had a paper published in Recent Patents on Nanotechnology “Volume 2, Issue 2, June 2008. His article reviews recent disclosures of bio-inspired, bio-mimicked and bionanotechnologies. Among the patents discussed is a nanoscale porous structure for use in nanocomposites and nanoscale processing. Patents disclosing methods for printing biological materials using nanolithography techniques such as dip-pen technology are discussed, as are patents for optimizing drug design. The relevance of these technologies to disease prevention, disease treatment and disease resistance is discussed. The paper closes with a review of cell-based computing and a brief examination of how information technology has enabled the development of these technologies. Finally, a forecast of the how these technologies are likely to accelerate global entropization is discussed as well as a new classification of machine types.
Dr. Kimberly Cook- Chennault had two papers accepted for publication: 1) Smart Materials and Structures: “Powering MEMS Portable Devices – A Review of Non-regenerative and Regenerative Power Supply Systems with special emphasis on piezoelectric energy harvesting systems;” and 2) Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society – Special Issue on Energy and Sustainability: “Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting: A Green and Clean Alternative for Sustained Power Production.”
Eda D. Yildirim presented “Concurrent Effect of Oxygen-based Plasma Polymerization and Fibronectin Coating of Poly e-caprolactone Surface on Osteoblast Cell Attachment and Proliferation” at the 8th World Biomaterials Congress, Amsterdam, Holland, on May 29, 2008, co-authored with Robyn Besunder, Lauren Bentley, Halim Ayan, Dr. Alexander Fridman, Dr. Gary Fridman, Dr. Fred Allen and Dr. Wei Sun (Advisor).
Ed Steager, Dr. Changbeom Kim, and Dr. MinJun Kim have published a paper entitled, "Dynamics of Pattern Formation in Bacterial Swarms" in Physics of Fluids 20, 073601 (2008), which provides a more thorough understanding of the dynamics of swarming bacteria, using non-labeled cell tracking algorithm. They have achieved a remarkable work to develop spatial and temporal correlation functions. The paper has been also selected for the July 15, 2008 issue of Virtual Journal of Biological Physics Research.
Dr. Wei Sun spoke as an invited conference presenter on “MIMICS in Computer-Aided Tissue Engineering”, at the Medical Innovations Conference 2008, Vienna, Austria, on May 30, 2008. He also presented “Three Dimensional Multi-Scale Modelling of Cell Deformation in Encapsulated Alginate Scaffolds”, at the 8th World Biomaterials Congress, Amsterdam, Holland, on May 29, 2008 and co-organized a NSF sponsored workshop: 2008 Bio-Nano Manufacturing Grand Challenges for 2020. Held in National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA, from April 14-16, 2008.
Dr. MinJun Kim and his colleagues at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Kyungwon University, and Imperial College London have published a paper in Lab-on-a-Chip entitled, "Gold nanoparticles for one step DNA extraction and real-time PCR of pathogens in a single chamber". In the paper, experimental results show the successful demonstration of a one step real-time PCR system for pathogen detection without removal or changing of reagents. Dr. MinJun Kim and his colleagues in Korea have published a paper entitled "Interfacial interactions and dispersion relations in carbon-aluminium nanocomposite systems" in Nanotechnology. The interactions between a graphene sheet and an aluminium layer in carbon-aluminium nanocomposite systems were investigated for various interfacial configurations using ab initio simulation using density function theory.

08/13/08- Dr. MinJun Kim (PI, MEM) has received a grant from the National Science Foundation (OISE & CMMI) to initiate a collaborative research in the participation of Semmelweis University in Hungary. The objective of this project is to characterize the motion of Tetrahymena pyriformis for cell-based actuation and sensing in low Reynolds number fluidic environments. This project extends and complements the ongoing research by introducing a new cell-based actuation for biological sensing systems. The budget for this one-year project is $26,000, which will be used for exchanging undergraduate and graduate students between Drexel University and Semmelweis University.

08/07/08- Drs. Young Cho (PI) and Alexander Fridman (Co-PI), both of the MEM Department, have just been awarded a new grant by the Department of Energy for their project entitled "Application of Spark Pulses for Scale Prevention and Continuous Filtration Methods." In this project, the Drexel researchers will develop a new scale-prevention technology by continuously precipitating and removing dissolved mineral ions in cooling water. Removal of the dissolved mineral ions would allow power plants to increase the number of times that the water could be recycled before it would be discharged reducing the plants blow-down by approximately 25 percent. This three-year project will receive a total funding amount of $1,004,174.

08/04/08- Dr. MinJun Kim (PI, MEM) has received a grant from the National Science Foundation (CBET: Fluid Dynamics Program) for his project entitled, “Biologically Inspired Robotic Microswimmers.” Drexel is the leading institution in this collaborative research project with Brown University. The objective of the research program is to understand the fundamental scientific principles that govern the assembly and operation of flagella-propelled devices (both single swimmers and collectively-powered devices), as well as to demonstrate the enabling technologies necessary to harness polymeric protein nanostructures such as bacterial flagellar filaments on microstructures for use
in micron-scale engineered propulsion system. The budget for this 3-years project is $500K.

Summer 2008 News & Events

Dr. Wei Sun Appointed Albert Soffa Chair Professor(09/02/08)

ASME Chapter to Race in Philadelphia Red Bull Soap Box Derby (08/28/08)

MEM Doctoral Candidate to Join ME at Texas A&M (08/19/08)

A.J. Drexel Plasma Institute Gains Major Media Attention (08/18/08)

Spring 2008 New Research Awards

06/02/08- Dr. Kimberly Cook-Chennault, Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics department, has received a Drexel University Faculty Career Development Award for her project entitled, "Multifunctional and Energetic Materials: Investigations of Micro and Nano Scale Composite Materials, and Their Application to Real World Problems". The objective is to create a new, effective route to the design and development of 0-3 connectivity piezoelectric composites will be investigated using numerical and experimental methods. Her plan hopes to include a possible GE/Drexel collaboration may arise within the Laser Group or within a group studying sensors and actuators.

05/15/08- Drs. Jack Zhou (PI, MEM), and Peter I. Lelkes (Co-PI, BioMed) have received a grant from the National Science Foundation for their project entitled, “GOALI, Collaborative Research: Design and Manufacturing of Bioactive Surgical Fixation Devices Using Injection Molding of Gradient Cellular Structures.”Drexel is the leading institution in this GOALI collaborative research project with industrial partner Arthrex Inc., Georgia Institute of Technology and Cooper Union. The research objective of this award is to investigate novel surgical fixation devices (screw, anchor, plate, pin, staple, etc.) that not only secure a graft in place, but incorporate bioactive materials such as growth factors, healing drugs, and cells, intended to promote bone tissue growth. The budget for this 3-year project is $576,379 with Drexel receiving $360,506.

04/29/08- Dr. MinJun Kim (CoPI, MEM, Dr. Mira Olson, PI, CAEE) has been awarded the USDA equipment grant which will be used to purchase real-time PCR equipment for qualification of environmental pathogens. The award is for $50,000.

04/29/08-Dr. MinJun Kim has been selected as a recipient of a Drexel University Career Development Award, which will serve to organize a working group of collaborators in Imperial College of London and National Institute of Standards and Technology to visit Drexel concurrently to discuss a potential collaborative research project as well as offer a "two-day" workshop to introduce development of nanomanufacturing, single molecule analysis for nucleic acids and biomimetic design and fabrication of organic-inorganic nanoarchitectures for faculty, students, and post docs at Drexel. The award is for $10,000.

Spring 2008 News & Events

MEM Undergrad Nick Silva Wins 1st CoE Film Fest! (06/12/08)

Dr. Layton Publishes “Recent Patents in Bionanotechnologies: Nanolithography, Bionanocomposites, Cell-Based Computing and Entropy Production”(06/10/08)

MEM Students Ed Steager & Pak Kau Lim Bestowed Research Honors (06/10/08)

Pride of MEM: Senior Design Teams Honored (06/09/08)

Eco-friendly Transportation: Drexel Engineers Go Green with the DragonWagon (05/27/08)

Chang and Ayan Place Second in 2008 Baiada Business Plan Competition (05/20/08)

Society of Women Engineers T-Shirt Design Contest (05/15/08)

Drexel University MEM Students Win EPA Future Technologies Award(05/15/08)

Dr. Baki Farouk to Receive Ira Cohen Fluid Dynamics (05/15/08)

Dr. Fridman Publishes Plasma Chemistry (05/15/08)

Pi Tau Sigma- Food Drive to Support Philadbundance! (05/01/08)

Transforming a Community: Mentor Profile- Dr. Lew Lama(04/17/08)

2008 Greater Philadelphia Sea Perch Challenge! (04/11/08)

Rafael Mulero Awarded 1st Place at the 11th Annual Philadelphia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Research Symposium and Mentoring Conference(04/09/08)

MEM Ph.D. Student Receives NSF Graduate Research Fellowship(04/09/08)

BAST Lab Members to Attend NSF Summer Institute on Nanomechanics Nanomaterials and Micro/Nanomanufacturing(04/03/08)

Pi Tau Sigma Students Attend 2008 International ME Honors Society Convention(04/03/08)

Transforming a Community: Drexel Engineering Students Travel to Tanzania to Make a Difference(04/02/08)

Winter 2008 New Research Awards

02/07/08- Dr. Alisa Morss-Clyne (PI, MEM) and Dr. Mahesh Sharma (Co-Pi, Drexel University School of Medicine, Surgery Department) were awarded a PA Department of Public Health GRID Award (Grants for Research Impact at Drexel) for their research project entitled "Vascular Complications in Diabetes: Effect of High Glucose Extracellular Matrix Alterations on Angiogenesis." The purpose of this project is to study how high blood sugar levels contribute to increased cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes. The award was for $73,000 for one year.

02/04/08- Dr. B.C. Chang (PI, MEM) was awarded funding from the Army Research

Laboratory for his research project entitled “Control of Flying Munitions Using DSP Microprocessors”. The objective of the research is to develop embedded digital signal processing and control technology relevant to sensing, navigation, and control of flying munitions systems. The award was for $185,898 for two years.

01/31/08-Dr. Alexander Fridman (PI, MEM), in partnership with Ceramatec Corporation (Salt Lake City, UT), recently received funding from the US Department of Defense to develop a plasma system on board of military vehicle that will generate hydrogen from the production of JP-8 fuel. The Drexel portion of this $2.3M, two-year project is $700K.

12/27/07-Dr. Moses Noh (PI, MEM) received the National Science Foundation CAREER Award for his project entitled, “Engineering a Liver Sinusoid Functional Unit.” The objective of this project is to generate an innovative human liver model (bioreactor) that closely mimics the liver sinusoid functional unit. Microfabrication and microfluidics technologies will be combined with cell culture technology in collaboration with Dr. Michael Bouchard (BioChem, DUCOM) to create an authentic human liver model. The total budget for this project is $458,846.

12/27/07-Drs. Moses Noh (PI, MEM) and Mun Choi (Co-PI, MEM) were recently awarded funding from the National Science Foundation for their project entitled, “Micro-Fluidics Laboratory (MFL) Modules and Kits for Undergraduate Education.” The objective of this project is to develop and test a set of laboratory modules and kits that will allow engineering and science undergraduate students to explore microscale fluid behaviors and microfluidic devices. This will also be one of many ways Mun will continue his interactions with our college after assuming his new role as the Dean of Engineering at UConn. This grant is a 2-year project with a budget of $150K.

12/17/07-Dr. Moses Noh (PI, MEM) in collaboration with Dr. Francis Kralick (Neurosurgery) recently received funding from National Institute of Health for their project entitled “Implantable Microdevice for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus.” The objective of this project is to develop an implantable microdevice analogous to the native biological valve that diverts excessive cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space to the sagittal sinus. If successful, the project will open a new era in the treatment of hydrocephalus, which is one of the most frequently encountered problems in neurosurgery. The budget for this two-year R21 program is $387,297.

Winter 2008 News & Events

Dr. Howard Pearlman Selected as 2008 Boeing Welliver Fellow (03/17/08)

MinJun Kim Publishes "Bacterial Microfluidics"(03/11/08)

Louis & Bessie Stein Fellowship Awarded to MinJun Kim (02/21/08)

NEW: MEM Graduate Course Announcement: MEM 800-501 Microscale Transport

Dr. Paul Oh & PIRE Project Featured at the National Science Foundation
Budget Request Rollout (02/11/08)

MEM Event- AIAA Careers in Aerospace Panel Discussion (02/08/08)

Dr. Paul Oh Wins "Best Paper" Award (01/28/08)

MinJun Kim’s Research Featured in Small and Nanowerks (01/22/08)

Dr. Layton Featured in Drexel College of Medicine Newspager Article (01/03/08)

Dr. Kim Chosen to Organize Microfluidics '08 Sympsoium (12/20/07)

Engineer's Week 2008 recap (12/17/07)

Fall 2007 New Research Awards

12/04/07- Dr. MinJun Kim, Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics department, has received the National Science Foundation CAREER Award for his project entitled, "CAREER: The Integration of Biomolecular Motors for Bacterial Actuation, Sensing, and Transport (BAST) at Micro/Nanoscale." The objective is to demonstrate the use of flagellated bacteria as controllable, reconfigurable elements in a microfluidic network of microengineered systems and to adapt polymeric protein nanostructures such as bacterial flagellar filaments for use in nanoscale devices. His educational plan includes offering a course in the emerging technologies in nanoscale manufacturing and metrology for engineering and technology creating enormous potential for increasing student learning experiences. The CAREER research program will be initiated from March 1, 2008. The budget for this project will be $400K for 5 years.

10/15/07- Dr. Paul Oh (PI, MEM) in partnership with researchers from Virginia Tech, UPenn, Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr College, and international partner Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) were recently awarded the NSF-PIRE: Partnerships for International Education and Research award for their project entitled “PIRE: Humanoids - Universally Accessible Infrastructures to Advance Capabilities.”

This international partnership with KAIST will bring leading roboticists from the US and Korea together to advance state-of-the-art humanoid robotics. The project will result in infrastructures that will produce far-reaching broader impacts and will enable humanoids to work and socially interact with people. The outreach plan includes collaborations with industry partners, exhibitions at the Philadelphia Please Touch Museum (400,000 visitors annually), and K-12 activities that serve to inspire and motivate students to pursue science and engineering careers. The budget for this five-year project is $2.5M.

Fall 2007 News & Events

The Chronicle of Higher Education Ranks MEM 4th in Nation (12/06/07)

DPI Takes Center Stage during First International Conference on Plasma Medicine(10/23/07)

MEM Alumnus Christopher Ferguson Assigned to NASA Crew for Space Station Mission

(10/23/07)

Senior Design Team Wins Award in Advancement of Arc Welded Design, Engineering
and Fabrication (10/19/07)

MEM Welcomes Dr. Ani Hsieh (10/15/07)

AIAA Dedication of Former GE Building

2007 Hill Fellowship Recipients Announced (10/3/07)

Dr. Kim's Research on "Using Bacteria as a Power Source"
Featured on Drexel Innovations(9/24/07)

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