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Investigation Of In-Situ Immobilization Of Contaminated Sediments Using Alginate Gels For The Reduction Of Ecological Risk, Michael V. Podany Mr.

Master's Theses

Remediation methods for contaminated sediments include dredging, treatment and disposal and sediment isolation through capping. These methods are costly and adversely impact local ecosystems, in some cases causing major disturbances to the sediment bed and water column. A new remediation technique is proposed for slowly biodegradable contaminants using alginate hydrogels as a binding agent of sediment. The rational is that sediment particles bound in alginate hydrogel are less likely to be resuspended and the treatment is less disruptive than capping. Here we show addition of alginate increased the shear strength of sediment comprised of defined particle sizes. The increase in …

Neutron Dosimeter Development Based On Medipix2, Mohd Amir R. Othman, Marco Petasecca, Susanna Guatelli, J. Uher, Damion Marinaro, Dale A. Prokopovich, Mark I. Reinhard, Michael L. F. Lerch, J. Jakubek, S. Pospisil, Anatoly B. Rosenfeld

Susanna Guatelli

A novel neutron dosimetry system for avionics and space applications is described. The new dosimetric system is based on Medipix2, a high density silicon based pixilated detector with integrated readout and digital interface circuitry. Real time dose equivalent response to fast neutron fields with flattened energy response is achieved through the coupling of a structured variable thickness polyethylene (PE) over layer with the high density pixilated detector. Experimental results obtained to 14 MeV D-T and Am-Be neutron fields are described along with a comparison to results obtained with GEANT4 simulations.

Investigating The Therapeutic Potential Of Salivary Proteins For Oral Diseases, Dusa Vukosavljevic

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

ABSTRACT

Saliva is responsible for the formation of the acquired enamel pellicle (AEP), a protein

integument formed as a result of selective adsorption of salivary proteins to the enamel

surface. The AEP demonstrates an important role for modulating dental erosion as a

result of its physical properties, along with its salivary and exogenous protein

composition (Chapter 2). In addition, individual proteins that comprise the AEP have

important physiological functions. Histatin 5 (H5) has potent antifungal effect against C.

albicans, the yeast responsible for the initiation of oral candidiasis. We designed an in

vitro model and found, for the first time, …

Silica Nanoparticle-Based Coatings With Superhydrophilic And Superhydrophobic Properties, Robert Andrew Fleming

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic surfaces have potential for implementation into a variety of fields, including self-cleaning surfaces, anti-fogging transparent materials, and biomedical applications. In this study, sandblasting, oxygen plasma treatments, silica nanoparticle films, and a low surface energy fluorocarbon film were employed to change the natural surface wettability of titanium, glass, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates, with an aim to produce superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic behavior. The effects of these surface modifications are characterized by water contact angles (WCAs), surface wetting stability, surface morphology and roughness, surface elemental composition, and optical transmittance measurements. The results show that stable superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic surfaces …

Voltage Effects On Cells Cultured On Metallic Biomedical Implants, Seyed Morteza Haerihosseini

Biomedical and Chemical Engineering - Dissertations

Electrochemical voltage shifts in metallic biomedical implants occur in-vivo due to a number of processes including mechanically assisted corrosion. Surface potential of biomedical implants and excursions from resting open circuit potential (OCP), which is the voltage they attain while in contact with an electrolyte, can significantly change the interfacial properties of the metallic surfaces and alter the behavior of the surrounding cells, compromising the biocompatibility of metallic implants. Voltages can also be controlled to modulate cell function and fate. To date, the details of the physico-chemical phenomena and the role of different biomaterial parameters involved in the interaction between cells …

Machining Stability Of Wire Edm Of Titanium, Farnaz Nourbakhsh

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This work presents an experimental investigation of wire electro-discharge machining (WEDM) of titanium alloy. The outstanding characteristics of titanium alloys such as their compatibility and noticeable physical, mechanical and biological performances has led to increased application of them in various industries especially in biomedical industries over the last 50 years. However, due to low thermal conductivity of titanium and its alloys and their reactivity with cobalt in most tool materials, there are some difficulties in machining titanium and its alloys by conventional machining. On the other hand, unconventional machining processes especially Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) are more appropriate techniques …

Fabrication And Characterization Of Polylactic Acid And Polylactic Acid/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanofibers Through Centrifugal Spinning, Richard Patlan

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Biocompatible polymer nanofibers hold great potential in the biomedical engineering field. Their biodegradable nature and enhanced properties could help solve a wide array of health related problems, particularly in the areas of tissue regeneration, drug delivery, and biosensor design. The novel ForcespinningTM method allows the production of submicron fibers without many of the drawbacks found in electrospinning, while also providing a substantial increase in fiber production. The aim of the study was to utilize this method to fabricate non-woven nanofibrous mats composed of polylactic acid (PLA) and polylactic acid/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite fibers. The morphology, thermal properties, and crystalline structure …

Plasma Test On Industrial Diamond Powder In Hydrogen And Air For Fracture Strength Study, Rohit Asuri Sudharshana Asuri Sudharshana Chary

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Diamonds are the most precious material all over the world. Ever since their discovery, the desire for natural diamonds has been great; recently, the demand has steeply increased, leading to scarcity. For example, in 2010, diamonds worth $50 billion were marketed. This increased demand has led to discovering alternative sources to replace diamonds. The diamond, being the hardest material on earth, could be replaced with no other material except another diamond. Thus, the industrial or synthetic diamond was invented. Because of extreme hardness is one of diamond's properties, diamonds are used in cutting operations. The fracture strength of diamond is …

Development Of Simulation Platform For Oropharyngeal Airway Placement And Design Evaluation Of The Bardo Airway, Lewis On Hang Lee

Master's Theses

Off-label use of traditional Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA) as a bite-block, and the subsequential procedure of force exertion of the device by physician has caused many cases of patient’s teeth damage and monetary loss, as the patient’s incisors were damaged while clenching on the OPA during an adverse scenario called “Emergency Clenching”. To remedy this harmful situation, Bardo OPA was developed by Dr. Theodore Burdumy. The Bardo airway has unique design to transfer the clenching force from incisor to the molar. However, the Bardo OPA is one-sized, and cannot fit most of the patients like the commonly-used OPAs, such as the …

Improving Rapid Prototyping Through The Installment Of 3d Printers In Automotive Companies, Kelly Mccarthy

Honors Theses

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a relatively new form of additive manufacturing that has the potential to induce a second industrial revolution. This technology utilizes a print head to lay down raw materials in successive layers to fabricate a three dimensional object. There are several techniques in 3D printing, two of which will be discussed hi this proposal: fused deposition modeling (FDM), and inkjet/polyjet matrix 3D printing.

Although this technology has been around since the 1980s, it is constantly evolving and new materials, uses, and objects are created daily. This technology presents the potential to manufacture a variety of objects across …

Research Inequality In Nanomedicine, Thomas Woodson

Thomas Woodson

The 10-90 gap is an idea in the healthcare literature that less than 10%of all research funding goes to solving health problems that are 90%of the global disease burden. This paper examines whether there is inequality in nanotechnology healthcare research (nanomedicine). To understand the inequality in nanomedicine, I conducted a bibliometric review of Web of Science and PubMed databases. Overall there is not large inequality in nanomedicine research. The bibliometric analysis shows that most nanomedicine research is done in high income countries, but their research portfolios extend beyond rich world diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes to include research on …

Calcium Phosphate-Based Resorbable Biomaterials For Bone Regeneration, Daniel O. Costa

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Bone defects are a prevalent problem in orthopedics and dentistry. Calcium phosphate-based coatings and nanocomposites offer unique solutions towards producing scaffolds with suitable physical, mechanical and biological properties for bone regeneration.

We developed a novel method to synthesize hydroxyapatite (HA) particles with high aspect ratio using sol-gel chemistry and hydrothermal treatment. We obtained tunable pure-phase carbonated-HA in the form of micro/nanorods and nanowires (diameters 25-800 nm). To mimic the structure of bone, HA nanowires were homogenously mixed within poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) to produce nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties as determined by uniaxial tensile testing.

Surface chemistry and topography of biomaterials play …

Monosynaptic Functional Connectivity In Cerebral Cortex During Wakefulness And Under Graded Levels Of Anesthesia, Jeannette A. Vizuete, Siveshigan Pillay, Kamran Diba, Kristina M. Ropella, Anthony G. Hudetz

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The balance between excitation and inhibition is considered to be of significant importance for neural computation and cognitive function. Excitatory and inhibitory functional connectivity in intact cortical neuronal networks in wakefulness and graded levels of anesthesia has not been systematically investigated. We compared monosynaptic excitatory and inhibitory spike transmission probabilities using pairwise cross-correlogram (CCG) analysis. Spikes were measured at 64 sites in the visual cortex of rats with chronically implanted microelectrode arrays during wakefulness and three levels of anesthesia produced by desflurane. Anesthesia decreased the number of active units, the number of functional connections, and the strength of excitatory connections. …

Quaternary Ammonium Silane-Functionalized, Methacrylate Resin Composition With Antimicrobial Activities And Self-Repair Potential, Shi-Qiang Gong, Li-Na Niu, Lisa K. Kemp, Cynthia K.Y. Yiu, Heonjune Ryou, Yi-Pin Qi, John D. Blizzard, Sergey Nikonov, Martha G. Brackett, Regina L.W. Messer, Christine D. Wu, Jing Mao, L. Bryan Brister, Frederick A. Rueggeberg, Dwayne D. Arola, David H. Pashley, Franklin R. Tay

Faculty Publications

The design of antimicrobial polymers to address healthcare issues and minimize environmental problems is an important endeavor with both fundamental and practical implications. Quaternary ammonium silane-functionalized methacrylate (QAMS) represents an example of antimicrobial macromonomers synthesized by a sol–gel chemical route; these compounds possess flexible Si–O–Si bonds. In present work, a partially hydrolyzed QAMS co-polymerized with 2,2-[4(2-hydroxy 3-methacryloxypropoxy)-phenyl]propane is introduced. This methacrylate resin was shown to possess desirable mechanical properties with both a high degree of conversion and minimal polymerization shrinkage. The kill-on-contact microbiocidal activities of this resin were demonstrated using single-species biofilms of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 36558), Actinomyces naeslundii (ATCC …

Mineralization Potential Of Electrospun Pdo-Hydroxyapatite-Fibrinogen Blended Scaffolds, Isaac A. Rodriguez, Parthasarathy A. Madurantakam, Jennifer M. Mccool, Scott A. Sell, Hu Yang, Peter C. Moon, Gary L. Bowlin

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The current bone autograft procedure for cleft palate repair presents several disadvantages such as limited availability, additional invasive surgery, and donor site morbidity. The present preliminary study evaluates the mineralization potential of electrospun polydioxanone:nano-hydroxyapatite: fibrinogen (PDO: nHA: Fg) blended scaffolds in different simulated body fluids (SBF). Scaffolds were fabricated by blending PDO: nHA: Fg in the following percent by weight ratios: 100: 0: 0, 50: 25: 25, 50: 50: 0, 50: 0: 50, 0: 0: 100, and 0: 50: 50. Samples were immersed in (conventional (c), revised (r), ionic (i), and modified (m)) SBF for 5 and 14 days to …

Functionalization Of Gold Nanoparticles (Gnpss) Using The Isolate, Functionalize, And Release (Isofure) Methodology, David Spencer, Hariharasudhan D. Chirra, J. Zach Hilt

Kaleidoscope

No abstract provided.

Classification Of Biomaterials Used In Medicine, Ajit Behera

Ajit Behera

In this decade many researches are potentially going forward by using biomaterials in the medical field. Biomaterials can used in living creature body, taking in account of there biocompatibility. This paper describes about classification of different biomaterials which are used in medical industries. Advances in surgical technique and instruments have permitted materials to be used in ways that were not possible previously. Bio-material can partially/totally replaces one or more part of the body. Before using biomaterials, it should in mind that, which categories they are belongs and main focuses are on biocompatibility, bioinert, bioactive/surface reactive, biodegradable, sterilizability, adequate mechanical and …

Elasto-Capillarity In Fibrous Materials, Daria Monaenkova

All Dissertations

Current advances in the manufacture of nanoporous and nanofibrous materials with high absorption capacity open up new opportunities for the development of fiber-based probes and sensors. Pore structures of these materials can be designed to provide high suction pressure and fast wicking. During wicking, due to the strong capillary action, the liquids exert stresses on the fiber network, thus the stressed state of dry and wet parts of the material differs. In this work the effect of stress reduction in fibrous materials due to the presence of wetting liquid in the pore structure is studied in details for both static …

Gallium Containing Glass Polyalkenoate Anti-Cancerous Bone Cements: Glass Characterization And Physical Properties, A. W. Wren, A. Coughlan, L. Placek, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A gallium (Ga) glass series (0.48SiO₂-0.40ZnO-0.12CaO, with 0.08 mol% substitution for ZnO) was developed to formulate a Ga-containing Glass Polyalkenoate Cement (GPC) series. Network connectivity (NC) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to investigate the role of Ga³⁺ in the glass, where it is assumed to act as a network modifier. Ga-GPC series was formulated with E9 and E11 polyacrylic acid (PAA) at 50, 55 and 60 wt% additions. E11 working times (T_w) ranged from 68 to 96 s (Lcon.) and 106 s for the Ga-GPCs (LGa-1 and LGa-2). Setting times (T_s) …

Experimental Composite Guidance Conduits For Peripheral Nerve Repair: An Evaluation Of Ion Release, X. F. Zhang, A. Coughlan, H. O'Shea, Mark R. Towler, S. Kehoe, D. Boyd

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) - Pluronic F127 - glass composites have demonstrated excellent potential, from the perspective of controlled mechanical properties and cytocompatibility, for peripheral nerve regeneration. In addition to controlling the mechanical properties and cytotoxicity for such composite devices, the glass component may mediate specific responses upon implantation via degradation in the physiological environment and release of constituent elements. However, research focused on quantifying the release levels of such therapeutic ions from these experimental medical devices has been limited. To redress the balance, this paper explores the ion release profiles for Si⁴⁺, Ca²⁺, Na⁺, …

2d Modeling Of Forcespinning™ Nanofiber Formation With Experimental Study And Validation, Simon Padron

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

A newly developed method of producing nanofibers, called Forcespinning™, has proven to be a viable alternative to mass produce nanofibers. Forcespinning™ utilizes centrifugal forces which allow for a host of new materials to be processed into nanofibers while also providing a significant increase in yield and ease of production. To improve and enhance the Forcespinning™ production method, a 2D computational Forcespinning™ fluid dynamics model is developed. Three computer models, namely time-independent and time-dependent inviscid models and a viscous model are obtained and the influences of various parameters on Forcespinning™ fiber formation are obtained. This work also presents a detailed explanation …

Root Uptake Of Organic Contaminants Into Plants: Species Differences, Naho Orita

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Xenobiotic organic contaminants are widely found in the environment, including soils, sediments, surface waters, wastewater streams, and even in drinking water. Food chain contamination resulting from the uptake of these contaminants by plants is a concern. Although the uptake of a variety of xenobiotic organic contaminants by plants has been reported but the differences between plant species are not fully understood. The emphasis of this thesis research is to further investigate the unique root to shoot transfer ability of “gold rush” zucchini that has been reported repeatedly in recent years.

A pressure chamber technique was used to measure transpiration stream …

Experimental Investigation Of Hard And Brittle Materials Machining Using Micro Rotary Ultrasonic Machining, Amey V. Patwardhan

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The demand for miniaturized device and components is rapidly increasing in fields of aerospace, energy, optics, electronics and communication, automation and medical. Rotary Ultrasonic Machining (RUM) is capable of machining hard and brittle materials such as advanced ceramics, glass and silicon used in many industries. Rotary Ultrasonic Machining (RUM) is a hybrid machining process in which material is removed by conventional grinding and ultrasonic machining. Micro RUM is a downscaled version of a macro RUM and is similar to micro Ultrasonic Machining (micro USM), where the vibration takes place in work piece instead of tool.

The goal of this thesis …

An Investigation Of Medical Device Design And Physical Ergonomics In Healthcare, Adam E. De Laveaga

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Human factors and process engineering are becoming a prominent area of research and application for industrial engineering principles as healthcare providers seek to improve patient safety, quality the optimization of resources. Human factors engineering and ergonomics play a crucial role in the pursuit of operational excellence and patient safety in healthcare. These disciplines contain the tools required to develop instrumentation, technology and training that can improve the usability of medical technology and the quality of care that patients receive. Designing tasks, tools and processes for optimal human use can enhance performance, reduce errors and improve safety. This thesis encompasses three …

Summer 2012 Biomedical Engineering Newsletter, Department Of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Department of Biomedical Engineering Newsletters

Table of Contents

• Dr. Jeremy Goldman wins a Fulbright Scholarship
• Research updates
• Hal Holmes named Goldwater Scholar
• Top honors at the Undergraduate Expo

Evaluation Of Autonomous Robotic Milling Methodology For Natural Tooth-Shaped Implants Based On Sko Optimization, Yongki Yoon

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Robotic surgery is one of the most demanding and challenging applications in the field of automatic control. One of the conventional surgeries, the dental implantation, is the standard methodology to place the artificial tooth root composed of titanium material into the upper or lower jawbone. During the dental implant surgery, mechanical removal of the bone material is the most critical procedure because it may affect the patient's safety including damage to the mandibular canal nerve and/or piercing the maxillary sinus. With this problem, even though short term survival rates are greater than 95%, long term success rate of the surgery …

Identifying Operations Research Systems Analysts' Technical Competencies: A Delphi Approach, William T. Winklbauer

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

After the attacks of September 11, 2011, the demands for more agile, adaptive, critical-thinking, and multi-talented U.S. Army Operations Research Systems Analysts (FA49s) have only increased. Tomorrow's joint operating environment demands U.S. Army FA49s to be ingenious, proactive, and multi-talented; proficient in their core competencies as military leaders as well as being proficient in their technical competencies as problem solvers in the operations research field.

The purpose of this study was to identify the technical competencies and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required for future U.S. Army FA49s to perform their duties within the joint operating environment of the next …

Increasing The Quantity Of Silver In Zinc-Based Glass Polyalkenoate Cement: Is There An Improvement In Antibacterial Efficacy?, A. Coughlan, S. M. Breed, C. Ashraf, J. A. Cardinale, M. M. Hall, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Bone cements should have the ability to chemically bond to both bone and surgical metals, exhibit no chemical or thermal necrosis, and have no significant shrinkage or exotherm upon setting. Taking these properties into consideration, glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) have potential as bone cements. GPCs are formed by the reaction between an ion-leachable glass and an aqueous solution of polyacrylic acid (PAA) [1] and have proven antibacterial and cariostatic properties [2], which are related to their ability to release beneficial amounts of ions over time [3, 4]. The GPCs can be formulated to release ions that can have a therapeutic …

Gallium Containing Glass Polyalkenoate Bone Cements: Glass Characterization And Physical Properties, L. Placek, A. W. Wren, A. Coughlan, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Gallium (Ga) glasses were developed to formulate a Glass Polyalkenoate Cement (GPC) series with both E9 and E11 polyacrylic acid (PAA) at 50, 55 and 60wt% additions. Working times (T w), setting times (T s), compression (σ c), and biaxial flexural (σ f) strength testing were evaluated to determine the GPCs potential use in orthopedics. © 2012 IEEE.

Reconfigurable Antenna And Rf Circuits Using Multi-Layer Stretchable Conductors, Riaz Ahmed -. Liyakath

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The growth of flexible electronics industry has given rise to light-weight, flexible devices which have a wide range of applications such as wearable electronics, flexible sensors, conformal antennas, bio-medical applications, solar cells etc. Though several techniques exist to fabricate flexible devices, the limiting factors have been durability, cost and complexity of the approach. In this research, the focus has been on developing stretchable (flexible) conductors using a multi-layer structure of metal and conductive rubber. The stretchable conductors developed using this approach do not lose electrical connection when subjected to large strains up to 25%. Also, the conductivity of the conductive …