Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 4 of 4
Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Rapid Prototyping To Roll-To-Roll Manufacturing Of Microfluidic Devices, Amber Lee Boutiette
Rapid Prototyping To Roll-To-Roll Manufacturing Of Microfluidic Devices, Amber Lee Boutiette
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Microfluidics constitutes a widely applicable field of enabling technologies with great potential to revolutionize healthcare and biotechnology. The ability to miniaturize and parallelize processes with microfluidics is seen as a solution for many problems with diagnostics technologies and accessibility. Unfortunately, fabricating microfluidics often require extremely expensive, time consuming, and specialized high-precision methods, making both prototyping and commercial-scale mass manufacturing difficult to accomplish. In this work, we evaluate the feasibility of using a unique roll-to-roll (R2R) micropatterning manufacturing process coupled with Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) to rapidly prototype and produce microfluidic devices at high-volume on film or paper backings for applications …
Characterization Of Nano-Cellulose Based Composites For Biomedical Applications, Mitchell P. Chesley
Characterization Of Nano-Cellulose Based Composites For Biomedical Applications, Mitchell P. Chesley
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The number of orthopedic surgeries performed globally has steadily increased over the past decade due to the standardization of procedures as well as technological advancements. During this time orthopedic devices have been composed predominantly of metals, such as Titanium, Vanadium, Molybdenum, and Stainless steel, as well as their alloys, due to the high strength and durability of these materials. However, metals may, in fact, be suboptimal for orthopedic devices. For example, metals exhibit Young’s modulus much greater than the surrounding bone, inducing localized stress-shielding promoting cortical atrophy, which can lead to osteoporosis. In recent years polymers have been successfully explored …
Design, Construction And Application Of A Home-Built, Two-Photon Microscope, William P. Breeding
Design, Construction And Application Of A Home-Built, Two-Photon Microscope, William P. Breeding
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Two-photon microscopy (TPM) is a powerful, versatile imaging modality for the study of biological systems. This thesis overviews the relevant physics involved in TPM, design considerations and process of constructing a home-built, two-photon microscope, and provides a set of procedures to operate the system. Furthermore, this work explores several applications of TPM through the study of single-cell metabolism and imaging the cellular-material interface. Explored in particular depth was the imaging of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) materials, with the goal of understanding the three-dimensional nature of fibroblast cell growth when embedded within the materials. This work uncovered several optical properties of CNF, …
3d Printed Bioinspired Vascularized Polymers, Kayla Marquis
3d Printed Bioinspired Vascularized Polymers, Kayla Marquis
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Biological vascular systems contain a network of three-dimensional channels that transport and deliver necessary nutrients throughout the organism. These systems are complex, adaptable, and possess the ability to detect and respond to external stimuli as needed. In this work, we mimic the complexity and adaptability of biological systems by incorporating vascular systems into polymeric materials. Vacant channels are created using a fugitive ink technique along with 3D gel printing. Upon completion of vascular channel construction, proof of principle testing is performed by inoculating the polymeric surface with bacteria and adding antibiotics to the vascular channels. The system is then characterized …