Biology and Biomimetic Materials Commons^™

Biomimetic Swarm Of Active Particles With Coupled Passive-Active Interactions, Amir Nourhani

University Research

We study the universal behavior of a class of active colloids whose design is inspired by the collective dynamics of natural systems such as schools of fish and flocks of birds. These colloids, with off-center repulsive interaction sites, self-organize into polar swarms exhibiting long-range order and directional motion without significant hydrodynamic interactions. Our simulations show that the system transitions from motile perfect crystals to solid-like, liquid-like, and gas-like states depending on noise levels, repulsive interaction strength, and particle density. By analyzing swarm polarity and hexatic bond order parameters, we demonstrate that effective volume fractions based on force-range and torque-range interactions …

Multifunctional Nanoscale Pigments: Emerging Risks And Circular Strategies For A Sustainable Future, Ajay Vikram Singh, Preeti Bhardwaj, Vimal Kishore, Sunil Choudhary, Akihiko Hirose, Neha Gupta, Madleen Busse, Swarn Lata Singh, Christopher J. Osgood

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The substantial penetration of nanoscale pigments into a range of sectors has changed the dynamics of industries such as medical, material science, and many more. Nonetheless, their persistence in the environment and probable adverse impacts on health require that an assessment of such risks be formulated considering the One Health perspective. This viewpoint considers the crossing of boundaries of progress in the nanotechnology of nanoscale pigments with environmental, animal, and human health and emphasizes the significance of collaborative activity. Traditional perspectives explain the distribution of pigment history, while the nanotechnology of today's accessibility poses problems regarding utilization, toxicities, and interactions …

Fabricating Silver-Ceria Polymer Nanocomposite Scaffolds For Biomedical Therapeutic Applications, Shreya S. Pawar

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Improper healing of bone fractures and limited regeneration of bone following bone tumor resection remain a prevalent complication worldwide. Long-term effects of this include joint instability, limited movement, and arthritis. Bone infections (osteomyelitis), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation via excessive inflammation, and underlying conditions such as osteoporosis can contribute to suboptimal bone tissue regeneration. ROS accumulation stimulates osteoblast apoptosis, while promoting osteoclast differentiation. These processes inhibit mineralization and osteogenesis. Conventional therapeutics involve the utilization of drugs and bone grafts. However, these approaches pose limitations and can result in subsequent complications. Microbial infections, ROS accumulation, and excessive inflammations are factors that …

The Bacteriostatic, Regenerative, And Immunomodulatory Properties Of Extracellular Matrix Particles For Lung Injury, Keera P. Rhoads

Theses and Dissertations

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a prevalent, life-threatening lung condition, affecting nearly 200,000 Americans annually, with a 40% international mortality rate. There is no cure for ARDS, and current pharmacological treatments have limited effectiveness. Symptoms can be mitigated with mechanical ventilation, though this often leads to ventilator-induced lung injuries (VILI) and puts critically ill patients at risk of infections, including ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). A promising therapeutic is the extracellular matrix (ECM), a complex network of structural proteins and bioactive molecules that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and prevent fibrosis. We aim to utilize the regenerative and immunomodulatory …

Effect Of Metal Ions On The Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging Capabilities Of Cerium Oxide For Biological Applications, Agastya Mittal

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Ceria nanoparticles' capabilities to defend cells against oxidative stress through superoxide dismutase activity are well-documented. Ceria nanoparticles demonstrate a ratio between 3⁺/4⁺ oxidative states on the surface of the particles to exhibit oxygen vacancies, a feature that allows these particles to scavenge Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in times of Oxidative Stress. Oxidative stress arises from many wounds in the body, such as wounds in the skin, and can have significant impacts on the health of an individual. Even when receiving treatment for the skin wound, ROS can circulate from around the wound, be generated from an imbalance …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Multifunctional Cerium Oxide Containing Nanoparticles For Biomedical Applications, Ishaan Patel

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study presents the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of a novel core-shell nanoparticle composed of a maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) core and a europium-doped cerium oxide (EuCNP) shell, developed for potential use in cancer theranostics. Using a co-precipitation method, Fe₂O₃–EuCNP core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized and compared against control samples of CNPs, EuCNPs, and Fe₂O₃. A variety of characterization techniques, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, TEM, XRD, XPS, DLS, TGA, and DSC confirmed the successful synthesis of core-shell architecture and europium doping. Moreover, Fe₂O₃–EuCNPs demonstrating strong colloidal …

Cropsync: Ai-Powered Sustainable Crop Management, Ziad Doughan, Ibrahim Mneimneh, Zouheir Nakouzi, Noor Al Khaib, Samer Damaj, Jamal Chaaban, Hamza Mrad, Sari Itani

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

CropSync is a smart agriculture system that uses AI and IoT technologies to enable sustain- able crop management and precision farming. The system aims to address the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, such as increasing food production to meet global population demands while minimizing environmental impact. CropSync integrates sensors, cameras, and cloud-based analytics to provide farmers with real-time insights and recommendations for optimizing crop cul- tivation. The system upholds engineering professional and ethical standards, considering broader social, environmental, and economic implications. From a social perspective, CropSync improves food security and enhances farmers’ livelihoods through increased productivity and efficient re- …

Toward Electrochemical Detection Of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Enteritidis On Hydroponically Grown Green Onions (Allium Fistulosum L.), Lisseth Casso-Hartmann

All Theses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established standards during the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce for human consumption as part of implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). One of the main requirements for farmers is to detect environmental pathogens such as Salmonella enterica species in water and sprout samples. S. enterica is a bacterium of significant concern due to its pathogenicity and ability to survive and persist in diverse environmental conditions. S. enterica has been associated with recalls in ready-to-eat foods. Traditional detection methods include Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and plate counting, which …

Magnetic Nano And Micro Rods As Tools For Characterizing Materials Mechanical Properties: Fundamentals And Applications, Artis Brasovs

All Dissertations

The focus of this dissertation is insect blood (Hemolymph). Hemolymph is analyzed by taking a materials science approach. Rheological characterization of hemolymph has been performed for the first time. Owing to a minute amount of available material, a new protocol was established where Magnetic Rotational Spectroscopy (MRS) with ferromagnetic nanorods was employed. The challenge was examining the microliter droplets' viscosity in less than a few minutes. This challenge was successfully resolved.

Blood is critical for the insect's survival: after wounding, the insect has to seal the wound quickly, in a few minutes. As the mechanism of fast clotting has never …

Biocorrosion Analysis Via Multiscale Time Series Analysis, Victor Hugo Mendoza Vejar, Eliseo Hernandez Martinez, Hector Puebla

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Biofabrication Of Tissue Constructs Using Protein-In-Polysaccharide Bioinks For Muscle Regeneration, Harshavardhan B

Theses and Dissertations

Myocardial infarction (MI) and volumetric muscle loss (VML) are debilitating conditions that severely affect patient quality of life and challenge healthcare systems, particularly in diagnosis and treatment. Conventional therapies often result in long recovery periods with limited functional restoration. Advances in regenerative medicine, especially extrusion-based 3D bioprinting, offer promising potential to improve the regeneration of complex tissues by precisely depositing cells and biomaterials layer-by-layer to create tailored tissue constructs.

A critical challenge in muscle tissue regeneration is developing protein-polysaccharide bioinks that closely mimic the native muscle tissue microenvironment. In this study, two protein-inpolysaccharide bioinks (alginate-fibrinogen and methylcellulose-gelatin-alginate) were developed to …

Shape Memory Alloy Capsule Micropump For Drug Delivery Applications, Youssef Mohamed Kotb

Theses and Dissertations

Implantable drug delivery devices have many benefits over traditional drug administration techniques and have attracted a lot of attention in recent years. By delivering the medication directly to the tissue, they enable the use of larger localized concentrations, enhancing the efficacy of the treatment. Passive-release drug delivery systems, one of the various ways to provide medication, are great inventions. However, they cannot dispense the medication on demand since they are nonprogrammable. Therefore, active actuators are more advantageous in delivery applications. Smart material actuators, however, have greatly increased in popularity for manufacturing wearable and implantable micropumps due to their high energy …

Technocene, Vir Joseph Naidu

Masters Theses

Embodied human communication within the Anthropocene. Existing at the intersection of technology, and the body.

The design industry has developed technology that is, paradoxically, isolating. The exposure to a vast audience in the digital sphere has introduced new societal pressures, leading to a disconnection from our immediate surroundings, detached, and donning metaphorical masks. Technocene lives on the fringes of the discipline by blending conceptual thinking with practical application. Through curious, experimental artifacts, it prompts us to shed our masks and embrace vulnerability. Technocene endeavors to reimagine the human experience by acting as a discursive design project. It probes the boundaries …

Waste Illuminates Worlds: Printed Modular Lamp Design Based On Brick And Clay Tile, Yechen Zhu

Masters Theses

The building industry in the New England area is often in a state of entropy, with abandoned brick buildings contributing to urban decay. The recycling rate of brick and clay tile wastes generated by construction and demolition is only 12.2%, meaning the majority is sent to landfills. The expansion of landfills can lead to significant environmental and community challenges, including increased traffic from waste transport, habitat destruction, ecosystem degradation, and contributions to climate change. Specifically, the Bethlehem landfill in New Hampshire, which is planned to undergo a 5.71-acre lateral expansion through 2026, has already encountered issues such as leachate spills …

Investigating The Impact Of Secondary Activation Time On The Adsorption Properties Of Activated Biochar For Arsenic Removal From Wastewater, Achyuth Bharadwaj Rayarao

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Biochar, a naturally occurring and renewable carbon material, becomes porous through activation. Activated biochar is an ideal candidate for use as an adsorbent. The objective of this study is to investigate whether activated biochar derived from Colorado soft pine serves as a better adsorbent and demonstrates enhanced adsorption capabilities after undergoing secondary physical activation at various activation times. The effect of secondary action time on physical adsorption properties drawn from the analysis of isotherm plots, surface areas and pore size patterns were examined by using a physisorption analyzer. Chemical structures were identified using both ultimate and proximate analyses, while porosity …

Improved Ballistic Impact Resistance Of Nanofibrillar Cellulose Films With Discontinuous Fibrous Bouligand Architecture, Colby Caviness

All Theses

Natural protective materials offer unparalleled solutions for impact-resistant material designs that are simultaneously lightweight, strong, and tough. Particularly, the dactyl club of mantis shrimp features chitin nanofibrils organized in a Bouligand structure, which has been shown to effectively dissipate high-impact energy during powerful strikes. The mollusk shells also achieve excellent mechanical strength, toughness, and impact resistance with a staggered, layer-by-layer structure. Previous studies have shown that hybrid designs, by combining different bioinspired microstructures, can lead to enhanced mechanical strength and energy dissipation capabilities. Nevertheless, it remains unknown whether combining Bouligand and staggered structures in nanofibrillar cellulose (NFC) films, forming a …

Investigation Of Domain Formation During Phase Separation In A Mixture Of Flexible And Rigid Biopolymers, Steven Huntley

All Theses

Complex fluids and heterogenous mixtures composed of multiple types of polymers are found throughout industrial and biological fluid systems. For example, extrusion based additive manufacturing systems pass dense mixtures of polymers through the extrusion heads to deposit composite polymeric materials. In cells, active and complex mixtures of biopolymers self-organize into assemblies that perform critical physiological functions.

Polymers in dense solutions undergo phase separation as a result of differences in physiochemical properties. A few examples of these properties include charge, structure, rigidity, and hydrophobicity. We observe the formation of polymer domains composed of rigid and a flexible biopolymer species that phase …

Environment And Response Of 3d-Encapsulated Mesenchymal Stem Cells To Mechanical Loading, Augustus Greenwood

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

This thesis explores the micromechanical environment induced when cyclically compressing hydrogels via finite element modeling and experimentally on the impact of loading on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) when encapsulated withing 3D hydrogel matrices. Degenerative joint diseases, characterized by cartilage degradation, present significant challenges due to cartilage's limited self-repair capacity. Innovative approaches, including stem cell-based therapies and engineered biomaterials, have emerged as promising strategies for cartilage repair and regeneration. This work specifically investigates the calibration of a bioreactor, the uniformity of load response across the hydrogel constructs via finite element modeling (FEM), and the stress response of MSCs subjected to various …

Tin-Silver As A Novel Biodegradable Metallic Biomaterial, Charley Goodwin

All Dissertations

The Essure device is a non-hormonal, minimally-invasive, permanent female sterilization implant, removed from the market due to an increase in adverse events, hypothesized to be caused by corrosion of the Sn-Ag component of the implant. The goals of this dissertation were to first develop implant retrieval methods for Essure devices and surrounding tissue, documenting signs of degradation and metallic degradation products, then to characterize the electrochemical behavior of Sn-Ag in biologically representative environments and finally, to assess the biological interaction of Sn-Ag. Retrieval analyses developed successful methods, qualifying the degree of corrosion, primarily of the Sn-Ag component and finding Sn …

Low Impedance, Durable, Self-Adhesive Hydrogel Epidermal Electrodes For Electrophysiology Recording, Naiyan Wu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Traditional electrodes used for electrophysiology recording, characterized by their hard, dry, and inanimate nature, are fundamentally mismatched with the soft, moist, and bioactive characteristics of biological tissues, leading to suboptimal skin-electrode interfaces. Hydrogel materials, mirroring the high water content and biocompatibility of biological tissues, emerge as promising candidates for epidermal electronic materials due to their adjustable physicochemical properties. However, challenges such as inadequate electrical conductivity, elevated skin impedance, unreliable adhesion in moist conditions, and performance decline from dehydration have significantly restricted the efficacy and applicability of hydrogel-based electrodes. In this thesis, we report a high-performance hydrogel epidermal electrode patch for …