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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Simple Surface Modification Of Poly(Dimethylsiloxane) Via Surface Segregating Smart Polymers For Biomicrofluidics, Aslıhan Gökaltun, Young Bok Abraham Kang, Martin L. Yarmush, O. Berk Usta, Ayse Asatekin May 2019

Simple Surface Modification Of Poly(Dimethylsiloxane) Via Surface Segregating Smart Polymers For Biomicrofluidics, Aslıhan Gökaltun, Young Bok Abraham Kang, Martin L. Yarmush, O. Berk Usta, Ayse Asatekin

Faculty Publications - Biomedical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is likely the most popular material for microfluidic devices in lab-on-achip and other biomedical applications. However, the hydrophobicity of PDMS leads to non-specific adsorption of proteins and other molecules such as therapeutic drugs, limiting its broader use. Here, we introduce a simple method for preparing PDMS materials to improve hydrophilicity and decrease nonspecific protein adsorption while retaining cellular biocompatibility, transparency, and good mechanical properties without the need for any post-cure surface treatment. This approach utilizes smart copolymers comprised of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and PDMS segments (PDMS-PEG) that, when blended with PDMS during device manufacture, spontaneously segregate to surfaces …


Modification Of Gleams For Modeling Movement Of Organic Contaminants From Land-Applied Biosolids, Ben D. Giudice, Thomas M. Young, Jacob P. Bibb Mar 2019

Modification Of Gleams For Modeling Movement Of Organic Contaminants From Land-Applied Biosolids, Ben D. Giudice, Thomas M. Young, Jacob P. Bibb

Faculty Publications - Biomedical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering

Municipal biosolids are commonly applied to agricultural lands as fertilizer, but this also poses potential risks to groundwater and surface water quality from constituents that may be mobilized during storm events. In the present study, an existing model, Groundwater Loading Effects of Agricultural Management Systems (GLEAMS), is modified to predict the fate and transport of organic contaminants from land-applied biosolids, primarily via addition of a labile biosolids organic carbon phase distinct from soil organic carbon. While capable of simulating contaminant transport in runoff and via percolation, only the runoff portion of the model was able to be calibrated using existing …


Exploring The Challenges To Sustainable Rural Drinking Water Services In Chile, Jami Nelson-Nuñez, Jeffrey P. Walters, Denisse Charpentier Jan 2019

Exploring The Challenges To Sustainable Rural Drinking Water Services In Chile, Jami Nelson-Nuñez, Jeffrey P. Walters, Denisse Charpentier

Faculty Publications - Biomedical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering

Many countries around the world now face the dual challenges of closing the remaining gaps in access to drinking water in rural areas while further addressing the issues of equity, quality, and sustainability outlined in the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our research explores the key factors for sustainability in rural drinking water services in Chile, an important example not only due to its success in rural water access but also because of the new directions the country is taking to achieve the SDGs. Drawing on results from a Delphi study of Chilean rural water experts, we discuss the most …


Progressive Hypoxia-On-A-Chip: An In Vitro Oxygen Gradient Model For Capturing The Effects Of Hypoxia On Primary Hepatocytes In Health And Disease, Young Bok Abraham Kang, Jinsu Eo, Beyza Bulutoglu, Martin L. Yarmush, O. Berk Usta Jan 2019

Progressive Hypoxia-On-A-Chip: An In Vitro Oxygen Gradient Model For Capturing The Effects Of Hypoxia On Primary Hepatocytes In Health And Disease, Young Bok Abraham Kang, Jinsu Eo, Beyza Bulutoglu, Martin L. Yarmush, O. Berk Usta

Faculty Publications - Biomedical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering

Oxygen is vital to the function of all tissues including the liver and lack of oxygen, that is, hypoxia can result in both acute and chronic injuries to the liver in vivo and ex vivo. Furthermore, a permanent oxygen gradient is naturally present along the liver sinusoid, which plays a role in the metabolic zonation and the pathophysiology of liver diseases. Accordingly, here, we introduce an in vitro microfluidic platform capable of actively creating a series of oxygen concentrations on a single continuous microtissue, ranging from normoxia to severe hypoxia. This range approximately captures both the physiologically relevant oxygen gradient …