Brown's Superfund Research Program (SRP) brings together researchers from engineering, biology and medicine, geological sciences, and sociology to investigate human health risks of environmental contamination, and to design new technologies to mitigate those risks. The grant amount is $15.4 million over a period of five years (April 2009-March 2014). This new award serves as a renewal to our original grant, which began in 2005 and expired in April 2009.
The vision of the grant is to create a safer and healthier Rhode Island through basic and applied research, education, training, and community outreach related to health effects and remediation of chemical contamination. We have partnerships with the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and many local community groups.
Here is the SRP website: http://brown.edu/Research/SRP/
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Nanoparticles eliminate bacterial infection on prosthetic
Infected implants now have a foe. Brown University researchers have created a nanoparticle that can penetrate a bacterial-produced film on prosthetics and kill the bacteria. The finding, published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine, is the first time that iron-oxide nanoparticles have been shown to eliminate a bacterial infection on an implanted prosthetic device.
Press release here: http://news.brown.edu/pressreleases/2009/06/biotechnology
Resulted in July 9th Providence Journal story: http://www.projo.com/education/content/BROWN_CANNONBALLS_07-09-09_5EEVHR2_v9.3015298.html
Nano “cannonballs” bash infected implants
Patients suffering from infected prostheses may now have an ally in tiny “cannonballs.” The nanoparticles created by graduate student Erik Taylor and engineering associate professor Thomas Webster have been shown in lab tests to kill bacteria that congregate on implants.
Press release here: http://news.brown.edu/pressreleases/2009/06/biotechnology
Resulted in July 9th Providence Journal story: http://www.projo.com/education/content/BROWN_CANNONBALLS_07-09-09_5EEVHR2_v9.3015298.html
Nano “cannonballs” bash infected implants
Patients suffering from infected prostheses may now have an ally in tiny “cannonballs.” The nanoparticles created by graduate student Erik Taylor and engineering associate professor Thomas Webster have been shown in lab tests to kill bacteria that congregate on implants.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Hydrodynamics of Microorganisms
Professor Powers' article, Hydrodynamics of Swimming Mircoorganisms, was accepted this week in Reports on Progress in Physics.
Preview the article here: http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/652169/reviseLaugaPowersv3.pdf
Abstract.
Cell motility in viscous fluids is ubiquitous and affects many biological processes, including reproduction, infection, and the marine life ecosystem. Here we review the biophysical and mechanical principles of locomotion at the small scales relevant to cell swimming, tens of microns and below. At this scale, inertia is unimportant and the Reynolds number is small. Our emphasis is on the simple physical picture and fundamental flow physics phenomena in this regime. We first give a brief overview of the mechanisms for swimming motility, and of the basic properties of flows at low Reynolds number, paying special attention to aspects most relevant for swimming, such as resistance matrices for solid bodies, flow singularities, and kinematic requirements for net translation. Then we review classical theoretical work on cell motility, in particular early calculations of swimming kinematics with prescribed stroke and the application of resistive-force theory and slender-body theory to flagellar locomotion. After examining the physical means by which flagella are actuated, we outline areas of active research, including hydrodynamic interactions, biological locomotion in complex fluids, the design of small-scale artificial swimmers, and the optimization of locomotion strategies.
In addition, some of his recent work was highlighted on the NSF news page:
Scientists studying how marine bacteria move have discovered that a sharp variation in water current segregates right-handed bacteria from their left-handed brethren, impelling the microbes in opposite directions. This finding and the possibility of quickly and cheaply implementing the segregation of two-handed objects in the laboratory could have a big impact on industries like the pharmaceutical industry, for which the separation of right-handed from left-handed molecules can be crucial to drug safety.
More here: http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=114587&org=NSF&from=news
Preview the article here: http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/652169/reviseLaugaPowersv3.pdf
Abstract.
Cell motility in viscous fluids is ubiquitous and affects many biological processes, including reproduction, infection, and the marine life ecosystem. Here we review the biophysical and mechanical principles of locomotion at the small scales relevant to cell swimming, tens of microns and below. At this scale, inertia is unimportant and the Reynolds number is small. Our emphasis is on the simple physical picture and fundamental flow physics phenomena in this regime. We first give a brief overview of the mechanisms for swimming motility, and of the basic properties of flows at low Reynolds number, paying special attention to aspects most relevant for swimming, such as resistance matrices for solid bodies, flow singularities, and kinematic requirements for net translation. Then we review classical theoretical work on cell motility, in particular early calculations of swimming kinematics with prescribed stroke and the application of resistive-force theory and slender-body theory to flagellar locomotion. After examining the physical means by which flagella are actuated, we outline areas of active research, including hydrodynamic interactions, biological locomotion in complex fluids, the design of small-scale artificial swimmers, and the optimization of locomotion strategies.
In addition, some of his recent work was highlighted on the NSF news page:
Scientists studying how marine bacteria move have discovered that a sharp variation in water current segregates right-handed bacteria from their left-handed brethren, impelling the microbes in opposite directions. This finding and the possibility of quickly and cheaply implementing the segregation of two-handed objects in the laboratory could have a big impact on industries like the pharmaceutical industry, for which the separation of right-handed from left-handed molecules can be crucial to drug safety.
More here: http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=114587&org=NSF&from=news
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
RI Woman of the Year
The Rhode Island Commission on Women (RICW) is pleased to announce the 2009 Women of the Year, Lynn Ewart-Paine, ’85 ’86 Sc.M. ’90 Ph.D., Science and Technology. This award recognizes influential women in Rhode Island who demonstrate a history of individual achievement, or who have made lasting and positive contributions in the community to help elevate the presence of women and improve the quality of life for women in the state.
Created in 1989, the Women of the Year Award celebrates the work of pioneering Rhode Island women who are influential in areas such as the arts, business, economic development, employment, education, health, legal rights and politics. These women have a positive impact on the lives of women and/or girls in our state through their work as role models and mentors.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Graduation Weekend
We enjoyed celebrating with our graduating class and returning engineering alumni this past weekend! Best of luck in your future endeavors and keep in touch!Here are photos from Commencement/Alumni Weekend. As always, you can download original files by clicking on the "all sizes" button on the top left corner of the photo.
Engineering Alumni Reception:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownengin/sets/72157618734131187/
PRIME Brunch:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownengin/sets/72157618748917297/
BEAM Dinner:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownengin/sets/72157618830022848/
Undergraduate Diploma Ceremony:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownengin/sets/72157618831571292/
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Brown FSAE places 25th
Brown FSAE Team traveled to Detriot, Michigan to compete against nearly 100 teams from around the world. Our team placed 25th this year and notably had the only female driver in the endurance competition. The team placed 16th on fuel efficiency. They are clearly aware of energy and resource consumption.
Brown's team has finished the endurance portion 12 out of the past 13 years, which is a portion of the race that less than 30% of teams complete. They should be applauded for their reliable car.
Here are the results from the FSAE website:
http://www.sae.org/images/cds/selfservice/242668107_FSAE_MI_2009_result.pdf
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Biosensor to Measure Vitamin D Levels
A team from Professor Palmore's lab consisting of two grad students (Steve Rhieu and Vince Siu) and one undergraduate (Daniel Ludwig, '09) is in the Finalist round of the BMEIdea 2009 competition on June 9th – June 11th, in New York City, New York. This work was made possible by an OVPR seed grant and has a preliminary patent application submitted.
Here is the brief project summary:
We propose a new methodology to measure vitamin D levels in serum using electrochemical detection. Vitamin D is a prohormone that is hydroxylated in the liver to become 25(OH)D, which is further hydroxylated in the kidney by the enzyme CYP27B1 to become the biologically active form. The electrochemical approach is based on the hypothesis that the hydroxylation of 25(OH)D can be measured via the catalytic reaction of CYP27B1 immobilized on an electrode. The reaction requires a supply of electrons, generating a detectable current that is proportional to the concentration of 25(OH)D. Similar to a commercial glucose meter, our proposed vitamin D biosensor will use a disposable testing strip that is inserted in the portable device along with a sub-microliter sample. The sample is analyzed and the result is displayed both qualitatively and quantitatively on a liquid crystal display. Specific recognition of 25(OH)D by a CYP27B1-based electrode system eliminates the need for extensive extraction and/or purification of the sample allowing for inexpensive, accurate, and rapid measurements.
Here is the brief project summary:
We propose a new methodology to measure vitamin D levels in serum using electrochemical detection. Vitamin D is a prohormone that is hydroxylated in the liver to become 25(OH)D, which is further hydroxylated in the kidney by the enzyme CYP27B1 to become the biologically active form. The electrochemical approach is based on the hypothesis that the hydroxylation of 25(OH)D can be measured via the catalytic reaction of CYP27B1 immobilized on an electrode. The reaction requires a supply of electrons, generating a detectable current that is proportional to the concentration of 25(OH)D. Similar to a commercial glucose meter, our proposed vitamin D biosensor will use a disposable testing strip that is inserted in the portable device along with a sub-microliter sample. The sample is analyzed and the result is displayed both qualitatively and quantitatively on a liquid crystal display. Specific recognition of 25(OH)D by a CYP27B1-based electrode system eliminates the need for extensive extraction and/or purification of the sample allowing for inexpensive, accurate, and rapid measurements.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Car of the future
Faculty and students at Brown and RISD have teamed up to build a car of the future for urban areas. The vehicle, designed in part by senior lecturer and senior research engineer Chris Bull and his class, has a seven-horsepower biodiesel engine and potentially can go 100 miles on one gallon of fuel. The story was accompanied by a video featuring the car.
Full report online: www.projo.com/education/content/car_of_tomorrow_05-18-09_CPE6A1D_v32.3548ce6.html
Video of the car: http://www.projo.com/video/news-index.html?nvid=362376&shu=1
Monday, May 11, 2009
Engin grad earns outstanding dissertation award
Lijie Zhang (Ph.D., BME, 2009), won the Joukowsky Family Outstanding Dissertation Award for her thesis "Biologically Inspired Rosette Nanotube Nanocomposites for Bone Tissue Engineering, Orthopedic, and Vascular Applications".
The letter reads that she was selected out of over 200 PhD graduates this year for her superior achievement in research. The award will be given out during the Graduate School Commencement ceremony.
Lijie is now completing a post-doc at Rice University.
The letter reads that she was selected out of over 200 PhD graduates this year for her superior achievement in research. The award will be given out during the Graduate School Commencement ceremony.
Lijie is now completing a post-doc at Rice University.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Gao receives award
Huajian Gao has been selected to receive the 2009 Robert Henry Thurston Lecture Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers “for groundbreaking research on mechanical properties of both engineering and biological systems across multiple length scales”. Formal presentation of the award is scheduled to take place at the Robert Henry Thurston Lecture, during the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, November 13-19, 2009.
About the Robert Henry Thurston Lecture Award:
The Robert Henry Thurston Lecture was established in 1925 in honor of Robert Henry Thurston (Brown, B.S., Civil Engineering, 1859), the first president of ASME and a farseeing leader in science and engineering. The Robert Henry Thurston Lecture, presented annually at the International Mechanical Engineering Congress, provides an outstanding leader in pure or applied science or engineering with the honor of presenting to the Society a lecture that encourages stimulating thinking on a subject of broad technical interest to engineers. The Robert Henry Thurston Lecture was elevated to a Society award in 2000.
Robert Henry Thurston (1839-1903) was born in Providence, Rhode Island. His father, Robert Lawton Thurston, manufactured steam engines in Providence. The young Robert Henry Thurston went to Brown University, where he graduated as a civil engineer in 1859. He was the first professor of mechanical engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology (in 1871). There he established Stevens’ mechanical engineering curriculum. Historians credit Thurston with establishing the first US mechanical engineering laboratory for conducting funded research at an academic institution for higher learning. He was the first president (1880-82) of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
About the Robert Henry Thurston Lecture Award:
The Robert Henry Thurston Lecture was established in 1925 in honor of Robert Henry Thurston (Brown, B.S., Civil Engineering, 1859), the first president of ASME and a farseeing leader in science and engineering. The Robert Henry Thurston Lecture, presented annually at the International Mechanical Engineering Congress, provides an outstanding leader in pure or applied science or engineering with the honor of presenting to the Society a lecture that encourages stimulating thinking on a subject of broad technical interest to engineers. The Robert Henry Thurston Lecture was elevated to a Society award in 2000.
Robert Henry Thurston (1839-1903) was born in Providence, Rhode Island. His father, Robert Lawton Thurston, manufactured steam engines in Providence. The young Robert Henry Thurston went to Brown University, where he graduated as a civil engineer in 1859. He was the first professor of mechanical engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology (in 1871). There he established Stevens’ mechanical engineering curriculum. Historians credit Thurston with establishing the first US mechanical engineering laboratory for conducting funded research at an academic institution for higher learning. He was the first president (1880-82) of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Kumar selected for keynote
Professor Sharvan Kumar will deliver the Keynote Lecture in the symposium, Modeling and Deformation Behavior of Non-Cubic Metals at the JSME Materials and Mechanics Conference 2009, July 24-26, 2009 in Sapporo, Japan.
The conference details are presented here: http://www.jsme.or.jp/conference/mmdconf09-2/index.html
The conference details are presented here: http://www.jsme.or.jp/conference/mmdconf09-2/index.html
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Nanotechnology and regenerative medicine
Nanotechnology is contributing greatly to regenerative medicine, particularly by creating nanometer pores and associated nanometer surface features to improve bladder tissue growth while inhibiting bladder calcium stone formation, which is a common disease affecting 5.2% of adults in the US with a high rate of recurrence.
The article covers the work of Young Wook Chun (BME PhD student from Professor Webster's lab) who is creating nanostructured polymers to repair injured bladders.
http://nanotechweb.org/cws/article/tech/38783
The article covers the work of Young Wook Chun (BME PhD student from Professor Webster's lab) who is creating nanostructured polymers to repair injured bladders.
http://nanotechweb.org/cws/article/tech/38783
Friday, April 10, 2009
Webster discusses intricacies of nanomaterials
Excerpts from Globe and Mail article:
Thomas Webster, an associate professor of engineering at Brown University in Providence, R.I., says that to peer at the intricacies of various tissues, such as bone or skin, through a super-powered microscope is to enter the nano world at a glance.
“Toxicity is incredibly important for us to understand when we're making these materials or when we're using them,” said Dr. Webster, whose own research includes designing nanomaterials for such orthopedic applications as joint replacements and limb prosthetics.
More on this article from the Globe and Mail on April 9, 2009.
Thomas Webster, an associate professor of engineering at Brown University in Providence, R.I., says that to peer at the intricacies of various tissues, such as bone or skin, through a super-powered microscope is to enter the nano world at a glance.
“Toxicity is incredibly important for us to understand when we're making these materials or when we're using them,” said Dr. Webster, whose own research includes designing nanomaterials for such orthopedic applications as joint replacements and limb prosthetics.
More on this article from the Globe and Mail on April 9, 2009.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Neuroengineering Master Classes
Brown University Division of Engineering,
Center for Biomedical Engineering, and
Brown Institute for Brain Science
Present NeuroEngineering 1220 “Master Classes”
As part of the Spring ‘09 NeuroEngineering 122 (ENGN 1220) course,
several visiting experts will introduce core neurotechnologies of
clinical relevance.
This series is directed toward the undergraduate and graduate
students enrolled in ENGN 1220, but we open these “master classes”
to other students and researchers interested in Neuroengineering.
All lectures are from 1:00 – 2:20 pm, in
Barus and Holley, Seminar Room 190, or
Sidney Frank Hall Life Sciences Bldg., Marcuvitz Auditorium 220
Tues., 3/10
B & H 190
“Fundamentals of EEG”
Sydney Cash, M.D., Ph.D.
Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital
Thurs., 3/12
B & H 190
“Fundamentals of MEG”
Sydney Cash, M.D., Ph.D.
Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital
Thurs., 4/16
SFH 220
“Fundamentals of Functional Electrical Stimulation”
Robert F. Kirsch, Ph.D.
Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland VA Med. Center
Tues., 4/21
B & H 190
“Fundamentals of Retinal Prostheses”
Joseph F. Rizzo, M.D.
Harvard Medical School, Mass. Eye & Ear Infirmary, and Boston VAMC
Thurs., 4/23
SFH 220
“Fundamentals of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation”
Alvaro Pascual-Leone, M.D., Ph.D.
Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Host: Profs. Leigh Hochberg and Arto Nurmikko, Div. of Engineering, 863-2869
Administrative Contact: Sandra Van Wagoner, Div. of Engineering, 863-1415
Center for Biomedical Engineering, and
Brown Institute for Brain Science
Present NeuroEngineering 1220 “Master Classes”
As part of the Spring ‘09 NeuroEngineering 122 (ENGN 1220) course,
several visiting experts will introduce core neurotechnologies of
clinical relevance.
This series is directed toward the undergraduate and graduate
students enrolled in ENGN 1220, but we open these “master classes”
to other students and researchers interested in Neuroengineering.
All lectures are from 1:00 – 2:20 pm, in
Barus and Holley, Seminar Room 190, or
Sidney Frank Hall Life Sciences Bldg., Marcuvitz Auditorium 220
Tues., 3/10
B & H 190
“Fundamentals of EEG”
Sydney Cash, M.D., Ph.D.
Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital
Thurs., 3/12
B & H 190
“Fundamentals of MEG”
Sydney Cash, M.D., Ph.D.
Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital
Thurs., 4/16
SFH 220
“Fundamentals of Functional Electrical Stimulation”
Robert F. Kirsch, Ph.D.
Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland VA Med. Center
Tues., 4/21
B & H 190
“Fundamentals of Retinal Prostheses”
Joseph F. Rizzo, M.D.
Harvard Medical School, Mass. Eye & Ear Infirmary, and Boston VAMC
Thurs., 4/23
SFH 220
“Fundamentals of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation”
Alvaro Pascual-Leone, M.D., Ph.D.
Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Host: Profs. Leigh Hochberg and Arto Nurmikko, Div. of Engineering, 863-2869
Administrative Contact: Sandra Van Wagoner, Div. of Engineering, 863-1415
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Kumar's recent accomplishments
Professor Sharvan Kumar's recent accomplishments:
1) Invited Speaker: DPG (German Physics Society) Spring Meeting; Metal and Material Physics Division, Dresden Germany, March 22-27, 2009.
2) Invited as an Internal Evaluator for : The Inter-Max-Planck Institutes Research Program, "The Nature of Laves Phases" March 16-March 24, 2009, Germany.
3) Awarded the JSPS Fellowship (Japan Society for Promotion of Science Fellowship) by the Government of Japan to visit Japan for a month to give multiple seminars etc. Will be hosted by Tohoku University. Period July 15 - August 15, 2009.
4) Keynote Speaker for the Symposium "Metals and Intermetallics for High Temperature Applications" at Euromat 2009 --The Federation of European Materials Societies, to be help Sept 07-10, 2009.
1) Invited Speaker: DPG (German Physics Society) Spring Meeting; Metal and Material Physics Division, Dresden Germany, March 22-27, 2009.
2) Invited as an Internal Evaluator for : The Inter-Max-Planck Institutes Research Program, "The Nature of Laves Phases" March 16-March 24, 2009, Germany.
3) Awarded the JSPS Fellowship (Japan Society for Promotion of Science Fellowship) by the Government of Japan to visit Japan for a month to give multiple seminars etc. Will be hosted by Tohoku University. Period July 15 - August 15, 2009.
4) Keynote Speaker for the Symposium "Metals and Intermetallics for High Temperature Applications" at Euromat 2009 --The Federation of European Materials Societies, to be help Sept 07-10, 2009.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Zhang wins STAR award
Lijie Zhang (PhD, 2009), was just selected as a Society for Biomaterials STAR award winner based on her research developing injectable tissue engineering materials to heal bone defects. Her certificate will read:
"Your paper entitled “Novel Osteogenic Peptide Modified Helical Rosette Nanotubes for Improving Orthopedic Applications” was nominated by the Orthopaedic Biomaterials SIG (Special Interest Group) as an outstanding contribution to the Society for Biomaterials 2009 Annual Meeting. The Education and Professional Development Committee of the Society has awarded you with a STAR award!"
This recognition will be announced from the podium during the opening ceremony at the Society for Biomaterials, Wednesday, April 22 at 6:00 p.m.
"Your paper entitled “Novel Osteogenic Peptide Modified Helical Rosette Nanotubes for Improving Orthopedic Applications” was nominated by the Orthopaedic Biomaterials SIG (Special Interest Group) as an outstanding contribution to the Society for Biomaterials 2009 Annual Meeting. The Education and Professional Development Committee of the Society has awarded you with a STAR award!"
This recognition will be announced from the podium during the opening ceremony at the Society for Biomaterials, Wednesday, April 22 at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Zia earns NSF Career Award
Assistant Professor Rashid Zia becomes one of a very distinguished group of young faculty members in the Division who have received National Science Foundation Career Awards.More detail available here.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Renaissance Engineer Series
Focus on: Leadership - Brown ENGINEERING PROFILES
How our Engineering Alumni are creating change through innovative leadership
Excerpt from Dean's Message:
"I want to use this issue to begin engaging our graduates and students in changing the perception of the roles that engineers can play in our society - and need to play if we are to address effectively the complex issues that we face in energy, environment, clean water, health care, climate change, and even the world economy. Engineers today need to be understood, not as merely workers with valuable technical training, but as highly-capable, broadly-prepared people who bring a deep understanding of science, math, and engineering know-how to the solution of problems that challenge our society....Preparing engineers for truly difference-making careers is Brown’s challenge - and its responsibility in view of the high potential of students who choose to study here."
Read more here:
http://www.engin.brown.edu/LeadershipBrownEngineering.pdf
How our Engineering Alumni are creating change through innovative leadership
Excerpt from Dean's Message:
"I want to use this issue to begin engaging our graduates and students in changing the perception of the roles that engineers can play in our society - and need to play if we are to address effectively the complex issues that we face in energy, environment, clean water, health care, climate change, and even the world economy. Engineers today need to be understood, not as merely workers with valuable technical training, but as highly-capable, broadly-prepared people who bring a deep understanding of science, math, and engineering know-how to the solution of problems that challenge our society....Preparing engineers for truly difference-making careers is Brown’s challenge - and its responsibility in view of the high potential of students who choose to study here."
Read more here:
http://www.engin.brown.edu/LeadershipBrownEngineering.pdf
Friday, February 6, 2009
Prof. Powers appointed as editor
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Thomas Powers, Associate Professor of Engineering, has recently been appointed Associate Editor for Biological Physics at the journal Reviews of Modern Physics.
The journal website is http://rmp.aps.org/
Monday, February 2, 2009
Unraveling how bats fly
Reuters TV 2 February 2009
Unraveling how bats fly
Kenneth Breuer, professor of engineering, discusses how scientists are seeking to understand the flight of bats and hope one day to build flying machines that mimic bat flight. The program was carried worldwide, including television stations in Italy, Greece, Spain, Russia and China.
Full report online: www.euronews.net/en/article/02/02/2009/us-team-studies-secrets-of-bat-flight/
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