A Lorentz-force actuated needle-free intraocular injection device

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-77).Intravitreal injection is a common treatment in ophthalmology, but it can lead to considerable patient anxiety and numerous complications. Lorentz-force actuated needle-free jet injection has been shown to successfully deliver fluid to various layers of skin, and, by its nature, may reduce intravitreal injection anxiety and complications. The challenges of adapting current Lorentz-force actuated needle-free jet injection technology to intravitreal injection were investigated using a previously developed jet injection system. Two iterations of an intravitreal injection-specific control scheme were designed, implemented, and tested. Several tools were developed in tandem with the research, including intravitreal injection 3D reconstruction software, actuator-jet transfer function generation software, and bench-top eye injection staging equipment. From injection trials into ex vivo rabbit eyes, we find that needle-free jet injection can be used for intravitreal drug delivery. The new system is capable of delivering 40 [mu]L of fluid to the posterior vitreous humor, with an injection duration less than 100 ms and scleral entry site less than 350 [mu]m in diameter. A relationship has been developed between injection parameters and eye damage metrics that can be used for future parameter optimization, minimizing damage to the eye.CD includes thesis in .pdf format.by James White.S.M

Accessing space: A catalogue of process, equipment and resources for commercial users

This catalogue, produced by NASA's Office of Commercial Programs, provides a broad source of information for the commercial developer interested in the areas of microgravity research and remote sensing. Methods for accessing space for research are reviewed including the shuttle, expendable launch vehicles, suborbital sounding rockets, experimental aircraft, and drop towers and other ground-based facilities. Procedures for using these vehicles and facilities are described along with funding options to pay for their use. Experiment apparatus and carriers for microgravity research are also described. A separate directory of resources and services is also included which contains a listing of transportation products and services, a listing of businesses and industries which provide space-related services and products, and a listing of the NASA and CCDS (Center for the Commercial Development of Space) points of contact

Quasi-Zero Dimensional Halide Perovskite Derivates: Synthesis, Status, and Opportunity

In recent decades, many technological advances have been enabled by nanoscale phenomena, giving rise to the field of nanotechnology. In particular, unique optical and electronic phenomena occur on length scales less than 10 nanometres, which enable novel applications. Halide perovskites have been the focus of intense research on their optoelectronic properties and have demonstrated impressive performance in photovoltaic devices and later in other optoelectronic technologies, such as lasers and light-emitting diodes. The most studied crystalline form is the three-dimensional one, but, recently, the exploration of the low-dimensional derivatives has enabled new sub-classes of halide perovskite materials to emerge with distinct properties. In these materials, low-dimensional metal halide structures responsible for the electronic properties are separated and partially insulated from one another by the (typically organic) cations. Confinement occurs on a crystal lattice level, enabling bulk or thin-film materials that retain a degree of low-dimensional character. In particular, quasi-zero dimensional perovskite derivatives are proving to have distinct electronic, absorption, and photoluminescence properties. They are being explored for various technologies beyond photovoltaics (e.g. thermoelectrics, lasing, photodetectors, memristors, capacitors, LEDs). This review brings together the recent literature on these zero-dimensional materials in an interdisciplinary way that can spur applications for these compounds. The synthesis methods, the electrical, optical, and chemical properties, the advances in applications, and the challenges that need to be overcome as candidates for future electronic devices have been covered

Microgravity Science and Applications Program Tasks, 1984 Revision

This report is a compilation of the active research tasks as of the end of the fiscal year 1984 of the Microgravity Science and Applications Program, NASA-Office of Space Science and Applications, involving several NASA centers and other organizations. The purpose of the document is to provide an overview of the program scope for managers and scientists in industry, university, and government communities. The report is structured to include an introductory description of the program, strategy and overall goal; identification of the organizational structures and people involved; and a description of each research task, together with a list of recent publications. The tasks are grouped into six categories: (1) electronic materials; (2) solidification of metals, alloys, and composites; (3) fluid dynamics and transports; (4) biotechnology; (5) glasses and ceramics; and (6) combustion

Microgravity Science and Applications Program tasks, 1986 revision

The Microgravity Science and Applications (MSA) program is directed toward research in the science and technology of processing materials under conditions of low gravity to provide a detailed examination of the constraints imposed by gravitational forces on Earth. The program is expected to lead to the development of new materials and processes in commercial applications adding to this nation's technological base. The research studies emphasize the selected materials and processes that will best elucidate the limitations due to gravity and demonstrate the enhanced sensitivity of control of processes that may be provided by the weightless environment of space. Primary effort is devoted to a study of the specific areas of research which reveals potential value in the initial investigations of the previous decades. Examples of previous process research include crystal growth and directional solidification of metals; containerless processing of reactive materials; synthesis and separation of biological materials; etc. Additional efforts will be devoted to identifying the special requirements which drive the design of hardware to reduce risk in future developments

Accessing Space: A Catalogue of Process, Equipment and Resources for Commercial Users, 1990

A catalogue is presented which is intended for commercial developers who are considering, or who have in progress, a project involving the microgravity environment of space or remote sensing of the Earth. An orientation is given to commercial space activities along with a current inventory of equipment, apparatus, carriers, vehicles, resources, and services available from NASA, other government agencies and U.S. industry. The information describes the array of resources that commercial users should consider when planning ground or space based developments. Many items listed have flown in space or been tested in labs and aboard aircraft and can be reused, revitalized, or adapted to suit specific requirements. New commercial ventures are encouraged to exploit existing inventory and expertise to the greatest extent possible

Microgravity science and applications program tasks, 1991 revision

Presented here is a compilation of the active research tasks for FY 1991 sponsored by the Microgravity Science and Applications Division of the NASA Office of Space Science and Applications. The purpose is to provide an overview of the program scope for managers and scientists in industry, university, and government communities. Included is an introductory description of the program, the strategy and overall goal, identification of the organizational structures and the people involved, and a description of each. The tasks are grouped into several categories: electronic materials; solidification of metals, alloys, and composites; fluids, interfaces, and transport; biotechnology; combustion science; glasses and ceramics; experimental technology, instrumentation, and facilities; and Physical and Chemistry Experiments (PACE). The tasks cover both the ground based and flight programs

Microgravity Science and Applications Program tasks, 1987 revision

A compilation is presented of the active research tasks as of the end of the FY87 of the Microgravity Science and Applications Program, NASA-Office of Space Science and Applications, involving several NASA centers and other organizations. An overview is provided of the program scope for managers and scientists in industry, university, and government communities. An introductory description is provided of the program along with the strategy and overall goal, identification of the organizational structures and people involved, and a description of each task. A list of recent publications is also provided. The tasks are grouped into six major categories: Electronic Materials; Solidification of Metals, Alloys, and Composites; Fluid Dynamics and Transport Phenomena; Biotechnology; Glasses and Ceramics; and Combustion. Other categories include Experimental Technology, General Studies and Surveys; Foreign Government Affiliations; Industrial Affiliations; and Physics and Chemistry Experiments (PACE). The tasks are divided into ground based and flight experiments

Microgravity Science and Application Program tasks, 1989 revision

The active research tasks, as of the fiscal year 1989, of the Microgravity Science and Applications Program, NASA Office of Space Science and Applications, involving several NASA Centers and other organizations are compiled. The purpose is to provide an overview of the program scope for managers and scientists in industry, university, and government communities. The scientists in industry, university, and government communities. An introductory description of the program, the strategy and overall goal, identification of the organizational structures and people involved, and a description of each task are included. Also provided is a list of recent publications. The tasks are grouped into several major categories: electronic materials, solidification of metals, alloys, and composites; fluids, interfaces, and transport; biotechnology; glasses and ceramics; combustion science; physical and chemistry experiments (PACE); and experimental technology, facilities, and instrumentation

Solidification at the high and low rate extreme

The microstructure selection at both high and low growth rates is studied. For the high rate extreme, melt spinning of a Fe-Si-B alloy is employed. The microstructural variations with changing wheel speed and factors affecting these variations are examined through various characterization techniques. Particular attention was given for the influence of melt pool behavior on the competition between nucleation of crystalline solidification products and glass formation. It is found that there exists a window of wheel speeds which give rise to a stable melt-pool and production of amorphous ribbons. The surface-controlled melt-pool oscillation is found as the dominant factor governing the onset of unsteady thermal conditions accompanied by varying amounts of crystalline nucleation observed near the lower wheel speed limit. For the upper wheel speed limit, a criterion based on mass-balance and momentum transfer is developed for predicting the window of wheel speeds for obtaining uniform and fully amorphous ribbons. For the low rate extreme, solidification and morphological selection of the faceted silicon phase is investigated in a near eutectic Al-Si system by utilizing a Bridgman type directional solidification unit. Particularly, the role of certain defect mechanisms namely, twinning, in the selection of microstructure and growth crystallography is investigated. At the imposed growth rates of 0.5 and 1 micron/s and temperature gradient of 7.5 K/mm, a unique silicon morphology consisting of 8-pointed stars is observed to grow with \u3c001\u3e texture within continuous domains across the sample. The growth crystallography of this unique silicon structure is characterized and it is found that substantial amount of 210 type twinning exists within the central core of this star-shaped morphology. It is found that the twinning phenomenon at the core is an essential feature for branching, morphological selection and adjustment of spacing between the star-like silicon features. These mechanisms and the associated growth characteristics are examined in detail