Vision for Micro Technology Space Missions

It is exciting to contemplate the various space mission applications that Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology could enable in the next 10-20 years. The primary objective of this chapter is to both stimulate ideas for MEMS technology infusion on future NASA space missions and to spur adoption of the MEMS technology in the minds of mission designers. This chapter is also intended to inform non-space oriented MEMS technologists, researchers and decision makers about the rich potential application set that future NASA Science and Exploration missions will provide. The motivation for this chapter is therefore to lead the reader down a path to identify and it is exciting to contemplate the various space mission applications that Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology could enable in the next 10-20 years. The primary objective of this chapter is to both stimulate ideas for MEMS technology infusion on future NASA space missions and to spur adoption of the MEMS technology in the minds of mission designers. This chapter is also intended to inform non-space oriented MEMS technologists, researchers and decision makers about the rich potential application set that future NASA Science and Exploration missions will provide. The motivation for this chapter is therefore to lead the reader down a path to identify and consider potential long-term, perhaps disruptive or revolutionary, impacts that MEMS technology may have for future civilian space applications. A general discussion of the potential for MEMS in space applications is followed by a brief showcasing of a few selected examples of recent MEMS technology developments for future space missions. Using these recent developments as a point of departure, a vision is then presented of several areas where MEMS technology might eventually be exploited in future Science and Exploration mission applications. Lastly, as a stimulus for future research and development, this chapter summarizes a set of barriers to progress, design challenges and key issues that must be overcome in order for the community to move on, from the current nascent phase of developing and infusing MEMS technology into space missions, in order to achieve its full future potential

Nano- and Micro- Technology Approaches to Enhance Drug Delivery

Small molecules and protein therapeutics are constantly being developed due to their high potency and biological function, but there are many barriers that reduce the therapeutic efficacy of these compounds such as short half-life leading to high clearance, and biological degradation. As a result, to overcome these challenges typically higher doses have to be administered with increased frequency to reach a therapeutically relevant concentration. To address these issues nano- and micro- technology has been utilized to increase drug absorption. This dissertation presents various approaches to drug delivery based on the disease target, application, and therapeutic compound. We showed with hydrogel microdevices a reversible increase in intestinal efflux transporters P-glycoprotein and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein, resulting in an increase in drug absorption. We demonstrate in a Caco-2 model that this decrease in efflux transporter function was due to a decreased amount of transporter present on the cell surface in the presence of microdevices. Also, presented are two polymer nanoparticle-based system designed for different disease targets. First, for cancer immunotherapy we designed a nanoparticle loaded with an adjuvant cocktail with a tumor specific peptide to promote antigen presenting cell activation and downstream lead to tumor specific T cell activation. Therapeutically, these drug-loaded nanoparticles were able to decrease tumor volume in a subcutaneous melanoma model and melanoma foci in a metastasis model. Second, in atherosclerosis where arteries were damaged, we showed that tissue factor peptide targeted nanoparticles loaded with an anti-inflammatory agent were able to target desired damaged arteries where tissue factor is typically exposed. The strategies presented here expand the application of nano- and micro- technology to be designed and implemented in a variety of different disease and targets to increase drug absorption and efficacy not only by increase drug half-life but by targeting the therapeutics to desired regions to increase local concentrations

Energy expenditure, metabolic power and high speed activity during linear and multi-directional running

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to compare measures of energy expenditure derived from indirect calorimetry and micro-technology, as well as high power and high speed activity during linear and multi-directional running. Design: Repeated measures Methods: Twelve university standard team sport players completed a linear and multi-directional running condition. Estimated energy expenditure, as well as time at high speed (> 14.4 km.h-1) and high power (> 20 W.kg-1) were quantified using a 10 Hz micro-technology device and compared with energy expenditure derived from indirect calorimetry. Results: Measured energy expenditure was higher during the multi-directional condition (9.0 ± 2.0 cf. 5.9 ± 1.4 kcal.min-1), whereas estimated energy expenditure was higher during the linear condition (8.7 ± 2.1 cf. 6.5 ± 1.5 kcal.min-1). Whilst measures of energy expenditure were strongly related (r > 0.89, p < 0.001), metabolic power underestimated energy expenditure by 52% (95% LoA: 20-93%) and 34% (95% LoA: 12-59%) during the multi-directional and linear condition, respectively. Time at high power was 41% (95% LoA: 4-92%) greater than time at high speed during the multi-directional condition, whereas time at high power was 5% (95% LoA: -17-9%) lower than time at high speed during the linear condition. Conclusions: Estimated energy expenditure and time at high metabolic power can reflect changes in internal load. However, micro-technology cannot be used to determine the energy cost of intermittent running

The artistic applications of M.E.M.S.: gallery on a chip

posterOur research explored the crossroads between art and science to create tiny devices known as MEMS (Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems). These artistic devices are powered by micro charge-pumped actuation of electrons in a scanning electron microscope, utilizing a phenomenon once considered an irritation as a power source. The pioneering artistic application of this micro=technology has inspired our new genre, ""kinetic micro sculpture""

Glaucoma Surgery and Aqueous Dynamics

Reduction in intraocular pressure is the only proven method to treat glaucoma. When medical treatment does not achieve adequate intraocular pressure reduction with acceptable adverse effects, laser or incisional surgeries are introduced. In this chapter, we discuss the physiological basis for the established surgical procedures as well as the newer surgical procedures. Most new surgical innovations have been designed according to natural physiology by routing aqueous as nature intended, through the Schlemm’s canal. This has been possible because of better understanding of the outflow system and the availability of micro-technology to manipulate it