Transference of Hands-on Desktop Learning Pedagogy Across Institution and Program Types

Studies are underway on transference of new low-cost desktop learning module (LC-DLM) technology and accompanying pedagogy to a variety of institutions. The LC-DLMs have proven effective at addressing student perceptions related to hydraulic loss and venturi meter flow measurements. Students at our institution typically think, before our intervention, that velocity decreases along a pipe due to friction, and that pressure increases in the throat of a venturi meter due to a squeezing effect. Current results are showing LC-DLM efficacy in improving student understanding and eliminating these otherwise persistent misconceptions in both chemical and mechanical engineering fluid mechanics courses within the same institution. Statistically significant improvements with large effect sizes are shown in understanding the associated continuity principles and energy transformations as described by Bernoulli’s equation. We postulate that the same misconceptions exist and that the same gains are possible for a number of implementation strategies at a variety of institutions and program types. We are analyzing and will present LC-DLM related learning data for the same concepts taught by a suite of professors in a variety of modes, within a classroom, through outside-of-class activities, and with distance education dining room table experiments. These additional classes consist of students in chemical and mechanical engineering, and process technology programs. The courses are being taught at main campus locations, satellite campuses and to people employed full-time in industry. We will discuss any differential achievements observed between the various approaches and the prospective rationale for any dissimilarities

Wireless Power Transfer and Telemetry for Implantable Bioelectronics

© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbHImplantable bioelectronic devices are becoming useful and prospective solutions for various diseases owing to their ability to monitor or manipulate body functions. However, conventional implantable devices (e.g., pacemaker and neurostimulator) are still bulky and rigid, which is mostly due to the energy storage component. In addition to mechanical mismatch between the bulky and rigid implantable device and the soft human tissue, another significant drawback is that the entire device should be surgically replaced once the initially stored energy is exhausted. Besides, retrieving physiological information across a closed epidermis is a tricky procedure. However, wireless interfaces for power and data transfer utilizing radio frequency (RF) microwave offer a promising solution for resolving such issues. While the RF interfacing devices for power and data transfer are extensively investigated and developed using conventional electronics, their application to implantable bioelectronics is still a challenge owing to the constraints and requirements of in vivo environments, such as mechanical softness, small module size, tissue attenuation, and biocompatibility. This work elucidates the recent advances in RF-based power transfer and telemetry for implantable bioelectronics to tackle such challenges.11Nsciescopu

Stem Cells Commitment on Graphene-Based Scaffolds

none8siIn the last years, a rapid development in production, and functionalization of graphene give rise to several products that have shown great potentials in many fields, such as nanoelectronics, energy technology, sensors, and catalysis. In this context we should not forget the biomedical application of graphene that became a new area with outstanding potential. The first study on graphene for biomedical applications has been performed by Dai in 2008 that reported the use of graphene oxide as an efficient nanocarrier for drug delivery. This pioneristic study opened the doors for the use of graphene in widespread biomedical applications such as drug/gene delivery, biological sensing and imaging, antibacterial materials, but also as biocompatible scaffold for cell culture and tissue engineering. The application of graphene-based scaffolds for tissue engineering applications is confirmed by the many exciting and intriguing literature reports over the last few years, that clearly confirm that graphene and its related substrates are excellent platforms for adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of various cells such as human Mesenchymal stem cells, human neuronal stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Since most of the papers on this fields are related to in vitro studies, several future in vivo investigations need to be conducted in order to lead to its utilization as implantable tissue engineering material.mixedBuggio, Maurizio; Tatullo, Marco; Sivolella, Stefano; Gardin, Chiara; Ferroni, Letizia; Mijiritsky, Eitan; Piattelli, Adriano; Zavan, BarbaraBuggio, Maurizio; Tatullo, Marco; Sivolella, Stefano; Gardin, Chiara; Ferroni, Letizia; Mijiritsky, Eitan; Piattelli, Adriano; Zavan, Barbar