Research Projects

Current Projects

Cartilage Repair & Mechanics

Damage to the articular cartilage of the knee is known to cause osteoarthritis. Patients who suffer osteoarthritis often experience tremendous pain and loss of mechanical functions. Various recovery techniques such as microfracture surgery and tissue engineered cartilage, are being practiced to treat osteoarthritis. However, the mechanics of these techniques and implants are poorly understood. The objective of this project is to investigate underlying mechanisms of various osteoarthritis treatment techniques.

Biodegradable Support for Tissue Eningeered Intervertebral Disc

We aim to study the structural response in a finite element framework. We deploy such method to enable more efficient manufacturing of IVD support casings and collagen scaffold constructs. Micro-computed tomography and resin based 3D printing techniques are accompanying this study. This project is in collaboration with Maho Koga (M. Eng.) and Dr. Roger Härtl group at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Peutzer et al., 2015

Bioreactor For Tissue Engineered Meniscus

The major challenge for the TE meniscus comes from the complexity of enthesis region where the bone transitions to cartilage tissue. Previous research has shown that clamping the enthesis constructs at the ends improved the fiber organization and the mechanical properties of the constructs. We are developing a 3D printed bioreactor that applies active mechanical stimulus to the TE meniscus construct. This project is in collaboration with Xun Wang (M.S.), Jared Matthews (B.S.), and Charlotte Lee.

Previous Projects

Oral Surgery Dilemma

One form of mandibular body fracture repair is with the use of plates and screws. This form of internal fixation requires that the plate be placed on the lateral aspect of the jaw and the screws traverse to engage both the buccal (i.e. outer) and lingual (i.e. inner) cortices. Although this form of fixation provides excellent stability, it does not respect the local anatomy, significant collateral damage to the dental roots and/or the mandibular canal frequently occur. We aim to solve this dilemma by developing a new surgical tools and procedure.

KPC-2 Migration

Cell migration occurs many physiologically and pathologically important processes such as wound healing, cancer metastasis, angiogenesis and embryonic developments. Migration of individual fibroblast has been thoroughly investigated. However, cells in vivo migrates within their complex microenvironment and neighboring cells, where intensive cell-cell communication presents. The objective of this project is to investigate cell and tissue mechanics during KPC-2 migration and measure how much force is generated by cells.

Braille eReader

In 2017 it was reported that over 10 million Americans are blind or have a visual impairment. Nonvisual access to computer technology is an ever-increasing challenge for the blind in education and employment, and without these devices self-advocacy is nearly impossible. Currently only single-line Braille readers are available on the commercial market, and these can only display up to 5 words at a time. Braille eReader project was started in EPICS to provide blind and low-vision people the capability to read multiple lines of braille instantaneously, allowing them greater access to reading materials.

Braille eReader Manufacturing Machine

A manufacturing machine was developed to distribute Braille eReaders economically.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Various reports suggest angular and linear acceleration both contribute to brain injury. Also, recent study suggests torsional force plays more significant role in causing TBI than any other factors. However, majority of expermiments are being conducted with perpendicular weight drop that inhibits subject's head's angular motion. A novel testing device was developed to factor in the angular rotation.

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