3000

Biomechanics is the application of mechanical theories in biomedical engineering. This course contains the fundamentals of mechanical engineering theories (kinematics, statics, dynamics, control, and solid mechanics) and their applications in biomedical engineering. We will put special emphasis on dynamics of human motion and tissue mechanics. Students will conduct experiments and computer simulations in the lab to understand how the biomechanics can be applied to more practical situations.

Cell Culture Basics is designed to introduce the students to the practice of laboratory cell culture, covering topics such as laboratory set-up, safety and aseptic technique. The students also learn basic methods for passaging, freezing and thawing cultured cells, as well as applications in tissue engineering.

The research and development in microsystems (MEMs) applied to life sciences, is an area with exponential growth in both science and technology. The technological versatility of integration with new materials and the wide range of possible applications, facilitate their application in many areas of science and engineering. This course is oriented, for those who want to start working in the field of MEMs applied to the life sciences of R & D.

Today’s product, process and equipment design are characterized by several critical factors, often driven by fierce competition: the need to reduce cost, need to reduce time to market, and need to make dramatic changes. In the traditional approach to design, engineers construct a physical prototype and test it in the laboratory. Physical prototypes have many major drawbacks: they are typically expensive to build and modify, and by their very nature, lead to lengthy design cycles, repeatability can be difficult (it is often destructive) and dramatic changes can be harder to conceive. 

Computer prototyping or simulation-based design has become an important supplement to the design process, sometimes drastically reducing the amount of physical prototyping. In computer prototyping, one builds a computer model using mathematical equations that is as close to the physical model as possible–the exact shape and size and the exact physical process. The popularity of computer prototyping can be attributed to the tremendous advancement in computer hardware and software that has minimized the need for mathematical expertise and effort to a bare minimum so that the user can concentrate on the manipulation of the “physical” process on the computer. 

This course will introduce computer prototyping using a physics-based simulation software that is used extensively in industry. To avoid potential misuse of the software, we learn not to use it as a black box. We do this by discussing (although briefly) the components of such a software–the governing equations, numerical solution of the equations, etc. We look at heat and mass transfer problems in biomedical/biological processes such as cryosurgery, hyperthermia, and drug delivery.  Close to half of the course is dedicated to design projects that you choose and work in small groups (each group has a different project).

Today’s product, process and equipment design are characterized by several critical factors, often driven by fierce competition: the need to reduce cost, need to reduce time to market, and need to make dramatic changes. In the traditional approach to design, engineers construct a physical prototype and test it in the laboratory. Physical prototypes have many major drawbacks: they are typically expensive to build and modify, and by their very nature, lead to lengthy design cycles, repeatability can be difficult (it is often destructive) and dramatic changes can be harder to conceive. 

Computer prototyping or simulation-based design has become an important supplement to the design process, sometimes drastically reducing the amount of physical prototyping. In computer prototyping, one builds a computer model using mathematical equations that is as close to the physical model as possible–the exact shape and size and the exact physical process. The popularity of computer prototyping can be attributed to the tremendous advancement in computer hardware and software that has minimized the need for mathematical expertise and effort to a bare minimum so that the user can concentrate on the manipulation of the “physical” process on the computer. 

This course will introduce computer prototyping using a physics-based simulation software that is used extensively in industry. To avoid potential misuse of the software, we learn not to use it as a black box. We do this by discussing (although briefly) the components of such a software–the governing equations, numerical solution of the equations, etc. We look at heat and mass transfer problems in biomedical/biological processes such as cryosurgery, hyperthermia, and drug delivery.  Close to half of the course is dedicated to design projects that you choose and work in small groups (each group has a different project).