biotransport lab

This potential treatment for cancer involves injecting perfluorocarbon liquid droplets into the bloodstream and then selectively vaporizing them to form gas bubbles that occlude blood flow to tumors. We are investigating the flow and stresses that result from forming the gas bubbles, transport of bubbles through blood vessels, and the criteria for the bubbles to occlude flow.

The mission of the vascular mechanics research is to investigate the physiological response of the human vascular system under different clinical conditions using the state of art computational and experimental techniques.

In particular, flow, transport, and blood-vessel wall interaction in aneurysms, atherosclerosis, and intravascular medical devices are being studied.

This device, which is intended to serve as a bridge to transplant, is comprised of a shell containing hollow fibers. Gas flows through the fibers and blood flows around them. Blood flow through the device is driven entirely by the heart, and this work examines the effects of flow pulsatility on gas transport and flow within the device.

Filling the lungs with perfluorocarbon liquid and ventilating with a liquid (total liquid ventilation) or gas (partial liquid ventilation) tidal volume are experimental treatment methods for lung injury, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome. Our work focuses on how to best fill the lungs with perfluorocarbon, flow and gas transport during liquid ventilation, and how to prevent flow-induced collapse of airways on expiration, which reduces the tidal volumes and ventilation rates that can be achieved in liquid ventilation.

Biomolecular motors are highly efficient and robust, and are a potential power source for microfluidic devices. We are currently investigating flow and transport in novel device designs that leverage the efficiency and size of biomolecular motors, such as kinesin. Examples include microfluidics pumps, molecular sorters, and rotary engines.