ChEBE Research
Biochemical EngineeringThe application of engineering principles to conceive, design, develop, operate, or use processes and products based on biological and biochemical phenomena. Biochemical engineering, a subset of chemical engineering, impacts a broad range of industries, including health care, agriculture, food, enzymes, chemicals, waste treatment, and energy. Historically, biochemical engineering has been distinguished from biomedical engineering by its emphasis on biochemistry and microbiology and by the lack of a health care focus. Participating faculty include:Nehal Abu-Lail |
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BiomechanicsA combination of biology and engineering mechanics and utilizes the tools of physics, mathematics, and engineering to quantitatively describe the properties of biological materials. One of its basic properties is embodied in so-called constitutive laws, which fundamentally describe the properties of constituents, independent of size or geometry, and specifically how a material deforms in response to applied forces. Participating faculty include:Haluk Beyenal |
BioprocessingThe oldest of the biotechnologies, bioprocessing technology, uses living cells or the molecular components of their manufacturing machinery to produce desired products. The living cells most commonly used are one-celled microorganisms, such as yeast and bacteria; the biomolecular components we use most often are enzymes, which are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions. Participating faculty include:Neil Ivory |
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Biosensor DesignAn integrated device consisting of a biological recognition element and a transducer capable of detecting the biological reaction and converting it into a signal which can be processed. Ideally, the sensor should be self-contained, so that it is not necessary to add reagents to the sample matrix to obtain the desired response. The recognition process involves a chemical or biological reaction, and the transducer must be capable of detecting not only the reaction but also its extent. An ideal sensor should yield a selective, rapid, and reliable response to the analyte, and the signal generated by the sensor should be proportional to the analyte concentration. Participating faculty include:Nehal Abu-Lail |
BioseparationsThe recovery of a product from solutions of cells and media; the process used must avoid harsh conditions that could damage the product. Participating faculty include:Neil Ivory |
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CardiovascularCardiovascular research can be multi-disciplinary, involving cardiac muscle biology and mechanics, protein chemistry and engineering, fluorescence techniques, computer modeling, nanoscale biosensor design and engineering. Participating faculty include:Wenji Dong |
CatalysisModification (usually acceleration) of a chemical reaction rate by addition of a catalyst, which combines with the reactants but is ultimately regenerated so that its amount remains unchanged and the chemical equilibrium of the conditions of the reaction is not altered. Participating faculty include:Su Ha |
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Cellular BioengineeringThe cell in its own right is a wonderfully complex machine. Understanding how this machine operates at the molecular level and interacts with its environment and with other cells using a quantitative and multidisciplinary approach is the basis of cellular bioengineering. Using fluorescence microscopy, atomic force microscopy and optical tweezers allows researchers in the Department of Bioengineering to probe the structure of cells at the single molecule level. Participating faculty include:Nehal Abu-Lail |
Colloid and Surface ScienceIt is in systems of more than one phase that colloid and surface science meet. Surface is a region in which properties vary from those of one phase to those of the adjoining phase. This transition occurs over distances of molecular dimentions. Colloidal refers to a state of subdivision, implying that the molecules or polymolecular particles dispersed in a medium have at least in one direction a dimension roughly between 1nm and 1µm, or that in a system discontinuities are found at distances of that order. Participating faculty include:Nehal Abu-Lail |
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BioenergyBioenergy comes from any fuel that is derived from biomass - recently living organisms or their metabolic byproducts. Biomass can include matter such as cow manure. Unlike other natural resources such as petroleum, coal and nuclear fuels, bioenergy is a renewable energy source. Like all methods used to generate energy, the combustion of biomass generates pollution as a by-product. However, because the carbon in biofuels was recently extracted from atmospheric carbon dioxide by growing plants, the combustion of a biofuel does not result in a net increase of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere. It is also known as Biofuel. Participating faculty include:Haluk Beyenal |
Engineering EducationCollaborative interdisciplinary teams among engineering and education scholars. We facilitate rigorous research into innovative and effective educational practices and technologies that advance engineering education. Participating faculty include:Haluk Beyenal |
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EnvironmentalConduct scientific research to fulfill the protection of human health and the environment. Participating faculty include:Nehal Abu-Lail |
MaterialsThe study of the characteristics and uses of the various materials, such as metals, ceramics, and plastics, that are employed in science and technology. Participating faculty include:KNona Liddell |
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MusculoskeletalThe research explores all facets of musculoskeletal disorders, with emphasis on both the clinical and basic aspects of study. It covers the fields of orthopedics, neurology, rheumatology and rehabilitation. The method of study can be clinical studies, molecular biology, biomechanics or biomaterial research. Participating faculty include:David Lin |
Single MoleculeUnderstanding how cells function at the single molecule level has recently become possible allowing the measurement and visualization of the stepwise motion of molecular motors and enzymes and changes in the structure and conformation of DNA and proteins in real time. In addition, single molecule techniques such as atomic force microscopy and laser tweezers can measure how forces are exerted in the cell. These techniques permit spatial resolutions of cellular events at the nanometer scale and measurements of biomechanical force as small as one pico-Newton, allowing us to peer into the cell with unprecedented detail. Participating faculty include:Nehal Abu-Lail |
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NIH Biotechnology ProgramSupports basic and applied research and the development of new technologies and approaches for studying the brain and behavior that are based on molecular biology. Participating faculty include:Neil Ivory |