Six in ten adults in the US have a chronic disease, such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases. Chronic diseases require frequent needle injections of drug. However, this method not only imposes a significant burden on patients and their families but also causes complications due to the high initial dose at the time of injection, known as burst release. In this study, we have developed a size-exclusive nanoporous biodegradable polymer capsule for dosage-controllable drug delivery implants to prolong therapeutic efficacy for the long-term (i.e. > 6 months) with precise dose controllability. Light-activated liposomal drug was enclosed in the polymer capsule. Drug was released through the capsule membrane when the implant was activated by laser, leaving the liposomal drug in the capsule. We have optimized the porosity and the pore size for the drug release kinetics, and tested the stability and the safety for 6 months in vivo rabbit eyes. We also demonstrated precise dose release in vivo by irradiating near infrared laser (NIR, 1064 nm) through the lens of rabbit eyes. The drug delivery system that we developed is a platform technology which can be applied to different and/or multiple drugs. More importantly, the dose-controllability can avoid side effects associated with high dose or uncontrollable dose. 

Microscale hydrogels have gained a significant interest with a wide range of use and applications from cellular biology to translational studies. The spatial arrangement of biological organisms or chemical substances inside hydrogel structures is crucial in these applications. Further, it is important to prepare cell-laden/encapsulated microscale hydrogels, to produce physiologically/pathologically appropriate biological models or functionally tailored 3D microenvironments for in vitro screening or therapeutic transplantation. To achieve this, living materials in hydrogels can be spatially arranged to replicate biological complexity using sequentially patterned microscale hydrogels, or numerous chemical components can be arranged to create functional architectures. The design of hydrogel-integrated microfluidics has been attempted more than ten years to address many biological requirements that could not have been accomplished with microfluidic systems alone. Therefore, the rapid advancements have been driven to the integration of new technologies with microfluidic capabilities. 

In this talk, we demonstrate the creation of microscale hydrogel islands in a multiplex microfluidic chamber (as a basic functional unit) by exploiting pneumatic-aided control valves. Each chamber (n x m matrix; 32 x 16 = 512, in this study) can be independently controlled to immobilize different types of microorganisms for testing antibiotic susceptibilities. As a proof of concept, we construct a multiplex antibiotic screening chip with two integrated units; the first unit has 512 chambers for bacteria growth in hydrogel and the second unit has 9 drugs with 5 growth mediums for high-order drug combinational screening. This approach for hydrogel island microfluidics has significant potential for a wide range of applications at engineering, and system biology as well as translational medicine.

As our cities expand and urban populations grow, the imperative for smarter, more sustainable built environments becomes increasingly pressing. To address the challenges of the future sustainable infrastructure, this seminar explores the convergence of buildings, civil infrastructure systems, and AI-driven methodologies with three key dimensions: the expansion of building design transformations for sustainability, the complex connections between buildings and civil infrastructure networks, and the integration of AI-driven methodologies to revolutionize design, construction, and planning processes. Through interdisciplinary insights and real-world applications, this seminar emphasizes the importance of integrating technological advancements with human-centered design principles to create sustainable, resilient, and people-centric built environments. By fostering synergies between buildings, civil infrastructure systems, and AI-driven approaches, the researcher aims to catalyze positive transformations in the way we conceive, construct, and inhabit our cities for generations to come. 

Endothelial cells serve as key mechanosensors that translate fluid shear stress (FSS) into biochemical and biomechanical responses, which are critical for vascular homeostasis and disease progression. In this talk, I will present insights from our recent studies, including our published findings on endothelial mechanotransduction under physiological and pathological flow conditions. Our work has demonstrated that distinct mechanosensitive ion channels, including Piezo1 and TRPV4, play differential roles in traction force modulation, cell alignment, and cytoskeletal adaptation to shear stress.

We recently uncovered that Piezo1 exhibits sensitivity to high FSS but not to transient low FSS, suggesting that its activation requires a certain threshold of shear stress to elicit a functional response. In contrast, TRPV4 governs the rapid traction increase and facilitates both short- and long-term mechanoadaptation under shear flow. Additionally, our findings highlight a fundamental traction imbalance between the front and rear of endothelial cells under flow, indicating a polarized mechanotransduction mechanism that may drive directed cell migration and vascular remodeling.

By integrating traction force microscopy (TFM), live-cell imaging, and targeted ion channel perturbations, we provide a refined understanding of the mechanistic pathways governing endothelial shear mechanotransduction. These insights not only advance our knowledge of vascular biomechanics but also suggest potential therapeutic targets for endothelial dysfunction and vascular diseases.

Biofilms are bacterial communities encased in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which serve as a protective barrier. These biofilms can infect biological tissues, foul biomedical devices, and even degrade infrastructure, posing significant threats to human health and sustainability. Compared to planktonic bacteria, biofilms exhibit high resistance to antibiotics due to the shielding effects of EPS. 

To address this challenge, we developed a novel self-propelling particle system designed to invade, damage, and ultimately remove biofilms. This system works by generating oxygen bubbles that burst with force, disrupting the biofilm structure. The particles are assembled by doping naturally derived cylindrical diatoms with catalysts capable of decomposing hydrogen peroxide into oxygen.

This talk will explore the chemistry behind the fabrication of these diatom-based microbubbles and explain the mechanism by which they disrupt 3D biofilms, using cell-matrix analysis and optical coherence tomography. Additionally, we will demonstrate the system's cleaning efficacy on biofilms contaminating complex surfaces such as surgical tools, dental implants, and biological tissues.

Overall, this study represents a significant advance in biofilm management, offering a promising approach for combating biofilm-related infections and contamination.

This talk explores the transformative potential of multi-robot systems in advancing human well-being by automating physically demanding tasks across various sectors. We will explore two cutting-edge applications: lavender harvesting automation and underwater monitoring/exploration missions. The presentation will showcase how heterogeneous multi-robot systems can be effectively coordinated to maximize operational efficiency while addressing application-specific constraints.

In agriculture, we'll examine how robotic teams can alleviate labor shortages and adapt to climate change challenges in small-scale farming, focusing on lavender harvesting. For marine applications, we'll explore how autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) can be coordinated for deep-sea exploration and environmental monitoring, highlighting innovations like wave energy charging to minimize human intervention.

The talk will emphasize the development of advanced coordination algorithms that enable these multi-robot systems to collaborate effectively, avoid conflicts, and optimize resource utilization. By demonstrating how these technologies can automate physically intensive work, we aim to illustrate their potential to create more comfortable and sustainable human environments, aligning with the conference theme of advancing human well-being through science and technology.