Event

Bioengineering Seminar Series: Peter Kofinas

Friday, February 20, 2015
9:00 a.m.
Pepco Room (1105), Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building
Professor Ben Shapiro
benshap@umd.edu

Peter Kofinas
Professor and Associate Dean
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
University of Maryland

Functional Polymers for Biomedical Devices: Batteries, Point-of-Care Diagnostics, and Surgical Sealants

Functional polymers represent the leading and versatile type of biomaterials being extensively applied in biomedical applications.  An overview of the research program in the Kofinas laboratory will be presented which aims in the synthesis characterization and processing of novel polymer based materials used in a variety of technological fields ranging from medicine to energy storage.  In particular, three projects will be emphasized; polymer electrolytes for safer medical devices, point of care diagnostics for hyperammonemia and aminoacidopathies, and the direct deposition of polymer nanofibers for surgical sealants and haptic devices. One key barrier to the wide-spread use of lithium-ion batteries is their potential for catastrophic failure due to lack of inherent abuse tolerance. We have designed safer high voltage solid electrolytes based on polymer ionic liquid blends, which result in safer medical instruments and implants, and have applicability to many other energy storage devices. We have developed point of care sensors for the diagnosis and management of hyperammonemia and phenylketonuria (PKU) in infants. A colorimetric test was investigated for the detection of hyperammonemia in whole blood and we have demonstrated sensors that measures blood phenylalanine. We are also aiming to develop better medical sealants through the use of biodegradable polymers in concert with a material processing technique that allows for direct deposition of polymer fibers onto any surface. This approach has the propensity to be a potent tool in surgery and in general biomaterials fabrication. The goal of is to correlate material properties to in vitro and in vivo surgical sealant efficacy, leading to progress over existing clinical treatment options and improved procedural outcomes.