Event
Biongineering Seminar Series: David LaVan
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
11:00 a.m.
2108 Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building
Professor J. Helim Aranda-Espinoza
(301) 405-8250
helim@umd.edu
Designing Biological Systems–Harnessing Ion Transport
Presented by David LaVan
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Yale University
Micro- and nano-fabrication methods have reached a point where engineers can design systems using natural and synthetic ion channels and ion pumps. The production of simple artificial cells with engineered ion transport is one application, as is energy conversion to power implantable medical devices. The analysis of a detailed model of the behavior of polarized excitable cells will be presented, along with numerical optimization of the design of these systems to maximize energy conversion efficiency and to maximize energy density.
