UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (Penn State News) — A wide range of biologically inspired materials may now be possible by combining protein studies, materials science and RNA sequencing, according to an international team of researchers.

"Biological methods of synthesizing materials are not new," said Melik C. Demirel, professor of engineering science and mechanics, Penn State. "What is new is the application of these principles to produce unique materials."

The researchers looked at proteins because they are the building blocks of biological materials and also often control sequencing, growth and self-assembly. RNA produced from the DNA in the cells is the template for biological proteins. Materials science practices allow researchers to characterize all aspects of how a material functions. Combining these three approaches allows rapid characterization of natural materials and the translation of their molecular designs into useable, unique materials.

"One problem with finding suitable biomimetic materials is that most of the genomes of model organisms have not yet been sequenced," said Demirel who is also a member of the Materials Research Institute and Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Penn State. "Also, the proteins that characterize these materials are notoriously difficult to solubilize and characterize."

The team, lead by Ali Miserez, assistant professor, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, looked at mollusk-derived tissues that had a wide range of high-performance properties including self-healing elastomeric membranes and protein-based polymers. They combined a variety of approaches including protein sequencing, amino acid composition and a complete RNA reference database for mass spectrometry analysis. They present their results in a recent issue of Nature Biotechnology.

Dr. Greg Lewis
Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Penn State Hershey

Wednesday, September 25, 2013
3:35pm - 4:25pm
114 EES Building

Abstract:
Mechanics plays an important role in orthopaedic medicine: the shape and structure of bone adapts to mechanical loading or unloading, implants such as knee replacements must withstand forces that exceed several times bodyweight, and healing skeletal tissue is remarkably sensitive to mechanical stimulus. My lab is focused on elucidating the role of mechanics in orthopaedic surgical treatments using computer modeling and experiments. This presentation will include study of the evolution of micro-damage around implants in loaded cadaver specimens, and development of a translational animal model for studying implant osseointegration.

Cliff Lissenden, professor of engineering science and mechanics, and his research team are featured in this month's edition of International Innovation*, a leading global research publication. The team is tackling the challenges of structural health monitoring in the United States and attempting to make advancements in infrastructure sustainability with use of ultrasonic guided waves.

Click here for the full article and an interview with Dr. Lissenden.

*International Innovation, published by Research Media, is the leading global dissemination resource for the wider scientific, technology and research communities, dedicated to disseminating the latest science, research and technological innovations on a global level. More information and a complimentary subscription offer to the publication can be found at: www.international-innovation-northamerica.com.

Cliff Lissenden, professor of engineering science and mechanics, will attend the 9th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring September 10-12 at Standford University. Dr. Lissenden will present research and chair a session titled "Guided Waves in Structures for SHM."

This month, Osama Awadelkarim, professor of engineering science and mechanics, travels to Taibah University in Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia, to discuss ongoing research collaborations.

Following his visit to Taibah University, Dr. Awadelkarim will act as a PhD external examiner at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman.

Dr. Muhammad Faryad
Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, PSU

Wednesday, September 18, 2013
3:35pm - 4;25pm
114 EES Building

Abstract:
Circular Bragg phenomenon is the almost total reflection of incident light of one circular polarization state but very little of incident light of the other circular polarization state. The circular Bragg regime is the spectral regime in which this phenomenon occurs. Circularly polarized light has applications in synthesis of chiral compounds, efficient ionizations of atoms, fast and reversible coding of a magnetic tape, liquid-crystal displays, and three-dimensional displays. Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) and chiral sculptured thin films (STFs) are the two most prominent dielectric thin-film materials exhibiting the circular Bragg phenomenon. The circular Bragg regime is blue-shifted for oblique incidence, and finally disappears at very high angle of incidence. The bandwidth and the center wavelength of the Bragg regime can be engineered by controlling the morphology of CLCs and chiral STFs. The circular Bragg phenomenon can even be made polarization insensitive and spatially dependent by appropriately modulating the chiral STFs during fabrication. Chief application of the circular Bragg phenomenon is the circular polarization filters. Single-section chiral STFs or CLCs can be used as bandstop filters. A narrowband bandpass or bandstop filter can be fabricated by manufacturing a defect in a chiral STF or a CLC. The optical filters can be used as laser mirrors and as filters in measuring instruments. The possibility of using the circular Bragg phenomenon in sensing an infiltrating fluid has also been demonstrated. A combination sensor that utilizes the circular Bragg phenomenon and multiple surface-plasmon-polariton waves can enhance further the capabilities of multi-analyte sensors. The utilization of Bragg phenomenon for sensing, and the combination sensors, are still in their infancy and there is great room for research, especially in their device level implementation. The promise of chiral STFs and CLCs as circular polarization light sources has been well established. Circular Bragg mirrors forming the cavity housing the active medium in a laser are used as circular polarization lasers. The emission spectrum of such lasers is dictated by the circular Bragg phenomenon. With the applications of the circularly polarized light on the rise, the need for the development of circular polarization lasers must grow.

Penn State will host the American Society for Composites' 28th Technical Conference September 9-11 at the Nittany Lion Inn. Charles Bakis, distinguished professor of engineering science and mechanics, organized the two-and-a-half day event with assistance from Judith Todd, P.B. Breneman Department Chair of Engineering Science and Mechanics, and Terry Reed, director of continuing and distance education for the College of Engineering.

The annual technical conference is the premier U.S. forum for networking and technical information exchange for researchers and students interested in composite materials and structures. More than 130 papers will be presented on a range of topics including active composites, armor, bio-based composites, damage modeling, design, dynamic behavior, electrical properties, environmental effects, fracture, manufacturing, micromechanics, nanocomposites, structural behavior, structural health monitoring, testing, thermal properties, three-dimensional reinforcements, and viscoelastic behavior. This year's special theme is integrated computational materials engineering.

For more information on the conference program and plenary speakers or to register, click here.

Senior Bradford Lapsansky has been awarded a Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for the academic year.

The SMART Scholarship for Service Program was established by the Department of Defense (DOD) to support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines with the goal of increasing the number of civilian scientists and engineers working at DOD laboratories. Awardees receive a full scholarship and are employed upon degree completion at a DOD research facility.

Following graduation, Bradford will work for the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground's Communications-Electronics Center of the Research, Development and Engineering Command in Maryland.

Congratulations, Bradford!

Dr. Kenneth R. Foster
Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania

Wednesday, September 11, 2013
3:35pm - 4:25pm
114 EES Building

Dr. Alok Sinha
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, PSU

Wednesday, September 4, 2013
3:35pm - 4:25pm
114 EES Building