CONFIRMED: Mechanical Engineering Seminar
Mechanical Engineering (MNE) SEMINAR DATE: March 22, 2024 TIME: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. LOCATION: Science and Engineering Building (SENG) 110 and on Zoom: https://umassd.zoom.us/j/91640406955?pwd=eklBZWVDOXVDa2VwUFMra1kwNWhjdz09 (Contact hling1@umassd.edu or scunha@umassd.edu for the Passcode) SPEAKER: Dr. Yang Lin, Assistant Professor Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Rhode Island TOPIC: Exploring the Intersection of Microfluidics and Microplastic Research ABSTRACT: Microplastic pollution has emerged as a formidable environmental crisis, infiltrating ecosystems worldwide with insidious effects. The persistence and ubiquity of microplastics pose significant threats to environmental health, necessitating innovative approaches for their efficient sampling, accurate identification, and comprehensive assessment of their ecological and health impacts. Traditional methodologies for microplastic analysis often inadequately address the complexities of microplastic pollution, including the variability in particle size, composition, and the effects of environmental weathering. In response to these challenges, this seminar will cover various applications of microfluidics in the sampling, identification, and toxicity analysis of microplastics. Initially, I will discuss how integrating microfluidic technologies with AI offers a leap forward in the precise sampling and identification of microplastics, enhancing accuracy while minimizing cross-contamination. Following this, the presentation will highlight the use of acoustofluidics for the separation of microplastics, employing sound waves for accurate particle sorting. Additionally, I will examine the role of microfluidic platforms in conducting toxicity studies, which mimic in vivo environments to provide a more faithful assessment of the cellular impact of microplastics. Through this comprehensive overview, the seminar seeks to shed light on technological solutions for advancements in microplastic research, aiming to mitigate this pressing environmental concern. BIO: Dr. Yang Lin is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial & Systems Engineering at the University of Rhode Island (URI). His main research aim is to create microfluidic devices that can be used for environmental monitoring and applications in healthcare, with a particular emphasis on employing acoustofluidic manipulation and precision additive manufacturing techniques. His interests also include the development of organ-on-chip systems, crafting affordable microfluidic analytical tools using paper and plastic, and enhancing microfluidic devices with AI for better analysis. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in December 2019. Following his graduation, he worked as a postdoctoral research associate at UIC, where he concentrated on advancing microfluidic systems aided by deep learning for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. For more information please contact Dr. Hangjian Ling, MNE Seminar Coordinator (hling1@umassd.edu). All are welcome. Students taking MNE-500 are REQUIRED to attend! All other MNE BS and MS students are encouraged to attend. EAS students are also encouraged to attend.
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Mechanical Engineering Department
508.999.8492