Principal Investigator at ASE: Prof. Pasi Kallio
Duration of the project: 1.9.2011 – 31.8.2014
Project description:
The project develops new methods to better understand the properties of wood derived fibers and muscle fibers in a human heart. The approach in the project is to use microrobotics, i.e automatic instruments which can precisely manipulate and measure properties of individual microscopic objects.
We will develop an autonomous microrobotic platform which consists of several automatic micromanipulators orchestrated to perform tasks in collaboration. The platform will be a base for two microrobotic research systems: a wood fiber station for characterizing properties of individual wood fibers and fiber bonds and a cardiac fiber station for stimulating and characterizing cardiac muscle cells. In both applications, automation plays a crucial role, since thousands of cells must be characterized in one experiment to obtain statistically reliable information.
The results of the project are expected to lead for example to the development of new types rigid but lightweight packages, to the decrease in the number of breaks in paper machines, and to the development of better medication and personalised treatment for heart diseases.
Funding:
• The Academy of Finland
Personnel:
• MSc Pooya Saketi,
• MSc Mathias von Essen,
• MSc Juha Hirvonen,
• MSc Mariaana Savia