Acquisition of a Rheometer for Human Milk Study

大多数生物体的健康严重依赖于器官内部和器官之间生物流体的运输。特别是，任何生物流体运输的中断或缺乏都可能导致人体的各种疾病。因此，正确认识这些生物转运现象对科学和生物工程的进步具有至关重要的作用。研究生物器官的流动行为（如粘度变化）需要高端流变仪的可用性，它可以提供精确的测量，以表征流动。这是购买流变仪（安东-帕尔MCR 302）的合同。由于流变仪在理解生物流动的流变特性方面的基础性贡献，与此相关的研究活动为医学治疗和生物医学设备的发展提供了机会。除了PI的研究活动，德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校还有多个部门进行复杂流体和材料的研究，这些研究将受益于该流变仪的收购，包括机械和生物医学工程、材料科学与工程、化学和物理。此外，流变仪将与医学界合作用于更先进的研究。仪器将加强研究生和本科生的教育，并将扩大学生的研究机会。流变仪和相关研究将被纳入本科生（通过UT暑期研究项目）和K-12外展活动（通过与科林县高科技教育联盟合作）的现有研究机会中。将特别强调将女学生、少数民族和残疾人纳入其中。

The health of most living organisms depends critically on the transport of bio-fluids within and between the organs. In particular, any disruption or deficiency in bio-fluid transport can result in various diseases in the human body. Therefore, the proper understanding of these bio-transport phenomena has a crucial role in the advancement of science as well as bio-engineering. Investigation of the flow behavior (such as viscosity variations) in biological organs requires the availability of a high-end rheometer that can give accurate measurements in order to characterize the flow. This is an award to purchase a rheometer (Anton-Paar MCR 302) for this purpose. By its fundamental contribution to the understanding of the rheological properties of biological flows, the research activities associated with this awarded Rheometer open opportunities for advances in medical treatments and development of biomedical devices. In addition to the PI's research activities, The University of Texas at Dallas has multiple departments that conduct research on complex fluids and materials that will benefit from the acquisition of this rheometer, including mechanical and biomedical engineering, material science and engineering, chemistry, and physics. Also, the rheometer will be used in more advanced research in collaboration with the medical community. The instrumentation will enhance both graduate and undergraduate education and will expand the research opportunities for students. The rheometer and associated research will be incorporated into existing research opportunities by undergraduates (via UT summer research program) and K-12 outreach activities (via collaboration with High-Technology Education Coalition of Collin County). Special emphasis will be given to the inclusion of female students, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.