Freeman, Eric
(2012)
Harnessing Protein Transport Principles for Engineering Applications: A Computational Study.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
The biological world contains elegant solutions to complex engineering problems. Through reproducing these observed biological behaviors it may be possible to improve upon current technologies. In addition, the biological world is, at its core, built upon cellar mechanics. The combination of these observations prompts an exploration of cellular mechanics for engineering purposes
This dissertation focuses on the construction of a computational model for predicting the behavior of biologically inspired systems of protein transporters, and linking the observed behaviors to desired attributes such as blocked force, free strain, purification, and vaccine delivery. The goal of the dissertation is to utilize these example cases as inspirations for development of cellular systems for engineering purposes. Through this approach it is possible to offer insights into the benefits and drawbacks associated with the usage of cellular mechanics, and to provide a framework for how these cellular mechanisms may be applied. The intent is to define a generalized modeling framework which may be applied to an extraordinary range of engineering design goals.
Three distinctly different application cases are demonstrated via the bioderived model which serves as the basis of this dissertation. First the bioderived model is shown to be effective for characterizing the naturally occurring case of endocytosis. It is subsequently applied to the distinctly different cases of water purification and actuation to illustrate versatility.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
4 June 2012 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
13 December 2011 |
| Approval Date: |
4 June 2012 |
| Submission Date: |
6 January 2012 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
202 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Swanson School of Engineering > Mechanical Engineering |
| Degree: |
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Computational Modeling, Biomimetics, Endocytosis, Drug Delivery, Eutrophication, Biomembranes, Lipid Membranes, Osmotic Actuation, Biochar, Electroactive Polymers, Cellular Mechanics, Smart Materials, Active Materials, Proton Sponge, Biologically Inspired Materials |
| Date Deposited: |
04 Jun 2012 19:06 |
| Last Modified: |
15 Nov 2016 13:55 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/10878 |
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