Chemical Engineering co-hosts SOMMeRS Conference
On July 11, the Southern Ontario Microscale Medical Robotics Symposium was held in the event space in E7. The event was co-hosted by the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Systems Design Engineering.
Nano/microrobotics is an emerging field that combines various areas of science, engineering, and medicine to transform medical procedures like noninvasive surgery, diagnostics, precise drug, and cell administration. It is a multidisciplinary approach that aims to revolutionize medical interventions.
Organizers Professors Hamed Shahsavan and Veronika Magdanz collaborated to highlight the expanding field of medical nano/microrobotics in the Waterloo community and in Southern Ontario. This year was a celebration of over 20 years of medical microrobotics research.
Dean Mary Wells gave the opening remarks emphasizing the impact of microrobotics research as the future of medical interventions around the globe. The plenary speaker at the event was Professor Joseph Wang, a Distinguished Professor from the University of California San Diego, one of the pioneers in the field. He was recognized during the symposium for his career achievements.
The symposium featured 12 speakers presenting their cutting-edge research. Some representing universities in Spain, Scotland, Korea, the United States, and Canada. The conference ended with flash talks by researchers from the University of Waterloo. Professor Hamed Shahsavan gave a flash talk on his research in smart materials for microrobotics.
Shahsavan, Director of SMART Lab is designing smart polymers that are programable. His research group utilizes molecular engineering to alter the physicochemical properties of the materials at the micro-to mesoscale. The advanced materials Shahsavan is designing are mainly for use in medical robotic applications that focus on shape change to help them function.
“Chemical engineers play a critical role in pushing the frontiers of medical microrobotics research,” says Shahsavan. “Interestingly, tackling the many grand challenges in microrobotics requires the skillset and knowledge we chemical engineers have, including heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, reaction engineering, polymers, soft matter science, and biochemical systems. So, I believe that we are in a unique position to introduce innovative avenues in this emerging field”.
The conference provided students with an opportunity to learn more about the field of microrobotics. The event was sponsored by the Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Science, the Department of Systems Design Engineering, and the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo.