KINGSTON, R.I. – Oct. 8, 2024 –University of Rhode Island mechanical engineering assistant professor Yang Lin has been awarded a U.S. National Science Foundation Early Researcher Initiation and a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Young Faculty Award.
Both DARPA and ERI projects focus on distinct applications in biomedical engineering and environmental monitoring, respectively, and will utilize acoustofluidic technology, but the applications and approaches will be different.
The NSF program grant supports new investigators at non-R1 institutions as they initiate their engineering research programs and advance in their careers as researchers, educators, and innovators.
“Being awarded the NSF ERI is a tremendous honor and a significant opportunity to advance our research on microplastic pollution,” said Lin.
The project that secured the NSF award – a grant of $200,000 – focuses on developing a novel microfluidic-based system for monitoring microplastics in seawater. Traditional methods of sampling and separating microplastics are often time-consuming and ineffective, especially for the smallest particles. Lin’s approach leverages the unique capabilities of acoustofluidics to sort and concentrate microplastics by adjusting the frequency and layout of surface acoustic waves. Acoustofluidic technologies utilize acoustic waves to manipulate fluids and particles within fluids, in this case microplastics, all in a contact-free and biocompatible manner.
Additionally, he and his team are integrating machine learning with Raman spectroscopy to accurately identify these microplastics, even those that have degraded over time. The goal is to create a label-free, reliable method for monitoring microplastics as small as one millionth of a meter in seawater, which could have a profound impact on how to address plastic pollution in marine ecosystems and has the potential to set a new standard in microplastic monitoring.
“These tiny microplastics are the most prevalent in our oceans, yet they are incredibly difficult to isolate and identify using traditional methods,” said Lin. “This award not only validates our research approach but also provides the resources necessary to develop innovative solutions to this global environmental issue.”
The Young Faculty Award provides funding, mentorship, and access to Department of Defense and industry contacts to support early-career researchers in developing innovative ideas to address critical national security challenges. The long-term vision of the program is to cultivate a new generation of academic leaders in science, engineering, and mathematics who will make lasting contributions to the Defense Department and national security issues.
Lin is the first faculty member at URI to receive the prestigious award, marking a significant achievement for his career. Lin will receive approximately $800,000 under this award, spanning a two-year base period with the option of extending it to a third year.
“Receiving the Young Faculty Award is an incredible honor and a significant milestone in my career. This award not only recognizes the innovative potential of our research, but also provides crucial support to explore and develop groundbreaking technologies,” said Lin.
The proposal is centered on developing a next generation microphysiologic system called the Precision Lattice Acoustofluidic Tissue Ecosystem, or PLATE. Traditional 2D cell cultures and even many 3D models often fail to replicate the intricate architecture and dynamic processes of living tissues, particularly when it comes to nutrient distribution, waste removal, and controlled delivery of growth factors.
The PLATE system addresses these limitations by integrating advanced digital acoustofluidics, acoustic bubble technology, and nanoscale 3D printing using two-photon polymerization to develop organoids engineered to replicate the functionality and complexity of real tissues, allowing him to investigate dynamic physiological processes in a controlled environment. Lin will construct these organoids with precise spatial control, starting with breast cancer tumoroids and expanding to other organoid types such as intestinal and brain organoids.
The primary objectives of the PLATE system are to enhance vascularization, optimize nutrient exchange, and enable precise spatial control of biochemical cues, which could redefine the future of tissue engineering. Lin will attend the award ceremony at DARPA headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and present his work along with the other awardees.
“I’m excited about the future of this research and grateful for the opportunity to make contributions to advance in these fields of research,” said Lin.
This press release was written by Krysta Murray, a writer with the URI College of Engineering.