Merging Bio-integrated Materials and Devices with Ultrasound: Opportunities in Sensing, Modulation and Actuation

Details

Contents of the Talk

Soft, bio-integrated materials and devices exhibit the ability to collect physiological signals and offer therapeutic functions, posing a substantial impact on our understanding of biology and paving the way for precision medicine. With the assistance of advanced ultrasound technology, the innovative integration holds immense promise for sensing, modulation and actuation in deep tissues and complex anatomical structures that are otherwise difficult to approach. In this talk, I will highlight our recent advances in bioresorbable, shape-adaptive materials structures that enable real-time monitoring of deep-tissue homeostasis using ultrasound instruments. I will showcase another example of a bioresorbable implant based on radio-frequency coupling for pH sensing. I will then summarize our previous efforts in materials design that lead to programmable dual responsive soft actuators. Finally, I will discuss opportunities in leveraging functional soft materials, ultrasound imaging and its various forms of energy for measuring biosignals, provide targeted modulation and programmable actuation to decipher biological systems and improve healthcare.

Short CV

Professor Liu was a postdoctoral researcher at the Rogers Research Group at Northwestern University from 2021 to 2025. Her research focused, among other things, on the detection of anastomotic leakages by visualizing pH changes through ultrasound imaging. She completed her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania from 2016 to 2021 and her B.S. in Materials Chemistry at Fudan University from 2012 to 2016.

Visit at UKSH before the Talk

16:00 h: Meeting at UKSH in front of the new main building, House C.

Afterwards, participants will be divided into two groups for a 20-minute session each:

• One group will receive insights into functional departments and a presentation on surgical work at UKSH.
• The other group will visit the endoscopy school, where they can experience simulations of minimally invasive procedures using laparoscopic trainers and the Da Vinci robotic system.

Please note that registration is necessary to attend the visit.