| Description: |
Objectives
The overall objective is to help develop infrastructure and community building in order to enhance our ability to address overarching challenges.
Specific Objectives
1. Training of the next generation workforce of researchers knowledgeable in both engineering and biology
2. Establishing multi-lateral collaborative research programs between US and Asian Pacific region.
Goals
Based on the workshop recommendations of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Science Council (NSC) of Taiwan, we at the University of Illinois and National Taiwan University proposed a framework for an NSF-NSC Summer Institute on BSBA. The goals of the Summer Institute are to provide a platform for researchers from a diverse background to exchange ideas in the BSBA area, to train highly interdisciplinary researchers in the BSBA area who are knowledgeable in both engineering and biology, and to promote international collaborations in the BSBA area between researchers in the US and in Asia Pacific region.
Format
Lectures and hands-on laboratory modules on basic engineering tools such as micro- and nano-fabrication, and basic bio-based and bio-inspired sensing and actuation tools such as excitation of neurons and neuro-networks, activation of muscle cell contraction, tools to manipulate sensing-actuation integration, and computational tools will be developed. Furthermore, BSBA related device-making and its potential applications to different application areas such as agriculture, energy, and medicine will be considered as part of the hands-on lab modules. |