Small Scale Robotics for Biofilm Removal

Project Information

Problem

Biofilms are communities of bacteria which lead to threatening infections and are difficult to remove. Existing treatments are inadequate because they fail to both kill and remove bacteria leading to reinfection.

Solution

This project utilizes small-scale robots built from nanoparticles to clean biofilm infections on surfaces or difficult to access spaces.

Technology Type

Diagnostic

Aids with identifying the nature and cause(s) of a clinical problem or illness

Facilitator

Increases the efficacy of a clinical process or procedure

Therapeutic

Enables healing from or treatment of an illness or clinical problem

Monitor

Records/shares data as on-going surveillance of a clinical problem, process or procedure

PI/Inventor(s)

Hyun (Michel) Koo, DDS, PhD

Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Division of Community Oral Health, Division of Pediatric Dentistry

Penn Dental Medicine

Elizabeth Hunter

PhD Candidate, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics

Penn Engineering

Ed Steager, PhD

Senior Research Investigator, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics

Penn Engineering

Cohort

2018-2019