MOMENTUM • VIRGINIA TECH MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 27 electrical fields . Together , we have discovered a new phenomenon in a well-established field .”
In Nain and Davalos ’ study , the cells attached to suspended fibers were able to sustain high electrical voltages while enabling the precise measurement of forces . This holds great promise to deliver macromolecules in the cells efficiently , they said .
“ This platform has broadened that reversible window ,” Davalos said . “ This is exciting because the opportunity for introducing larger particles increases without the risk of killing the cell . This could have major implications in genetic engineering and molecular medicine . Achieving this in realistic fibrous environments opens new possibilities for translating the technology .”
The research was conducted by an interdisciplinary team from multiple engineering backgrounds . Philip Graybill and Aniket Jana , Ph . D . students in mechanical engineering , are equal authors on the publication , and are joined by Rakesh Kapania , Norris and Laura Mitchell Professor in the Kevin T . Crofton Department of Aerospace & Ocean Engineering .
Aniket Jana ( left ) and Philip Graybill ( right ) conduct research in engineering labs .
Peter Means for Virginia Tech