Engineering Papers⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Simpson, John T

Publications and source records attributed to Simpson, John T.

9 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Superhydrophobic coated apparatus for liquid purification by evaporative condensation

Disclosed are examples of apparatuses for evaporative purification of a contaminated liquid. In each example, there is a first vessel for storing the contaminated fluid. The first vessel includes a surface coated with a layer of superhydrophobic material and the surface is at least partially in contact with the contaminated liquid. The contaminants do not adhere to the surface as the purified liquid evaporates, thus simplifying maintenance of the apparatus.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2014

Structural manipulation of microcone arrays for microsurgical modification of ophthalmic tissues

The purpose of this study was to control the size and shape of fabricated glass microcone arrays for use in optical surgery instruments by varying the fiber drawing and etching methods. The spacing of the cones is controlled via the drawing process while the etching process controls the cone height-to-base ratio. The device viability was tested by imprinting, and subsequent staining, of low-density polyethylene and porcine corneas, resulting in a consistent patterned structure of micron-sized perforations. After imprint, the device was examined and no evidence of microcone fracture or over-penetration was present during the course of these experiments. This research promises to lead to advances in optical surgery for the treatment of recurrent corneal erosions, providing quicker, safer, and more cost-effective procedures with decreased risk of vision loss and scarring associated with current procedures such as anterior stromal puncture. The ease of procedure and micron sized incisions could potentially replace current techniques and provide a viable treatment alternative for recurrent corneal erosions in the visual axis.

Schaeffer, Daniel A↗
DOE OSTI2013

Microfabricated instruments and methods to treat recurrent corneal erosion

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device and method for treating recurrent corneal erosion. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of contacting an epithelium layer of a cornea with an array of glass micro-rods including a plurality of sharp features having a length that penetrates a Bowman's layer of the eye, wherein the plurality of sharp features of the array of glass micro-rods produces a plurality of punctures in the Bowman's layer of the eye that are of micro-scale or less. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method and device for drug delivery. In one embodiment, the device includes an array of glass micro-rods, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature opposite a base of the array of glass micro-rods, wherein the sharp feature includes a treated surface for delivering a chemical compound to the eye.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Superoleophilic particles and coatings and methods of making the same

Superoleophilic particles and surfaces and methods of making the same are described. The superoleophilic particles can include porous particles having a hydrophobic coating layer deposited thereon. The coated porous particles are characterized by particle sizes ranging from at least 100 nm to about 10 .mu.m and a plurality of nanopores. Some of the nanopores provide flow through porosity. The superoleophilic particles also include oil pinned within the nanopores of the porous particles The plurality of porous particles can include (i) particles including a plurality of spaced apart nanostructured features comprising a contiguous, protrusive material, (ii) diatomaceous earth particles, or (iii) both. The surfaces can include the superoleophilic particles coupled to the surface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Array of aligned and dispersed carbon nanotubes and method of producing the array

An array of aligned and dispersed carbon nanotubes includes an elongate drawn body including a plurality of channels extending therethrough from a first end to a second end of the body, where the channels have a number density of at least about 100,000 channels/mm.sup.2 over a transverse cross-section of the body. A plurality of carbon nanotubes are disposed in each channel, and the carbon nanotubes are sufficiently dispersed and aligned along a length of the channels for the array to comprise an average resistivity per channel of about 9700 .OMEGA.m or less.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Retinal instrument

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of removing scar tissue from an eye that includes inserting a device including an array of micro-rods into an eye, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature; contacting a scar tissue with the array of micro-rods; and removing the array of micro-rods and the scar tissue from the eye. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a medical device for engaging a tissue including and an array of glass micro-rods, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature opposite a base of the array of glass micro-rods that is connected to the cannula, wherein the sharp feature of the at least one micro-rod is angled from a plane that is normal to a face of the base of the array of glass micro-rods.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗