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An Idaho National Laboratory fellow, Dr. Paul Meakin is the director of the DOE laboratory's Center for Advanced Modeling and Simulation, where his current research interests include computational multiphase fluid dynamics, the coupling between fracturing and chemical process in geosystems, dissipative particle dynamics, geological pattern formation and mineral dissolution. Meakin's work has had wide applications in the scientific community, as noted by a committee of eminent scientists appointed by the Norwegian Institute for Energy Technology, who selected Meakin for the 2007 Gunnar Randers Research Prize. “His research into complex materials and processes has been pioneering and has yielded increased fundamental insights in many branches of material science. He has contributed to developing new research areas with relevance to such widely disparate fields as superstrong fibers and increased oil production.” Having published more than 350 scientific publications in more than 50 journals, Dr. Paul Meakin was the 79th most cited physicist in a worldwide survey covering papers published in physics journals from 1981 to 1997 (approximately 6,400 citations) - an additional 1,600 citations of papers published in chemistry journals were not included. Currently Meakin's journal publications have been cited more than 15,000 times, and 38 of his papers have been cited 100 or more times. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science. Meakin was Professor II at the Physics Institute at the University of Oslo from 1992 to 2001. He is also and Adjunct Professor of Physics at Emory University in Atlanta, and Professor II at the Norwegian Research Council Center of Excellence for the Physics of Geological processes at the University of Oslo. Meakin was born and raised in England, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry at the University of Manchester, U.K., and a Doctorate of Physical Chemistry from the University of California at Santa Barbara. The prize was presented to Meakin by King Harald V during a ceremony at the Institute for Energy Technology on April 23. Submitted by DOE's
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PPPL participates in development of artificial muscleCurrently, prosthetics for the arm and hand are not functional unless they utilize three-pronged metal devices that are controlled mechanically. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory collaborator Lenore Rasmussen, owner of Ras Labs, a small NJ business, wondered if a prosthetic limb could respond directly to a neural impulse, and whether it could be made more attractive and highly functional. Rasmussen envisions artificial muscles that are comprised of an electro-responsive polymer gel containing embedded electrodes, all encased in a flexible coating that acts as a kind of skin. The embedded electrodes serve a dual role: providing the electric stimulus, much like a nerve, and attaching the polymer to a lever, like a tendon attaches muscle to bone. When the electrodes are energized with direct current, the polymer contracts or expands, depending on the formulation. It then relaxes when the current is turned off, acting much like real muscle tissue responding to a neural impulse from the brain. Rasmussen tested a variety of polymers and found that certain ones respond quickly to electricity and have all the other needed properties. However, after repeated cycles, the polymer detached often from the electrodes. But Rasmussen recalled that plasmas are used to sterilize medical needles, which are then coated with polymers, allowing them to slide more quickly reducing patient discomfort. Plasma treatment not only sterilizes metal, but also improves the adherence of the polymer. Rasmussen contacted DOE's PPPL, resulting in the establishment of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. The project, with PPPL participants Lew Meixler and Yevgeny Raitses, revolves around PPPL's plasma sterilization equipment, an excellent apparatus in which to treat metal samples with plasma. Different ions are being studied to find a suitable metal and plasma combination that solves the detachment problem. The tests should also provide insight into the mechanism responsible for improved adhesion of the polymer. “This collaborative effort with Ras Labs is a good example of how a DOE Lab can advance the research of a small business startup. PPPL is helping to improve the metal-polymer interface by plasma treating the actuator electrodes. We hope it will lead to superior electro-responsive actuators that will benefit disabled people,” Meixler said.Submitted by DOE's
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