Nano-synthetic Materials Smart System Enabling Sensor Discovery and Fabrication

Medical procedures are complex and require extensive training; research has shown that at least 750 individual operations may be required to perform procedures correctly. This learning curve is important, both for: 1) training new physicians, and 2) providing a way to develop and test improved medical methods. Development of sensing materials for synthetic tissues, organs, nerves, and skin (STONeS) has increased the usefulness of training mannequins, but more research is needed to develop sensors with extended capabilities to facilitate use in more procedures. One hurdle to development of advanced sensing materials is the ability to rapidly screen nanomaterials for their possible use in STONeS applications. In this project TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) proposes to develop a high throughput methodology for autonomous testing of new materials to accelerate the discovery of promising new sensors. We will develop a strategy for screening materials that have stretch and pressure sensing capabilities; at the end of the Phase I project we will be prepared to design a device prototype. This will facilitate discovery of advanced materials for advanced capabilities of STONeS, enhancing their use in current training applications and also allowing them to be used in new applications not currently available.