About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Materials and Manufacturing in Space
|
| Presentation Title |
Layer-by-Layer Assembly of Artificial Retina Thin Films in Microgravity |
| Author(s) |
Kristin Kopperud, Nicole Wagner, Jordan Greco |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Kristin Kopperud |
| Abstract Scope |
LambdaVision has developed a protein-based artificial retina to restore vision to the millions of people blinded by retinal degenerative diseases. The artificial retina thin films are manufactured using layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of the light-activated protein, bacteriorhodopsin, and a polycation binder. A microgravity environment is expected to improve quality of the films and, as a result, enhance the stability and function of the artificial retinas for future preclinical and clinical trials. We have consistently met the goal of assembling 200-layer films through 9 missions to the ISS and have continued to iterate on the LbL flight hardware design through rigorous ground prototyping. Recent advancements include improved chamber geometries and fluidic control, higher sample throughput, production scalability, and the use of in situ quality assessments to evaluate the progression of LbL assembly in real time. These developments lay the groundwork for future applications that leverage the ISS and future commercial LEO destinations. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Thin Films and Interfaces, Biomaterials, |