Free Essay On Engineering - An Engineer Promenading in the Garden of Biomedical Sciences

An Engineer Promenading in the Garden of Biomedical Sciences

It is important to understand how mechanical engineers can influence the field of biology and biomedical sciences. A few examples would serve to provide necessary clues to this question. Intra cytoplasm sperm injection is a minute operation that requires precise mechanical parts and machines. Similarly, a contact lens involving an accurate and minute covering of the cornea requires precise grounding of glass – a feat that can only be achieved through mechanical engineering.
Today’s mechanical engineer would need to be versatile. He would need to have an understanding of electronics, given that Moore’s Law of the doubling of the density of electronic chips every six months is still holding good. He would need to be well versed in Information Technology as well as with biotechnology, which unlocks the molecular essence of life itself. While life sciences covers biochemistry and molecular biology, the mechanical engineer provides the niche at the cusp of these subjects by way of biomedical engineering.
Biological experiments such as studying the splashing of a milk droplet require accurate measurements that fall into the realm of biomedical engineering. Prosthetic hydrogels require precise lens geometry and spheres that can be created through biomedical engineering. Analyzing equipment for biotechnology needs to be created by mechanical engineers. Analysis of flow of fluids such as blood requires sensors where engineers have a role to play. Diseases today require complex machinery for diagnosis and cure. For example, breast cancer requires mammography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasounds, apart from clinical examinations. In summary, it could be said that new grounds opened by multi-scale biomechanics offer new vistas for classical biomechanics, biochemistry, engineering mechanics and solid mechanics. In this milieu, engineers can make complementary and indispensable contributions to life sciences that are unknown to biologists and chemists.