Dialysis (September)

In this lab module, students create a mathematical model that involves a series of differential equations to predict the appropriate amount of medication to provide a patient. This process is similar to the design process of pharmaceutical companies, who must define appropriate dosage for medication. This modules pull together work students have or will do in statistics, programming and modeling, fluid transport, and physiology.

Engrams (September - October)

This neuroengineering module introduces students to the theory of memory formation through analysis of simulated brain imaging data. Students build algorithms to detect neuronal firing patterns and decode “engrams,” temporal sequences that represent stored information. Using datasets modeled on hippocampal activity, students reconstruct memory sequences and evaluate how they degrade with neuronal loss. This lab emphasizes computational modeling, signal analysis, and systems-level thinking.

Cockroach-Machine-Interface (October - December)

In this lab module series, students first learn to control a leg, severed from a live cockroach, using electrical signals. The next step is to attach the leg to a motor arm in order to get two degrees of motion (biomechatronic prosthetic). The final step is to use the students' electrophysiological signals from their muscles (EMG) and use that to control the biomechatronic prosthetic. This module pulls together work students have or will do do with physiology, biomechanics, programming, electronics and signal theory, as well as statistics.

2022 Project Videos

2021 Project Videos

Other Videos

See the feature by "Here & Now" on NPR: https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2015/06/10/cockroach-legs-research 

Another story from Bioengineering's blog: https://beblog.seas.upenn.edu/biomechatronic-students-cockroach/ 

Microfluidics (January)

In this lab, students explore the principles of microfluidics and laser cutting for biomedical devices. Using laser cutters to fabricate custom microfluidic channels, students design, build, and test devices that manipulate small volumes of fluid for diagnostic applications. This module pulls together work students have done in biomaterials, programming, statistics, and fluid transport.

Synthetic Biology (February)

In this lab module, students mathematical model gene expression using spectrophotometer data. They also develop image processing and computational models to characterize quorum sensing. This module pulls together work students have done in molecular biology, physical chemistry, advanced mathematics, programming, and statistics.

This novel module was published in the journal ACS Synthetic Biology: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acssynbio.6b00057 

Electrocardiogram (ECG) & Signal Processing (March)

In this lab module, students design and develop an analog electronic filter to separate heart rate and respiratory rate from their own ECG data. This module pulls together work students have done in physiology, signals and systems, electronics, programming, and statistics.

Blog article: https://beblog.seas.upenn.edu/junior-bioengineering-students-filter-ecg-signals-for-use-in-astronaut-fatigue-monitoring-device/

Electromyography (EMG) & Rehabilitation (April)

Part 1: Signal Acquisition & Wireless Transmission 

In this module, students design and build a custom circuit to capture EMG signals from the forearm. The circuit includes analog filtering, amplification, and wireless transmission using a Bluetooth-enabled Arduino. Students apply principles of biosignal processing to isolate muscle activity from noise and stream data to a custom GUI in Python. The module emphasizes hands-on circuit design, embedded systems, and signal conditioning for wearable biomedical devices.

Electromyography (EMG) & Rehabilitation (April)

Part 2: Prosthetic System Design

Building on Part 1, students develop a functional prosthetic interface using a Raspberry Pi, touchscreen display, and motor control. EMG signals are used to drive a user-defined task, such as gesture-based control or assistive feedback. The project integrates GUI development with PyQt5, real-time data visualization, and hardware interfacing. The final prototype is evaluated for its functionality and user interaction. This module brings together device fabrication, embedded programming, and human-machine interfacing.

2023 Project Videos

Previous Labs

Low-Cost Spectrophotometer (April)

In this lab module, students design and develop a low-cost spectrophotometer for absorbance and fluorescence measurements. Students need to build an enclosure, using Solidworks, the electronics, and a Graphical User Interface. This module pulls together work students have done in physical chemistry, programming and statistics.

Videos

Blog article: https://beblog.seas.upenn.edu/junior-bioengineering-students-complete-their-laboratory-course-with-creatively-designed-spectrophotometers/