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Events

Upcoming MEMS events

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Oct 24 9:00 am

Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science PhD Virtual Information Session

Nov 6 2:30 pm

MEMS Seminar: Jonathan Freund, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign at Stephen F. & Camilla T. Brauer Hall

Washington University researchers have shown discovered why cells communicate mechanically through the extracellular matrix, but only within a critical distance of approximately 100-200 micrometers. When cells are close enough, their contractile forces recruit and align collagen fibers into stiffened "tension bands" (visible as aligned fibers between cells) that transmit mechanical signals between neighbors, while cells beyond this threshold (right pair) remain mechanically isolated despite being in the same tissue. This distance-dependent mechanical communication drives a sharp phase transition where tissues switch from disordered to coordinated states, explaining why fibrotic diseases often progress in abrupt jumps. Scale bar 10 micrometers. (Credit: Wenyu Kong, Tsinghua University)

Tissue ‘tipping points’: How cells collectively switch from healthy to disease states

Collaborative research from Guy Genin’s lab and Tsinghua University identifies phase transitions in living tissue that could explain why fibrosis suddenly accelerates.

10.14.2025

Bae selected as a Rising Star by Advanced Materials journal

The honor recognizes the work of early-stage independent researchers.

09.22.2025

Mechanical engineering alumnus Bruce Myrehn competed in the Ford Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational in June.

Not slowing down

Alumnus Bruce Myrehn goes from tinkering in a garage to the track at Le Mans.

09.22.2025

The GRAND ARM 2 microscope, located on the lower level of Scott Rudolph Hall, will allow researchers to visualize materials at the atomic scale.

Institute for Materials Science and Engineering adds state-of-the-art electron microscope

Danforth Shared Instrumentation Facilities Expo set for Oct. 7 to feature GRAND ARM 2, other highlights.

09.22.2025

Ramesh Agarwal receives 2025 WSSET Innovation Award

The award honors outstanding contribution to innovative and sustainable research.

09.18.2025

$4.87 million grant supports development of sepsis diagnostic device

Fast, precise tool could offer personalized critical care to ICU patients, military personnel.

09.17.2025

In this model, cell clusters can “feel” farther beyond their surrounding environment in the human body by acting as a collective, shown here “reaching out” with the red indicating the spatial distribution of the collagen deformation over a layer of stiff tissue. WashU researchers share details on this emergent property in the journal PNAS. (Image: Pathak lab)

Working together, cells extend their senses

New research has implications for tracking cancer.

09.11.2025

Guan named Earl E. and Myrtle E. Walker Professor of Engineering

Jianjun Guan is known for his work in biomaterials and regenerative medicine.

08.26.2025

Clockwise from top left: Anastasio, Fan, Friend, Wang, Sharma, Nurollahian, Holdener

New faculty to join McKelvey Engineering for 2025-26 academic year

The new faculty include a new chair for Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science.

08.01.2025