Participants learned about Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation Systems, where electrical stimulation can be used to stimulate paralyzed muscles of people with spinal cord injuries to provide the ability to stand and maneuver. The participants were required to place the virtual leg in various positions using the trackball. In addition to the game, demonstrations took place where participants were allowed to control the leg of a graduate student who was instrumented with a Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation System. Three other engineering departments presented biomedical-related displays. The Chemical Engineering Department provided information about cellular bioengineering in the ASTeCC building.
Current research includes adhesion properties of endothelial, bacterial cells, and cancer cells.
The Mechanical Engineering Department presented the bionic man, along with other biomedical demonstrations through its bio-thermal engineering laboratories. A hands-on demonstration was used by the Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department to explain how enzymes work. Among the 30 industrial exhibitors was the University of Kentucky Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery. The Center works with the UK Center for Biomedical Engineering and the UK Center for Robotics and Manufacturing Systems to develop emerging technologies, including sophisticated instrumentation and imaging techniques. Their demonstration showed how imaging of internal organs can be created through haptic feedback, and how this technology can be used to perform minimally invasive surgery.