Weitz, David A. - Harvard University - John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

个人简介

EDUCATION B.Sc., 1973 Honors Physics, University of Waterloo A.M., 1975, Physics, Harvard University Ph.D., 1978, Physics, Harvard University

研究领域

Weitz and his group study the physics of soft condensed matter, materials easily deformed by external stresses, electric, magnetic or gravitational fields, and even thermal fluctuations. These materials typically possess structures much larger than atomic or molecular scales; the structure and dynamics at these mesoscopic scales determine the macroscopic physical properties. The goal of their research is to probe and understand the relationship between mesoscopic structure and bulk properties. The group studies both synthetic and biological materials, with interests ranging from fundamental physics to technological applications and from basic materials questions to specific biological problems. Techniques used by the group include video-image analysis, light scattering, optical microscopy, rheology, and laser tweezing. New experimental techniques are developed, such as the use of multiply scattered waves to study the dynamics and mechanical properties of materials. Weitz and his group study the properties of colloidal suspensions to investigate the behavior of crystals and glasses as well as the properties of highly disordered gels. They use confocal microscopy, scattering and rheology to investigate both fundamental properties that are modeled using the colloidal particles as well as more technological applications of these systems. They also investigate other soft materials such as foams, emulsions and gels, to study the relationship between their internal structure and dynamics and their bulk properties, developing a fundamental understanding that can also impact on technological applications. Weitz and his group also are developing methods to make ‘designer’ emulsions and foams on a drop-by-drop basis using a class of microfluidic devices that they have developed. They fabricate multiple emulsions with exquisite precision and they explore both the basic physics of these structures, as well as their potential uses for encapsulation of active materials. In addition, they explore the scale-up of these structures to make useful quantities of materials. The group also develops drop-based microfluidics for biophysics and biotechnology applications. This is a microfluidic technique where minute drops immersed in an inert carrier fluid are used as reaction vessels of only a few picoliters in volume. They are used to collect biological data at very high rates, and Weitz and his group are applying them to investigate issues in biology and for biotechnology applications. The group also investigates the mechanical properties of biopolymer networks, both model, reconstituted networks, and those in cells, with a goal of understanding mechanical behavior at the level of single cells and of tissue. They investigate the properties of reconstituted networks of actin, microtubules and intermediate filaments, and study ‘active’ networks, where molecular motors induce active motion. These studies provide insight into the mechanical properties of cells. They also investigate mechanical properties of extracellular biopolymer networks, including collagen and fibrin. RESEARCH INTERESTS Applied Physics Biophysics and Self-Assembly Materials Science Soft Condensed Matter Surface and Interface Science Bioengineering Biomechanics and Motor Control Biophysics and Self-Assembly Materials and Mechanical Engineering Materials Science Soft Condensed Matter Surface and Interface Science

近期论文

查看导师新发文章（温馨提示：请注意重名现象，建议点开原文通过作者单位确认）

“Systems and Methods for Spray Drying in Microfluidic and Other Systems,” Weitz, David A.; Amstad, Esther; Holtze, Christian; US Provisional priority filing, 9/21/2012, 61/704,422; PCT filing, 9/19/2013, PCT/US13/60522. “Systems and Methods for Epigenetic Sequencing,” Weitz, David A.; Bernstein, Bradley; Ram, Oren; Rotem, Assaf; US Provisional priority filing, 3/5/2012, 61/634,744; PCT filing, 3/5/2013, PCT/US13/29123. “Control of Entities such as Droplets and Cells using Acoustic Waves,” Weitz, David A.; Franke, Thomas; US Provisional priority filing, 6/27/2012, 61/665,087; PCT filing, 6/26/2013, PCT/US13/47829. “Systems and Methods for Droplet Production and Manipulation using Acoustic Waves,” Weitz, David A.; Franke, Thomas; Schmid, Lothar; US Provisional priority filing, 10/26/2012, 61/719,351; PCT filing, 10/24/2013, PCT/US13/66591. “Determination of Immune Cells and Other Cells,” Weitz, David A.; Gilbert, John R.; Heyman, John; US Provisional priority filing, 8/26/2013, 61/870,214. “Devices and Methods for Forming Relatively Monodisperse Droplets,” Weitz, David A.; Amstad, Esther; Sperling, Ralph A.; US Provisional priority filing, 3/6/2013, 61/773,604. “Microparticles, Methods for their Preparation and Use,” Weitz, David A.; Amstad, Esther; Ostafe, Raluca; Prodanovic, Radivoje; Utech, Stefanie; Mao, Angelo S.; Mooney, David J.; Wilking, Connie Chang; US Provisional priority filing, 11/8/2013, 61/901,949. “Coalescence of Droplets,” Akartuna, Ilke; Aubrecht, Donald M.; Kodger, Thomas E.; Weitz, David A.; US Provisional priority filing, 6/14/2013, 61/835,381. “Biomimetic Device for Generating Human Platelets,” Italiano, Joseph E.; Mazutis, Linas; Thon, Jonathan N.; Weitz, David A.; US Provisional priority filing, 1/3/2013, 61/848,424. “Rapid Production of Droplets,” Weitz, David A; Amstad, Esther; US Provisional priority filing, 5/14/2013, 61/823,175. “Nanostructured Active Therapeutic Vehicles and Uses Thereof,” Abbaspourrad, Alireza; Carroll, Nichlaus J.; Lind, Johan Ulrik; Parker, Kevin Kit; Weitz, David A.; US Provisional priority filing, 2/22/2013, 61/768,206. “Compositions for Detecting Cellular Forces,” Ingber, Donald E.; Campas, Otger; Mahadevan, Lakshminarayanan; Weitz, David A.; US Provisional priority filing, 5/21/2013, 61/825,580. “Microcapsules and Methods for their Preparation and Use,” Carroll, Nicholaus J.; Weitz, David A.; Zieringer, Maximilian; US Provisional priority filing, 7/24/2013, 61/857,834. “Drying Techniques for Microfluidic and Other Systems,” Amstad, Esther; Spaepen, Frans; Weitz, David A.; US Provisional priority filing, 10/29/2013, 61/897,144. “Virus/Nanowire Encapsulation within Polymer Microgels for 2D and 3D Devices for Energy and Electronics,” Belcher, Angela M.; Kim, Jin Woong; Lee, Daeyeon; Magyar, Andrew; Nam, Yoon Sung; Weitz, David A.; US Provisional priority filing, 3/18/2010, 12/678,894; US Utility Patent issued, issue date 4/1/2014, no. 0116993. “Particle-Assisted Nucleic Acid Sequencing,” Abate, Adam R.; Weitz, David A.; US Provisional priority filing, 6/13/2011, 13/139,326; US Utility Patent issued, issue date 6/10/2014, no. 0015822. “Surfaces, Including Microfluidic Channels, with Controlled Wetting Properties,” Abate, Adam R.; Holtze, Christian; Krummel, Amber; Weitz, David A.; US Provisional priority filing, 9/28/2010, 12/935,203; US Utility Patent issued, issue date 8/12/2014, no. 0123413. “Metal Oxide Coating on Surfaces,” Abate, Adam R.; Do, Thao; Holtze, Christian; Lee, Daeyeon; Weitz, David A.; US Provisional priority filing, 2/5/2010, 12/733,086; US Utility Patent issued, issue date 11/11/2014, no. 0239824. “In Vitro Evolution in Microfluidic Systems,” Ahn, Keunho; Bibette, Jerome M.; Griffiths, Andrew; Link, Darren R.; Weitz, David A.; US Provisional priority filing, 12/4/2012, 13/693,356; US Utility Patent issued, issue date 10/28/2014, no. 0217601. “Electronic Control of Fluidic Species,” Ahn, Keunho; Cheng, Zhengdong; Cristobal-Azkarate, Galder; Link, Darren R.; Weitz, David A.; US Provisional priority filing, 2/23/2006, 11/360,845; US Utility Patent issued, issue date 7/1/2014.