Double Bond - March 1998
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Editorial
Because of Mariusz Kosik's hard work and dedication in 1997, and the
resulting momentum, the 1998 Program has started out very well. Thank
you Mariusz!
After Joe Bieron attracted 49 members to the January section meeting,
Keith Wetzel, Marketing & Sales Manager of Kodaks's Microelectronics
Technology Division, gave an interesting talk about Kodak's Role in the
Mars Mission to 23 attendees of the February section meeting. Thanks to
encouragement from Mary Schreiner, twelve students from Niagara
University attended Keith's presentation. The February meeting
attendees learned about sensors, climate and atmospheric conditions on
Mars, and the Pathfinder Mission. We were also treated to some
fascinating pictures taken from the rover.
The March meeting should be extremely interesting. Thank you Curtis F.
Holmes, VP of Technology for Wilson Greatbatch Ltd., for accepting the
invitation to speak to our members about "Electrochemical Power Sources
- An Important Contributor to Modern Health Care." We are also grateful
to Wilson Greatbatch Ltd. for allowing us to have the meeting at their
fine facility. I hope to see many of you there on March 24th.
Mike Brewster
Chair
About our speaker
Dr. Curtis F. Holmes received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry
from Louisiana State University in 1965 and a doctorate in chemical
physics from Indiana University in 1969. He joined Wilson Greatbatch
ltd. in 1976 and now holds the position of Vice President of Technology.
He has participated in a variety of research and development projects
for development of advanced batteries for implant able biomedical
devices. These projects include the improvement of efficiency and
reliability of lithium/iodine pacemaker batteries, the development of
medium-rate batteries for implant able devices, and the development of
high-rate lithium batteries for the implant able defibrillator.
Dr. Holmes is currently Chairman of the Battery Division of the
Electrochemical Society. He was elected a Fellow of the American
Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering in 1996. He has
authored over forth technical papers and four book chapters. He holds
three U.S. patents.
Abstract:
Electrochemical Power Sources - An Important Contributor to Modern
Health Care
The invention of the cardiac pacemaker thirty-nine years ago marked the
beginning of the ara of the treatment of health disorders by battery
powered implant able devices. Since that time several different
battery-powered implant able devices have been developed and are in use.
These devices include pacemaker, implant able
cardioverter/defibrillators, implant able drug delivery systems,
neurostimulators, and the left ventricular assist device. Batteries
play an important role in external medical devices as well, ranging from
surgical tools to motorized wheel chairs. As both battery technology
and device development progress, the use of batteries in the treatment
of disease will continue to be an important feature of medical care.