SYNCARDIA is a non-invasive cardiac regeneration platform designed to repair the heart after a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Using ultrasound-guided lipid nanoparticles and mechanical sensing, it converts scar-forming fibroblasts into electrically integrated heart muscle cells directly within injured tissue. By restoring contractile function while reducing arrhythmia risk, SYNCARDIA aims to move heart attack treatment beyond damage control toward biological repair, with the potential to significantly reduce heart failure and sudden cardiac death.
ExploraVison National Science Competition Winners
1st place
Mentor Steven Willmore, Aashika Pesaladinne, Rishitha Mantri, Ruhi Nalla, Saanvi Agiwal, Sarah Kish (Toshiba), Coach Latha Pesaladinne
SYNCARDIA: Mechanogated Cardiac Regeneration
2nd place
Reyansh Raut, Richard Nie, Jay Patel, Rayan Hasan, Coach Alexis Vandergoot & Mentor Samantha Sforza (not in the picture)
ReACT-SHM: Responsive Concrete Technology
ReACT-SHM proposes a next-generation structural health monitoring system that moves beyond passive damage detection toward active mitigation. By integrating embedded Fiber Bragg Grating sensors, acoustic emission monitoring, and stress-responsive nanoscale agents, the system detects early microcrack formation and locally reinforces high-risk regions within concrete. This hierarchical, physics-guided approach aims to slow damage progression, reduce maintenance costs, enhance safety, and extend infrastructure lifespan.