Steven Garrett’s contributions as a scientific advisor in the field of acoustophoresis

Less known to the Acoustics Community is Steven Garrett’s contribution as scientific advisor to FloDesign Sonics, a startup company co-founded by the author as a spinout from Western New England University in 2010. The company developed multiple acoustofluidic platforms for cell processing applications in biopharmacy and cell therapy manufacturing. The platforms were based on piezoelectrical transducer-driven macroscale ultrasonic standing waves, which generate acoustic radiation forces on particles in suspensions. Through an interplay of acoustic radiation forces, fluid drag forces, and gravitational forces, unique cell processing operations were enabled. These processes included cell separation, cell concentration, cell washing, and affinity cell selection at process scale flow rates. As Chief Technology Officer of FloDesign Sonics, the author set up a Scientific Advisory Board tasked to appraise, critique, and support the technology and innovation of the company. Dr. Garrett joined the Scientific Advisory Board from its inception in 2015. Steve was an active and diligent participant. Through our mutual love for physics, acoustics, innovation, and good food, the technical team and Steve developed a warm relationship. His post-meeting reports were detailed with insights that furthered the understanding and development of the technology. This talk reviews Steve’s contributions as a Scientific Advisor.