Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Another of Balls stand-out inventions is an improvement in the needle-free injection technology developed at MITs BioInstrumentation Laboratory. Under the direction of his advisors Ian W. Hunter and Andrew Taberner in the BioInstrumentation Laboratory, Ball was challenged to use the labs novel Lorentz-force actuator to create a dual-action, rapid-fire delivery technology that increased drug volume delivery.
Within two months, he had not only come up with a solution to the problem, but had built and tested a prototype device.
Nates achievement is simply breathtaking and will have potentially a huge impact on drug delivery and, hence, healthcare, said Balls advisor Professor Hunter.
Now awaiting livestock trials, Ball and his colleagues anticipate the needle-free injection technology having applications in animal husbandry. Beyond that, they hope the device may someday be employed for safe, inexpensive, mass inoculation of humans in developing and developed countries. Commercialization of the work is funded in part by partner Norwood Abbey, Inc. of Melbourne, Australia.
Inventor, Student, Reality-Show Host
Balls interest in invention does not stop with his own creations; he also dedicates himself to mentoring and advising aspiring inventors.
Coming from a family of teachers and having such strong support from my parents, I felt it imperative to share that with other young inventors, he said. My parents helped me find my passion early in life and instilled in me a way to maintain it. To help other young inventors discover science is amazing and watching their first moment of discovery is very rewarding.
Ball has been deeply involved as a technical advisor and co-host of Design Squad, a new engineering-based reality show for kids ages 9-13 that will air nationally on PBS beginning in February 2007. He he
'"/>
Contact: Matt Paine
mpaine@coneinc.com
617-939-8314
Lemelson-MIT Program
14-Feb-2007