Edward W. Merrill, professor emeritus of chemical engineering, died peacefully at his home on Aug. 6 at the age of 96, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
A longtime chemical engineer at MIT, Merrill was a founding contributor to the field of biological engineering. He developed the area of biomaterials and over a 66-year career pioneered several fields of bioengineering.
Ed made an indelible mark on each life he touched, professionally and personally. Not only did his research contributions help better the lives of thousands, but his commitment to education and mentorship helped shape a generation of biomedical engineers, says Paula Hammond, the David H. Koch (1962) Professor in Engineering and head of the MIT Department of Chemical Engineering. I experienced it first-hand as a student and a co-teacher; he raised the bar for all of us.
Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on Aug. 31, 1923, Merrill grew up in Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury, Massachusetts, and attended the Roxbury Latin School prior to entering Harvard College in 1941 to study the classics. He received a BA in chemistry from Harvard University in 1944 and pursued doctoral studies at MIT under the direction of Herman P. Meissner. Merrill received his ScD in 1947 working on pioneering theories and experimental studies of polymer adhesion. Upon graduation, he was employed by Dewey and Almy (later part of W.R. Grace) and joined MIT as an assistant professor of chemical engineering in 1950. Merrill was appointed the Carbon P. Dubbs Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering in 1973, a position he held until 1998. Merrill was a visiting lecturer in chemistry at Harvard University from 1952 to 1958, a consultant at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital of Boston from 1960 to 1972, a consultant of the Children's Hospital in Boston from 1969 to 1972, and a consultant of the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston from 1969 to 1985. He has also served as chief scientist and consultant in biochemical engineering to Harvard University Health Services from 1984 to 1998.
In the 1950s and '60s, Merrill was the leading scientist in blood rheology. He investigated the effect of the hematocrit, various plasma proteins, and white blood cells on blood viscosity and flow behavior, and he developed appropriate experimental tools for rheological investigations of blood (including the patented GDM [Gilinson-Dauwalter-Merrill] viscometer) under realistic in-vitro conditions. In the 1960s and 1970s, Merrill was a pioneer in the development of the artificial kidney, analysis of its transport characteristics, and optimization of hemodialyzer membranes. In fact, Merrill's pioneering work on artificial kidneys, with Professor Clark Colton PhD 69 and Robert A. Britton ScD 67, led to the development of the first National Institutes of Health guidelines for artificial kidneys in the 1960s. In the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, he pioneered the field of protein/polymer interaction under stagnant and flow conditions and made exceptional contributions in the development of hydrogels as biomaterials, and in ionic or covalent heparinization techniques on polymer surfaces for antithrombogenic materials.
Merrill and Edward Saltzman of Harvard proposed polyethylene oxide (PEO) as a highly biocompatible material in an influential 1979 paper and did significant studies to analyze its stricture and blood response. Merrill's ideas on PEO as a non-thrombogenic biomaterial led to an explosion in the use of PEG- and PEO-decorated biomedical systems. In 1973, Merrill pioneered silicone-based contact lenses that became the basis of the hard, oxygen-permeable contact lens technology. Merrill's work on highly cross-linked polyethylene in the 1990s with William H. Harris led to the new irradiation-cross-linked, high density polyethylene (HDPE) materials used in artificial joints such as knee and hip replacements.
Merrill's contributions in the area of biomedical applications of aerosol engineering were also significant and led to the use of dipalmitoyl-lecithin aerosols for treatment of infants born with hyaline membrane disease (respiratory distress syndrome). Finally, he made significant and sustained contributions to drag reduction phenomena. Merrill was the inventor of more than 40 U.S. patents and about 230 international patents.
Professor Merrill was probably the premier biomedical engineer of the 20th century, says Nicholas Peppas ScD 74, the Cockrell Family Regents Chaired Professor at the University of Texas at Austin and advisee of Merrill, Not only did he develop the fundamentals of the field, and came up with pioneering inventions of blood flow rheometers, non-thrombogenic biomaterials, advanced contact lenses, treatments of the respiratory distress syndrome, and the most successful materials for joint replacements, but he also became a superb educator and mentor who directed and advised hundreds, if not thousands, of biomedically-oriented students of diverse backgrounds and nationalities.
Merrill personally supervised 57 PhD and 62 MS students, and 12 postdocs in his career. About 35 of these became professors in engineering, sciences, or medicine in academic institutions. About 20 of them became entrepreneurs serving as CEOs or other leaders of the chemical, biomedical or pharmaceutical industries. Merrill and eight of his former students or associates were listed in the 2008 AIChE list of "100 Eminent Chemical Engineers of the Modern Era. Fifty-five of his academic descendants are members of the major academies now: 28 are National Academy of Engineering (NAE) members, 19 are members of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), three are National Academy of Sciences (NAS) members, and five are members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS). Many U.S. and international companies have been founded on his pioneering research ideas by his students and others.
A superb teacher, Merrill taught courses on polymers, biomaterials, transport phenomena, and medical sciences at MIT. His MIT course entitled Chemical Engineering in Medicine and Biology, offered in 1963, was the first such course in the United States. Merrill was a concerned educator and mentor who welcomed in his laboratories numerous scientists from other countries. He had a close association with Paul Rempp of the Macromolecular Center of Strasbourg, France, and in 1991 wrote an impactful book on polymers with him, Polymer Synthesis. At that time, he was also a vice-president of the Boston-Strasbourg Sister City Association and a director of the Alliance Franaise of Boston-Cambridge from 1990-96. He was also consultant to the conservator of the Department of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston from 1988 to 1998.
Merrill was elected a member of the AAAS, the NAE, the NAM, and the National Academy of Inventors. He received the Founders Award of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) in 2000, the Founders Award of the Society for Biomaterials (SFB) in 2003, and the Pierre Galletti Award from the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineers in 2010. AIChE had also bestowed upon him the 1982 Alpha Chi Sigma Award and the 1993 Charles M. A. Stine Award. In 1990, the SFB awarded him the Clemson Award. At its centennial celebration in 2008, AIChE recognized him as one of the 100 Eminent Chemical Engineers of the Modern Era.
Merrill married Genevieve "Ginette" de Bidart on Aug. 19, 1948, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ginette passed away seven months earlier on Dec. 20, 2019. They are survived by their daughter Anne and son Frank Merrill, and their grandchildren: James, Sasha, and Julia Merrill. Merrill took great pride in his two children and three grandchildren and enjoyed the time he spent with them immensely. He was not simply a father and grandfather, but a mentor and inspiration to all who encountered him. His presence and his wisdom will sorely be missed by all whose lives he touched, and he will be greatly missed by his family. The family has already held private services.
See more here:
Professor Emeritus Edward Merrill, chemical engineer who helped found the field of bioengineering, dies at 96 - MIT News
- Where is medical device approval headed? The horse's mouth speaks... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- Starting a medical device company? You are better off without some of these "VC"s! [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2010]
- Silicon Valley Business of Engineering - A great event and resource for local medical device folks and others... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2010]
- MedTech: A great bioscience resource for folks in New York [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2010]
- Blog brief: Inventables - a nice resource for your medical device projects [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2010]
- Want to help out a biotech hackerspace AND learn about medical device regulations? Come to my class... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2010]
- A prototyping tip & a quick update [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2010]
- The Healthcare bill of rights is here... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Come join me for a workshop on "The Rules of Brainstorming" [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- DIYBio gets a little more local...Bangalore just got one - is there one in your area? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- Are you an entrepreneur? A job seeker? Where are your major hurdles coming from? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2010]
- The World Diabetes Day is here [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2010]
- Healthgamescamp, San Francisco is tomorrow, barcamps and more... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2010]
- Healthgamescamp - liveblog: "It's crazy and wild and fun" [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2010]
- Healthgamescamp - liveblog; part 2 - break time! [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2010]
- Quick Post: Are others (guests) allowed to post on this blog? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2010]
- Entrepreneurship Opportunities: The Health 2.0 challenge for 2011 is announced [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2010]
- A heartwarming story, a foundation and a few medical device challenges for the future [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2010]
- What will your 2011 medical device design resolutions be? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 2nd, 2011]
- Elan was recently asked: Your workers or your private jet..guess what they chose? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2011]
- Blog Briefs: A great resource: The National Academies Press makes all pdf books free! [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2011]
- On Scott Brown's unfactual rant... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2011]
- There's trouble ahead for Pharma... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2011]
- The Acne Apps Scandal - how a select few make everyone suffer... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2011]
- Faculty Interview | MIT Introduction to Bioengineering, Spri [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2011]
- Destroying Humanity with Social [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2011]
- Bioengineering- Clemson Graduate School [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2011]
- Faculty Interview | MIT Introduction to Bioengineering, Spri - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- Grant to benefit Bioengineering research - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- BioEngineering Associates, Inc. - Mad River Bluffs Stabilization Project - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- BIO ENGINEERING - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Cross-Species Hybridization and Bioengineering: We're Not in Kansas Anymore! - Alex Jones Tv 2/2 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Paul Root Wolpe: It's time to question bio-engineering - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2011]
- BioEngineering Insights 2009 - BioMaterials Part 2 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2011]
- Blog Action Day - Blogging for Food... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2011]
- [KAIST-Bioengineering]Biomimetics - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- [KAIST Bioengineering] Bioengineering through movies - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2011]
- PhD Research in Belgium (Bioengineering at the University of Leuven) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- Penn Bioengineering: Modeling Contractile Forces - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- Global 3000 | How One Bio-engineering Seed Producer is Dominating Markets - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2011]
- White House Awards UC San Diego Bioengineering Professor Shu Chien National Medal of Science - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2011]
- [KAIST BioEngineering] Olleh! BioEng! - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2011]
- Calling BS on the link between tax increases and medical device innovation... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 1st, 2012]
- Stanford's Stephen Quake, Bioengineer - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 1st, 2012]
- Plandai Biotechnology, Inc. Announces Appointment of World-Renowned Physicist to Chair Plandai Scientific Board [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2012]
- Need muscle for a tough spot? Turn to fat stem cells [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2012]
- India gets her own stem cell hosptial [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2012]
- A marketable major [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- US Navy here to talk biofuels [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Carlsberg-invested Chongqing Brewery to hire independent auditors [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Industry linkage beefs up livestock nutrition [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- The Hertz Foundation Selects 50 Finalists for 2012-2013 Hertz Fellowship Supporting Gifted Young Leaders in Applied ... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- US Navy eyes Aussie biofuel research [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- Researchers make breakthrough in stem cell research [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- UQ researchers make breakthrough in stem cell research [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- Brand Marvel Worldwide Consumer Products Corporation Update [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- U.S. and Canadian Scientists Form a Global Alliance for Nano-Bio-Electronics in Order to Rapidly Find Solutions for ... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- Speaker to discuss Honor Code at UPUA meeting [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- Understand the Lessons Learned from the FDA QbD Pilot Programme - Case Study Merck Serono [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- Lewis: Fully caffeinated professor dreams up business [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- Titan Spine Acquires Additional Patent Protection for its Spinal Implant Surface Technologies [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- Histogenics to Present at 7th Annual New York Stem Cell Summit [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Microchip successfully delivers bone-loss drug: study [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Microchip delivers drug; can it replace shots? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Bioengineering company bringing ideas to Huntington [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2012]
- UCLA Discovery that Migrating Cells "Turn Right' has Implications for Engineering Tissues, Organs [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2012]
- After scrapping bigger plans, HP says webOS still has an open-source future [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2012]
- Discovery that migrating cells 'turn right' has implications for engineering tissues, organs [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2012]
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Cell stamping from PEG-oleyl surfaces - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2012]
- American Oriental Bioengineering Inc. Announces Plans for Reverse Stock Split of its Common Stock [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2012]
- Injectable gel could repair tissue damaged by heart attack [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2012]
- World’s First Lab-Engineered Burger Just Months Away [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2012]
- For UC Berkeley’s New Helios Energy Research Facility: Firespray’s Ductwork Solves Lab Construction Challenge [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2012]
- IBM and IBN Treating MRSA With Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine in February's Edition of Healthcare Global [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2012]
- Injectable gel could repair damaged cardiac tissue [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2012]
- DNA2.0 Partners with Cosmo Bio to Deliver Bioengineering Solutions to Japanese Researchers [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2012]
- Three UI professors win Sloan fellowships [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2012]
- IBM and IBN Treating MRSA with Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine in February’s Edition of Healthcare Global [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2012]
- Now, injectable gel that could repair tissue damaged by heart attack [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2012]
- India's drug discovery innovation prognosis is "poor". Is anyone surprised? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2012]