I have explored the use of the matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) and MAPLE direct write (MDW) to create thin films of biological materials. MAPLE is a novel physical vapor deposition technique used to deposit thin films of organic materials. The MAPLE process involves the laser desorption of a frozen dilute solution (1-5%) containing the material to be deposited. A focused laser pulse (~200 mJ/cm2) impacts the frozen target, which causes the solvent to preferentially absorb the laser energy and evaporate. The collective action of the evaporated solvent desorbs the polymeric solute material towards the receiving substrate placed parallel and opposite to the target. The bioresorbable polymer PDLLA and the anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical dexamethasone were processed using MAPLE, and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. MDW is a CAD/CAM controlled direct writing process. The material to be transferred is immersed in a laser-absorbing matrix or solution and coated onto a target or support positioned microns to millimeters away from a receiving substrate. Using a UV microscope objective, a focused laser pulse is directed at the backside of the ribbon, so that the laser energy first interacts with the matrix at the ribbon/matrix interface. This energy is used to gently desorb the depositing material and matrix onto the receiving substrate. I have deposited neuroblasts within a three-dimensional extracellular matrix. These two laser processing techniques have enormous potential for functional medical device and tissue engineering applications.

As the direct descendants of the first human beings, African people are the supreme witnesses of Creation itself, and senior authorities regarding the earthly Creations. African people bear supreme witness to humanity, and the most effective methods of being human: the biology and chemistry of life, the physiological and metaphysical aspects of earthly existence, and the science of the cosmic Creations--observing all that is above and what exists there, beyond the sky. By definition humanity is African: the first human beings were African and the first defining innovations of humanity were birthed in Africa. Since history is necessarily a study of the origins of humanity, and the first humans were African, history then must initiate at the emergence of humankind, which took place in Africa. The records left and maintained by the oldest humans on earth--written, memorized, or otherwise--provide amazing clues as to the initial Creation and subsequent development of humankind. As each successive generation works to strengthen the collective memory of their own people's past before conquer, the struggle to remember memories and to keep traditions intact becomes even more evident. As with every epic turn of events, the conquered are forced to decide if they will remain as such or not. This paper explores the ways in which the African worldview provides a critical and otherwise impossible analysis of human history, by exploring the oldest contributions of the first human beings--who were African. I argue that the ancient Kemetic worldview--Mdw Ntr--provides a prototypical blueprint for every African's self-liberation, creating a context through which contemporary freedom struggles can ultimately be assessed and achieved. In particular, this paper examines how the ancient Kemetic worldview has, since its inception, presented a working method of thinking and doing--seeing with Sia--which not only inspired successive African generations, but also the freedom struggles of contemporary African communities. Mdw Ntr is both a theory and a methodology: it encompasses a way of seeing reality, while also providing exact methods for how to go about this process. I propose that the notion of Sia--or "exceptional clarity"--is an actionable blueprint exemplified in the Shabaka Text and The Great Hymn to Aten. Both texts provide a methodology for achieving Sia; both texts speak to the fundamental processes of Mdw Ntr; and both texts exhibit a working model for self-liberation through the ancient Kemetic worldview. In order for human beings to manifest power--to be empowered--they must ultimately think with "exceptional clarity" and speak their intentions into existence. To be effective, one cannot speak without thinking, or do without first thinking and speaking. According to the ancient Kemites, thinking is the first step in speaking and also doing. Thinking initiates all actions: the more exceptional the clarity, the better. Hence, self-liberation emerges and subsequently, the collective liberation of African people. / African American Studies

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