What do a rocket scientist, a heart surgeon, and an oilfield engineer have in common? Yes, you guessed right: At their core, their work revolves around pumps and pipes.
Whether reclaiming water in zero gravity, propelling blood through the human body, or drilling deep into the ocean floor to extract oil, the mechanics are remarkably similar. Yet, the tools they use to design, implement, and service those systems are often vastly different.
Since 2007, Pumps & Pipes has been bringing together innovators from Houston’s diverse industries, encouraging them to “explore their neighbor’s toolbox” and collaborate on shared challenges. Over the years, the community has expanded to include not only industry professionals but also academics, community leaders, and students of all ages. Through its annual flagship event, quarterly networking opportunities, and vibrant online presence, Pumps & Pipes continues to spark connections and inspire groundbreaking solutions across disciplines.
Pumps & Pipes Annual Event 2024
NBSO-Texas has a strong interest in all these sectors, so we made sure to attend P&P’s annual event hosted at TMC3 at Helix Park! The morning featured fascinating cross-industry discussions, including the unique benefits of manufacturing pharmaceuticals in space and the ins and outs of high-speed aerospace developments (think of crossing the pacific from LA to Japan in 2 hours!)
The highlight of the day, however, was the captivating presentation by renowned heart surgeon Dr. Billy Cohn, described by Texas Monthly as “a zany inventor who could sell ice to the proverbial Eskimos.” Dr. Cohn shared his incredible journey of innovation and determination. It started decades ago in his garage, where he crafted his first arteries using materials from Home Depot. Inspiration struck in unexpected places, including a colleague spotting an artisan water-pump system in Egypt, only to realize that this could a be a solution for one of their artificial heart challenges.
With the help of countless cows, a crowd of multidisciplinary background colleagues, and relentless curiosity, these efforts led to a historic breakthrough. In July 2024, Dr. Cohn and his colleagues achieved the first-ever implantation of a novel valveless artificial heart in a patient with end-stage heart failure—a true testament to the power of perseverance and out-of-the-box expert-ingenuity!
Like to learn more about Pumps & Pipes?
https://pumpsandpipes.org/about/
