Laboratory Of Biomechanics & Biocalorimetry (LOB²)

LABORATORY CAPABILITIES:

MECHANICS: SMALL SPECIMENS

(tissues, polymers, composites, tissue engineering scaffolds and constructs)

Synergie 100 (MTS Systems, Inc.)

- single-axis, mechanically-actuated design.
- quasi-static and low-frequency cyclic tension, compression, bending.
- full-scale load ranges 2-500N.
- actuator speeds 0.001-500 mm/minute.
- displacement resolution 0.001 mm (1 micrometer).
- custom software, fixtures, load/motion detection systems as needed.

SIMI: Single-impact micro-indentation system (Minsk Institute of Physics, Belarus)

- mm-scale indenters
- electromagnetic coil records indenter dynamic impact and rebound.
- visco-elastic parameters computed (storage modulus, loss modulus, phase angle).

MECHANICS: LARGE SPECIMENS

(anatomic function; implant function, fixation and durability--metallic, polymeric and ceramic components for joint replacement, skeletal trauma or spine fixation)

Bionix 858 (MTS Systems, Inc.)

- biaxial, hydraulically-actuated design.
- load/displacement control, quasi-static, cyclic compression, tension, bending, torsion.
- full-scale load ranges 2-25 kN, 300 N-m.
- comprehensive software for control and data acquisition.
- wide range of previously-built custom test fixtures and load/motion detectors.
- custom fixtures, load/motion detection systems designed and constructed as needed.

LOB Custom High-Speed Mechanical Testing System

(tissue structures, shoe materials, braces, smaller metal, ceramic, polymeric implants)
- single-axis, hydraulically-actuated design.
- actuator velocities up to 2 m/sec for impact or rapid tension tests, single or cyclic.
- load/displacement control, quasi-static, cyclic compression, tension bending.
- uses Bionix 858 hydraulic pump to power hydraulic system.
- uses Bionix 858 load cells; full-scale load ranges 2-15 kN.
- custom software for control and data acquisition.
- custom fixtures, load/motion detection systems designed and constructed as needed.

RATE PROCESSES & THERMODYNAMICS: CULTURED CELLS, IMPLANT MATERIALS

TAM III Isothermal Micro/Nanocalorimeters (Waters TA Instruments.)

       TAM III 1 (6 microcalorimeters, 3 nanocalorimeters, 1 titration calorimeter)

       TAM III 2 (48 microcalorimeters)

- Continuous monitoring of heat flow rates as low as 20 nanowatt.
- Studies at any temperature from 15-150 C.
- Real-time quantitative monitoring of cultured cell metabolism and replication rates in response to
either biochemical stimulating and supressive agents, or exposure to solid materials.
- Kinetics and thermodynamics of adhesion of cells on surfaces.
- Rapid quantitation of:
- material degradation rates and rate constants in simulated-use environments (liquid, gas).
- heats of adsorption of molecules on material surfaces.
- kinetics and thermodynamcs of physico-chemical processes (e.g., hydration, crystallization).