Advanced Fabrication and Testing Core (AFT)

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SUMMARY The Advanced Fabrication and Testing (AFT) Core is the enabling technological engine of the SC-TRIMH. It harvests the unique engineering strengths and capabilities at Clemson University to support the research projects and expedite the translation of their innovations to patient-specific diagnosis and treatments of musculoskeletal diseases at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and body levels. In Phase I, the AFT Core expanded to now cover over 4,400 sq ft when it consolidated all its services in a new building in order to provide more centralized services for electrical, mechanical, optical, and material designs, rapid prototyping, sensors and instrumentation, and advanced testing for the TRIMH investigators. The core also expanded its instrumentation (e.g. integrated additive and subtractive manufacturing, plus femtosecond laser for ultrafast micromachining) via awards from DOE and a TRIMH supplement. During this time the AFT Core provided services to all 8 TRIMH Research Project Leaders (RPL), 8 other TRIMH Pilot Project Leaders, and 12 Clemson PIs. Seven other PIs from the state of South Carolina (SC) and 6 others outside SC used this core; along with three industrial clients. This core is especially important to those who do not have primary expertise in the engineering disciplines, as we have both turnkey services and tailored “hand holding”/mentoring. The AFT core in Phase I has supported nearly 50 PIs, contributed to 30 grant applications, and generated more than 30 publications. In Phase II, we will be supporting the research projects of all 4 RPLs while we continue to expand and sustain the engineering capabilities and strive to build the AFT Core into a leading biomedical engineering resource, especially for musculoskeletal related research at Clemson University, South Carolina, and beyond. The goal will be achieved by three specific aims: Aim 1: expand and sustain the design and rapid prototyping capabilities to enable TRIMH researchers to quickly design and build simulated musculoskeletal components, systems or environments that are physical and biological replica of the human models, Aim 2: expand and sustain the sensor, instrumentation, and testing capabilities to enable the investigators to design, fabricate and install sensors onto the physical and biological replica for in situ measurement of various parameters and validation of the virtual human models, and Aim 3: promote and sustain the AFT core as a leading biomedical engineering “go-to-place” for musculoskeletal research at Clemson University, the state of South Carolina, and beyond. The AFT Core will be led by a multidisciplinary team with the combined expertise in engineering designs (mechanical, optical, electrical, and material), advanced manufacturing, rapid prototyping, sensors, instrumentation, imaging, and advanced testing. The COBRE funds will continue to support experienced staff members to operate/maintain the consolidated facilities, to train/mentor TRIMH investigators to translate their innovations into clinical successes, to further enhance the capability of the core, and to facilitate the transition of the AFT Core to a competitive and self- sustained program.