SC COBRE for Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health (SC-TRIMH)

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Project Summary The South Carolina COBRE for Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health (SC-TRIMH) aims to enhance and expand the Biomedical Research capacity at Clemson University to promote outstanding multidisciplinary, collaborative, and translational research in bone and joint diseases. As an integral part of the SC-TRIMH, the Advanced Fabrication and Testing (AFT) Core has been established as the centralized resources of 3D design, rapid prototyping and advanced testing for the TRIMH investigators to perform their translational musculoskeletal research. In the past four years, the AFT core has built strong capacities in micro and macro fabrication and rapid prototyping of devices and test models using general-purpose, non-biomaterials such as metal, glass, ceramics, and polymers. While our laboratories are outfitted with state-of-the-art laser- based additive, subtractive machining systems, these systems require significant experience and expertise to operate and have a limited capacity for high volume throughput. The AFL LaserMaster LZM125+ system is a fully automated optical fiber and glass processing system that uses a CO2 laser heat source to perform splicing, tapering, lensing, joining, micro-structuring, and other glass shaping operations with glass diameters from 5µm to 2.0 mm. This glass processing system can be programed to fabricate optical fiber microsensors and microdevices for various medical applications including current and future research projects performed by SC- TRIMH researchers. Specifically, the new system will allow us to fabricate 1) fiber tip lenses, 2) fiber gratings, 3) fiber tapers, 4) fiber joints, 5) fiber interferometers, 6) fiber bundles, 7) fiber microstructures, 8) fiber resonators, 9) fiber spirals, and 10) other new fiber devices. These devices make perfect sensors for validating the musculoskeletal models researched and developed by the SC-TIRMH investors. Fabrication protocols will be developed and optimized by Core personnel, then targeted faculty and their trainees will be trained to operate the manufacturing of the devices. There is no such capability available at Clemson University or anywhere within 125 miles radius of Clemson main campus. The added equipment will allow the SC-TRIMH investigators to fabricate new smart sensors to improve diagnosis and therapeutic treatment in patients suffering from musculoskeletal health disease. We request funding to purchase a fully automated optical fiber and glass processing system (specifically an AFL LaserMaster LZM125+ system) to enhance the AFT Core and our capability to directly fabricate smart sensors for in vivo and in vitro analysis systems. The total cost is $241,789.75.