Non-Contact Video Extensometer

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The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a world-renowned centre for biomechanics excellence. Researchers in several UBC faculties and departments investigate material properties of biological tissues and engineer novel biomaterials for industrial and medical applications. The funding requested in this grant application is to acquire a high resolution Non-Contact Video Extensometer, which will allow researchers to safely and accurately measure strain (i.e., stretch) during tensile testing of experimental and biosynthesized materials. The proposed non-contact video extensometer uses a high-resolution digital camera and real-time image processing to precisely calculate strain (3 µm resolution) by tracking two point marks on the test specimens. This methodology will improve strain measurements of biological test specimens with highly variable thickness and composition (e.g., algae, woody stems, carbon fibres, artery wall). The non-contact video extensometer will be a state-of-the-art addition to the biomechanics facilities at UBC, significantly advancing the experimental breadth and capabilities of biomechanics researchers across campus. The extensometer will enhance existing and foster new synergistic interactions and interdisciplinary collaborations among researchers, as this application is supported by six research faculty (Martone, Gosline, Shadwick, Mansfield, Li, Ko) in five different departments at UBC (Botany, Zoology, Forestry, Chemistry, Materials Engineering).