Advanced Fabrication and Testing Core (AFT)

总结 先进制造和测试（AFT）核心是SC-TRIMH的技术引擎。它 收获了克莱姆森大学独特的工程优势和能力，以支持研究 项目，并加快他们的创新转化为患者的具体诊断和治疗， 在分子、细胞、组织和身体水平上的肌肉骨骼疾病。在第一阶段，AFT核心扩展了 现在占地超过4，400平方英尺，将其所有服务整合到一座新大楼中， 电子、机械、光学和材料设计、快速成型、传感器和 仪器和先进的测试TRIMH研究人员。核心还扩展了它的仪器 (e.g.集成的增材和减材制造，加上用于超快微加工的飞秒激光） 通过能源部的奖励和TRIMH的补充。在此期间，AFT核心为所有8个TRIMH提供服务 研究项目负责人（RPL）、8名其他TRIMH试点项目负责人和12名克莱姆森PI。其他7名PI 来自南卡罗来纳州（SC）和SC以外的6个其他人使用了该堆芯;沿着还有三个工业客户。 这个核心对于那些没有工程学科专业知识的人来说尤其重要，因为 我们既有交钥匙服务，也有量身定制的"手把手"/指导。第一阶段的AFT核心支持了 近50名PI，促成了30项赠款申请，并产生了30多份出版物。在第二阶段，我们 我将支持所有4个RPL的研究项目，同时我们将继续扩大和维持工程 能力，并努力将AFT核心建设成为领先的生物医学工程资源，特别是 南卡罗来纳州克莱姆森大学的肌肉骨骼相关研究。目标一定会实现 通过三个具体目标：目标1：扩大和维持设计和快速原型能力，使TRIMH 研究人员可以快速设计和构建模拟的肌肉骨骼组件，系统或环境， 是人体模型的物理和生物复制品，目标2：扩展和维持传感器，仪器， 和测试能力，使调查人员能够设计，制造和安装传感器的物理和 - 用于各种参数的原位测量和虚拟人模型的验证的生物复制品，以及 目标3：促进和维持AFT核心作为肌肉骨骼的领先生物医学工程"到位" 研究在克莱姆森大学，南卡罗来纳州，和超越。AFT核心将由一位 多学科团队，在工程设计（机械，光学，电气， 材料）、先进制造、快速成型、传感器、仪器仪表、成像和先进测试。 COBRE基金将继续支持有经验的工作人员操作/维护合并的 设施，培训/指导TRIMH研究者将他们的创新转化为临床成功， 提高核心能力，促进AFT核心向具有竞争力和自我的过渡， 持续的方案。

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.