Materials Evaluation Laboratory

• Medical Acoustic Research Laboratory

Gladius Lewis, PhD

The research of the Material Evaluation Laboratory has led to significant improvements in orthopedic implant technology. The focus of the research is the characterization of mechanical properties of materials that are relevant for fabricating implantable devices. Faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students work together on an array of research projects, many of which are sponsored by regional biomedical companies.

• Isothermal Microcalorimetry
• Characterization of bone cement
• Material fatigue
• Heat flow patterns
• Characterization of polymers
• Fracture toughness
• Empirical estimation of in vitro wear rate of acetabular cup liners
• Lumbosacral stabilization instrumentation
• Finite element analysis of ankle joint with and without implants
  

• Several universal material testing machines and ancillary equipment
• Acoustic emission
• Ultrasonic impact
• Tensile creep
• Fracture toughness test equipment
• Several furnaces