This project describes biomaterials testing as a laboratory experience. This laboratory would be taught in conjunction with a course in biomaterials science and engineering which is currently given as a lecture with no associated lab. Experiments using the proposed materials testing equipment include static tension and compression tests, tests of viscoelastic properties including stress relaxation and dynamic (oscillatory) tests, and fatigue testing. Biomaterials tested will be biological as well as man-made implant materials. Thus materials tested will range from tendon and bone specimens to implantable polymers, ceramics, metals and composites. The equipment specified is adequate and necessary to perform the above testing. Theory of the above tests and models for mechanical behavior of materials are discussed in the lecture portion of course, thus student will get practical experience as well as see application of theory in performing the laboratory experiments. Formal lab reports will be written by students and typed, preferably on department-supplied work processing software and PC's. PC-based data acquisition and real-time monitor display of signals from the equipment are supplied. Readily available floppy disk data storage and subsequent retrieval and data analysis/graphics software will also be provided.
