Research Service Opportunities by Department

Professor and Chair of the Biomedical Engineering Department

330 Engineering Technology Building

E-mail: eckstein@memphis.edu

Research involves understanding mechanical properties at the nano- and micro-levels. Biological materials and physical materials are studied. The Center’s staff uses a Hysitron Tribo-Indenter to measure forces as depressions (up to a micrometer wide) are created in materials (metal composites, thin films, bone, and food products). We interpret the results in terms of material properties. Specific testing modes are valuable, including: load and scratch and wear tests along with Nano-DMA (dynamic modulus assessment).

We study motions of traceable objects, including suspended cells and particles that can be either natural or man-made. We are moving toward motions of cultured cells that are subjected to a stimulus so they will seek to regain confluence; and we are also considering the motions of limb segments as observed during walking. The goals of these research efforts are to find revealing, proper measurements and link them to mathematical forms that enable these motions to be included in parts of larger, medically relevant problems. Our research is focused on robust experimental methods and strong conceptual bases to describe projections of vector paths of cells during blood flows. Research projects include: rolling motions of tracer cells among normal cells in channel flows, tracking and modeling of cells moving to a disrupted region of a cell culture, implementation of image analysis techniques for enhanced rates of data analysis, and new, more accurate measurements and gait measurements with accelerometric and gyroscopic transducers.

Biosensors and Biological Surfaces Research Group

Nanomaterials and Nanochemistry Research Group

Imaging and Image Analysis Facilities and Equipment

Nanotechnology Facilities and Equipment