Biomaterials Engineering and Testing (BET) Core
Our projects are supported by two state-of-the-art core facilities located in Clemson and Greenville. BET is led by Dr. Ken Webb, Professor and Associate Chair of Undergraduate Affairs of Bioengineering at Clemson University.
Ken Webb, Ph.D.
CORE DIRECTOR
Professor and Associate Chair of Undergraduate Affairs
Email: kwebb@clemson.edu
Project Overview
The Biomaterials Engineering and Testing (BET) Core provides support for the synthesis, characterization, in vitro testing, and analysis of biomaterials and bioengineered systems as well as their preparation for in vivo testing under the Clemson Translational Research and Imaging (CTRIC) Core. The BET Core also supports undergraduate education through laboratory course demonstrations as well as facilities in support of undergraduate research and senior design projects. The core consists of three primary focus areas or thrusts.
Focus Areas
Thrust I: Biomaterials Synthesis, Testing, and Characterization. Directed by Dr. Ken Webb. Dr. Latour supervises the BET Core’s Biomaterials Testing and Characterization laboratories. Dr. Naren Vyavahare provides biomaterials synthesis support. Dr. Korneva provides general lab support, training, and maintenance.
Thrust II: Biomechanics and Biomechanical Testing. Co-supervisors are Dr. John DesJardins and Dr. Jeremy Mercuri. Dr. DesJardins (Clemson University's main campus) and Dr. Mercuri (Patewood Medical Campus, Greenville, SC) provide biomechanics expertise and oversee the use of the Core’s biomechanical testing facilities to support the Core’s biomechanics and biomechanical testing needs.
Thrust III: Advanced Bioreactor Design and Development. Co-supervisors are Dr. Ken Webb and Dr. Jiro Nagatomi. Dr. Nagatomi supervises bioreactor design, and Dr. Webb supervises bioactivity characterization for this thrust. Ziliang Chen serves as a consultant for bioreactor design, fabrication, and testing and provides hands-on support in his laboratory for the core’s bioactive matrix synthesis and bioreactor design needs.
BET Overview
| Thrust | Facilities and Locations | Leader and Support Personnel | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| I. Biomaterials Synthesis, Testing, and Characterization | SCBioCRAFT laboratory at Clemson University Bioengineering Department | Dr. Ken Webb, Dr. Naren Vyavahare provide support for biomaterials synthesis. Lab support – Dr. Guzeliya Korneva | Provides consultation and support to researchers for biomaterials synthesis, characterization, and in vitro testing. |
| II. Biomechanics and Biomechanical Testing | SCBioCRAFT laboratory at Clemson University Bioengineering Department, Clemson, SC, and Patewood Medical Campus, Greenville, SC | Co-supervisors Dr. John DesJardins and Dr. Jeremy Mercuri | Provides consultation and support for biomechanics and biomechanical testing. |
| III. Advanced Bioreactor Design and Development | SCBioCRAFT facility at Clemson University Bioengineering Department | Co-supervisors Dr. Ken Webb and Dr. Jiro Nagatomi. Ziliang Chen is a consultant for bioreactor design, fabrication, and testing | Provides consultation and support for bioreactor design, development, and testing. |
The list of instruments in the core is available here.
For more information about our core facilities, services, and consultations please contact our core director, Dr. Webb, or the lab manager, Dr. Korneva.
BET Core Billing Rates
| BET Core Billing Rates, FY 22/23 | |||
| Description of Commodity or Service | Unit of Billing | Internal Rates (Academia) | External Rates (Corporate) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bose Electroforce |
per hour |
$ 25.00 |
$ 60.00 |
|
CD Polarimeter Jasco J-810 |
per hour |
$ 31.00 |
$ 103.00 |
|
Electrospinning Setup |
per hour |
$ 5.00 |
$ 10.00 |
|
Ellipsometer, variable angle, Sopra GES 5 |
per hour |
$ 33.00 |
$ 105.00 |
|
Freeze Dryer (Lyophilizer, Labconco) |
per port/flask used for 72 hours |
n/a |
$ 10.00 |
|
Goniometer DSA 20E (Kruss) |
per hour |
$ 20.00 |
$ 30.00 |
|
HPLC/GPC system (Waters) |
per hour |
$ 15.00 |
$ 50.00 |
|
Zetasizer Nano ZS (Malvern) |
per sample |
$ 3.00 |
$ 14.00 |
|
Instron |
per hour |
$ 25.00 |
$ 50.00 |
|
Plasma Cleaner expanded with Plasma Flo |
per hour |
$ 20.00 |
$ 60.00 |
|
Refractometer AR700 (Reichert) |
per hour |
$ 22.00 |
$ 33.00 |
|
Rheometer MCR 302e (Anton Paar) |
per hour |
$ 11.00 |
$ 30.00 |
|
3D Surface Profiler microscope VK-X3100 (Keyence) |
per hour |
$ 5.00 |
$ 15.00 |
|
3D Printer Formlabs 3BL (using non-biocompatible matrielas) |
per hour |
$ 6.33 |
$ 12.66 |
|
3D Printer Formlabs 3BL (using biocompatible materials) |
per hour |
$ 4.44 |
$ 9.00 |
|
3D Printer Fuse 1 (Formlabs) |
per hour |
$ 8.75 |
$ 17.50 |
|
Mill/Drill Machine JMD-18 (*** Tools) |
per hour |
$ 22.00 |
$ 44.00 |
|
Solid Works Modeling/LabView Consulting |
per hour |
$ 20.00 |
$ 40.00 |
|
Consultation |
per hour |
n/a |
$ 100.00 |
|
Technical Assistance |
per hour |
n/a |
$ 100.00 |