Biomaterials Engineering and Testing Core Facilities

HPLC/GPC system, Waters

Applications: MW determination, high-resolution separation, and purification.

Features

• Binary Gradient Pumping System
• Autosampler
• Photodiode Array Detector (Wavelength Range from 190 to 800 nm)
• Refractive Index Detector (Refractive Index Range: 1.00 to 1.75 RIU)
• Multi Lambda Fluorescence Detector (Operates from 200 to 900nm)
• Column Heater (Temperature Range from 20^oC to 60^oC)
• Fraction Collector

Circular Dichroism Spectropolarimeter, Jasco J-810, Jasco Inc.

Specifications: Wavelength range from 163 to 900 nm

Accessories

• Peltier type temperature controller Jasco PFD-425S,
• Automated pH titrator Jasco ATS-429S.

Applications

• Allows to verify the chirality of molecules or compounds;
• Using available software, fractions of each different conformation in protein structure can be estimated;
• The conformational changes of molecules with temperature can be studied;
• Useful for verifying that the protein is in its native conformation
• Protein folding studies;
• Purity testing of optically active substances

Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS

Equipped with Helium-Neon Laser 633 nm (red)

Measures

• Particle Size in a range from 0.3 nm to 10 µm (diameter), sample volume 1 ml, or 40 µl sensitivity 0.1 mg/ml (Lysozyme)
• Molecular weight in a range from 980 Da to 2x10⁷ Da, minimum sample volume 12 µl, accuracy ± 10%
• Zeta Potential in a range from 3.8 nm – 100 µm diameter, minimum sample volume 750 µl, sensitivity 10 mg/ml (BSA)
• At temperature range: from 0°C to 90°C.

Modular Compact Rheometer MCR 302e, Anton Paar

Applications: To measure the rheological properties of materials, determine the characteristics such as viscoelasticity, yield stress, thixotropy, extensional viscosity, creep compliance and stress relaxation behavior of materials.

Accessories: Peltier temperature control device and hood allow to study of rheological properties at different temperatures in the range from -40⁰C to +200⁰C.

Three geometries are available:

• CP60-0.5 – for characterization of biofluids and other liquids in viscosity range from 1 mPa∙s to 100 mPa∙s (blood, milk, olive oil, etc.)
• CP25-0.5 – for characterization of biopolymers, hydrogels, printing inks, etc.
• PP25 – for characterization of biopolymers, hydrogels, adhesives, suspensions, elastomers, etc.

3D Surface Profiler VK-X3100, Keyence

Applications: This measurement system allows to analyze surfaces of materials with non-contact methods via:

• laser scanning confocal
• optical focus variation
• white light interferometry

With user-friendly software performs quantification of the detailed shapes, roughness analysis, cross-section measurement, and more.

Features: violet laser for higher resolution, image stitching module, white light interferometry module, laser confocal

Accessories: motorized operation stage with range 100x100 mm, tilting stage, rotating stage, vibration isolation platform from MinusK

Lenses: Plan2.5x, Plan5x, Plan10x, Plan20x, PlanApo50x, PlanApo150x, CF plan SLWD 100x, interference DI10x

Field of view: from 11 to 7398 µm

Variable-Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometer Sopra GES 5, Semilab

Measures layer thicknesses of thin-film layers on flat substrates from monoatomic to several microns thick.

Features

• The beam size: 1 mm² and 10 mm²;
• The variable angles: from 7º to 90º with variable +/- 0.01º;
• Spectral range from 200 nm to 800 nm.

Refractive Index Analysis Instrument Reichert AR700, Reichert Inc.

Temperatures controlled automatic refractometer

Specifications

• Reading range of 1.33000 to 1.60000 Refractive Index and the full Brix scale
• Precision: to 0.01 Brix or 0.00001 RI

Contact Angle Measuring Instrument DSA-25S, Krüss

Completely automated drop creation, drop volume control, and drop rate.

Applications

• Determination of static and dynamic contact angle by 5 methods including elliptical, polynomial, and height width
• Determination of surface and interfacial tension of liquids by pendant drop software
• Determination of automatically measured surface-free energy of solids by 9 different methods

Instron Model 5944

Applications: Tensile, Strain, and Compression test methods.

Specifications

• Accuracy: within 0.5% of reading down to 1/1000th of load cell capacity. Allows the 500 N / 112 lbf load cell to be used down to 0.5 N / 0.1125 lbf with an accuracy of within 0.0025 N / 0.0005625 lbf of that reading
• Testing speed range: 0.05 to 2500 mm/min (0.002 in/min to 100 in/min). Crosshead return speed: 2500 mm/min (100 in/min)
• Bluehill 2 Material Testing Software for Modules Compression and Tension
• Grips model 2710-103
• Load cells available: 50 N, 500 N, and 2 kN

Bose Electroforce 3230 testing system, Bose

Applications

• Multi-specimen fatigue test
• Combined axial and torsion loading

Specifications

• Force Range 0.002 – 225 N
• Displacement Range 0.002 – 13 mm
• Frequency Range 0.0001 – 300 Hz

BioTester 5000, CellScale

Applications

To study the mechanical properties of biomaterials by means of biaxial testing.

Features

• Load cells of various capacities, from 0.5 N to 23 N
• Temperature-controlled media bath
• BioRakes of various sizes for specimen mounting
• Measures force and displacement
• Up to 80 mm grip separation
• Imaging system and analysis software

Electrospinning System, Home Build

Applications: To produce aligned and randomly oriented nanofibers for scaffolds in tissue engineering, wound dressing, porous coatings, sutures, probes, etc.

Features

• Two regulated FC series high voltage power supplies from Glassman: 0-30kV with positive polarity and 0-12 kV with negative polarity;
• NE-300 programmable syringe pump; and
• controllable syringe heater with max.t =185°C from New Era, Inc.

Plasma cleaner/sterilizer, Harrick

Applications

• Removes organic contamination from surfaces;
• Plasma activation of surfaces.

Features

• Expanded Pyrex plasma chamber 6″ diameter x 6.5″ length (15.24 cm x16.51 cm);
• PlasmaFlo gas mixer;
• Oxygen service pump.

Programmable Compact Spin Coater VTC-100, MTI Corp.

Applications: Deposition of thin films on flat surfaces.

Features: 500 - 8000 RPM adjustable spinning speed

Freeze dryer/Lyophilizer, FreeZone Plus 6 L, Labconco

Removing water and other solvents from the samples while leaving sample structures and composition intact.

Features

• 16 port drying chamber
• Removes a maximum of 4.1 liters of water in 24 hours
• Choice of temperature in °C and ° F
• Choice of vacuum in mBar, Pa and Torr

3D Printer Formlabs 3BL

Technology: Low Force Stereolithography (LFS)

Specifications

• XY Resolution: 25 microns
• Laser Spot Size: 85 microns
• Laser Power: Two 250 mW lasers
• Build Volume (W x D x H): 33.5 x 20 x 30 cm (13.2 x 7.9 x 11.8 in)
• Layer Thickness: 25 – 300 microns (0.001 – 0.012 in)

Available Materials:

• Biocompatible: Biomed Amber, Dental Clear LT
• Non-biocompatible: Clear, GrayPro, Elastic, Draft V2

3D Printer Fuse 1, Formlabs

Technology: Selective Laser Sintering

Specifications

• Maximum Part Size (Nylon 12 Powder): 15.9 x 15.9 x 29.5 cm (6.3 x 6.3 x 11.6 in)
• Build Volume (W x D x H): 16.5 x 16.5 30 cm (6.5 x 6.5 x 11.8 in)
• Layer Thickness: 110 microns (0.004 in)
• Laser Type: Ytterbium Fiber 10W with spot size of 200 microns (0.0079 in)
• Material Refresh Rate: 30% - 50%

Available Materials: Non-biocompatible Nylon 12

Milling Drilling Machine JMD-18, JET Tools

Features

• 1/2” Drill chuck, chuck arbor
• 360° head swivel
• Adjustable carbide facemill
• Base taper allows for easier clean up
• Easy to read internal depth gauge
• Forward and Reverse Switch
• Mill Drill Stand, p/n 320020, shown in some images, is optional
• One-piece cast iron column for added support
• Positive quick-stop knob and easy to read internal depth gauge
• UL Listed

Specifications

• Drilling Capacity: 1-1/4”
• Face Mill Capacity: 3”
• End Mill Capacity: ¾”
• Swing: 15-7/8”
• Maximum Distance Spindle to Table: 17-1/2”
• Spindle Taper: R-8
• Spindle Travel: 5”
• Quill Diameter: 3”
• Head Swivel: 360 degrees
• Column Diameter: 4-1/2”
• # of Spindle Speeds: 12, with the range of 150-3,000 RPM
• Maximum Table Travel: 20-1/2”
• Cross Travel: 7”
• Working Surface of Table: 9-1/2” x 31-3/4”
• Number of T-Slots: 4 with size 5/8”
• T-Slot Centers: 2-1/8”

Can process materials

• Steel
• Stainless Steel
• Aluminum
• Alloy Steel
• Brass
• Bronze
• Copper
• Nickel

Solid Works Modeling

Our Advanced Bioreactor Design and Development lab also offers consultations to students on their designs. We can create a SolidWorks CAD file/files that actualize the design by creating a virtual model. That virtual model can then be used to build a physical prototype using one of our 3D printing options.