不良研究所

The biomechanics, biomaterials and biological materials groups cover a wide range of research topics from cardiovascular engineering (Mongrain), voice production (Mongeau), bio-devices (Liu), mechanics of biological materials and bio-inspiration and musculoskeletal biomechanics with a focus on spine (Driscoll).

Current research projects involve the design of new vascular stents and catheters; structural and multi-objective optimization of stent-like cages for rotating catheter protection; characterization of biological tissue; models of voice production; design, construction and evaluation of implants for vocal fold alteration and reconstruction; numerical simulations of laryngeal flows (CFD); deformation and fracture of bone, teeth, seashells and fish scales as inspiration for new material designs, bio-inspired composites, glass and ceramics for applications in bioengineering, touchscreens, impact-proof windows and protective systems.

Our primary facility is the Biomechanics Laboratory in the Macdonald Engineering Building of听the downtown 不良研究所 campus. The laboratory houses a PIV system from TSI, a rheometer from Bohlin, a pulsatile pump from Harvard Apparatus, a Bio-Pump from Medtronic, roller pumps from Masterflex, ELF3200 mechanical tester for soft tissues from Enduratec, high-precision pressure gages, EMF flow meters, and various modeling software (Fidap, Matlab, Labview, Ansys, Pro-E, ICEM, Femlab). Facilities involved with voice production contain a Dantec time-resolved PIV system, a Dantec hot-wire anemometry system, one Dantec LDA, one Varian gas chromatograph, one Agilent VXI data acquisition system, one Polytec LDV system with both standard and fiber optic heads, one B&K sound level meter, microphones, accelerometers, pressure and flow transducers, computers, and software (Abaqus, Fluent, Comsol, Power Flow, Solid Works). The characterization of the structure, properties and mechanics of a variety of biological materials is performed with a suite of loading stages with in-situ imaging capabilities.

Research funding is primarily contributed by the federal and provincial governments through CIHR, NSERC, CFI, NIH, FRSQ and FRQNT and industrial partners, such as Medtronic, Baylis Medical, Coroneo Medical and Opsens Inc.