Biomechanics and Bio-Inspired Design Group (B2DG)

Agricultural and biological engineering
Jun Liao
LaShan Simpson
Lakiesha Williams (treasurer)

CAVS
Hongjoo Rhee
Paul Wang

CCS and HPCC
Hyeona Lim
Suzanne M. Shontz

Computer science and engineering
Song Zhang

Chemical engineering
Santunu Kundu
Neeraj Rai

Mechanical engineering
Mark Horstemeyer

The focus areas of the B²DG is to form an interdisciplinary collaborative team of researchers in the BCoE working on the biomechanics of human body trauma and the bio-inspired design of engineering systems including protective gears for humans:

1. Perform simulation-based analysis (multiscale finite element modeling) of the virtual human body, clad with current protective gear design, to understand the physics of sports-related traumatic injury, and design protective gear using bio-inspired structures and engineering systems (Fig. 1)
2. Promote collaborative research efforts by the members of B²DG through regular meetings and seek external grant application to the national funding agencies including National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, sports governing bodies, and National Institute of Health
3. Use the current findings and funding as leverage for generating conference proceedings and publications in traumatic injury biomechanics and novel protective gear design. The publications would then be used to bolster the funding opportunities of the B²DG through already established track record of publishing cutting-edge research in biomechanics and bio-inspired design.

Awarded Proposals

• Zavation LLC, “Biomedical Assessment of Zavation Combined Magnetic Field (CMF) Device: Phase I,” $72,000
• DoD ERDC CRES-GV, “Virtual Soldier Model for Occupant Centric Design.” $187,879

New Research Collaborations

• Collaboratory research in computational neurotrauma with Dr. Michelle LaPlaca of Georgia Institute of Technology, GA with Dr. Raj Prabhu, Dr. Jun Liao and Dr. Lakiesha Williams of Mississippi State University, MS.
• Collaboratory research with Dr. David Chang spinal vertebrae trauma animal model experimentation and modeling, and design of a bio-medical device for Vertebrae reconstruction.
• Collaboratory research with Dr. Kumar Mallikarjunan and Dr. Pam VandaVord of Virginia Tech. in chemosensory prediction of traumatic brain injury

Monthly meetings (on the first or second week of the month) based on the availability of most members.