I University Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology

[ad_1]

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Michael Focht is a Ph.D. candidate in mechanical engineering studying tendon biomechanics, Kelly Halloran completed his Ph.D. candidate in mechanical engineering who studies wheelchair biomechanics joined his ciLiving share about the great things happening at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Extraordinary science can change the lives of ordinary people. That’s the philosophy of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, where researchers from more than 40 scientific disciplines collaborate to improve research in human health and medical imaging, cleaner energy and greener plastics, and even artificial intelligence. We work to ask and answer big questions about robots and biologically inspired robots.
We are part of the Tissue Biomechanics Laboratory in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at Granger Polytechnic Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Everyone has a musculoskeletal system, a scaffolding of bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and tissues that protects our organs and allows us to move. Many of us have injured some part of our musculoskeletal system at some point in our lives. It’s probably a broken bone or torn ligament. Older adults often experience arthritis and osteoarthritis of the hands and knees. We want to understand how these injuries work to ultimately prevent them.

For example, one of our main projects right now is investigating shoulder injuries in people who use wheelchairs. Did you know that wheelchair users are more likely to experience shoulder and rotator cuff injuries than anyone else? Also, the rest time required after shoulder surgery is likely to impact quality of daily life therefore, they are disproportionately affected by these injuries.

Another project currently underway focuses on preventing leg fractures in racehorses by understanding how they move and how wear and tear is likely to occur.

To study how the musculoskeletal system grows, changes, strengthens, and weakens over time, we use medical imaging tools to view the body in a variety of ways. MRI scans can help identify muscles, and CT scans can help identify bones. Motion capture tools are especially useful for racehorse projects, helping you study bodies in motion. We use world-class tools and facilities at the Beckman Institute, many of which were not possible even 10 years ago.

The Beckman Institute’s open house is scheduled for April 5-6. The Open House is an annual opportunity for members of the Champaign-Urbana community to discover science, meet people, and experience the impact of world-changing discoveries. The open house is completely free and open to the public and includes activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

Visitors can:
• Participate in over 30 exhibits on a variety of science topics.
• Participate in hands-on demonstrations.
• Complete a science scavenger hunt.