Research
At WSU Tri-Cities, mechanical engineering students have a wide variety of research opportunities available to them. The reputation and connections of our faculty have paved the way for collaborative research projects with local and regional organizations, which can benefit from the talents of our student engineers and in turn provide real-world experiences and applications for their work.
For example, Professor William C. (Bill) Kinsel has led a research program to surgical implants at WSU Tri-Cities since 2003. Five Mechanical Engineering Master’s students have completed either their theses or special problem research on various facets.
Working with a local orthopedic surgeon, one graduate student performed a finite element computer analysis of tibia implants to verify their structural strength.
A second graduate student performed a finite element analysis of tooling used to insert implants. This model evaluated the benefits of vibratory motion to reduce the force required by surgeons. The computer results were confirmed by laboratory experiments on bovine bone models.
Low-level electrical currents have long been known to accelerate the healing of bone fractures. Devices are commercially available to be installed directly on the bone. However this requires one surgery to implant the device and a second surgery to remove the device.
Consequently, a self-powered electrical generating device was conceived that could be incorporated directly into implants. This is shown schematically below. Thus, only one surgery would be required – when the implant was installed. Three graduate students performed experimental evaluations of several piezoselectric devices. Electrical resistance measurements also were performed on fresh bovine bone specimens.
An electrical device has been developed that will be used to provide proof of principle evaluations of the growth rate of bone cells under various levels of electrical current.
From left to right: Don Frame, Information Technology Services; Steve Jordan, Mechanical Engineering Technician; Dr. William C. Kinsel, Mechanical Engineering