# SC COBRE for Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health (SC-TRIMH)

> **NIH NIH P20** · CLEMSON UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $241,790

## Abstract

Project Summary
The South Carolina COBRE for Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health (SC-TRIMH) aims to
enhance and expand the Biomedical Research capacity at Clemson University to promote outstanding
multidisciplinary, collaborative, and translational research in bone and joint diseases. As an integral part of the
SC-TRIMH, the Advanced Fabrication and Testing (AFT) Core has been established as the centralized
resources of 3D design, rapid prototyping and advanced testing for the TRIMH investigators to perform their
translational musculoskeletal research. In the past four years, the AFT core has built strong capacities in micro
and macro fabrication and rapid prototyping of devices and test models using general-purpose, non-biomaterials
such as metal, glass, ceramics, and polymers. While our laboratories are outfitted with state-of-the-art laser-
based additive, subtractive machining systems, these systems require significant experience and expertise to
operate and have a limited capacity for high volume throughput. The AFL LaserMaster LZM125+ system is a
fully automated optical fiber and glass processing system that uses a CO2 laser heat source to perform splicing,
tapering, lensing, joining, micro-structuring, and other glass shaping operations with glass diameters from 5µm
to 2.0 mm. This glass processing system can be programed to fabricate optical fiber microsensors and
microdevices for various medical applications including current and future research projects performed by SC-
TRIMH researchers. Specifically, the new system will allow us to fabricate 1) fiber tip lenses, 2) fiber gratings, 3)
fiber tapers, 4) fiber joints, 5) fiber interferometers, 6) fiber bundles, 7) fiber microstructures, 8) fiber resonators,
9) fiber spirals, and 10) other new fiber devices. These devices make perfect sensors for validating the
musculoskeletal models researched and developed by the SC-TIRMH investors. Fabrication protocols will be
developed and optimized by Core personnel, then targeted faculty and their trainees will be trained to operate
the manufacturing of the devices. There is no such capability available at Clemson University or anywhere within
125 miles radius of Clemson main campus. The added equipment will allow the SC-TRIMH investigators to
fabricate new smart sensors to improve diagnosis and therapeutic treatment in patients suffering from
musculoskeletal health disease. We request funding to purchase a fully automated optical fiber and glass
processing system (specifically an AFL LaserMaster LZM125+ system) to enhance the AFT Core and our
capability to directly fabricate smart sensors for in vivo and in vitro analysis systems. The total cost is
$241,789.75.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10582104
- **Project number:** 3P20GM121342-05S2
- **Recipient organization:** CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Hai Yao
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $241,790
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-15 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10582104

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10582104, SC COBRE for Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health (SC-TRIMH) (3P20GM121342-05S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10582104. Licensed CC0.

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