Boggs Center for Energy and BiotechnologyTulane University

Research: Facilities – Descriptions

Research and Teaching Facilities

The Department of Biomedical Engineering is located in the Lindy Claiborne Boggs Center that includes more than 16,000 square feet of Biomedical Engineering office, laboratory, and classroom space. Major items of research equipment include:

Physiology Laboratory

A physiology laboratory is equipped to perform numerous physiology experiments and demonstrations.

Solid Mechanics

Digitally controlled MTS axial/torsional universal testing system, console-mounted and portable strain gage conditioners, ultrasonic testing apparatus.

Fluid Mechanics

Brookfield cone-plate viscometer, Cahn surface tension balance, flow visualization analysis system, Electronetics pulsating bubble surfactometer, computational fluid diagnosis software.

Experimental and Computational Tissue Mechanics

Universal Cartilage Testing Device, High Resolution Imaging System, ultrasound indentation probe, biosafety cabinet, centrifuge, microscope, incubator.

Biomaterials

EG&G PAR computerized electrochemical and polarographic measurement systems, metallographic specimen preparation equipment, Azur Environmental toxicity analyzer.

Electronics

Full suite of GPIB connected test equipment to support development of HC11 and Basic Stamp microcontrollers. LabVIEW is used for algorithm and control loop development and prototyping of implant, telemedicine, and monitoring applications.

Pulmonary Function

Spirometers, flow and pressure instrumentation, data acquisition, acoustic measurement systems.

Tissue Engineering

This facility is fully equipped for cell/tissue culture and a range of chemistry and microscopy techniques. Major equipment includes biosafety cabinets, centrifuges, microscopes, incubators, microplate washer and reader, FTIR.

These departmental research facilities are complemented by a machine shop and photographic dark room. In other branches of the university, advanced surface and chemical analytical facilities are accessible. Tulane's nine libraries house approximately 1.9 million volumes and 17,000 currently received periodical titles. These include the main university library (1.5 million volumes) and the Rudolph Matas Library at the School of Medicine. Additional research facilities are available through the Department's ties with the LSU Medical School and LSU Dental School, both located in New Orleans.