Advanced Fabrication and Testing Core supports patient-focused musculoskeletal research
Official title: Advanced Fabrication and Testing Core (AFT)
Funded at Clemson University · NIH-11413718 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A specialized engineering core at Clemson helps translation-ready musculoskeletal research by providing rapid fabrication, testing, and customization for projects aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and whole-body levels.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $289,587 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM121342-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413718 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with musculoskeletal diseases who may benefit from faster, customized diagnostic and therapeutic innovations anchored in engineered materials and biomedical devices.
✕Less likely to help
This core activity is primarily a support infrastructure and may not directly involve patient participation unless linked to a specific project.
What this research studies
The Advanced Fabrication and Testing Core (AFT) is the technology engine behind SC-TRIMH, offering centralized design, rapid prototyping, and advanced testing capabilities to support musculoskeletal research. It provides turnkey services and mentoring across electrical, mechanical, optical, and material design, plus additive and subtractive manufacturing and ultrafast micromachining. By accelerating prototype development and instrumentation, the AFT Core helps translate discoveries into patient-focused diagnostics and therapies for musculoskeletal diseases. Researchers from Clemson and the wider region have benefited from expanded facilities, collaboration, and support that strengthens grant applications and translational potential.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the core could speed up development of patient-specific diagnostic tools and treatments for musculoskeletal conditions by making prototypes and tests faster and more accessible.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that integrated fabrication cores can accelerate translational research and increase grant success, though exact outcomes vary by project.
Where this research is happening
-
Clemson University
Clemson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xiao, Hai — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Xiao, Hai
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.