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The Injury Biomechanics Research Center (IBRC) at The Ohio State University is a multi-disciplinary research center dedicated to investigating the relationships between human injury and physical mechanical properties. The IBRC has completed research in the field of automobile safety since 2004. The IBRC brings together an interdisciplinary team of engineers, anatomists, anthropologists, physicians, computer modelers and technicians who focus on both mechanisms of injury and injury thresholds of the human body. The IBRC has the capabilities to test biomechanical loading and impact scenarios with anthropomorphic test devices (crash test dummies), post-mortem human subjects, and non-injurious scenarios with research volunteers. The IBRC works closely with several Ohio State departments and many government and industry partners to offer one of the most diverse testing facilities in the country.
The mission of the Injury Biomechanics Symposium is to stimulate and reward strong injury biomechanics research among students and recent graduates. The symposium offers a welcoming and inclusive environment where early-stage researchers can receive feedback and support for their original work. Participation from industry partners and sponsors provides networking opportunities for future careers.
In conjunction with the 18th IBS, we will be hosting a special one-day meeting focused on vulnerable road users (VRU). The goal of this meeting is to have an in-depth discussion about the state of ongoing research focused on VRU.
Topics to be discussed include – 1) What does VRU mean to you? 2) What data are available and what data are needed to learn how to better protect VRU? 3) Discuss ongoing VRU research 4) Brainstorm new research focused on VRU 5) Discuss the creation of a VRU focused research group
Our work encompasses all aspects of human injury and physical mechanical properties of the human body. Broad categories of research include the skeletal and soft tissue response of human subjects under loading; detailed analyses of human bone using advanced medical imaging and histological techniques; development of biofidelic response corridors for anthropomorphic test device (ATD) design; testing and validation of ATDs and finite element (FE) human body models; pediatric biomechanics; and child restraint system (CRS) testing and usability for car crash safety. All of the research conducted in the IBRC is collaborative, combining the efforts of students, faculty, and staff.
The Injury Biomechanics Research Center has launched the new Forensic Anthropology Skeletal Trauma (FAST) database, which includes data from experimental tests on human skeletal elements with known loading mechanisms. FAST features pre- and post-test imaging, data collected from advanced instrumentation during the impact event, and fracture analysis data. FAST is funded by the National Institute of Justice, and provides students and professionals the unique opportunity to explore a large sample of skeletal trauma on various regions of the human body and gain insight into objective trauma interpretation.
Whether an undergraduate student or a graduate student pursuing a PhD or Master’s degree, the Injury Biomechanics Research Center provides research opportunities across a wide array of majors. Those include Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biology, Anthropology, Health Sciences, and other pre-healthcare professional majors. Volunteering at the IBRC as a research assistant is an excellent way to gain experience and prepare for future post-graduate studies. We typically welcome 10 to 20 graduate students working and researching each year in our multidisciplinary center.
The IBRC offers several volunteer and paid positions to work in our research center throughout the year. Let us know if you’re interested in working with us.
Ready to show off your IBRC pride? Ohio State’s Injury Biomechanics Research Center Apparel Shop offers branded items to purchase — from T-shirts to hoodies and coffee mugs — that directly benefit the center. All proceeds from the IBRC Apparel Shop go to funding future projects and research.
Your support helps us fulfill our mission to investigate the relationships between human injury and physical mechanical properties, as well as provide student development and educational opportunities.