Teaching Material Testing and Characterization with an Open, Accessible, and Affordable Mechanical Test Device

Hands-on experiences in biomechanics and biomaterials courses are an important part of biomedical engineering education. Curricula those often include laboratory modules on material testing characterization. Unfortunately, large expensive mechanical equipment may not be available to all students, thus limiting students’ access actual hands-on experience. Here, we introduce open, accessible, affordable test device that ensures every student gets their hands a specimen. In fact, the has small form factor, is inexpensive, can therefore taken home. The built with low-cost components 3D-printed parts for total cost less than $45. also makes use each student’s cell phone camera optical strain measurements, thereby avoiding need imaging equipment. addition device, rich set supplementary materials make adoption application by educators students as easy possible. A first experience 20-student technical elective class demonstrated ease anecdotally confirms material’s usefulness practical teaching. However, more formal evaluation needed demonstrate our enhance