A graduate studies emphasis of biomechanics and biomaterials in orthopaedics was recently initiated at the University of Notre Dame in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. Funding through the 21st Century Fund of the State of Indiana and partnership with local orthopaedics industry provided an initial foundation for growth of this research area at Notre Dame. Three new faculty have been hired within the last few years.

Participating students can expect research projects on the cutting edges of the interfaces between mechanics, materials, medicine and biology. Through projects in both fundamental and applied research students will learn various aspects of experimental and theoretical solid mechanics, manufacturing, materials science, tribology, biomedical imaging, and design, among others. Furthermore, departmental, institutional, and industrial collaborations will provide a broad and rich training experience.