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From Classroom to Lab: The Impact of the Simpleware University Bundle at CU Denver
Posted on 15 Oct 2024 by Jessica James
Dr. Dana Carpenter is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Denver who uses Synopsys Simpleware software as a key part of his research and teaching. Dr. Carpenter has been at CU Denver since 2011, and soon after started using Simpleware software in the classroom and laboratory. The software became well-established for student projects and research carried out at the University’s Smart Materials and Biomechanics (SMAB) Lab but faced bottlenecks over license availability. With the release of the Simpleware University Bundle, adopted by Dr. Carpenter in summer 2023, this resource limitation has been removed for students and researchers.
Using Simpleware Software for Teaching
Dr. Carpenter uses Simpleware software for the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering program at CU Denver, and particularly for the Biomechanics track. Simpleware software is a part of Biomechanics and Advanced Biomechanics courses, which involves both seniors and postgraduates. Until 2023, Dr. Carpenter relied on two node-locked Simpleware licenses to generate content for classes that demonstrate how to create 3D models from medical imaging such as CT, MRI, and other image modalities such as confocal microscopy and 3D surface scanning.
Exampels of projects from CU Denver (Image courtesy of CU Denver).
Within these courses, Dr. Carpenter shows the process of going from scans to 3D models, including stages of segmentation of regions of interest from basic thresholding to more sophisticated techniques. This approach also includes meshing in Simpleware software to create Finite Element (FE) models, with various meshing approaches shown to highlight how detail can be increased in certain areas intended for simulation in software like SIMULIA® Abaqus®.
Using tutorial data included with Simpleware software, Dr. Carpenter helps students build workflows to examine how loading affects stress distribution in the proximal femur. Additionally, the CAD integration capabilities in Simpleware software are used for assignments on implant planning and analyzing how a hip replacement using different materials affects stress in the femur. Students have the option to use 3D models and FEA in their projects, with two-thirds focusing on this area. This has resulted in undergraduate studies on topics such as reverse shoulder arthroplasty and postgraduate work on dimpled short-stem hip implant designs.
Applying SImpleware Software in the Lab
The SMAB Laboratory at CU Denver uses Simpleware software alongside Abaqus for biomechanics research, supported by experimental work to validate 3D models. Some example projects from the SMAB team include the simulation of intramedullary nail models, lumbar interbody fusion, analysis of porous polymers, and modeling of the lacunar-canalicular system in Simpleware software from confocal microscopy. In the latter case, a 3D printed model was also created from the Simpleware files.
Lumbar interbody fusion project from the CU Denver SMAB Laboratory (Image courtesy of CU Denver).
Other research at SMAB looks at interactions between CAD-designed parts and medical images, including custom spacers for spine cages. The impact of bone growth into porous implants has also been explored through the effect of adding different levels of bone growth with individual material properties to a model. This approach helps researchers to understand what happens as the bone mineralizes, while FEA can model the evolution of load sharing.
By comparison, the lacunar-canalicular project used confocal microscopy to isolate a single lacuna for creating a solid model and FE mesh prior to 3D printing. With this method, it was possible to show what a bone cell looks like, and how the orientation of the lacuna influences strain factors. More generally, funding for Dr. Carpenter’s work from the National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and the National Institute on Aging, is helping to produce exciting breakthroughs in biomechanics.
Workflow showing visualization and meshing of the osteocyte lacunar-canalicular system (Image courtesy of CU Denver)
What the Simpleware University Bundle Means for CU Denver
With the Simpleware University Bundle, the restrictions of having a two-seat license no longer apply: the Bundle provides 50 licenses for a low cost, meaning that the software can be used by all students without waiting for availability. Students can enjoy full access to the software and tutorials to improve their learning and projects, with Dr. Carpenter commenting:
“This is going to be better now that there’s the University Bundle, because now I’m going to have them do this themselves. I used to just hand them the mesh at the end, but now the students are all going to be able to be in the lab at the same time, with me instructing them, and actually create their own models using the University Bundle.”
This freedom means that the software can potentially be used in other course modules and removes restrictions on graduate students in the SMAB Laboratory who want to use Simpleware software for their research. The success enjoyed by Dr. Carpenter at CU Denver exemplifies how the Simpleware University Bundle, which includes all functionalities and has no technical limitations, makes the software easily accessible for campus sharing and peer-reviewed, unrestricted fundamental research.
For Dr. Carpenter, “The Simpleware University Bundle is really a huge help for my team, both financially and logistically, so thanks again!”
Dr. Dana Carpenter (right) and the team at the SMAB Lab (Image courtesy of CU Denver).
Delivered as part of the Synopsys Academic & Research Alliance (SARA), the Simpleware University Bundle removes some crucial financial and logistical barriers to using Simpleware software for classroom teaching and university research. The Simpleware University Bundle is currently available in the Americas, AUS/NZ and EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), with traditional research licenses available in South and East Asia.
Learn More
- Read more about the Simpleware University Bundle
- Watch Dr Carpenter’s presentation in our on-demand webinar The Simpleware University Bundle: Empowering Academia to Do More with Medical Imaging
Any Questions?
Do you have any questions about the Simpleware University Bundle or need additional information?