This versatile tabletop system enables students to explore how various materials behave under load as they design and run their own experiments.
Vernier Science Education recently launched the Go Direct® Materials Test Frame to support hands‑on data collection and analysis in teaching laboratories. The versatile tabletop system helps college students explore various biomechanics and engineering concepts as they investigate how a wide range of materials respond to applied loads and use real‑time data to characterize their mechanical properties.
“This affordable Vernier test frame is comparable to higher‑priced models and intuitive enough for multiple student groups to be up and running quickly. Students gain authentic experience designing experiments, collecting data, and analyzing material behavior across disciplines—biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, and more,” said Jenni Buckley, PhD, associate dean and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Delaware. Vernier partnered with Dr. Buckley and her department on the development of the Go Direct Materials Test Frame.
The Go Direct Materials Test Frame supports multiple‑station setups, allowing students to conduct experiments and collect data themselves. Using the award‑winning Vernier Graphical Analysis® app on mobile devices, Chromebooks™, or computers, students can analyze their data and explore a wide range of applications, including:
- Characterizing the mechanical behavior of biological tissues and investigating the strength of medical devices
- Comparing the strength of plastics, metals, and composites, as well as student-designed or 3D-printed materials
- Examining stress-strain behavior to characterize material stiffness and failure
- Exploring the transition between elastic and plastic deformation
The Go Direct Materials Test Frame enables students to collect real‑time force measurements up to ±4,000 N and displacement data across a range of approximately 0–23 cm. It provides high‑resolution measurements of 0.18 N for force and 0.51 μm for displacement. Adaptable features also accommodate test specimens more than 60 cm in length, giving students the flexibility to investigate a wide range of materials.
Educators can access a free, open‑source biomechanics curriculum developed by the University of Delaware, featuring clinically relevant engineering mechanics, materials, and design investigations using the Vernier Go Direct Materials Test Frame. The lab‑ready, field‑tested investigations cover topics such as musculoskeletal tissue mechanics, orthopaedic fracture plate design, clinical case studies, human movement analysis, applications of engineering mechanics, and experimental design.
“Whether they’re investigating biological tissues, medical devices, or materials they’ve designed themselves, students can now more easily explore how materials behave in the real world,” said Jill Hedrick, CEO of Vernier Science Education. “This kind of student‑driven, hands‑on exploration engages them in the discovery process and makes biomechanical and engineering concepts more tangible.”
The Go Direct Materials Test Frame is available at a limited‑time introductory price of $3,495. It is backed by Vernier’s product support and five‑year limited warranty.