Centers and Labs

There are many centers and laboratories at NC STATE that may be useful in the development of Advanced Medical Technologies, and a linked list of these is compiled below. Click on the links to learn more about the capabilities of these facilities.

Analytical Instrumentation Facility (AIF)

Director: Dieter Griffis

The NCSU Analytical Instrumentation Facility founded in 1923 as an NC STATE resource for materials characterization. AIF operates a number of major analytical instruments and numerous other instruments providing quality analyses for all who require it. These instruments are operated and maintained by a professional staff that are experienced in the design and implementation of materials characterization experiments. For those who desire hands on involvement in their analyses, AIF staff trains users to operate facility analytical instrumentation, to design efficient analytical experiments, and to properly interpret the resulting data. In addition, AIF staff is involved in the development and/or enhancement of analytical techniques in a continuing effort to provide the level of capabilities required by the ever evolving needs of the NCSU research community. AIF provides short courses as well as formal classroom instruction to insure that NCSU’s future engineers and scientists can, upon graduation, take with them an understanding of modern analytical techniques and an understanding of the instrumentation required to implement them.

Bioinformatic Research Center (BRC)

Director: Dr. Zhao-Bang Zeng

The Bioinformatics Research Center is one of the world's premier centers for education and research in bioinformatics, the field that integrates information science and statistics with the study of genomics. Established in 2000, the BRC is located on NC STATE's Centennial Campus. The BRC has two important missions:

  • Research: Our research focuses on the development of new computational and statistical tools for the analysis and interpretation of genomic data. Our research addresses both theoretical and practical issues in human, plant, and animal genetics.
  • Education: The BRC is dedicated to providing outstanding educational and training opportunities for graduate students and genomic scientists. We offer graduate programs in bioinformatics and statistical genetics.

Biomedical Instrumentation Laboratory (BMIL)

Director: H. Troy Nagle

The Biomedical Instrumentation Laboratory designs and fabricates prototype medical instrumentation units. BMIL evolved from projects in the Biomedical Microsensors Laboratory. This laboratory was established in 1999, and operates as a service center under a trust fund account. The laboratory supports the work of advanced undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students.

Biomedical Microsensors Lab (BMMSL)

Director: Greg McCarty

This Biomedical Microsensors Lab designs and fabricates microsensors for use in medical applications. BMMSL was established in 1992 and operates as a service center under a trust fund account. The laboratory supports visiting research professors, research associates as well as post-doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate students. any services related to reverse engineering.

Cell Mechanics Laboratory (CML)

Director: Elizabeth Loboa

The Cell Mechanics Laboratory was established in 2003 as a core research facility and service center. The CML investigates the effects of mechanical and chemical stimuli on adult stem cell (mesenchymal stem cell and adipose-derived adult stem cell) function and differentiation, with the long-term goal of engineering musculoskeletal tissues that can withstand the biomechanical and biochemical demands of the in vivo environment.

Center for Advanced Electronic Materials Processing (AEMP)

Director: Mehmet C. Ozturk

The Center for Advanced Electronic Materials Processing was established in 1988 as a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center. More recently, it has included the SRC/SEMATECH Research Center program on Front End Processes for advanced semiconductor devices in collaboration with a large number of other universities. AEMP's is interdisciplinary, involving collaboration among chemists, physicists, materials scientists and electrical, chemical and mechanical engineers. The research focuses on the development of processing technologies capable of producing nanometer scale electronic devices. AEMP is responsible for operation of the NCSU Nanofabrication Facility and the Triangle National Lithography Center - an affiliate of the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network. These cleanroom facilities are open to students, faculty and world-wide researchers to fabricate and test nanostructures.

Center for Advanced Materials and Smart Structures (CAMSS)

Director: Jay Narayan and Jag Sankar

A collaborative initiative between NC STATE and NC A&T State Universities, the Center for Advanced Materials and Smart Structures has four major thrust areas: advanced ceramics; advanced composites; electronic ceramic devices, sensors and smart structures; and wide-band-gap III-V semiconductors, ohmic contacts and devices. CAMSS has experimental facilities in the areas of advanced materials processing, nanoscale characterization, and computer modeling.

Center for Chemical Toxicology Research and Pharmacokinetics (CCTRP)

Director: Jim Riviere

The Center for Chemical Toxicology Research and Pharmacokinetics' main research interests focus on dermal absorption and toxicity of chemicals, drugs, nanoparticles and complex mixtures, pharmacokinetics, and predicting tissue residues of drugs. The nanotoxicology program led by Dr. Monteiro-Riviere is assessing the nature of interactions between skin and manufactured nanoparticles (e.g. carbon fullerenes and nanotubes, quantum dots, silver and aluminum nanoparticles). Work is also underway to develop and define a biologically-relevant metric of nanomaterial interaction (Biological Reactive Surface Area – BRSA) that could be used to predict particle behavior in vivo.

Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research (CCMTR)

Director: Gregg Dean

The mission of the Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research to enhance collaborative, translational, interdisciplinary approaches for the comparative study of animal/human diseases. The members of the center recognize that complex issues affecting human and animal health are better addressed by interdisciplinary "one medicine" approaches that combine both clinical and non-clinical expertise. This includes interactions between different laboratories as well as interactions with private groups. The ability to provide unique training and expertise, and an environment of innovation facilitates the development of novel approaches to diagnose and treat disease.

Center for Computational Biology

Director: William Atchley

The Center for Computational Biology was established at NC STATE in 2001 to stimulate research in computational biology and organize symposia and workshops dealing with cutting edge topics. Computational biology involves the use of mathematical, statistical and computational tools to explore complex biological problems. The Center focuses on problems in molecular evolution, mathematical and statistical aspects of phylogeny reconstruction, prediction of protein structure, and quantitative genetics.

Center for Efficient, Scalable and Reliable Computing (CESR)

Director: Thomas M. Conte

The mission of Center for Efficient, Scalable and Reliable Computing is to research, design, and build computer systems that are Efficient, Scalable and Reliable. Increasingly, these are the key requirements for a wide range of computing systems --- from ASICs to cell phones to corporate servers: efficient in their use of energy, space, and memory; scalable in performance and cost; and reliable in the face of high transaction rates and adverse environments. We address these challenges through research in VLSI design, processor architecture, compilers, memory systems, system architecture, and application software.

Center for Innovation Management Studies (CIMS)

Director: Paul Mugge

The Center for Innovation Management Studies is a unique industry/university cooperative research center located at NC STATE. CIMS’ mission is to generate, synthesize and disseminate useful knowledge to manage technological innovation. Major corporations have partnered with NC STATE and the National Science Foundation to support this national center of excellence.

Center for Quanititative Sciences in Biomedicine (CQSB)

Director: Marie Davidian

Established in 2007, the Center for Quantitative Sciences in Biomedicine is a multidisciplinary research center at NC STATE. CQSB's mission is to catalyze and facilitate research projects in the biomedical sciences whose success requires integrated collaborations among scientists in the quantitative and biological disciplines. The CQSB is devoted to identifying such projects, assembling the internal and external expertise required to address them, and leveraging such research to provide a basis for unique graduate and post-graduate traning at the interface of the quantitative and biomedical sciences.

Center for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (CRIM)

Director: Edward Grant

The Center for Robotics and Intelligent Machines was established in 1992 with the mission of fostering increased interaction in the interdiscplinary technologies of advance robotics and intelligent machines research. The CRIM focuses its research themes to meet its mission within the State as well as nationally and internationally. This is being achieved through various programs of evolution, integration, and collaboration. The changing face of the State's hi-tech industries motivates the CRIM to broaden its research base to include biotechnology and information technology themes, since these industries are expanding quickly within the State and the nation.

Center for Universal Design (CUD)

Co-directors: Sean Vance

The Center for Universal Design is a national information, technical assistance, and research center that evaluates, develops and promotes accessible and universal design in housing, commercial and public facilities, outdoor environments, and products. The CUD's mission is to improve environments and products through design innovation, research, education and design assistance.

Digital Games Research Center (DGRC)

Co-directors: J. Michael Young and Tim Buie

The Digital Games Research Center is a multi-disciplinary center whose focus investigates the scientific, engineering, social and educational challenges of digital entertainment. Housed in the Department of Computer Science, the center's faculty include colleagues from the colleges of Education, Engineering, Design and Humanities and Social Sciences who collaborate on a wide range of research and educational initiatives that focus on new modes of entertainment and interaction in digital media.

Ergonomics Center of NC

Director: Brian Sherman
The Ergonomics Center of NC provides occupational ergonomics consulting, training programs, and cost-effective ergonomic solutions for corporations, facilities, and individuals to support and enhance your company's ergonomics efforts. We provide a full range of consultative and training services tailored to meet your specific ergonomic needs and corporate goals. With extensive experience in ergonomics research, consulting, and training, we understand the challenges of managing ergonomics and minimizing ergonomic risk factors in today's complex work environments.

Genomic Sciences Laboratory (GSL)

Director: Nigel Deighton

The Genomic Sciences Laboratory was established in 2008 by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC STATE to provide research and students with the necessary infrastructure and equipment to conduct genomic, proteomic and metabolomics research at NC STATE. Formed from the merger of the Genome Research Laboratory and the Metabolomics & Proteomics Laboratory, the lab provides the NCSU community with high-throughput DNA sequencing and fingerprinting, equipment to perform functional genomic assays, protein identification and characterization as well as metabolomics, biochemical profiling and target compound analyses. Now, the GSL has more than just a new name. The GSL is committed to an expanded portfolio of capabilities. And, the lab is committed to positioning the NC STATE community at the forefront of genomic sciences.

Integrated Manufacturing Systems Engineering Institute (IMSEI)

Director: Thom Hodgson

Decline in manufacturing productivity combined with increased world market competion has created a need for improved manufacturing engineering systems. The Integrated Manufacturing Systems Engineering Institute, NC STATE, has taken a lead in addressing this challenge. By integrating academic and industry people, resources, and ideas, IMSEI has created an Institute that provides state-of-the art manufacturing systems, research, and education.

NCSU Nanofabrication Facility (NNF)

Director: Mehmet C. Ozturk

The NCSU Nanofabrication Facility, in conjunction with the The Triangle National Lithography Center is committed to providing support to nanotechnology researchers from both academia and industry. The NNF provides users with a broad range of nanofabrication capabilities to support a diverse set of projects. The facility houses virtually all standard thin film processing tools, including a state-of-the-art ASML laser scanner for high volume, 193 nm patterning. The facility serves as a melting pot for a community of top-notch researchers from academia, government labs and industry representing a variety of disciplines. The vast majority of users, many traveling from afar, prefer to come on-site for hands-on access to the facility. However, users with well-defined projects can also have their work performed by our experienced staff.

Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center (NCRC)

Director: Behnam Pourdeyhimi

The Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center is advancing knowledge in nonwovens technologies for the benefit of the nonwovens industry through research, training, education and extension, engagement and economic development. NCRC offers services to its industrial members and affiliates in the form of core research undertaken for the benefit of its membership, and has established capabilities to address the diverse needs of the nonwovens industry. NCRC houses unique and state-of-the-art facilities for product development, analytical services and materials testing, analysis and evaluation. NCRC offers additional services to its members and others in the form of proprietary testing, analysis and product development.

Precision Engineering Center (PEC)

Director: Thomas Dow

The Precision Engineering Center is a multidisciplinary research center created to provide industry with insightful research and skilled engineers and scientists. The research program emphasizes metrology (sensors and measurement systems), innovative precision fabrication processes (machining, grinding, polishing), and real-time process control. Our job is to develop technology for high precision measurement and production, and to work with innovative industries that will apply that technology to make new and better products. Through the PEC's Industrial Affiliates program, corporations, government agencies, and other types of organizations are able to sponsor and participate in precision engineering research. In addition to basic membership, many members fund secondary core projects that are directed toward a specific interest with results communicated to all of the members. The Affiliates receive regular research reports, access to world-class research facilities and are afforded an opportunity to recruit outstanding graduate students for their firms. As part of the Industrial Affiliates program, sponsors may also send their research personnel to North Carolina State University to participate in the PEC's research and educational programs on an in-residence basis. students also perform research on the premises of sponsoring companies, particularly during the summer months.

Technology, Education and Commercialization (TEC)

Director: Roger Debo

Technology, Education and Commercialization research is focused on high-technology entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, new venture creation, and project championing. TEC's research has been sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology, and Science (KIETS), Center for Innovation Management Studies (CIMS), and royalties generated from successfully commercialized class projects. The Commercialization Clinic is an outreach activity that provides limited technology assessments, referrals and guidance to technologists who are unfamiliar with the processes of how to start a company built on their technology.

Textile Protection and Comfort Center (T-PACC)

Director: Roger Barker

The Textile Protection and Comfort Center incorporates a comprehensive infrastructure of equipment and personnel to conduct integrated research on the protection and comfort of clothing. T-PACC houses the complete Kawabata system, state-of-the-art sweating skin models, a full-range walk-in environmental chamber, plus facilities and exercise equipment required for human textile comfort response protocols. T-PACC features a thermal manikin - one of only two "sweating manikins" in the world - to make objective predictions of human comfort under diverse conditions. T-PACC also has PyroMan, a fully-instrumented, life-size manikin capable of evaluating the performance of thermal protective clothing against fire exposure. T-PACC's PyroMan is the only one of its kind in a university research setting in the U.S.