Improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, the infamous weapons used against troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, cause the most injuries.

With a grant from the Department of Defense, a team of 10 University of Nebraska–Lincoln engineers is collaborating with the U.S. Army to investigate the effects that pressure waves from IED blasts have on the brain.

Researchers suspect these blasts may cause mild to severe traumatic brain injuries that may only become apparent months or years later.

“We are answering a national and even an international need,” Namas Chandra, professor and associate dean of engineering who leads this initiative, said of this research.

Traumatic brain injuries may result from atmospheric pressure changes caused by blast waves. High pressure passes through helmets and skulls, damaging the brain at the cellular level.

Even mild traumatic brain injury with few initial symptoms may cause slow deterioration over time, but these injuries are still poorly understood.

To study these effects, UNL engineers are developing a simulated human head and building a blast facility to generate controlled pressure waves. The unique approach uses experiments, modeling and simulation to understand wave impact at the cellular level. They hope the research will one day lead to better personal protection devices.

UNL engineers bring extensive expertise and years of research in materials, personal protection systems and blast wave simulation to this research. The collaborative project includes Army and Department of Energy research laboratories and others.

There is wide interest in the project.

“This work will really put Nebraska on the map of traumatic brain injury work,” said Chandra, who holds the Elmer Koch Engineering Professorship. “We are not going to answer all of the questions, but we are going to figure out a significant part of the puzzle.”

Each year, an estimated 1.4 million Americans suffer traumatic head injuries. Ultimately, this research could help protect the public as well as U.S. troops.

Although critical research such as this often receives key funding from federal and corporate sources, it’s the private donations the College of Engineering receives that often sets these research possibilities in motion.

Gifts help establish endowed professorships and chairs, which enable the college to recruit and retain top faculty members and researchers in their respective fields, including those involved in the research to better protect people in warzones.

Private support also provides investments in modern research facilities, equipment and classrooms. Gifts even enable the college to award scholarships and fellowships to students who often assist with various research projects while gaining real-world skills.

To learn more about supporting the College of Engineering, please consider giving online or contact:

Karen Moellering
Sr. Director of Development
402-458-1179 or 800-432-3216
kmoellering@nufoundation.org

Nick Shada
Development Officer
402-458-1203 or 800-432-3216
nshada@nufoundation.org