Allen Ramsey
February 10, 2022
Texas Tech University‘s James Yang, a professor and the Ed and Linda Whitacre Faculty Fellow in the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering‘s Department of Mechanical Engineering, received a $450,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) to model the biometrics of parachute opening shock.
Yang’s goal is to develop a multiscale human model to conduct biomechanical analyses assessing potential injuries for parachutists during parachute opening shock. The results will be used by instructors and developers to prevent, reduce, screen and diagnose musculoskeletal injuries in military free-fall parachute jumps.
His research is designed to lower injury rates by gaining an understanding of how a paratrooper’s body reacts within a few seconds of the parachute opening.
“For paratroops, they’ve only measured kinematics, velocity and acceleration,” Yang said. “But they have no idea what’s happening inside the human body. In training and in missions they have quite a few injuries. The injuries don’t happen just through parachute open shock, but this project is specifically to study that aspect.
“Later we’ll do other aspects. The DOD is interested in what happens from the time soldiers jump out to the landing, so this is just the first project we will be working on.”
Military free-fall jumps differ from civilian skydiving in that military jumps come from higher altitudes and with heavier combat loads, leading to increased rates of injury among military parachutists.
“We are very proud of Dr. Yang’s research activities,” said Al Sacco Jr., dean of the College Engineering. “His latest work on simulating biomechanics to prepare trainees for opening shock is timely and important. Having been trained as a parachutist, I can tell you this simulation on opening shock will serve our military well. This is an excellent example of our faculty and students doing research for their community and the nation.”
The project uses portable sensors attached to the bodies of military free-fall jumpers, allowing Yang to collect dynamic data and gain a better understanding of how the human body responds to the force generated when a parachute opens.
“We’re going to work with real soldiers,” Yang said. “We want to see what happens in the body whenever a paratrooper opens the chute. After you understand that, the whole thing has a huge impact. We can improve capability and safety for all those people.”
Yang’s research is part of a larger effort by the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) and the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) entitled “Parachute Health Hazard Effects.” The study seeks to improve the capabilities and safety of parachute operations through a deeper understanding of the adverse biomechanical health effects associated with military free-fall parachute jumps.
“Our soldiers are our most important asset,” said Song-Charng Kong, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. “Dr. Yang’s research will mitigate the health risks in parachuting and provide additional protection to our soldiers. The health benefits to the soldiers go far beyond their military careers. The impact of Dr. Yang’s work is tremendous.”
tags: Academics, College of Engineering, Feature Stories, Research, Stories, Vice President for Research, provost
A new era of excellence is dawning at Texas Tech University as it stands on the cusp of being one of the nation’s premier research institutions.
Research and enrollment numbers are at record levels, which cement Texas Tech’s commitment to attracting and retaining quality students. In fall 2020, the university achieved a goal more than a decade in the making, reaching a total student population of more than 40,000. In 2018, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education again placed Texas Tech among its top doctoral universities in the nation in the “Very High Research Activity” category. Texas Tech is one of 94 public institutions nationally and 131 overall to achieve this prestigious recognition.
Quality students need top-notch faculty. Texas Tech is home to a diverse, highly revered pool of educators who excel in teaching, research and service. The university strives to foster an environment that celebrates student accomplishment above all else. Texas Tech is large enough to provide the best in facilities and academics but prides itself on being able to focus on each student individually.
The momentum for excellence at Texas Tech has never been greater.
The Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering has educated engineers to meet the technological needs of Texas, the nation and the world since 1925.
Approximately 4,646 undergraduate and 1,040 graduate students pursue bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees offered through seven academic departments: civil, environmental and construction; chemical; computer science; electrical and computer; industrial, manufacturing and systems; mechanical; and petroleum.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is the largest in the Whitacre College of Engineering and is among the top U.S. universities in the awarding of mechanical engineering undergraduate degrees.
As a leading educator of industry-ready mechanical engineers, Texas Tech prepares mechanical engineering students and graduates who have a reputation of high academic skills in engineering, math and science. Industry employers report that Red Raider engineers have the strong work ethic and emotional intelligence necessary in today’s corporate environment and field atmosphere.
The Office of Research and Innovation is tasked with facilitating excellence in research, scholarship and creative activity for Texas Tech students, faculty and staff. The office promotes an academic environment embracing creativity, curiosity, innovation, diversity, ethics and integrity.
Among other programs, the OR&I supports responsible and safe conduct of research, faculty development and recognition, interdisciplinary collaborations, externally sponsored research, partnerships with industry and community stakeholders, international research collaboration and the application of research for the benefit of society. The OR&I promotes a culture of creative expression, discovery, innovation and collaboration with the goal of advancing Texas Tech’s status as an elite national research university.
