Richard Figliola, Ph.D.
Professor of Mech. Engineering and Bioengineering
B.S. Aerospace Engineering, 1974 Univ. of Notre Dame
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, 1976 Univ. of Notre Dame
Ph.D. Fluid Mechanics, 1979 Univ. of Notre Dame
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, 1976 Univ. of Notre Dame
Ph.D. Fluid Mechanics, 1979 Univ. of Notre Dame
Research Interests
Aerodynamics and Heat Transfer
Biofluid Mechanics
Systems Integration by Energy Design
Error Analysis
Biofluid Mechanics
Systems Integration by Energy Design
Error Analysis
Email:
Office: 247 Fluor Daniel EIB
Phone: 864.656.5635
Office: 247 Fluor Daniel EIB
Phone: 864.656.5635
Biofluid Mechanics Laboratory
Honors, Awards, and Professional Activities
Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Certificate of Acclamation, ASME (2007, 1996, 1993, 1989) Murray-Stokely Award for Excellence in Teaching, Engineering and Science, Clemson Univ. (2005) Clemson University Board of Trustees Outstanding Faculty Achievement Recognition (2001)SAE Outstanding Technical Paper Recognition (2000) ASEE Southeast Region, Outstanding Technical Paper (1988) NATO Fellow in Science (1979) National Committee Membership: ASME PTC 19.1 Test Uncertainty Committee; ASME Heat Transfer 
Education Committee (K21); ASME Environmental Heat Transfer Committee (K19).Current Research
The Biofluid Mechanics Laboratory is located in G07 of the Fluor Daniel Engineering Innovation Building. The laboratory is equipped with several flow benches, including a right heart circulation simulator. Special equipment includes a 6W Ar-ion laser, 150 mJ Ng-Yag pulsed laser, high-speed digital CCD cameras, automated data acquisition systems, and both particle image velocimeter and laser Doppler velocimeter systems for high resolution flow measurements. The lab also maintains a multiple processor high performance parallel computer for flow simulations.
Pulmonary Prosthetic Valve Evaluation and Design
Severe chronic pulmonary insufficiency is a known consequence of many congenital heart surgeries. Treatment by pulmonary valve replacement is often necessary when the individual reaches late adolescence or early adulthood. Bioprostheses are the currently preferred solution but lack longevity. Mechanical valves have not been developed for this position and our published data has pointed out their shortcomings. In our research, we are evaluating a novel valve design based on a fluid diode concept. We are evaluating this device for performance in the heart with a focus on use as a pulmonary valve and for other potential applications in the circulation. We use a multifunctional approach to valve evaluation that includes a pulsatile right heart simulator test bed, laser-based optical flow imaging diagnostics, time-dependent numerical simulations, and in vivo assessment. This research is a joint project with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
Multi-Scale Modeling Of Single Ventricle Hearts
Children born with only one functioning cardiac ventricle are consigned to a lifetime of surgeries and abnormal physiology. While a three-stage operative strategy has reversed an otherwise uniformly fatal disease, the complex interplay of man-made anatomy, changing physiology with growth, and deranged fluid dynamics continues to plague the understanding and care of these patients throughout the world. Engineering methods and advances in biomedical imaging have changed some of the surgical techniques and clinical management, but continued contributions are hampered by the fact that each patient is different, and the surgically reconstructed local cardiopulmonary circulation both affects and is affected by the global upstream and downstream systemic dynamics. Single ventricle physiology clearly exhibits a highly variable multi-scale behavior that changes with patient-specific parameters and pharmacological/clinical interventions. In this research, we are developing integrated multi-scale experimental and numerical models of each of the three surgical stages of single ventricle physiology. For example, a numerical model is coupled to a patient-specific lumped-parameter model of the human circulatory network, where the interface conditions of flow rates and pressure feeds back into the computational model. The intent is to predict the most viable multi-scale solution, including the surgical option and how it is performed. This research is an international collaboration between Clemson, MUSC, and researchers in England and Italy.
Recent Publications
T. Camp, K. Stewart, J. Gohean, R.S. Figliola, T. McQuinn, “In Vitro Study of Flow Regulation for the Right Heart,” ASME J Biomechanical Engineering, 129, 2007.
Gohean, J., R.S. Figliola, T. Camp, T. McQuinn, “Comparative in Vitro Study of Bileaflet and Tilting Disc Valve Behavior in the Pulmonary Position,” ASME J Biomechanical Engineering, 128, 4, 2006. pp. 631-35
Figliola , R.S., J. Losaw, J. Gohean, T. Conover, T. McQuinn, D. Beasley, “Flow Performance of Mechanical Heart Valves as Pulmonary Valves,” ASME Summer Bioengineering Meeting, ASME Paper 05-1148, Vail, June 2005.
Figliola, R.S., A Proposed Method for Quantification of Low-Air-Loss Mattress Performance by Moisture Transport, Ostomy/Wound Management, Vol. 49, 1, 2003.
Figliola, R.S., and D.E. Beasley, Theory and Design for Mechanical Measurements, John Wiley and Sons, Fourth edition, 2005. Third edition, 2000. Second edition, 1995. 1991.
