UBC STAR Hub
The UBC STAR Hub is a collaborative research space for researchers and entrepreneurs to test their concepts and validate their ideas. It provides rapid prototyping and new product design services to researchers, innovators and early stage entrepreneurs and is fully equipped with the software and hardware required to go from idea to implementation in the shortest possible time. An educational and catalytic learning environment, the UBC STAR Hub demonstrates the product development process and showcases the effects of rapidly advancing technology, including the ability to reverse engineer parts through 3D scanning.
Equipment includes:
- Connex500 multi-material, high-resolution 3D printer capable of producing large-scale models with fine detail for up to 90 digital materials including: engineering plastics, transparent shades and patterns, rigid opaque shades, rubber-like materials, and polypropylene with improved thermal resistance
- Cintiq tablets for use in manufacturing, materials prototypes, assistive and protective devices
- Wilson VH3100 Automatic Vickers hardness tester
- Mark Forged MarkTwo Nylon/carbon fibre 3d printer
- 3D scanners, including two Creaform handheld scanners (the VIUScan laser scanner to capture colour and texture and the LED-based Go!Scan 3D for quick set-up, large scanning area and fast measurement rate) that allow the ability to scan damaged parts, human body parts, surfaces and sculptures into digital form
- 3D CAD-design software workstations (SOLIDWORKS)
- Thermal camera and ground-penetrating radar
- Soldering equipment and inspection microscope
UBC STAR Impact Research Facility (SIRF)
This custom designed ballistic and blast simulation facility is the only one of its kind in Canada. It supports university-industry research collaborations in testing ballistic and blast resistant armour, ceramic and other composite materials, occupant protection components of a vehicle, helmets and other protective gear. It enables us to conduct evaluations of the protection performance of body armour and helmets using test methods specified by the US National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the UK’s Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB).
Equipment includes:
- A blast simulator that studies the physical effects of injuries sustained during a blast event, tests parameters and fixtures to reduce the incidence of these injuries and vehicle configurations to absorb or reduce the effects of a blast
- A research range for testing protective equipment and clothing against ballistic threats
- A high-speed, high-impact (HSHI) simulation rig capable of accelerating a vertically moving disc of 30 cm in diameter to a velocity in excess of 15m/s in less than 10ms and used to simulate the impact force of an IED exploding under a vehicle, for example
- Blunt Trauma Torso Rig (BTTR) and Ballistic Load Sensing Headform (BLSH) used to evaluate injury potential and impact severity from behind armour blunt trauma and the protection performance and deformation testing of helmets
UBC STAR Incubator
UBC STAR works closely with its partners and provides an on-campus incubator space for research teams to collaborate and develop research agendas at an accelerated pace. The UBC STAR Incubator facilitates access to UBC’s broader innovation network, including the Materials & Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI), which expedites the matchmaking process and helps initiate large-scale collaborative research projects.