The computer is incredibly fast, accurate, and stupid. Man is incredibly slow, inaccurate, and brilliant. The marriage of the two is a force beyond calculation.
The Kraft Group at Penn State University’s College of Engineering is focused on understanding the mechanics and physics of biological systems using computational methods. Research can be partitioned into three broad areas: 1) multiphysics, multiscale computational mechanics and methods, 2) problems at the interface of biology and multiscale mechanics, and 3) humans in extreme environments.
Interdisciplinary Expertise in Engineering, Computational Mechanics and Biomechanics
The computer is incredibly fast, accurate, and stupid. Man is incredibly slow, inaccurate, and brilliant. The marriage of the two is a force beyond calculation.
Model Everything
Ji, S., Ghajari, M., Mao, H., Kraft, R. H., Hajiaghamemar, M., Panzer, M. B., Willinger, R., Gilchrist, M. D., Kleiven, S., & Stitzel, J. D. (2022). Use of Brain Biomechanical Models for Monitoring Impact Exposure in Contact Sports. Annals of Biomedical Engineering. DOI: 10.1007/s10439-022-02999-w
Martin, V., Kraft, R. H., Hannah, T., & Ellis, S. (2022). An Energy-based Study of the Embedded Element Method for Explicit Dynamics. Advanced Modeling and Simulation in Engineering Sciences. DOI : Link
Adewole, D. O., Struzyna, L. A., Harris, J. P., Nemes, A. D., Burrell, J. C., Petrov, D., Kraft, R. H., Chen, I., Serruya, M. D., Wolf, J. A., & Cullen, K. (2021). Development of optically controlled “living electrodes” with long-projecting axon tracts for a synaptic brain-machine interface. Science Advances, 7(4). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay5347
Marinov, T., Yuchi, L., Adewole, D. O., Cullen, D. Kacy, & Kraft, R. H. (2020). A computational model of bidirectional axonal growth in micro-tissue engineered neuronal networks (micro-TENNs). In Silico Biology, 13(3-4), pp. 85-99. DOI: 10.3233/ISB-180172
Subramani, A. V., Whitley, P., Garimella, H. T., & Kraft, R. H. (2020). Fatigue damage prediction in the annulus of cervical spine intervertebral discs using finite element analysis. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 23(11), 773-784. DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2020.1764545
Carrera-Pinzón, A. F., Márquez-Flórez, K., Kraft, R. H., Ramtani, S., & Garzón-Alvarado, D. A. (2019). Computational model of a synovial joint morphogenesis. Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology, 1–14
Kraft, R. H., Lee, C., Richtsmeier, J. T., & Dolack, M. E. (2019). Exploring Mechanisms of Cranial Vault Development using a Coupled Turing-Biomechanical Model. The FASEB Journal, 33, 326.2-326.2.
Lee, C., Richtsmeier, J. T., & Kraft, R. H. (2019) A coupled RD-Strain model predicts cranial vault formation in development and disease. Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology.
Przekwas, A. J., Tan, X. Gary, Chen, Z. J., Miao, Y., Harrand, V., Garimella, H. T., Kraft, R. H., & Gupta, R. K. (2019). Biomechanics of blast TBI with time resolved consecutive primary, secondary and tertiary loads. Military Medicine.
Przekwas, A. J., Garimella++, H. T., Tan, X. G., Chen, Z.J. Miao, Y., Harrand, V., Kraft, R. H., Gupta, R. K., Biomechanics of Blast TBI With Time-Resolved Consecutive Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Loads. Military Medicine. Accepted.
Garimella++, H.T., Menghani++, R.R., Gerber++, J.I.,Sridhar++, S., Kraft, R.H., Embedded finite elements for modeling axonal injury. Annals of Biomedical Engineering. Accepted (Nov. 10, 2018).
Dhobale++, A. V., Adewole, D. O., Chan, A. H. W., Marinov++, T., Serruya, M. D., Kraft, R.H. (Co-senior author) & Cullen, D.K. (Co-senior author), Assessing functional connectivity across three-dimensional tissue-engineered axonal tracts using calcium fluorescence imaging. Journal of Neural Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/aac96d. Link
S. Motiwale++, V. Subramani++, A. Zhou, R.H. Kraft, A Non-Linear Multi-Axial Fatigue Damage Model for the Cervical Intervertebral Disc Annulus, Advances in Mechanical Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1177/1687814018779494. Link
Garimella++, H. T., Kraft, R. H., & Przekwas, A. J. (2018). Do blast-induced skull flexures result in axonal deformation? PLOS One 13(3): e0190881. Link.
Ranslow++, A., Fang++, Z., & Kraft, R. H. The multiaxial failure response of porcine trabecular skull bone estimated using microstructural simulations. ASME Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. DOI: 10.1115/1.4039895. Link
Garimella++, H. T. & Kraft, R. H. (2017). A new computational approach for modeling diffusion tractography in the brain. Journal of Neural Regeneration Research, 12(1). doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.198967. Link
Lee++, C. X., Richtsmeier, J. T., & Kraft, R. H. (2017). A computational analysis of bone formation in the cranial vault using a coupled reaction-diffusion-strain model. Journal of Mechanics in Medicine and Biology. doi: 10.1142/S0219519417500737. Link.
Serruya, M. D., Harris, J. P., Adewole, D. O., Struzyna, L. A., Burrell, J. C., Nemes, A., Petrov, D., Kraft, R. H., Chen, H. I., Wolf, J. A., & Cullen, D. K. (2017). Engineered axonal tracts as “living electrodes” for synaptic-based modulation of neural circuitry. Advanced Functional Materials. doi:10.1002/adfm.201701183. Link
Garimella++, H. T., & Kraft, R. H. (2016). Modeling the mechanics of axonal fiber tracts using the embedded finite element method. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering (e02823), 1–21. DOI #: 10.1002/cnm.2796. Link
Fielding++, R. A., Przekwas, A. J., Tan, X. G., & Kraft, R. H. (2015). Development of a lower extremity model for high strain rate impact loading. International Journal of Experimental and Computational Biomechanics, 3(2), 161-186. Link
Lee++, C. X., Richtsmeier, J. T., & Kraft, R. H. (2015). A Computational Analysis of Bone Formation in the Cranial Vault in the Mouse. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 3(24). doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2015.00024. Link.
Swab, J. J., Tice, J., Wereszczak, A. A., & Kraft, R. H. (2014). Fracture toughness of advanced structural ceramics: Applying ASTM C1421. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, pp. 1-9. doi:10.1111/jace.13293. Link
Clayton, J. D., Kraft, R. H., & Leavy, R. B. (2012). Mesoscale modeling of nonlinear elasticity and fracture in ceramic polycrystals under dynamic shear and compression. Journal of Solids and Structures, 49(18), 6. doi:10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2012.05.035. Link
Kraft, R. H., Mckee, P. J., Dagro, A. M., & Grafton, S. T. (2012). Combining the finite element method with structural connectome-based analysis for modeling neurotrauma: Connectome neurotrauma mechanics. PLoS Computational Biology, 8(8), e1002619. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pcbi.1002619. Link
Kraft, R. H., & Molinari, J. F. (2008). A statistical investigation of the effects of grain boundary properties on transgranular fracture. Acta Materialia, 56(17), 10. doi:10.1016/j.actamat.2008.05.036. Link
Kraft, R. H., Molinari, J. F., Ramesh, K. T., & Warner, D. W. (2008). Computational micromechanics of dynamic compressive loading of a brittle polycrystalline material using a distribution of grain boundary properties. The Journal of Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 56, 23. doi:10.1016/j.jmps.2008.03.009.Link
Marinov++, T., Yuchi++, L., Adewole, D.O., Cullen, D.K., Kraft, R.H. A Computational Model of Bidirectional Axonal Growth in Micro-Tissue Engineered Neuronal Networks (micro-TENNs). bioRxiv 369843. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/369843. Link
Garimella++, H.T., Menghani++, R.R., Gerber++, J.I.,Sridhar++, S., Kraft, R.H., Embedded finite elements for modeling axonal injury. https://doi.org/10.31224/osf.io/2dx5e. Link
Gerber++, J.I., Garimella++, H.T., Kraft, R.H., Computation of history-dependent mechanical damage of axonal fiber tracts in the brain: towards tracking sub-concussive and occupational damage to the brain. BioRxiv 346700; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/346700. Link
Kraft, R. H., Fielding++, R. A., Lister, K., Shirley, A., Marler, T., Merkle, A. C., Przekwas, A. J., Tan, X. G., & Zhou, X. (2016). Modeling skeletal injuries in military scenarios. Mechanobiology and mechanophysiology of military-related injuries Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Link.
Clayton, J. D., & Kraft, R. H. (2011). Mesoscale modeling of dynamic failure of ceramic polycrystals. In: Advances in Ceramic Armor VII: Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings (eds. J. J. Swab, S. Widjaja and D. Singh). Ch. 21. pp. 237-248. John Wiley & Sons. doi:10.1002/9781118095256.ch21. Link
Martin, V., Hannah, T., Ellis, S. & Kraft, R. H. (2022). Towards verification and validation of modeling Dyneema using the embedded finite element method. (IMECE2022-96784). Proceedings of the 2022 American Society of Mechanical Engineers Congress and Exposition. Accepted August 2022.
Hannah, T. Kraft, R. H., Martin, V., & Ellis, S. (2022). Impact of Imperfect Kolsky Bar Experiments Across Different Scales using Finite Elements. (IMECE2022-96816). Proceedings of the 2022 American Society of Mechanical Engineers Congress and Exposition. Accepted August 2022.
Hannah, T. Kraft, R. H., Martin, V., & Ellis, S. (2021). Implications of statistical spread to experimental analysis in a novel miniature Kolsky bar. (IMECE2020-23976). Proceedings of the 2020 American Society of Mechanical Engineers Congress and Exposition. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2020-23976
https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2020-23976
Lee++, C., & Kraft, R. H. (2016). A coupled reaction-diffusion-strain model for bone growth in the cranial vault. Proceedings of the 2016 Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering and Biotransport Conference (SB3C2016). Link
Ranslow++, A. N., & Kraft, R. H. (2016). The development of a “fuzzy” yield envelope for trabecular porcine skull bone using numerical simulations. Proceedings of the 2016 Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering and Biotransport Conference (SB3C2016). Link
Motiwale++, S., Eppler, W., Hollingsworth, D., Hollingsworth, C., Morgenthau, J., & Kraft, R. H. (2016). Application of Neural Networks for Filtering Non-Impact Transients Recorded from Biomechanical Sensors. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Biomedical and Health Informatics. (pp. 204 – 207). DOI #: 10.1109/BHI.2016.7455870. Link
Reddy, S. N., Fielding++, R. A., Robinson++, M. J., & Kraft, R. H. (2015). A computational study of fracture in the calcaneus under variable impact conditions. Volume 3: Biomedical and Biotechnology Engineering, (pp. pp. V003T03A058; 10 pages). American Society of Mechanical Engineers Congress and Explosion. doi: 10.1115/IMECE2015-51984. Link
Garimella++, H. T., Yaun++, H., Johnson, B. D., Slobounov, S., & Kraft, R. H. (2015). Anisotropic constitutive model of human brain with intravoxel heterogeneity of fiber orientation using diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI). Volume 3: Biomedical and Biotechnology Engineering, (pp. pp. V003T03A011; 9 pages). Proceedings of the 2014 American Society of Mechanical Engineers Congress and Exposition. DOI #:10.1115/IMECE2014-39107. Link
Fielding++, R. A., Tan, X. G., Przekwas, A. J., Kozuch++, C. D., & Kraft, R. H. (2015). High rate impact to the human calcaneus: A micromechanical analysis. Volume 3: Biomedical and Biotechnology Engineering, (pp. V003T03A009, (8 pages)). American Society of Mechanical Engineers Congress and Explosion. doi: 10.1115/IMECE2014-38930. Link
Kraft, R. H., & Garimella++, H. T. Embedded finite elements for modeling traumatic axonal injury. Proceedings of the Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering and Biotransport Conference (SB3C 2015). American Society of Mechanical Engineers. http://2015.sb3c.org/.
Makwana++, A. R., Krishna++, A. R., Yuan++, H., Kraft, R. H., Zhou, X., Przekwas, A. J., & Whitley, P. (2014). Towards a micromechanical model of intervertebral disc degeneration under cyclic loading. (pp. pp. V003T03A012; 7 pages). American Society of Mechanical Engineers Congress and Explosion. doi: 10.1115/IMECE2014-39174. Link
Lee++, C., Richtsmeier, J. T., & Kraft, R. H. (2014). A multiscale computational model for the growth of the cranial vault in craniosynostosis. (pp. V009T12A061; 6 pages). American Society of Mechanical Engineers Congress and Exposition (IMECE). doi: 10.1115/IMECE2014-38728. Link
Fielding++, R. A., Kraft, R. H., Ryan, T. M., & Stecko, T. D. (2014). A micromechanics-based simulation of calcaneus fracture and fragmentation due to impact loading. 11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI) 5th. European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM V) 6th. European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECFD VI). Link
Zhang, J., Merkle, A. C., Carneal, C. M., Armiger, R. S., Kraft, R. H., Ward, E. E., Ott, K. A., Wickwire, A. C., Dooley, C. J., Harrigan, T. P., & Roberts, J. C. (2013). Effects of torso-borne mass and loading severity on early response of the lumbar spine under high-rate vertical loading. 2013 International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury (IRCOBI) Conference Proceedings. 11-13 September 2013. Gothenburg, Sweden. Link.
Kraft, R. H., Dagro, A. M., McKee, P. J., Grafton, S. T., Vettel, J., McDowell, K., Vindiola, M., & Merkle, A. C. (2013). Combining the finite element method with structural network-based analysis for modeling neurotrauma. (pp. 4). 11th International Symposium, Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering. Salt Lake City, Utah. Link
Scheidler, M., Fitzpatrick, J., & Kraft, R. H. (2011). In Tom Proulx (Ed.), Optimal pulse shapes for SHPB tests on soft materials. 1, (pp. 259-268). Society for Experimental Mechanics Series, Dynamic Behavior of Materials. ISBN/ISSN #/Case #/DOI #: 2191-5644. Link
Kraft, R. H., Lynch, M. L., & Vogel, E. W. (2011). Computational failure modeling of lower extremities. RTO-MP-HFM-207AC/323(HFM-207)(TP/412). NATO Human Factors and Medicine Panel. DOI #: 10.14339/RTO-MP-HFM-207-13-pdf. Link
Clayton, J. D., & Kraft, R. H. (2011) . Mesoscale modeling of dynamic failure of ceramic polycrystals. Proceedings of the 35th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites.
Vettel, J. M., Bassett, D. S., Kraft, R. H., & Grafton, S. T. (2010). Physics-based models of brain structure connectivity informed by diffusion weighted imaging. 27th Army Science Conference. Link
Gazonas, G. A., McCauley, J. W., Kraft, R. H., Love, B. M., Clayton, J. D., Casem, D., Dandekar, D., Rice, B., Batyrev, I., Weingarten, N. S., & Schuster, B. E. (2010). Multiscale modeling of armor ceramics: Focus on AlON. 27th Army Science Conference.
Scheidler, M., & Kraft, R. H. (2010). In C. P. Hoppel (Ed.), Inertial effects in compression Hopkinson bar tests on soft materials. U.S. Army Research Laboratory, 1st Annual ARL Ballistic Technology Workshop.
Kraft, R. H., Batyrev, I., Lee, S., Rollett, A. D., & Rice, B. (2010). In J. J. Swab, S. Mathur and T. Ohji (Eds.), Multiscale modeling of armor ceramics. Journal of the American Ceramics Society Meeting Proceedings., 31 . Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. DOI: 10.1002/9780470944004. Link
Wereszczak, A. A., & Kraft, R. H. (2003). In W. M. Kriven and H. T. Lin (Eds.), Flexural and torsional resonances of ceramic tiles via impulse excitation of vibration. 24(4), (pp. 207-213). 27th Annual Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites: B: Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9780470294826.ch31/summary. ISBN/ISSN #/Case #/DOI #: DOI: 10.1002/9780470294826.ch31
Wereszczak, A. A., & Kraft, R. H. (2002). In H. T. Lin and M. Singh (Eds.), Instrumented Hertzian indentation of armor ceramics. 23(3), (pp. 11). 26th Annual Conference on Composites, Advanced Ceramics, Materials, and Structures: A: Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9780470294741.ch7/summary. ISBN/ISSN #/Case #/DOI #: DOI: 10.1002/9780470294741.ch7.
Dagro, A. M., McKee, P. J., Kraft, R. H., Zhang, T. G., & Satapathy, S. S. (2013). A preliminary investigation of traumatically induced axonal injury in a three-dimensional (3-D) finite element model (FEM) of the human head during blast-loading. Army Research Laboratory Technical Report (ARL-TR-6504). Link.
Vettel, J., Dagro, A. M., Gordon, S., Kerick, S., Kraft, R. H., Luo, S., Rawal, S., Vindiola, M., & McDowell, K. (2012). Brain structure-function couplings (FY11). Army Research Laboratory Technical Report (ARL-TR-5893). Link
Clayton, J. D., & Kraft, R. H. (2011). Mesoscale modeling of dynamic failure of ceramic polycrystals. Army Research Laboratory Reprint (ARL-RP-328). http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA551733.
Gozonas, G. A., McCauley, J. W., Batyrev, I. G., Casem, D., Clayton, J. D., Dandekar, D. P., Kraft, R. H., Love, B. M., Rice, B. M., Schuster, B. E., & Weingarten, N. S. (2011). Multiscale modeling of armor ceramics: Focus on AlON. Army Research Laboratory Reprint (ARL-RP-337). Link
Kraft, R. H., & Wozniak, S. L. (2011). A review of computational spinal injury biomechanics research and recommendations for future efforts. Army Research Laboratory Technical Report (ARL-TR-5673). http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA549868.
Kraft, R. H., & Dagro, A. M. (2011). Design and implementation of a numerical technique to inform anisotropic hyperelastic finite element models using diffusion-weighted imaging. Army Research Laboratory Technical Report (ARL-TR-5796). Link
Vettel, J. M., Bassett, D., Kraft, R. H., & Grafton, S. (2010). Physics-based models of brain structure connectivity informed by diffusion-weighted imaging. Army Research Laboratory Technical Reprint (ARL-RP-0355). Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: U.S. Army Research Laboratory. Link
Wereszczak, A. A., Swab, J. J., & Kraft, R. H. (2005). Effects of machining on the uniaxial and equibiaxial flexure strength of CAP3 AD-995 Al2O3. Army Research Laboratory Technical Report (ARL-TR-3617). http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA441313.
Swab, J. J., Wereszczak, A. A., Tice, J., Caspe, R., Kraft, R. H., & Adams, J. (2005). Mechanical and thermal properties of advanced ceramics for gun barrel applications. Army Research Laboratory Technical Report (ARL-TR-3417). http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA430400.
