PDT develops world's first commercial intermediate strain rate testing device

PDT has developed the first commercial intermediate strain rate testing device for tension and compression loading which guarantees constant strain rates and smooth stress strain data from 10/s to 500/s. The system is devised based on novel serpentine transmittal bar technology.

This technology is the first ever impedance matched bar system that is compact enough to fit into a conventional lab. Loading is based on direct hydraulic actuation, which provides a smooth loading pulse, without ramp up time/distance, for strain rate consistency. This system is designed for operators who are interested in intermediate strain rate tension and compression experiments on metals, polymers, and composites. The software and machine operation does not require any extensive knowledge of wave propagation, or dynamic interactions. A wide range of ASTM compression and tension specimens can be used in this systems at intermediate strain rates.

A detailed description of the device has been recenlty published in the "International Journal of Impact Engineering" entitled "A novel intermediate strain rate testing device: The serpentine transmitted bar"

For more information about the device, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Johnny Bohmer Visits PDT

Johnny Bohmer Owner of Performance Power Racing and Driver of the World Famous BADD GT, along with Matt Lundy, Lead Design Tech, piloted the 1700+ horse power Ford GT down NASA’s Shuttle Landing Facility Runway this week setting a new Guinness World Record at 283.232 mph in the Standing Mile. The Standing Mile is an event in which a vehicle, from a dead stop, accelerates completely through the one mile mark.

“Automotive Racing is the perfect channel to introduce some of the new technologies we are working on in to the main stream market. The Pandalloy™ Aluminum Alloys Project through Performance Power Materials, Inc is very exciting. The multiple series of Aluminums are vastly outperforming what is on the market today and we are excited to see how far we can push the limits of performance, and more importantly efficiency to have a positive impact worldwide. We break records to prove that these systems and designs really do function and can be implemented on vehicles of all types.” said Johnny Bohmer.

He came up to Starkville to meet with MSU spin off company Predictive Design Technology (PDT). PDT specializes in optimizing current structural designs (lighter, stronger, longer lasting, faster, cheaper). A potential partnership could allow Performance Power Racing to make faster race cars but then to introduce this technology to the average consumer car market. This combined technology with PDT and PPR would produce higher fuel economy, less carbon emissions, and less expensive cars. With the car industry already growing quickly in the south, these efforts could only enhance the current manufacturing state.