BIMST17-Soft Technologies

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites: BI1EE17 Electronics BI3BT17 Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: y.hayashi@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides functional and practical understanding of soft technology.  

Aims:

The aim of this module is to introduce students to technologies that capitalize on the recent advancements of soft material science. Two main areas will be examined: soft and flexible electrode that are used as implants and soft robotics, used in biomimicry and assistive robotics.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students should be able to critically evaluate different protocols both for soft electrode and soft robotics based on active materials. Students are expected to identify and employ the literature to assess which technologies are best suited to biomimicry and assistive robotics. At module completion students will have a functional and practical understanding of soft technology and acquired training to produce the soft modules for experiments. 

Additional outcomes:

Students will also possess knowledge of the state of art in soft technology including its application.

Outline content:

Flexible electronics is an active and emerging research area, with extended applications in medicine. We will examine fabrication protocols based on soft elastomers (silicone), conductive polymers (PEDOT:PSS) and hydrogels. Case studies of implantations will be presented and nervous system recordings and stimulation will be examined.

Soft robotics is currently an active area of research as soft actuators are relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The field of soft rob otics originates from mimicking the biological principles and ‘soft ’ and adaptive nature of living systems. In its application, the compliant structure of soft robots allows novel motion and grasping tasks that are difficult to implement with rigid parts. These robots are considered soft due to their intrinsic property: the materials from which they are made are compliant and resilient.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of the report

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 6 May 2020