BI3BS22-Biomechanics and Soft Technologies

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Yoshikatsu Hayashi
Email: y.hayashi@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Prof William Harwin
Email: w.s.harwin@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces students to basic knowledge in biomechanics, soft robotics, and technologies that capitalize on the recent advancements in material science. Based on the understanding of human body in terms of biomechanics and body control, the module will explore technologies such as the flexible electrodes used as implants, the state of the art in soft robotics used in biomimicry and assistive robotics. 

Aims:

In Biomechanics, we aim to give students a firm physical and mathematical concept of force and torque analysis relating to structural and motor units both within humans and animals, and as applied in automation. As such the concepts should allow students to transfer skills to other engineering disciplines, in particular mechatronics and mechanical engineering.

The aim of Soft technologies is to introduce students to knowledge of design principles and technologies that capitalize on the recent advancements of soft material science and soft robots. Two main areas will be examined: soft and flexible electrode that are used as implants, soft robotics for assistive purposes.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will be able to analyse simple engineering and biological structures, from cytoskeletons through to cantilever bridges. They will be able to estimate forces in walking and relate these to the control structures used in animals, humans and robots.  They should be able to explain the chain of forces and torques from the muscles and joints, through to the environment and understand how the body reacts, both physically and cognitively.

Students should be able tounderstand the design principle of robots based on kinematics, and 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. 

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• Understand how body parts obey the laws of physics


• Understand how body parts are controlled by muscle skeletal systems


• Understand basic kinematics in robotics


• Understand how to design robots based on kinematics


• Understand how soft materials can function when used for both internal and external prosthetics.


• Understand issues of biocompatibility for internal implants


• Understand issues of force transference for external prosthetics


• Demonstrate both conceptual and physical prototypes of soft modules for motor recovery of patients.


• Analyse key literature and use this literature to justify their approach.

Additional outcomes:

Familiarity with mathematical modelling concepts applied in engineering and biology.

Students will be familiar with tools for complex engineering analysis including finite element analysis.

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

Outline content:

1. Biomechanics

Force and torque couples, screw theory, homogeneous transforms. Moments of area and inertia. differential equations, stability analysis e.g. Liapanov, Properties of serial and parallel chains. Applications to biological systems

2. Soft technologies

Flexible electronics is an active and emerging research area, with extended applications in medicine. We will examine fabrication protocols based on soft elastomers (silicone), conductivepolymers (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 robotics 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 andgrasping 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. 

Global context:

Techniques are needed for employment in clinical engineering posts, assistive device design, robotics, and manufacture. Furthermore, the techniques will transfer to other engineering, science and mathematical disciplines.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module comprises lectures, practical sessions, and a major coursework. The lectures introduce the basic concepts, methodologies and tools for biomechanics and soft technologies. During the practical sessions the students will carry out hands-on activities on soft technologies.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10	10
Tutorials	2
Project Supervision	2
Practicals classes and workshops		8
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	10	50
Wider reading (directed)	10
Exam revision/preparation	20
Advance preparation for classes	10
Preparation of practical report	23	30
Carry-out research project	15
Total hours by term	102	98	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	35
Report	65

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One examination of 2 hours.

The examination for this module will require a narrowly defined time window and is likely to be held in a dedicated exam venue.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

There will be 2 biomechanics assignments (7.5% each). Submission dates in week 7 of Autumn term, week 1 of Spring term.

For Soft technologies, there will be a report (50%) at the end of term.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be encouraged to submit an outline of their report, and a draft report prior to final report submission. In class exercises will be set.

For Soft technologies, students will be expected to do a demo of their developments.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination on biomechanics material (50%) and re-submission of soft technologies report (50%)

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: £50

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: 30 March 2023