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Enterprise Office About us Contact us School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering University home Schools and departments School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering Research Research Projects Ideal material-structure interface for personalised prosthetic socket via additive manufacturing Menu School home About the School Undergraduate study Postgraduate taught Postgraduate research Research Research Themes Research Groups Research Projects Research Centres Case Studies Working with business News Events Staff Contact us Search this site Research Ideal material-structure interface for personalised prosthetic socket via additive manufacturing This project aims to develop a robust and personalised prosthetic socket for children that is comfortable, suitable for exercise and play, and adaptable to limb growth. Our Aim Residual limbs of children grow non-uniformly and experience volumetric changes throughout a day, because of this, frequent replacements are expected. A socket’s lifespan is further reduced due to the necessary high rigidity of the used materials; support, via a secure fit, takes precedence over comfort, therefore little room is given to accommodate growth cycles. This project aims to increase the lifespan of children’s prosthetic sockets by incorporating auxetic structures into a novel design, whilst utilising the potentials of digital manufacturing methods. As children’s limbs typically grow longer faster than in circumference, a combination of auxetic structures were selected where each was fit for purpose. A bow tie structure was used to support areas along the longitudinal axis, whereas a 3D star honeycomb structure was used for a base component at the distal end. Both low and high frequency limb volume changes may be compensated for, subject to user trials, by maintaining contact between adjacent components and the user throughout a day. Auxetic structures, therefore, may provide a prosthetic wearer with increased comfort and safety in comparison to conventional alternatives. In this application, the natural channels of the structures also increase air circulation to the skin, which may reduce perspiration by the wearer. Our Research Modularity of the novel design also allows for heterogenous materials to be used throughout, which allowed the researchers to create a stiffness gradient. A low stiffness rubber-like polymer was selected for the liner component, as it is in contact with the skin, whereas a high stiffness nylon, pre-impregnated with short carbon fibres, was chosen for the socket shell. One benefit of additive manufacturing is the reduced restriction on combinations of geometries and materials, therefore, the researchers will be exploring alternative materials without the requirement to modify component forms. Our Outcomes To date, the team have focussed on researching adaptive structures for comfort and child growth. Individual socket designs are generated using automated software, developed by the project team, with an aim of manufacturing personalised, optimised prosthetic sockets with enhanced functionality. Dr Simin Li - Senior Lecturer in Mechanics of Biomaterials “Transforming the way we manufacture prosthetic sockets is only possible if we can disrupt the entire manufacturing workflow.” Li, Simin Other related research projects Search this site Contact us PG Administration Team Tel: +44(0)1509 565185 Email: Send email News View all 29Oct Developing greener inhalers for treating asthma and COPD 26Oct New Visiting Professor joins the Sports Technology Institute, and the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering 8Oct New hybrid 3D printing technique will add a fourth dimension to additive manufacturing 23Sep New study to develop smart textiles powered by body movement for remote health monitoring Connect with us Contact us Key Contacts The Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering Loughborough University Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 3TU Twitter Facebook Instagram Using our site Accessibility Freedom of information Privacy and cookies Legal information Students and Staff Current students and staff LEARN Explore About the University Study with us News and events Research Working with business Schools and departments International Job vacancies Quick links Order a prospectus Online payments Library LU Arts Alumni Community information Loughborough University London Ethical principles Modern Slavery statement How to find us Epinal Way, Loughborough Leicestershire, UK LE11 3TU Tel: +44 (0)1509 222 222 Contact us: Contact us Location: Campus map Location: Find us Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram © 2021 Loughborough University. 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