Medical Engineering
MEng (HB1V), BEng (HBD8), MEng (HB18), BEng (HBC8)

Student testing the properties of articular cartilage from the hip joint as part of her 3rd year research project in Medical Engineering

The Medical Engineering degree programmes are accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers

Research Projects

In the third year students undertake an individual research project. This provides an opportunity for students to get involved with the cutting edge research taking place in the School. The project is an opportunity for students to apply the skills and techniques learnt from previous years studies and to focus on an area that particularly interests them. Students work on their own but get support, guidance and advice from their project supervisor, other members of staff and researchers. We aim to produce projects that are of sufficient quality to be presented at international conferences or published in peer-review journals.

Examples of recent individual research projects are as follows:

Tissue Engineering
- Researching the use of stem cells for bone tissue engineering
- Investigatinon of changes in cartilage cells during osteoarthrtis
- Influence of oxygen on cells for cartilage tissue engineering

Biomechanics
- Determining the biomechanics of running injuries
- Investigation of cartilage biomechanics and injury
- Developing methods to predict the formation of ulcers in diabetic patients
- Measuring the mechanical properties of individual living cells

Implant and Device development
- Examination of the wear properties of metal on metal orthopaedic implants
- Studying the performance of total hip replacement implants
- Biodegradation of silk-based biomaterials for repair of meniscus repair
- Examining the potential of pulsed ultrasound devices for tissue regeneration

Biofluids
- Computer modelling of blood flow and importance for cardiovascular disease
- Development of a novel system for measurement of urine flow rate