PhD Research Studentships
E-skin based prosthesis with biomimetic touch and grasping capability
| Supervisor: | Hasan SHAHEED |
| Apply by: | 29 January 2025 |
| Start in: | September (Semester 1) |
Description
This project aims to introduce a sense of artificial touch in bionic prostheses developed for amputees and other disabled people not having arms/hands. Existing prostheses (commercial and most research) lack the tactile feedback, needed by users to exert the right amount of grip force to grasp an object, and the tactile sensation of the object’s surface (e.g., texture, temperature, pressure, and vibration). The addition of this sensory feedback loop in the prosthesis would ease the completion of daily activities independently and would be a step closer to rehabilitation and improvement of the quality of life for the user.
The project involves the development of a mathematical and simulation model that learns from natural neural coding (especially the sense of touch and haptics and possibly reflex action) and reproduces it artificially through electrical stimulation i.e., biomimetic touch. Studying the natural (efferent and afferent), and existing neural encoding systems (i.e., the Izhikevich model, exponential integrate-and-fire, and adaptive exponential integrate-and-fire models), we intend to develop a neuronal model focused on the tactile sensory loop. The model will be tested in simulation using a lab-fabricated prototype.
Funding
Funded by: China Scholarship CouncilCandidate will need to secure a CSC scholarship.
Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
Eligibility
- The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
- If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of minimum score of 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking).
- Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).
Contact
For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Hasan SHAHEED.
Apply
Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD Mechanical Engineering full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start):
Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-618" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.
| Related website: | https://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/staff/m.h.shaheed/ | |
| SEMS Research Centre: | ||
| Keywords: | Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical Engineering, Control Systems, Cybernetics, Dynamics, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics |