The Biomechanics and bionics theme combines an understanding of the human body’s mechanics with innovative engineering to enhance and restore human capabilities. Biomechanics is the study of how forces interact with the body – our researchers analyse movement and physical stress on bones, muscles and joints to inform better designs for injury prevention and performance improvement. In fact, biomechanics plays a key role in reducing injuries by identifying and correcting risky movement patterns, and it helps design assistive devices (like orthotic supports or safer sports equipment) that keep people healthier and more active. Bionics, on the other hand, involves creating electronic and mechanical systems that integrate with the human body.
Our work in medical bionics is at the forefront of restoring lost function after disease or injury. We deliver therapeutic electrical stimuli and build sensors that interface with nerves and muscles to recover functions that have been impaired. This ranges from bionic limbs that allow amputees to move with near-natural control, to neural interfaces that may one day help patients with paralysis regain movement. By uniting biomechanics and bionics, the Faculty’s research (spanning biomedical, mechanical, and electrical engineering) is driving breakthroughs such as advanced prosthetics, exoskeletons, and brain-machine interfaces. These technologies promise not only to give individuals with disabilities greater independence and quality of life, but also to open new possibilities for augmenting human performance in everyday life and industry.
Our research spans three strengths across multidisciplinary research
Our research aims to restore and enhance physical function through advanced biomedical technologies. This includes developing implantable neuroprostheses, bionic limbs, and biomechatronic systems that integrate mechanical, electrical, and biological components. The goal is to support individuals with disabilities or injuries in regaining mobility, independence, and quality of life. This theme aligns with our strategy to apply engineering innovation to global health challenges.
We are developing technologies such as the bionic eye system, which uses supra-choroidal electrode arrays to restore patterned vision in patients with retinal degeneration. Other projects include implantable devices that deliver therapeutic electrical stimulation and monitor biological signals to aid recovery from injury or disease. These devices integrate features like inductive charging, data telemetry, and metabolic sensing to support long-term use. We are advancing biomechatronic prosthetic limbs, artificial hearts, and sensory implants by analysing bioelectrical signals, designing feedback systems, and building devices that respond to user intent.
Research Impact
This research aims to improve prosthetic technologies and human performance systems with a focus on restoring mobility and enhancing physical function for individuals with disabilities or injuries, by developing implantable neuroprostheses, biomechatronic limbs, and intelligent biomedical devices. This leads to greater independence, faster rehabilitation, and improved quality of life, with broader impacts such as enabling vision restoration through bionic eyes, supporting amputees with responsive prosthetic limbs, and helping stroke patients regain movement through neural stimulation.
Our researchers
Professor Gregg Suaning, Professor Marcela Bilek
Our research aims to enhance recovery outcomes for patients with physical impairments by developing robotic systems that support and accelerate rehabilitation. This includes technologies that assist individuals recovering from stroke, spinal cord injuries, or orthopedic surgeries. The goal is to improve the effectiveness, consistency, and accessibility of therapy through intelligent, responsive devices. This theme aligns with our strategy to apply engineering innovation to health and wellbeing, combining robotics, biomedical engineering, and human-centred design.
We are designing robotic exoskeletons that automate stepping movements to help patients relearn to walk, and arm trainers that assist stroke survivors in practising reaching and grasping. These devices enable thousands of guided, repetitive movements per session, far beyond what traditional therapy allows, while sensors provide real-time feedback to optimise performance and safety. We incorporate virtual reality and gamification into rehabilitation systems to keep patients engaged and motivated. These innovations enhance neuroplasticity by promoting intensive, consistent training, helping reconnect brain-body communication.
Research Impact
This research aims to improve robotic rehabilitation systems with a focus on enhancing recovery outcomes for patients with neurological or musculoskeletal injuries, by designing intelligent robotic devices that deliver high-repetition, sensor-guided therapy. This leads to faster and more effective rehabilitation, with broader impacts such as helping stroke survivors regain arm movement through robot-assisted training, enabling spinal injury patients to relearn walking with exoskeletons.
Our researchers
Professor Stefan Williams, Dr Xiaofeng Wu, Professor Wei Chen, Professor Alistair McEwan
Our research aims to develop technologies that interact directly with the nervous system to restore or enhance neural function. This includes brain-computer interfaces, implantable neurostimulators, and bioelectronic devices that record or modulate neural activity. The goal is to create solutions for conditions such as paralysis, sensory loss, and neurological disorders by bridging the gap between technology and the human nervous system. This theme aligns with our broader strategy to engineer a healthier future through interdisciplinary innovation.
We are developing brain implants that bypass damaged spinal pathways, enabling paralysed patients to control devices or prosthetics with their thoughts. Other projects include cochlear and retinal implants that restore hearing and sight by interfacing with auditory and optic nerves, and peripheral nerve interfaces that could one day provide touch feedback to prosthetic limbs or regulate organ functions.
Research impact
This research aims to improve neural interface technologies with a focus on restoring or augmenting neural function in individuals affected by neurological injury or disease, by developing brain-computer interfaces, implantable neurostimulators, and bioelectronic devices that interact directly with the nervous system. This enables new therapies and assistive solutions, with broader impacts such as helping paralysed patients control prosthetics with their thoughts, restoring hearing and sight through cochlear and retinal implants, and offering targeted treatments for conditions like Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy through neuromodulation.
Our researchers
Professor Omid Kavehei, Professor Gregg Suaning
