Improving Access and​ Performance

A‍ new research initiative aims to make high-performance prosthetic limbs more ⁣affordable, accessible,‌ and specifically designed for the needs ⁤of active children. The project, led⁣ by Quentin​ Sanders,​ Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering at the College of engineering and ⁢Computing, seeks to overcome current limitations in pediatric prosthetic design.

Key Research Objectives

The research is structured ⁣around three core objectives. First, investigators will identify the factors that influence a child’s ⁣motivation to participate in physical activity and predict the resulting demands placed on their prosthetic devices.

second, the team will quantify how a child’s body​ measurements (anthropometry) and specific movements impact the mechanical ⁢properties of prostheses designed for running. This will allow for ‍more customized and effective ⁤designs.

the research will compare the performance of prostheses created using continuous fiber⁢ 3D printing technology with those made using conventional laminate methods, evaluating both static and ⁢dynamic behavior under various load conditions.

Funding and Timeline

The National Science Foundation has awarded $502,222 to support this research,which began in September 2025 and is​ scheduled ‍to conclude in late August 2028. This funding ‍will enable a comprehensive inquiry into the design and fabrication of next-generation prosthetic ⁢limbs for children with lower extremity amputations.