The Development of Non-Invasive Exo Muscular Assistive Devices

Abstract

The following thesis provides insight into the undertakings of the research project “The Development of Non-Invasive Exo Muscular Assistive Devices”, investigating the current state of assistive muscular devices and how these can be improved through recent developments in electronics and materials engineering. The thesis incorporates a detailed literature review which provides insight into - and critique of - a multitude of elements such as: biological muscles, current available assistive devices, active and passive smart materials; identifying key areas of improvement in addition to characterising the requirements for such technologies. Through practical experimentation performed, this research was able to demonstrate two areas of development within the field of artificial assistive devices. The first of which being the ability to integrate a low-cost motion sensing device such as an accelerometer into an artificial muscle. This research offers objective results which inform where the optimum location for an accelerometer monitoring arm movement should be placed. With the results showing a normal voltage distribution of 0.014V with a standard deviation of 0.002V, in addition to the graphical data visually being able to map the movement; including a simulated point of struggle. The second key area of development is with reference to a method of retrieving a renewable electrical signal local to the wearer, in this case human thermal radiance (body heat) converted via a thermoelectric generator. The testing performed illustrated that a 62% increase in output voltage could be achieved by employing an in series wiring methodology. Whilst a further 75% output voltage increase could be achieved by creating a large temperature differential within the thermoelectric generator.

Date of Award	31 Dec 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Hugh Gong (Supervisor) & Anura Fernando (Supervisor)