This federal Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) supports a collaborative research effort between the University of Notre Dame and Brigham Young University (BYU) to develop new compliant mechanism designs that can enable more accessible and energy-efficient powered lower-limb prostheses. The $282,138 award, effective September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2027, will fund the research team's work to create a convex optimization framework for designing parallel springs that can reduce motor torque requirements, as well as a design framework for compliant mechanisms with optimal load-deflection profiles. The research outcomes will be applied to create an open-source compliant ankle prosthetic, with the team engaging with prosthetic users, manufacturers, and clinicians to incorporate user feedback into the new designs. In addition, the project will include educational components such as a conference workshop, a graduate-level course, and a summer STEM program for local middle schoolers.
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