University of Southampton
The University of Southampton (SOUTHAMPTON) is one of the leading research led universities in the UK. It was founded in 1952 and is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of UK Universities. SOUTHAMPTON is an excellent venue for conducting cutting-edge research and for providing high quality education, and is ranked 96th in the 2019 QS World University Rankings. It has been ranked 8th in the UK for research, and has 97% of its research environment rated as world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework, 2014). It has more than 17,100 undergraduate and 7,500 postgraduate students from over 140 different countries. In 2016/17 alone SOUTHAMPTON has received over €150M in research grants and contracts, including over €17M from the European Commission. SOUTHAMPTON has a successful track record of industrial collaborations and is at the centre of a cluster of local high technology companies. It has a notable track record in the generation of patentable work, with a portfolio of over 250 patents. To ensure the impact of its research projects, SOUTHAMPTON’s Research & Innovation Services (RIS) is responsible for professional protection of IP and supporting commercial development with industry. RIS has had considerable success, as a world-leading business incubator, and has launched 28 spin-out companies since 2000.
SOUTHAMPTON is the project coordinator and within APRICOT pursues the following tasks:
- Implant performance envelope modelling. The team will apply techniques established within the bioengineering group for statistical modelling of the hip and knee to determine the variation in joint space according to patient variability, and simulate implant response (movement, load transfer) in the available range of motion.
- Performance characterisation on in vitro models. The team has a long track record of non-destructive analysis of implanted constructs to determine performance measures such as load and strain distribution, failure loci, and endurance. The team also develops customised test rigs for specialist applications, for example, endurance testing of novel ceramic resurfacing implants.
- Tribological implant performance. The national centre for advanced tribology at SOUTHAMPTON will bring a wealth of experience in the development of tribological test rigs and the testing of biomaterials in relevant physiological environments. The group will provide tribological performance characterisation of the selected materials, surface finishes and whole construct.