| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S10223/01 |
| Title: |
From Optical Surfaces to Prosthetic Joint Lifetime |
| Principal Investigator: |
Blunn, Professor G |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Institute of Orthopaedics |
| Organisation: |
UCL |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 August 2003 |
Ends: |
31 July 2005 |
Value (£): |
43,367
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Healthcare |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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This proposal stems from the remarkable convergence between the challenges of producing complex 3D forms with superb texture in two unrelated disciplines:- i) optical surfaces for defence and other systems (Physics), and ii) prosthetic joint-implants (Healthcare). In the latter, the objective is to achieve lifetimes beyond the 10-15 year limit resulting from poor control of form and texture using current manual craft processes.Our new consortium proposes to exploit the British 'Precessions' CNC optical polishing techniques. It will be extended for the general 3D case, as required both for joint-implants and a wide range of military optics (free-form and conformal). The heart will be physics-based process, metrology and software development. This will embody experimental CNC polishing and metrology on flats, leading to 3D reference forms and finally implant-samples. The implants will be lifetime-tested on a mechanical wear-simulator, leading to clinical-trials. Advances in process-control will be exploited in optical fabrication, demonstrating the true synergy between the disciplines and maximizing wider benefit. The associated SME will exploit the results in its family of CNC machines. Liaison with Dstl will be maintained throughout, in order that the programme meets MOD's objectives as well as those of the healthcare community.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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