Multi-scale modelling of bone fracture

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Project Detail:

Bone fracture affects millions of people’s life worldwide. In UK alone, there are approximately more than 850,000 new fractures each year, and the estimated annual cost for bone fracture related treatment reached more than £2 billion. Traditional bone fracture treatment often uses internal/external fracture fixation or an assistive device. An emerging field of tissue engineering enables a new paradigm of treatments, using engineered tissue scaffolds and constructs for repair or replacement of the damaged tissue. In addition, demographic shift related to the aging population and accompanying degenerative bone diseases such as osteoporosis increase the risk of fracture significantly and result in a detrimental effect on surgical treatments of such fractures. Therefore, understanding the structure-function relationship of bone tissue in a wider population is key to the success for early diagnosis and prognosis of bone fracture and the subsequent healing process.

The proposed project aims to develop a novel multi-scale, population-based approach to investigate damage and fracture mechanisms of bone tissue using the latest experimental and computational techniques, such as quantitative computer-tomography (q-CT), high-performance computing (HPC) and finite element analysis (FEA). The project is built upon previous research completed at Loughborough University, in collaboration with leading clinicians and scientists in the field with an aim to further advance the capacity and accuracy of in-silico models for various patient groups and loading conditions.

The successful candidate(s) will join the Mechanics of Advanced Materials Research Group (see below) and will participate in international research collaboration with partners in Ireland, Switzerland, USA and Australia (with potential secondments to them with duration of up to 6 or 12 months).

Find out more:
Here you can find additional information about Mechanics of Advanced Materials Research Group and supervisor - Dr S. Li

Entry requirements:
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Continuum Mechanics, Computer Science, Materials Science, Physics or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: Mechanical Engineering, Continuum Mechanics, Computer Science, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering and Computational Biology.

Contact details:
Name: Professor Simin Li
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: +44-1509-227630

How to apply:
All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, select ‘Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering’

Please quote reference number: SFSL130317