Projects / Programmes
Modelling in technics and medicine
January 1, 2018
- December 31, 2023
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.11.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Mechanical design |
|
| 3.08.00 |
Medical sciences |
Public health (occupational safety) |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T210 |
Technological sciences |
Mechanical engineering, hydraulics, vacuum technology, vibration and acoustic engineering |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.03 |
Engineering and Technology |
Mechanical engineering |
| 3.03 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Health sciences |
material characterisation
material model
biomechanics
tissue
safety
traffic infrastructure
traffic informatics
numerical simulation
measurement
acoustic emission
elastocalorics
deposition
hybrid vehicle
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
December 6, 2023;
A3 for period
2017-2021
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
204 |
3,169 |
2,826 |
13.85 |
| Scopus |
223 |
3,912 |
3,504 |
15.71 |
Researchers (20)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The programme group (PG) is classified as interdisciplinary. Its basic fields of research are:
1. Material characterisation with development of material models,
2. Special design knowledge,
3. Biomechanics,
4. Traffic safety and informatics.
The fields of PG activity are complimentary and generate synergistic and sustainable impacts for the industry, academic research environment and public institutions.
In the field of material characterisation, the PG develops models for determination of the stress-strain state and lifetime of materials. Constitutive models of continuum mechanics enable determination of elastic, hyper-elastic, super-elastic and elastic-plastic deformation, cyclic plasticity and damage mechanics of materials. New methods for material parameter measurement and determination are developed. Studies are performed on materials which exhibit the elastocaloric effect. Elastocalorics is one of the most perspective fields of research, where the PG participates in the development of heat regenerators and propulsion mechanisms of elastocaloric devices.
In the field of special design knowledge, the PG together with the industry develops new technologies and equipment for the manufacture of rolls with improved working surface, thus enabling cost-effective and eco-friendly rolling. The PG also performs research and development of plug-in hybrid electric propulsion systems of vehicles the scale and complexity of which is expected to increase in future. The share of the automotive industry in the Slovenian economy is substantial, making this a topical issue.
In the field of biomechanics, the PG focuses on improving the procedures of soft tissue characterisation and studying the muscle response effect on soft tissue injuries in impact conditions. The performed measurements improve the reliability of the collected data and comparability with peer studies. The PG aims to continue development of a detailed FE neck model by including new findings in the characterization of the soft tissue behaviour, muscle response characteristics and dynamic response in man-environment interactions. The development activities include a detailed FE model of the knee joint and numerical modelling of the abdominal wall to assist in laparotomy and patient care.
In the field of traffic safety and informatics, the PG evaluates safety deficiencies of the traffic infrastructure and develops its improved versions by applying own experience in material characterisation and blast/ballistic protection. For the purpose of safety analyses of the human-vehicle-roadway system, the PG develops interconnectable measurement systems which are fast ready for different sets of measurements. The PG also continues the development of a system for integral management of traffic accident data.
Significance for science
The PG is active in developing knowledge and methods for simulation and analysis of technical systems which are applied in various engineering and medical fields. The fields of PG activity are complimentary and generate synergistic and sustainable effects. Due to coherent objectives of individual research fields, it is estimated that the programme contributes significantly to the advancement of fundamental knowledge in the field of modelling, complex numerical simulations, measurement methods, materials and medicine.
In the field of elastocaloric heat device development, a great impact is expected in new fields of research, the question of elastocaloric materials lifetime during cyclic loading is of particular interest. In this field, a significant number of new studies are expected to be performed focusing on damage determination and structure optimization for the elastocaloric material as well as optimization of the elastocaloric regenerator shape in order to achieve higher service life.
The originality of the expected results is in the development and application of models and software tools that will enable rapid and accurate simulation of laser direct deposition of substances, SAW and MIG/MAG cladding. This will further enable assessment of the stress-strain state of base and filler materials before, during and after cladding, and consequently optimization of the cladding process parameters which affect the properties of the applied layer. Plans are also made to develop a laboratory device for the application of hard layers and for the verification and comparative assessment of abrasive wear on weighted samples. The new technology will indirectly be used in other areas of design and renewal of technological equipment and tools – knives, castings, machine parts, etc.
The changes in the dynamic behaviour of soft tissues undergoing large deformations are still poorly analysed and defined, although the results of the on-going research performed by the PG show the importance of proper quantification of different parameters (age, loading rate) when modelling anatomical structures for the analysis of pressures and injuries. An improved FE model will enable more precise analysis of loads and injuries of the cervical spine anatomical structures, considering the factors influencing the injury threshold. Fundamental knowledge on complex modelling of anatomical structures and the purpose-built equipment enable obtaining experimental data for characterization and modelling of knee joints, coupled with the modelling of the patellar ligament mechanical response. The data obtained from ligaments tensile tests, once gathered and analysed, will contribute to the knowledge of injury thresholds considering the key factors. Despite the obvious relevance of the issue, the mechanical effects on the anatomical structures of the abdominal cavity are not fully researched, and there is a lack of detailed guidelines for the selection of surgical techniques for specific patients. The proposed programme will contribute to obtaining the relevant experimental data for the characterization and modelling of the abdominal wall tissues in contact with surgical materials.
The newly developed vehicle-installed measurement equipment will have a direct impact on simplifying the implementation of such measurements. Since the cost of such measurement equipment and preparation time will be reduced, the number of performed measurements can be increased and their application can be extended to areas where no such measurements have been applied until now. This includes ad-hoc measurement systems for measuring the development of specific processes as well as measurements which will enable integration of the existing measurement equipment components which have been difficult to combine until now. The developed equipment will facilitate performance of measurements the sole purpose of which is to provide support to pedagogical activities and which have only been seldom p
Significance for the country
The research activity of the PG focused on the development of fundamental knowledge in the field of modelling, complex numerical simulations, measurement methods, materials and medicine has a direct impact on the economic and social development of Slovenia.
Development of a prototype of a hybrid compressor-elastocaloric heat device will result in a new product in the field of heat/cooling devices which will be more environmentally friendly in terms of greenhouse gases and efficiency.
In the field of multi-scale modelling, model development will decrease the time duration of the experimental work needed for determination of material model parameters and enable simpler, more affordable and faster research studies, which will lead to increased competitiveness and responsiveness of the end users of the developed model or approach.
Research in the field of early crack detection by means of acoustic emission will enable earlier detection and more precise observation of changes in materials or individual supporting structures. This will enable more precise prediction of the lifetime and the time needed to repair systems (nuclear power plants, turbines, etc.). Another important advantage of using the acoustic emission method in detection of material changes is that it is non-destructive and allows for the acoustic sensor to be positioned anywhere.
International rolls manufacturers for rolling of plates, sheets and strips have not yet developed appropriate solutions and lack adequate and competitive technologies with respect to the current situation (State of the art) achieved with old technologies. Timely development and implementation of new solutions and development of appropriate manufacturing technologies are crucial for the survival of such manufacture in SLO and the EU. Successful research and development in this field could also present progress "beyond the state of the art" and thus a competitive advantage in the manufacture of cylinders and/or equipment for the global market.
Transport and other accidents take up more than 50% of external causes of death, affecting in particular the most productive segment of the population (Eurostat, 2016). Efforts at EU level are reflected in the trend of reducing the number of deaths from 70 000 (1992) to 26,000 (2015). Economical costs, however, remain high and amount to at least EUR 100 billion per year. Every year, about 0.5 million people worldwide (WHO) sustain spine injuries, two thirds of which result from transport accidents and a further 10% from sports activities. Especially problematic, with important socio-economic implications, are traffic accident injuries with permanent consequences, which may be reflected in various body parts due to injuries to skeleton, soft tissue of the locomotor system or internal organs. The programme contributes to the understanding of injuries sustained by participants of traffic and other accidents, as well as to mitigation and prevention thereof. The results are expected to be used in the design of passive and active vehicle-integrated safety systems and further safer design of road infrastructure elements. With analysis-based examples of good practice, the obtained findings can be made available to end users in the industry and various institutions.
Clinical data indicate that surgical procedures in the abdominal region pose a high risk of postoperative complications. Incisional hernia occurs in only 16-23% of cases, but the risk is increased by wound infections and dehiscence. Mortality in post-operative complications is high (up to 45%). The stress-strain analyses based on the verified FE model of the abdominal wall closure can contribute to the choice of a suitable surgical technique used in laparotomy procedures, and thereby improve treatment outcomes while reducing the need for readmissions and surgical materials. Apart from human implications, positive economic and personnel effects in healthcare can also be expected.
Inclusion in the fir
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
