Natalia Clarke and Bernice Yeo
In a world where one-size-fits-all solutions fall short, Natalia Clarke and Bernice Yeo are harnessing their skills to test custom 3D-printed orthotic insoles for diabetic patients, helping to pave the way for more personalised healthcare.
Programme: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Specialisation: Biomedical Engineering
Final Year Project: Testing custom 3D-printed orthotic insoles for diabetic patients.
During high school, Natalia Clarke and Bernice Yeo were drawn to areas like biology, math, and problem-solving – with Bernice also having an interest in design. While initially perceiving engineering as being limited to the civil and structural fields, after discovering biomedical engineering, the pair found that this was the perfect combination of their interests.
Natalia and Bernice have teamed up for the their Final Year Project, where they're undertaking research at the Faculty of Engineering and Design's Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing and Design. This project is a core component of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (BE(Hons)) programme, giving students the opportunity to apply their learned theory and skills by developing a solution to a complex research problem, and mirrors how they might handle the problem in their future career.
Could you tell us about your Final Year Project and what inspired it?
“A big proportion of diabetic patients’ problems is neuropathy – a side effect of diabetes when patients experience a loss of sensitivity in their limbs," says Bernice.
"This poses significant issues as changes in walking patterns can go unnoticed, leading to the development of ulcers. So, this insole will help alleviate the pressures and prevent the ulceration for diabetic patients."
“Our goal is to do 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 cycles. Hopefully, following this we’ll be able to quantify how long the insoles will last in practise”, adds Natalia.
“This fluid-filled insole hasn’t been done before," says Bernice. "Our insoles aim to improve pressure distribution, to reduce the effects of the patient’s condition and enhance overall comfort."
There are many other applications for this insole that aren’t just for diabetic patients, such as for musculoskeletal problems that result from pressure in the feet. 3D-printing is cheaper and faster than current methods. I think it has the potential to help a lot of people.
What are some of your key takeaways from working on this project?
“This project has taught me so much about perseverance and problem-solving; two crucial aspects of being a good engineer," says Natalia.
"No project ever goes fully to plan, and this project has taught me how to be adaptable and apply my skills to tackle any problem that comes our way. As a graduate, this experience will help me in all the future projects I’m a part of, no matter which area of engineering I end up in.”
“At the beginning of our project, it was quite challenging because there was a lot of information overload, especially at the early stages. I think something that really helps is having a partner that's really passionate about the project so that you can figure things out together," says Bernice.
“We would also like to give a special thank you to our supervisor Dr Maedeh Amirpour, and PhD candidate Dayna Cracknell, for all their help and guidance throughout the project.”
“I think if you are considering studying engineering, I would just say go for it if you like a challenge,” says Natalia.
“Don’t be scared of the reputation for how difficult it is. I think it's a really cool challenge which is very rewarding when you get to see the knowledge you’ve gained come to life.”
Find out more about the programme structure, entry requirements, fees, and key dates for the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).