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 the field of engineering as being limited to civil and structural engineering, after discovering biomedical engineering, the pair found that this was the perfect combination of their interests.

Natalia and Bernice’s aligned sentiment towards biomedical engineering led to them both specialising in it through the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (BE(Hons)) programme, and as they’ve now headed into their fourth year of the degree, it’s brought them together for their Final Year Project.

The Final Year Project is designed to give students the chance to apply the theoretical knowledge and skills that they’ve acquired over the course of their BE(Hons) programme. Students are tasked with developing and proposing a solution to a complex research problem – mirroring how they might handle the problem in their future career.

Natalia and Bernice’s Final Year Project involves testing the durability of 3D-printed lattice orthotic insoles at the Faculty of Engineering and Design's Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing and Design lab. Their goal is to understand how long the orthotic insole will maintain overtime.

“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.

The evolution of 3D-printing is transforming the healthcare industry, among many others, and enables the creation of customised products that address unmet needs and improve lives.

“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."

Looking back on their project, Natalia and Bernice believe that the problem-solving skills they’ve developed will be essential as they enter the engineering field beyond university.

“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).