Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• To introduce students to the challenges of designing and innovating with technology in the context of international development.
• To provide students with opportunities to learn hardware and software rapid prototyping skills.
• To develop students' skills with project development, open collaborations and documentations writing.

Content

The project brings hardware design challenges from international development and humanitarian contexts to undergraduate Engineers. Students will be challenged over the course of four weeks to prototype and test solutions using open source technologies, and document their progress. Students will be working in the Dyson Centre where possible, and a limited budget will be available to them to create their prototype. Principles of interdisciplinarity, openness and collaboration are key to successful international development projects. Students from all areas of engineering are welcome to join this team-based activity where complementary skills are an asset.

The project is developed and offered in collaboration with the Centre for Global Equality.  

ACTIVITIES

1. Lent - 2h afternoon session (date/time tbc) : Lara Allen, Director of the Centre for Global Equality, will present some of the most pressing challenges faced by the poorest billion on the planet, and cover a number of success stories, but also highlight failures and works in progress.

2. End of Lent term - 2h session (date/time tbc) : Open discussion about projects of interest and team activity.

3. Start of IIA project period - allotment of team project :  to be determined with partners.

4. Project Week 1: Developing a proposal including costing. Identifying team strengths and weaknesses, setting up work-plan and roles for the project development.

5. Week 2/3: Early prototype development.

6. Week 3: Interim presentation, preliminary feedback from judging panel.

7. Week 3/4: Development of final prototype, project report, online documentation et video demonstration.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• To introduce students to the challenges of designing and innovating with technology in the context of international development.
• To provide students with opportunities to learn hardware and software rapid prototyping skills.
• To develop students' skill with project development, open collaborations and documentations writing.

Content

The project brings hardware design challenges from international development and humanitarian contexts to undergraduate Engineers. Students will be challenged over the course of four weeks to prototype and test solutions using open source technologies, and document their progress. Students will be working in the Dyson Centre, and a limited budget will be available to them to create their prototype. The project is developed and offered in collaboration with the Centre for Global Equality. Principles of interdisciplinarity, openness and collaboration are key to successful international development projects. Students from all areas of engineering are welcome to join this team-based activity where complementary skills are an asset.

ACTIVITIES

1.Wed 23rd Jan 2019, LR10, 4pm: Lara Allen, Director of the Centre for Global Equality, will present some of the most pressing challenges faced by the poorest billion on the planet, and cover a number of success stories, but also highlight failures and works in progress.

2.Tue 5 March 2019, 3-6pm, LR11 : Open discussion about projects of interest and team activity.

3. Allotment of Projects: 9 May 11.00-13.00 in LR5

4.Project Week 1: Developing a proposal including costing. Identifying team strengths and weaknesses, setting up work-plan and roles for the project development.

5.Week 2/3: Early prototype development.

6.Week 3: Interim presentation, preliminary feedback from judging panel.

7.Week 3/4: Development of final prototype, project report, online documentation et video demonstration.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• Understanding the requirements of medical device design
• Obtain an introduction to rapid analysis of design requirements
• Experience the planning and development of the prototyping/testing stages of designing a product
• Experience of using manual and computer based design tools (as required) 2D/3D CAD systems, FEA, CAM, standard and 'bespoke' DAQ & sensor systems, electrical/electronic CAD and simulation
• To assemble one or more prototype systems, using: ◾Additive/Subtractive rapid manufacturing techniques ◾PCB manufacture ◾Sensors ◾Low cost/low power micro-controllers where appropriate

Content

Working with mentors from local consultancies, NHS, care organisations and CUED staff, student teams will be tasked with developing a concept and prototype for a new  'medical' product for use in  the heathcare, e.g. NHS, medical research, Assistive Technologies, care homes or domicillary care. 

The brief will be relatively open but it is expected that each task will require a range of engineering techniques, typically inc.,

• Mechanical Design
  • Materials
  • Mechanism design
  • Ergonomics
• Electronic  Design inc
  • Sensors
  • Signal conditioning
  • Data Aquisition
  • Use of microprocessors
• Software
  • Data Analysis using statistics/AI/ML
  • UI Design - development

 Support will be given in the form of a  number of short lectures/videos/documentation - given by staff and mentors on

• medical device design, 
• project planning,
• presenting
• use of specific commercial software(where appropriate)
• Use of AI/LLM/.. in engineering design. Students will be encoraged to inverstigate the use of  AI reources to undertake their project.

Mentors and staff will be available during the sessions/on-line, 

Feedback from the stakeholders will be available in person/text/on-line, depending on availability

NB The project is in two sections 

LENT TERM

- 3 4hr sessions on Wednesday afternoons in Lent [18, 25 Feb, 11 Mar 2026]  during which the pre-allocated multidisciplinary teams investigate the individual

projects that are set, brainstorm possible solutions, interact with mentors, develop prototypes and plans

- The final session in Lent is during the afternoon of 18 Mar, where the teams give group presentations on their plans and requests for resources

for the design/build/test/demostrate sessions in the Easter Term. As such it is very important the all team members are available all the sessons

EASTER TERM

- the project only runs for 3 weeks + 1-2 days.

 The final attendance part of the  project ends with a lunch/poster session followed by team presentations, held a the begining of the last week of the Easter term project period,

for the mentors and interested stakeholders

NB  The team nature of the project means that the it is important that all members of each team are available for all  the timetabled sessions, especially those in Lent term,

(expected to be Wednesday afternoon 2-6pm, wks 4,5,7,8. [18, 25 Feb, 11, 18 Mar 2026]) 

If a student has prior engagements during these afternoons it is suggested you choose an alternative project

 If you think you may be unable to attend for any reason please contact the project coordinator when you apply for the project.

(For further details about the course contents please contact the course leader)

FORMAT

Students will work in multidisciplinary teams of typically 4/5

ACTIVITIES

Lent Term

• Week 1
  • Introduction to Medical device design
  • Setting of tasks and teams
  • Initial research, brainstorming of ideas (Supported by mentors)
  • Generation of questions for stakeholders
  • Were appropriate access to test equipment/components
• Week 2
  • Discussions with, access to feedback from stakeholders, clincians
  • Introduction to NHS data systems and access
  • Problem investigation and concept development
• Week 3
  • Further concept development
  • Were appropriate, simple experiments
  • Planning of experimental stage during Easter term
  • Development of presentation and initial report
• Week 4
  • Submission of draft presentation
  • Team presentation of plans for Easter term sessions, inc
    • Work to date
    •  Overall concept(s)
    • Plans/Timeline for Easter term
    • Resource requirements
  • Feedback session with mentors, stakeholders
  • Submission of team report (inc resource requirements, updated as required)

NB No scheduled work from the end of Lent until beginning of project period in Easter

Easter Term Project Period (typ starts week 3)

•  1st Week
  • Access to requested resources
  • Start experiments and software development
• 2nd Week
  • Further development work
  • Short interim report (individual)
• 3rd Week
  • Coninuing work on prototype(s)
  • Draft poster
  • Lecture on poster design and presentation
• 4th Week (First day only)
  • Lunchtime poster session
  • Team Presentations
  • Final report submission (Individual and team)

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• Understanding the requirements of medical device design
• Obtain an introduction to rapid analysis of design requirements
• Experience the planning and development of the prototyping/testing stages of designing a product
• Experience of using manual and computer based design tools (as required) 2D/3D CAD systems, FEA, CAM, standard and 'bespoke' DAQ & sensor systems, electrical/electronic CAD and simulation
• To assemble one or more prototype systems, using: ◾Additive/Subtractive rapid manufacturing techniques ◾PCB manufacture ◾Sensors ◾Low cost/low power micro-controllers where appropriate

Content

Working with mentors from local consultancies, NHS, care organisations and CUED staff, student teams will be tasked with developing a concept and prototype for a new  'medical' product for use in  the heathcare, e.g. NHS, medical research, Assistive Technologies, care homes or domicillary care. 

The brief will be relatively open but it is expected that each task will require a range of engineering techniques, typically inc.,

• Mechanical Design
  • Materials
  • Mechanism design
  • Ergonomics
• Electronic  Design inc
  • Sensors
  • Signal conditioning
  • Data Aquisition
  • Use of microprocessors
• Software
  • Data Analysis using statistics/AI/ML
  • UI Design - development

 Support will be given in the form of a  number of short lectures/videos/documentation - given by staff and mentors on

• medical device design, 
• project planning,
• presenting
• use of specific commercial software(where appropriate)
•  

Mentors and staff will be available during the sessions/on-line, 

Feedback from the stakeholders will be available in person/text/on-line, depending on availability

The project ends with a poster/presentation event, held a the begining of the last week of the Easter term project period, for the mentors and interested stakeholders

NB The project only runs for 3 weeks + 1 day during Easter, rather than the normal 4 weeks+1/2 day.

NB  The team nature of the project means that the it is important that all members of each team are available for all  the timetabled sessions, especially those in Lent term, expected to be Wednesday afternoon 2-6pm, wks 4,5,7,8. If you think you may be unable to attend for any reason please add a note to the project coordinator when you apply for the project.

(For further deatils please contact the course leader)

FORMAT

Students will work in multidisciplinary teams of typically 4/5

ACTIVITIES

Lent Term

• Week 1
  • Introduction to Medical device design
  • Setting of tasks and teams
  • Initial research, brainstorming of ideas (Supported by mentors)
  • Generation of questions for stakeholders
  • Were appropriate access to test equipment/components
• Week 2
  • Discussions with, access to feedback from stakeholders, clincians
  • Introduction to NHS data systems and access
  • Problem investigation and concept development
• Week 3
  • Further concept development
  • Were appropriate, simple experiments
  • Planning of experimental stage during Easter term
  • Development of presentation and initial report
• Week 4
  • Submission of draft presentation
  • Team presentation of plans for Easter term sessions, inc
    • Work to date
    •  Overall concept(s)
    • Plans/Timeline for Easter term
    • Resource requirements
  • Feedback session with mentors, stakeholders
  • Submission of team report (inc resource requirements, updated as required)

Easter Term

•  Week 1
  • Access to requested resources
  • Start experiments and software development
• Week 2
  • Further development work
  • Short interim report (individual)
• Week 3
  • Coninuing work on prototype(s)
  • Draft poster
  • Lecture on poster design and presentation
• Week 4 (First day only)
  • Lunchtime poster session
  • Team Presentations
  • Final report submission (Individual and team)

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• Understanding the requirements of medical device design
• Obtain an introduction to rapid analysis of design requirements
• Experience the planning and development of the prototyping/testing stages of the design process
• Experience of using manual and computer based design tools (as required) 2D/3D CAD systems, FEA, CAM, standard and 'bespoke' DAQ & sensor systems, electrical/electronic CAD and simulation
• To assemble one or more prototype systems, using: ◾Additive/Subtractive rapid manufacturing techniques ◾PCB manufacture ◾Sensors ◾Low cost/low power micro-controllers where appropriate

Content

Working with mentors from local consultancies, NHS, care organisations and CUED staff, student teams will be tasked with developing a concept and prototype for a new  'medical' product for use in  the heathcare, e.g. NHS, medical research, Assistive Technologies, care homes or domicillary care. 

The brief will be relatively open but it is expected that each task will require a range of engineering techniques, typically inc.,

• Mechanical Design
  • Materials
  • Mechanism design
  • Ergonomics
• Electronic  Design inc
  • Sensors
  • Data AquisitionM
  • Microprocessors
• Software
  • Data Analysis using statistics/AI
  • UI Design - development

 Support will be given in the form of a  number of short lectures will be given by staff and mentors on

• medical device design, 
• project planning,
• presenting
• use of specific commercial software(where appropriate)
•  

Mentors and staff will be available during the sessions/on-line, 

Feedback from the stakeholders will be available in person/text, depending on availability

The project ends with a poster/presentation event, held a the begining of the last week of the Easter term project period, for the mentors and interested stakeholders

NB The project only runs for 3 weeks + 1 day during Easter, rather than the normal 4weeks+1 day.

NB  The team nature of the project means that the it is important that all members of each team are available for all  the timetabled sessions, especially those in Lent term, Tuesday afternoon 2-6pm, wks 4,5,7,8. If you think you may be unable to attend for any reason please add a note to the project coordinator when you apply for the project.

(For further deatils please contact the course leader)

FORMAT

Students will work in multidisciplinary teams of 4/5

ACTIVITIES

Lent Term

• Week 1
  • Introduction to Medical device design
  • Setting of tasks and teams
  • Initial research, brainstorming of ideas (Supported by mentors)
  • Generation of questions for stakeholders
  • Were appropriate access to test equipment/components
• Week 2
  • Discussions with, access to feedback from stakeholders, clincians
  • Introduction to NHS data systems and access
  • Problem investigation and concept development
• Week 3
  • Further concept development
  • Were appropriate, simple experiments
  • Planning of experimental stage during Easter term
  • Development of presentation and initial report
• Week 4
  • Submission of draft presentation
  • Team presentation of plans for Easter term sessions, inc
    • Work to date
    •  Overall concept(s)
    • Plans/Timeline for Easter term
    • Resource requirements
  • Feedback session with mentors, stakeholders
  • Submission of team report (inc resource requirements, updated as required)

Easter Term

•  Week 1
  • Access to requested resources
  • Start experiments and software development
• Week 2
  • Further development work
  • Short interim report (individual)
• Week 3
  • Coninuing work on prototype(s)
  • Draft poster
  • Lecture on poster design and presentation
• Week 4 (First day only)
  • Lunchtime poster session
  • Team Presentations
  • Final report submission (Individual and team)