DeMaMech: EU-Japan Collaboration in Higher Education Student Exchange Program

Offer of Research Topic

Offer from	University	Keio University
	Faculty/Department/Institute	Department of Mechanical Engineering
	Group Name	BioRobotics Laboratory
Research Theme		Finite element analysis of human finger skin deformation and mechanoreceptors’ response
Brief Explanation		Human fingers can detect texture of objects and stick/slip distribution in the contact area between finger/objects. In this study, two dimensional finite element model of human finger skin is constructed. Then, the validity of the model is confirmed. Finally, contact condition between the finger and object having various surface structure, stiffness and friction coefficient are analyzed.
Research Steps		1. Literature survey (one month) 2. Developing a simulator in FEM code MARC (one month) 3. Contact analysis between finger and objects (two months) 4. Analysis of simulation results (one month)
Period		5 months, but can be extended as a 10-month project, by including hardware experiments.
Necessary Background, Knowledge, Skills		Fundamental knowledge about sensors and biomechanics.
Further Information		http://www.maeno.mech.keio.ac.jp/index2en.htm
Contact Person		Prof. Takashi Maeno (maeno@mech.keio.ac.jp)