Dynamic in situ calibration of an instrumented treadmill for systems identification and parameter estimation

Existing re-calibration methods for instrumented treadmills have mainly been performed when the instrumented treadmill has been in static operation i.e. the belts are not running. The effect re-calibrating during experimental operation, i.e. while the belts are running, on the ground reaction force (GRF) and the center of pressure (CoP) accuracy...

Identification of Muscle Activation at Rest

Offset muscle activation is the constant neural firing to muscles, even at rest, defining the minimum muscle contraction. Until now, the offset muscle activation has been neglected in the analysis of the dynamical behavior of joints. There is a clinical need for an assessment method to estimate the contribution of the offset muscle activation to...

Estimating ankle muscle parameters. Developing a tendon dynamics included neuromechanical muscle model and expanding the measurement protocols to improve ankle muscle parameter estimation accuracy

Current neuromechanical muscle models are unable to accurately estimate both passive and active muscle components. In this study it is investigated to increase the neuromechanical parameter estimations by using an input-rich measurement protocol and by expanding the ankle muscle model with tendon dynamics. New measurement protocols are developed...

Modeling of a Twisted and Coiled Polymer Muscle

A new type of polymeric artificial muscle was recently discovered. This muscle is based on twisted and coiled polymer fiber and is actuated thermally. It has interesting properties, such as low costs and high work densities. Based on fabrication methods, two variations can be considered. The autocoiled variation has a larger load capacity and...