Consortium Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna - Center for Research in Microengineering (CRIM) Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (SSSA) is a public university that promotes graduate studies and doctoral research, devoting particular attention to applications, technology transfer and territorial development. The Center for Research in Microengineering (CRIM) has evolved from MiTech Lab, which was established in 1991 at SSSA as the microengineering laboratory investigating design methods and fabrication technologies of micromechatronic components and systems. CRIM currently employs more than 30 full time researchers. The main focus is in microsystem technologies (MST) and in the integrated design of micromachines, with applications in the environmental, agroindustrial and biomedical sectors. Together with research in MST, the Center is active in the field of computer-assisted surgery, with particular interest in the development of micromechatronic intelligent devices for surgery and endoscopy and of augmented-reality systems for sensory enhancement in minimally invasive surgery. Within the scope of BIOLOCH, CRIM has significant experience in the domains of mechatronics, microfabrication, microendoscopy, micromanipulation, and microsensors for health monitoring. As the project coordinator, the SSSA will be involved in all stages and aspects of the theoretical investigation and the prototype development, with particular emphasis in the biomechatronic integrated design and fabrication. Key Personnel Prof. Paolo Dario (Project Coordinator) Dr. Arianna Menciassi (Project Manager) Mr. Cesare Stefanini University of Bath - Department of Mechanical Engineering The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath is one of the top research Departments of Mechanical Engineering in the UK. Biomimetics is a new departure at Bath with the appointment of Professor Vincent, who has many years of experience in the area. The Department has shown its confidence in the development by providing two other members of academic staff in support, and the provision of new laboratories (one for general biomimetics, two for bio-robotics) of total area 200 m2. The Centre for Biomimetics and Natural Technologies (which includes engineers, biologists and materials scientists) has been in existence for less than a year but already numbers 11 people with several project applications.  Regarding BIOLOCH, the Biomimetics Group will be involved in the biomechanics of locomotion and sensing within the environments of interest, as well as in the development of biomimetic control strategies. Key Personnel Prof. Julian F. V. Vincent (Scientist in Charge) University of Pisa - Centro "E. Piaggio" Centro "E. Piaggio" is an Institute of the University of Pisa, working to promote and perform multidisciplinary research in the fields of Bioengineering, Robotics and Automation. The main research areas of the Institute are Materials Engineering (piezoelectric polymer, polyelectrolyte gel, conducting polymer, carbon nanotube and electostrictive polymer actuators and tissue engineering), Robotics and Automation (manipulation, laparoscopic surgery tools, intelligent vehicles) and Bioengineering ("intelligent" materials, touch and olfaction sensors, biosensors, pseudo-muscular actuators). The Centre has various facilities, including experimental devices for mechanical and electrochemical measurements (elastic modulus, stress and strain measurements, resistance measurements, etc.), cell growing, facilities for the elaboration and solution of models. The Laboratory is also equipped with a machine shop, electronic, optic and fibre-optic measurement and testing instruments, and a bio-chemical preparation laboratory. Within the BIOLOCH frame, the main contribution of Centro "E. Piaggio" will be in the design, fabrication and characterisation of sensors-actuators and "smart mechanisms" based on polymeric materials. The Centre will also actively participate in the design and fabrication of the integrated devices. Key Personnel Prof. Danilo De Rossi (Scientist in Charge) Dr. Alberto Mazzoldi Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas - Institute of Computer Science The Institute of Computer Science (ICS) is one of the seven constituent institutes of the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH) located in Heraklion, Greece. ICS-FORTH has established itself as a highly competitive research institute in computer science and technology. The Institute is active in a number of areas including computer vision, robotics, image processing, telematics applications, distributed systems & resource allocation, user interfaces, integration of knowledge and databases, information systems, machine learning, VLSI design, and decision support systems. ICS-FORTH participates in BIOLOCH with the Computer Vision and Robotics Laboratory (CVRL), which currently employs approximately 25 scientists, engineers and technicians. CVRL has a modern infrastructure (including robotic platforms, vision, laser and other state-of-the-art sensor systems) that facilitates experimental validation of the developed methods and demonstration of research results. CVRL's activities emphasise research and development in the areas of computer vision, image processing, control and autonomous robotics. The Laboratory's main contribution in the BIOLOCH project will be in the areas of biomimetic perception and locomotion, as well as in the development of biomimetic sensor-based control strategies. Key Personnel Dr. Dimitris Tsakiris (Scientist in Charge) Prof. Stelios Orphanoudakis Dr. Michael Sfakiotakis University of Tuebingen - Section for Minimally Invasive Surgery UoT is a public university in Tuebingen, Germany. The Section for Minimally Invasive Surgery is a research group focusing on less invasive medicine and allied technologies. The director of the Section, Prof. G. Buess, has developed a well-established procedure for local resection of rectal tumors, the transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) and a procedure for esophageal resection in carcinomas and a series of other minimally invasive surgical techniques and procedures. In addition to medical researchers, UoT also has engineers, physicists and other natural scientists among its staff members. Due to close cooperation with the healthcare industry and research centres, the UoT group of engineers, technicians and surgeons is a leader in technical development of instruments and devices for laparoscopic surgery. UoT is running a professional training centre with weekly training courses and international participation. The Centre's broad experience in endoscopy and endoluminal procedures is expected to provide valuable insight relating to the BIOLOCH objectives. Key Personnel Prof. G. Buess (Scientist in Charge) Dr. Ludger Schnieder Dr. Ulrich Matern Mr. Wolfgang Kunert Mr. Nils Warncke Steinbeis University Berlin - Institute of Healthcare Industries Steinbeis University Berlin (SHB) is a private academic institution based in Berlin. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Steinbeis Foundation, Stuttgart. Steinbeis University was founded and state-recognized in 1998. Its primary mission is the Transfer between Science and Business. SHB entertains 6 different Institutes that provide academic degrees. IHCI - Institute of Healthcare Industries, directed by Prof. Dr. Marc Schurr and Prof. Dr. Michael Brucksch is focussing on research and education in the biomedical and healthcare field. Besides its academic and teaching functions IHCI entertains proprietary research and development in  science, business and medicine. Besides its own teaching and research capabilities, IHCIhas a broad network with other public and private institutions. Broad experience in the field of the development and assessment of new technologies is availbale at IHCI. Besides its Berlin location for education, IHCI carries on R&D at its Tuebingen site. Key Personnel Prof. Dr. Marc Schurr (Scientist in Charge) Dr. Daniel Kalanovic

These pages are designed and maintained by George Georgiadis