4 Biomedical Advancements to Inspire Biomedical Engineering Master’s Students

A look back at the most mind-blowing biomedical engineering advancements from 2021!

Are you interested in studying for a master’s in biomedical engineering? Every now and then, the advancements in biomedicine remind us of the importance, and incredible power, of human innovation. By working together and using the resources and skills available to us, we can achieve great things.

Biomedical engineering is one of these great examples, and there’s nowhere better to study than the University of Bolton. If you’re looking for leading biomedical engineering universities in the UK, choose one that puts students, and their needs first. We have a student-centric approach, and get to know you, and your career ambitions, so we can align our teaching to your personal and professional development needs.

We hold a rich engineering history, and our School of Engineering offers progressive courses in high-value engineering subjects that are accredited by professional bodies. If you’ve been considering applying for a master’s in biomedical engineering, here are four recent advancements to inspire you.

1) The Dyson ventilator

It’s hard to think of a more pressurised situation than COVID-19 responsive design. But the engineers at Dyson were able to quickly create a ventilator production line within one month in support of the NHS. What’s even more amazing is that these life-saving ventilators started out as a pizza box prototype.

The total cost of the project was £20 million, and all the ventilators were produced inside a hangar. In order for the team to deliver these ventilators to hospitals on time, everyone had to pull together, including many suppliers who worked through the night to get parts to the team at Dyson.

One of the engineers that worked on the project was Vicky Gibson-Robinson who described her volunteering experience as “the best experience” of her life.

Unsurprisingly, this became one of the most famous new stories in 2021. This just goes to show what people can achieve with clever engineering and lots of teamwork!

2) Inflatable spine implants

A new spine implant that was developed at the University of Cambridge also made the spotlight due to its ability to treat severe pain. The implant is ultra-thin and inflatable and can be implanted via a needle into the epidural space of the spinal column.

This means that many people will be able to receive treatment without the need for invasive surgery. Much like a blow-up mattress, the device gets inflated by air or water and then covers the section of the spinal cord where it sends small electrical currents to stop pain signals.

This new technology is utterly mind-blowing and can relieve chronic pain, improving the quality of life for many people around the world.

3) Barnacle-inspired glue to seal wounds

Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have created biocompatible glue that can stop bleeding and seal up injured tissue. This glue is inspired by the sticky substance produced by barnacles, which they use to cling to rocks in the ocean.

Just like the natural substance found from this undersea crustacean, this newly engineered glue-like paste is able to solve a number of adhesion problems in healthcare. Just after 15 seconds of application, it can create a tight seal, making it a vital tool for treating traumatic injuries and also for controlling blood loss in surgical settings. Even when covered in blood, the glue is still able to work, meaning it’s highly effective in emergency situations.

4) 3D-printed ‘chain mail’ fabric for elderly support

With multiple applications, the new ‘chain mail’ interlocking fabric that stiffens on demand can help a number of industries and sectors around the world. Designed by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), this fabric could pave the way to the next generation of smart fabrics and could be used to support the ageing population.

It’s ultra-lightweight and flexible, meaning it can be manipulated to any shape or direction, but it stiffens as and when required, with talks of applications ranging from medical support to bulletproof vests.

Are you interested in joining one of the top biomedical engineering universities in the UK?

At the University of Bolton, we’re proud to know our students by name and not their student number. We provide a friendly and supportive learning environment to help you reach your potential, and our dedicated Employability Team is on hand to support your career ambitions.

The Bolton School of Engineering offers state-of-the-art facilities for biomedical and medical engineering. And on completion of the MSc Biomedical Engineering course, you’ll have achieved the academic requirements needed to help you towards obtaining your Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

To find out more about applying for a master’s in biomedical engineering, see our course page.

*Complete University Guide 2022