Faculty of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering Graduates of Bachelors with Honours in Mechanical Engineering Presentations

A Study on Orthotic Insoles using Finite Element Analysis – Barbara Matthew James 

A common symptom of diabetes is sensory neuropathy, where the patient’s nerves become desensitised, most especially at the lower limbs. If left untreated, this can cause inadvertent growth of foot ulcers owing to high-pressure regions on the foot. An effective preventative solution is orthotic insoles, which are said to reduce the pressure at the sole of the foot. The aim of this dissertation was to develop static structural finite element models of a foot and an orthotic insole. The numerical models cover two case studies: a statically loaded foot on flat ground and one on a custom-made, orthotic insole. An extensive literature review process was conducted to determine the most suitable material models as well as the loading and boundary conditions for the analysis. Results show that the orthotic insole reduced the peak pressure from 635 kPa to 144 kPa, an overall reduction of 77.3%. The pressure reduction calculated in this work is larger in comparison to literature, possibly due to the presence of a deep heel cup, and the use of a very soft material for the orthotic insole. Additionally, the foot model demonstrated high accuracy when compared to other FE foot models, despite being significantly cheaper to produce.

Designing Safe and Collaborative Robotic Experiences in Manufacturing Environments – Cutajar Isaac 

Collaborative robots support flexible, human-centric manufacturing, but raise concerns about physical and cognitive safety due to the removal of traditional safety physical barriers. This research work presents the design of a collaborative robotic workstation in which Speed and Separation Monitoring (SSM), as defined in ISO 10218-2:2025 – Robotics — Safety requirements addresses physical safety, while a novel Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is introduced to reduce cognitive overload and improve user awareness and trust. A multimodal sensing system combining 2D LiDAR and RGB-D is used for human detection. Decision-making is controlled by a Behaviour Tree (BT), enabling intelligent responses based on safety . The system was developed using the V-Model design methodology, ensuring rigorous testing and safety integration from early stages. Implementation within the ROS2 framework enables modularity and future scalability. Testing confirmed safe operation, and participant feedback validated the system’s effectiveness and trustworthiness. This work has led to an innovative approach that combines multimodal sensing and real-time intelligent decision-making, built into a ROS2-based digital twin, to achieve a safe and collaborative robotic experience.

Comparative Analysis and Validation of Different Measurements Technologies for Vertical Jump Performance – Falzon Gianluca 

Force plates (FP) are used by the Malta Olympic Committee (MOC) to assess vertical jump performance through countermovement jump (CMJ) and multi rebound jump (MRJ) tests.  This project aimed to develop custom software capable of extracting MRJ performance metrics that were previously unavailable to the MOC. Double integration successfully replicated CMJ metrics but proved unsuitable for MRJ analysis due to integration drift. An alternative flight time-based method was adopted for MRJ analysis. Several force threshold approaches were evaluated to detect take-off and landing events. Using standard deviation-based and fixed 10 N thresholds, FP metrics were replicated within a 5% error. Following consultation with the FP manufacturer, a 25 N threshold was implemented, achieving near-zero error relative to the proprietary FP software. A secondary objective was to validate FP measurements against motion capture and accelerometer-based systems. Motion capture analysis revealed jump height discrepancies of up to 16.5 cm when compared to FP results, highlighting the importance of technology specific jump height definitions. A smartphone accelerometer overestimated jump height by 1 cm but lacked sufficient reliability and automation for laboratory use. Overall, the findings confirmed that FP remain the gold standard for laboratory-based vertical jump assessment at the MOC.

Biomechanical Analysis and Transtibial Prothesis Design for Pedal Harpists -  Vella Michaela

The concert harp is a string instrument played using both hands and feet. Harpists pluck the  strings with  their fingers while operating seven pedals that alter the pitch of the strings. As a result,  the  instrument is inaccessible to individuals with lower limb amputations. This project  investigates the biomechanics of harp playing and proposes a transtibial prosthesis design to  enable pedal operation. A custom pedal jig replicating the harp’s pedal box was developed, and motion capture trials were conducted using a Vicon system and the Plug-in-Gait model. The analysis revealed rapid pedal transitions and foot motions that differ significantly from everyday activities such as walking or running, informing key prosthetic design requirements. A preliminary prosthesis design was developed based on these findings and evaluated using CAD simulations in Autodesk Inventor, confirming that the required range of motion could be achieved. Actuator selection was informed by force calculations derived from the biomechanical data. The preliminary design meets the key functional requirements.   

Liquid Nitrogen - Assisted Freeze Drying of Reduced Graphene Oxide Aerogels -Xuereb Rhea

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) aerogels are ultralight porous materials with potential applications in energy storage, environmental remediation, and thermal insulation due to the exceptional properties of graphene. Their performance depends strongly on internal structure, including pore size, morphology, and density, which are influenced by synthesis and drying methods. While rGO aerogels are commonly produced using conventional freeze-drying (FD) or supercritical  CO₂ drying (SCD), this study investigates the effect of liquid nitrogen-assisted freezing prior to freeze-drying (LN-assisted FD) on microstructure, density, mechanical properties, and  scalability of rGO aerogels. rGO hydrogels were synthesised by reducing graphene oxide  with ascorbic acid and converted into aerogels using two approaches: conventional FD, where gels were frozen at −55 °C in the freeze-dryer, and LN-assisted FD, where gels were frozen in liquid nitrogen at −196 °C before freeze-drying. Samples of 3 mL and 40 mL were prepared to assess scalability. Density measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and  uniaxial compression tests were performed. Conventional FD produced higher densities (~2.1 mg/cm³) and noticeable shrinkage, especially in larger samples. LN-assisted FD produced lower densities (~1.29 mg/cm³) and smaller pores (~4.8 µm vs ~178 µm). Rapid freezing formed finer ice crystals, preserving structure and improving compressive modulus with foam-like elastic behaviour.