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Richard Bonser's homepage

Keratin mechanics

Bone mechanics

Terrestrial locomotion

Education

Full publications list

Teaching

Although my role in the Centre is primarily to lead research, I also conduct some teaching. In the coming year, I'll be contributing to the Foundation year in Engineering (primarily on materials mechanics) and also providing biomechanics lectures for other Schools within the University.

Final year projects

I currently supervise a number of final-year projects in aspects of biomimetics, biomechanics and materials. Projects are offered to students undertaking B. Eng. and M. Eng. courses in mechanical and integrated engineering and also in the biological sciences. Areas of current and past projects are shown opposite.

 
  • Sports biomechanics
  • Mechanical properties of bone
  • Properties of biological composites (e.g. keratin, chitin)
  • Locomotory biomechanics
  • Biomimetic structures

Education research

I'm currently participating in the University of Reading Certificate in Further Professional Studies in Higher Education. At the moment, I'm working on a project to explore numeracy and practical teaching issues for biology students undertaking biomechanics modules. In due course I will be publishing a copy of the report on this website.

Articles

  1. Bonser, R.H.C. (in press) What is biomimetics? Biological Sciences Reviews.

  2. Bonser, R.H.C. (2000) Why are bones like skis? Biological Sciences Reviews 12: 25-27.