Lancaster and its partners at Dnipro University of Technology and Kharkiv National Medical University — based in regions constantly affected by shelling and drone attacks — are developing new designs and approaches to the manufacture of prosthetic limbs that will help more people regain their independence.

“There’s an urgent need for better prosthetic limbs. The challenge is that the remaining part of an amputated limb will change in shape and size during the course of each day, it may well swell up after walking for example,” explains Dr Hannah Jarvis, Lecturer in Biomechanics. “There can be a lot of discomfort and a risk of trauma to the limb socket area and an infection that means even more of the limb has to be removed.”

The team is working on a prosthetic socket that adapts to the changes in shape and size, as well as levels of heat and humidity. A further challenge is the need to ensure the prosthetic devices are easy to produce, at reasonable cost, in order for there to be the fittings and re-fittings needed to find the most comfortable and workable solution for each patient.

Allan Rennie, Professor in Manufacturing Engineering, said: “We have to balance what’s most cost effective, given the huge numbers of military personnel affected, with the best possible outcomes for amputees. We’re looking to use an additive manufacturing approach to allow for the socket design to be customised and reconfigured to meet individual needs.”

Research partners in Ukraine are collecting data from amputees, and will be involved in the design of the prototype and its testing. They will also be spending time in Lancaster developing knowledge around scientific analysis methods and the use of additive manufacturing.

“This collaboration for us is more than just research or projects. In the context of war, it has become a symbol of support, trust, and true partnership,” said Kharkiv’s Dr Oleksandr Kryvoshapka. “Together with Lancaster, we are not only exchanging knowledge — we are shaping a new standard of medical education and rehabilitation that already helps our patients and gives hope for recovery. We truly value this collaboration, as it brings together professionalism, humanity, and a shared mission to improve people’s lives.”

Lancaster and Dnipro have been partnered since 2022 through the Twin For Hope initiative arranged by Universities UK International and Cormack Consultancy Group following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Dnipro’s Dr Serhii Onyshchenko said: “The main goal of the co-operation has been to support Ukrainian education through challenging times and better integrate it into the European scientific and educational space. Since then, several projects have been realised between our institutions in various fields of science, and a few strategic and work visits to Lancaster from Dnipro have been completed. The latest prosthetic limb project is a great opportunity to strengthen the international research cooperation between Dnipro and Lancaster universities and come up with better solutions for quality of life of lower limb amputees in Ukraine."