Dr Peter Theobald
BEng(Hons), PGCert, PhD, CEng, MIMechE, SFHEA
Reader
- TheobaldPS@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 29208 74726
- Queen's Buildings - South Building, Room S/2.10, 5 The Parade, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 3AA
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
I lead the successful Medical Experiment, Design + Computational Laboratory (MED+CL). We are expert generating new knowledge to understand and preserve soft tissue structure and function. We use a combination of experimental methods and computational techniques to understand material behaviour, before offering innovative solutions to protect tissue structure and function.
My research is particularly focussed on understanding and protecting the head and brain. We are currently investigating head health across many sports, adopting new brain imaging capabilities and investigating new and emerging technologies to enhance athlete welfare. Our wider research also sees us working with the commercial sector, Standards committees (in the UK and US), and national and international governing bodies. One such collaboration has resulted in a new test protocol for synthetic surfaces, which should soon be adopted as a route to minimising skin injury risk.
I also have a strong interest in research with potential clinical deliverables. With over 20 years experience in orthopaedic biomechanics, I focus on understanding and simulating tissue behaviour, to direct future surgical techniques and solutions. I am also interested in cardiac biomechanics, including a recently finished EPSRC-funded study investigating growth and remodelling, and have recently become involved in enhancing cancer-related diagnostics, by leveraging our recent EPSRC infrastructure investment to start developing new imaging phantoms.
Recent Publications:
- Barnes-Wood, M., McCloskey, H., Connelly, S., Gilchrist, M. D., Annaidh, A. N. and Theobald, P. S., 2024. Investigation of head kinematics and brain strain response during soccer heading using a custom-fit instrumented mouthguard. Annals of Biomedical Engineering (10.1007/s10439-023-03430-8)
- Adams, R., Soe, S. and Theobald, P. 2023. Optimisation of an elastomeric pre-buckled honeycomb helmet liner for advanced impact mitigation. Smart Materials and Structures 32(9), article number: 95012. (10.1088/1361-665x/ace94b)
Industrial Collaboration:
My group and I actively engage with a breadth of industries, focussing on researching and developing new technologies that can be translated to products. We work across the bioengineering spectrum - with a particular interest in orthopaedics and personal protection, working to secure funding from Innovate UK to introduce new solutions to the market.
Research
Contracts
Title |
People |
Sponsor |
Value |
Duration |
Upgrading the small equipment base for early career researchers in the Engineering and Physical Sciences |
Holford K, Whatling G, Lees J, Anderson P I, Brousseau E, Cipcigan L M, Pullin R, Bigot S, Theobald P, Simpson R N, Kawashita L F, Clarke A |
EPSRC |
498k |
01/11/2012 - 31/03/2013 |
Using 'digital' materials to establish a novel investigation platform for cardiac arrest |
Theobald P |
Ser Cymru NRN Sweasea |
57k |
01/07/2014 - 30/06/2017 |
Validating the use of piezoelectric materials for novel application in bio-mechanical engineering |
Theobald P |
Royal Society |
15k |
01/04/2013 - 31/03/2014 |
Optimising Impact protection through additive manufacturing |
Theobald P |
EPSRC via Nottingham University |
3k |
15/08/2014 - 14/03/2015 |
Putting the 'Spark' Back into Electrical Engineering (Ingenius Public Engagement Grant) |
Theobald P |
Royal Academy of Engineering |
30k |
01/04/2014 - 31/07/2015 |
Increasing the acceptance of safety headwear within the climbing |
Theobald P |
Welsh European Funding Office |
40k |
01/03/2013 - 28/02/2014 |
Can providing 3D printing be used to enhance cardiopulmonary resucitation techniques? |
Theobald P, Clarke A |
Welsh Crucible |
10k |
01/12/2013 - 31/08/2014 |
Biomechanical analysis of dual bridge plating |
Theobald P, Jones M |
Biomet Manufacturing LLC |
25k |
01/06/2014 - 15/02/2015 |
The use of novel materials to enhance motorcyclist safety in developing countries |
Theobald P, M. Alves (Fellow) |
Royal Society - Newton Fund |
12k |
01/11/2015 - 31/07/2017 |
New and novel materials to reduce head injury |
Theobald P, Soe S |
EPSRC IAA |
20k |
15/06/2015 - 30/09/2015 |
Developing novel materials to enhance motorcycle safety |
Theobald P, Soe S |
KESS II |
80k |
01/01/2016 - 31/12/2019 |
Quantifying probable region-specific microstructural and biomechanical variations In mature porcine tissue |
Theobald P |
EPSRC via Glasgow University |
6k |
1/10/18 – 30/4/19 |
Growth and remodelling in the porcine heart – pushing mathematics through experiments |
Theobald P, Soe S, Yang X (in collaboration with Glasgow and Swansea Universities) |
EPSRC |
£341k (£800k total) |
01/05/2019-30/04/2022 |
Novel, rate-dependent material to enhance helmet liner performance |
Theobald P, Soe S |
Football Research Inc |
£80k |
01/03/2019-15/07/2020 |
Novel test device for the standardised measurement of skin friction on synthetic surfaces |
Theobald P |
World Rugby |
£57k |
01/07/2019-30/06/2022 |
Developing advanced protective materials via an enhanced understanding of brain injury |
Theobald P |
KESS II |
£82k |
01/10/2019-30/09/2022 |
Strategic investment in Cardiff University's functional material capabilities |
Graham K, Theobald P, Ladak S |
EPSRC |
01/11/2020- 30/04/2022 |
|
Soccer heading and head health |
Theobald P |
EPSRC IAA |
£14k |
01/11/2020 - 31/10/2021 |
Improving equestrian helmet performance |
Theobald P |
Innovate UK/KTP |
£278k |
01/01/2021-30/06/2023 |
Improving equestrian helmet performance |
Theobald P |
Welsh European Funding Office |
£22k |
01/01/2021-30/06/2023 |
Teaching
I teach a range of subjects that consider musculoskeletal biomechanics, and how the implementation of innovative design can add to this valuable area. These modules include:
- EN2451 - Biomechanics 1, focussing on the fundamentals of the musculoskeletal system.
- EN3450 - Biomechanics 2, considering the implementation of emerging technologies to design and manufacturing patient-specific implants.
- EN4107 - Biomechanics & Biomedical Engineering, leading a series of group projects that focus on a specific challenge within the sector and that are typically sponsored by a clinician or industry. Examples may include medical device design, developing novel rehabilitation strategies, or enhanced patient care.
- EN4119 - Ergonomics, investigating routes to improve comfort and functionality, evidenced by manufacturing a new product focussed on human-environment interaction, which is then tested on a participant population.
I also served as Head of the Mechanical, Medical and Manufacturing (2013-17), and am currently Tutor for the Medical Engineering undergraduate degree scheme. I am also a Senior Fellow at Advanced HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy)
Biography
My research focusses on the interface of engineering and medicine. Alongside my team, we aim to identify new and novel solutions to reduce the risk of mortality, morbidity and injury, with a particular interest in application to sports and orthopaedics. Our research is of both a fundamental and applied nature, meaning we work with a range of academic, clinical and industrial collaborators within the UK and overseas. Internally, I hold memberships in both the High Value Manufacturing, and Medical Engineering, research groups.
My research team are primarily focussing on reducing head injuries in sporting and collision environments. This comprises ‘blue skies’ work, as we seek to better understand the relationship between impact and head health, whilst also working with industry to create more effective, protective solutions.
My research also includes a wider spectrum of engineering applied to medicine, meaning we work with a range of clinical colleagues and academic collaborators within the UK and overseas. I am active in orthopaedics - especially looking at how additive manufacturing can improve patient care. We have also worked investigating how the biomechancial behaviour of cardiac tissue changes with age, included the recently ended project funded by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council, alongside the prestigious SoftMECH centre (University of Glasgow) and Swansea University.
My career started in 2003, graduating in Medical Engineering from the University of Bradford (1st Class (Hons)), at the time being one of very few universities to offer such a programme. I moved to Cardiff School of Engineering to read my PhD in soft tissue biomechanics, focusing on the tendo Achilles insertion site. I performed a series of biomechanical and anatomical analyses, revealing the complex interaction between adjacent tissues that ensures the interface can withstand such high loads. I was supervised by Professor Len Nokes (School of Engineering), the late Professor Mike Benjamin (School of Biosciences) and the late Professor Colin Dent (School of Medicine).
I am now a recognised expert in the Medical Engineering field and frequently review grants and papers, and examine students, across the UK and internationally.
Professional memberships
- Chartered Engineer (IMechE)
- Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- Senior Fellow of the Advanced HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy)
- ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials) Member for F08: Sports equipment and facilities, including F08.53: Helmets
- British Standards committee member (Helmets for Equestrian Activities)
Academic positions
- 2020 - Present: Reader, School of Engineering, Cardiff University
- 2015 - 2020: Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Cardiff University
- 2007 - 2015: Lecturer, School of Engineering, Cardiff University
- 2006 - 2007: Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Engineering, Cardiff University
Committees and reviewing
Review Editor (Biomechanics) |
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology |
2022 - present |
Editorial Board Member |
Biosurface & Biotribology |
2020 - present |
Editorial Board Member |
Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology |
2020 - present |
Associate Peer Review College membership |
EPSRC |
2018 - present |
Advisory Board Member |
Journal of Sports Science |
2017 - present |
International Faculty Member |
International Congress of Joint Reconstruction (Middle East) |
2016 - present |
Programme Chair |
Sustainable Design & Manufacturing |
2015 - 6 |
Journal Reviewer:
- Acta Physiologica
- J Biomech
- J Med Eng Tech
- Sports Biomech
- J Tribol
- J Orthop Res
- Friction
- J Eng Med
- J Sport Sci
- J Sci Med Sport
- Mat & Design
- Cardiology
- Bio Mod in Mech
- Med Eng Phys
- J Sports Eng Tech
Supervisions
My research group focuses on areas including:
- Head protection
- Injury prevention
- Light-weighting
- Energy absorption
- Additive manufacturing for medical application
- Orthopaedics
Please contact me using the above details should your interests lie within these areas
My current research students and their topics include:
Title |
Student |
Status |
Degree |
Using finite element analysis as a platform to investigate osteoarthritis progression in the human hand |
WEI, Han |
Current |
PhD |
Correlating the structural characteristics and aging of brain tissue |
XU, Lanxi |
Current |
PhD |
Correlating the biomechanical characteristics and aging of brain tissue |
LEI, Rujing |
Current |
PhD |
Enhancing head protection and brain health in sports impacts |
BARNES-WOOD, Meg |
Current |
PhD |
Multiphysical solutions for safety helmets |
STOFF, Jasmin |
Writing up |
PhD |
Developing advanced protective materials via an enhanced understanding of brain injury |
MCCLOSKEY, Hugh |
Writing up |
PhD |
Investigating the wobble-board to improving stability in the diabetic population |
ALJAWAEE, Madawi |
Writing up |
PhD |
Development and implementation of a friction threshold for preventing skin injury in elite rugby |
MACFARLANE, Maxwell |
Writing up |
PhD |
Current supervision
Lanxi Xu
Graduate Demonstrator
Rujing Lei
Graduate Demonstrator
Megan Barnes-Wood
Graduate Demonstrator
Jasmin Stoff
Research student
Hugh McCloskey
Research student
Mansoor Alnehayan
Research student
Max MacFarlane
Research student
Past projects
My past PhD graduates and projects include:
Dr Rhosslyn Adams, PhD graduate 2022:
* A viscoelastic material for enhanced equestrian helmet liners
Dr Benjamin Hanna, PhD graduate 2021:
* Multi-Material, 3D-printed structures for enhanced head protection in American football
Dr Michael Robinson, PhD graduate 2020:
* Using 3D printing to develop novel material-structures to enhance motorcyclist safety.
Dr Faizan Ahmad, PhD graduate 2018:
* Using 'digital' materials to establish a novel investigative platform for cardiac arrest
Dr Jeyapal Kandasamy, PhD graduate 2018:
* Can paediatric CPR performance be improved through the provision of 'real time' feedback
Dr Ghaidaa Khalid, PhD graduate 2018:
* Finite element analysis of the head/brain complex in the infant
Dr Samar Shaabeth, PhD graduate 2018:
* Establishing a FSI platform for investigating infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Dr Raee Alqhtani, PhD graduate 2017:
* Multi-spinal regions and lumbar-hip complex kinematics during dominant daily tasks
Dr Ramesh Swaminathan, PhD graduate 2017:
* How the evolution of rugby influences the risk of spinal injury during scrummaging
Dr Jonathon Hughes, PhD graduate 2016:
* Biomechanics of skull fracture and intracranial injury in young children following a low height fall
Dr Philip Martin, PhD graduate 2015:
* Engineering an improvement in chest compression quality during simulated infant CPR