TY - JOUR A1 - Kunkel, Maria Elizete A1 - Sauer, Alexander A1 - Isaacs, Carlos A1 - Alcântara Ferreira Ganga, Thabata A1 - Fazan, Leonardo Henrique A1 - Keller Rorato, Eduardo T1 - Teaching Bioinspired Design for Assistive Technologies Using Additive Manufacturing: A Collaborative Experience JF - Biomimetics N2 - Abstract Integrating bioinspired design and additive manufacturing into engineering education fosters innovation to meet the growing demand for accessible, personalized assistive technologies. This paper presents the outcomes of an international course, “3D Prosthetics and Orthotics”, offered to undergraduate students in the Biomimetic program at Westfälische Hochschule (Germany), in collaboration with the 3D Orthotics and Prosthetics Laboratory at the Federal University of São Paulo—UNIFESP (Brazil). The course combined theoretical and hands-on modules covering digital modeling (CAD), simulation (CAE), and fabrication (CAM), enabling students to develop bioinspired assistive devices through a Project-based learning approach. Working in interdisciplinary teams, students addressed real-world rehabilitation challenges by translating biological mechanisms into engineered solutions using additive manufacturing. Resulting prototypes included a hand prosthesis based on the Fin Ray effect, a modular finger prosthesis inspired by tendon–muscle antagonism, and a cervical orthosis designed based on stingray morphology. Each device was digitally modeled, mechanically analyzed, and physically fabricated using open-source and low-cost methods. This initiative illustrates how biomimetic mechanisms and design can be integrated into education to generate functional outcomes and socially impactful health technologies. Grounded in the Mao3D open-source methodology, this experience demonstrates the value of combining nature-inspired principles, digital fabrication, Design Thinking, and international collaboration to advance inclusive, low-cost innovations in assistive technology. KW - bioinspired design KW - additive manufacturing KW - prosthetics and orthotics KW - technology for disability KW - engineering education KW - Bionik KW - 3D printing KW - assisstive technology Y1 - 2025 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1010-opus4-48123 VL - 2025 IS - 10(6), Special Issue Bioinspired Designs for Additive Manufacturing in Advanced Engineering Applications SP - 1 EP - 22 PB - MDPI ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Sauer, Alexander T1 - Bionik in der Strukturoptimierung: Bauteilgestaltung nach dem Vorbild der Natur [Hannover Messe 2019] T1 - Biomimetic Structural Optimization T2 - Konferenz: Hannover Messe 2019, 01.-05. April 2019 in Hannover N2 - Einen Überblick der bionischen Strukturoptimierung zeigt Prof. Dr. Alexander Sauer in dem Vortrag "Bionik in der Strukturoptimierung (Biomimetic Structural Optimization)". KW - Bionik KW - Strukturoptimierung KW - Leichtbau Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1010-opus4-36959 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Sauer, Alexander T1 - Bionik in der Strukturoptimierung: Bauteilgestaltung nach dem Vorbild der Natur [Effizienz Forum Wirtschaft 2019] T2 - Konferenz: Effizienz Forum Wirtschaft 2019, 20. März 2019 in Bocholt N2 - Das härteste Wettbewerbsumfeld ist die Natur. Ein hoher Selektionsdruck führt dort zu Organismen, die mit geringem Aufwand besser an die herrschenden Bedingungen angepasst sind, als die Wettbewerber. Die hierzu verwendeten Strategien zum Materialeinsatz sind sehr effizient und als Strukturoptimierung abstrahiert auch in der Technik anwendbar. In diesem Vortrag werden Optimierungsmethoden und Vorgehensweisen für einen effizienten Materialverbrauch vorgestellt und diskutiert. KW - Bionik KW - Strukturoptimierung KW - Leichtbau Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1010-opus4-36942 ER - TY - BOOK A1 - Sauer, Alexander T1 - Bionik in der Strukturoptimierung. Praxishandbuch für ressourceneffizienten Leichtbau KW - Strukturoptimierung KW - Leichtbau KW - Bionik KW - Topologieoptimierung Y1 - 2018 SN - 978-3-8343-3381-0 PB - Vogel Communications Group CY - Würzburg ER -