# Weir Biomechatronics Development Laboratory


## Posts

- [Amber Bollinger Defends her Master's Thesis!](https://weirbdl.org/2025/11/20/amber-bollinger-defends-her-masters-thesis/): Amber Bollinger, a Bioengineering master’s candidate, will be defending her master’s thesis (Modeling Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (RPNIs) to Examine Surface Electrode Parameters for Prosthesis Control) on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at 10:30am. Please tune in via Zoom to support!!
- [Jordan McClung Defends his Master's Thesis!](https://weirbdl.org/2025/11/19/jordan-mcclung-defends-his-masters-thesis/): Jordan McClung, a Bioengineering master’s candidate, will be defending his master’s thesis (Roll Over Investigations of a Prototype Biomimetic Prosthesis-Orthosis for Persons with Partial Foot Amputations) on Thursday, November 20th, 2025 at 10:30am. Please tune in via Zoom to support!!
- [Michael O'Donnell defends his Doctoral Dissertation!](https://weirbdl.org/2025/11/18/michael-odonnell-defends-his-phd-dissertation/): Michael O’Donnell, a Bioengineering PhD candidate, will be defending his dissertation (Identification of Possible Gene-Specific Promotor and Enhancer Sequences for Adeno-Associated Virus Induced Optogenetic Transduction of Somatosensory Neural Subsets) on Friday, November 21th, 2025 at 2:00pm. Please tune in via Zoom to support!!
- [Thomas DosSantos DiSorbo defends his Doctoral Dissertation!](https://weirbdl.org/2025/11/18/thomas-dossantos-disorbo-defends-his-phd-dissertation/): Thomas Dos Santos DiSorbo, a Bioengineering PhD candidate, will be defending his dissertation (Towards a Patterned, Flexible, Abiotic Glucose Fuel Cell for Use in Medical Implants) on Friday, November 21th, 2025 at 10:30am. Please tune in via Zoom to support!!
- [Engineering That Changes Lives: CU Denver Faculty Leads Breakthrough in Prosthetics](https://weirbdl.org/2025/08/14/engineering-that-changes-lives-cu-denver-faculty-leads-breakthrough-in-prosthetics/): The CU Denver College of Engineering, Design, and Computing featured the Weir Biomechatronics Development Lab in an article. They talk about the company Dr. Weir helped found, Point Designs, which came out of a research project designed to address the need for more durable prosthetic fingers. Use the buttons below to learn more about Point Designs, translatable research, and what we’re currently working on to better prostheses and improve the quality of life for those that need them.
- [Two CU Denver Graduate Students Named National Science Foundation Fellows](https://weirbdl.org/2024/09/16/two-cu-denver-graduate-students-named-national-science-foundation-fellows/): Two students at CU Denver were awarded the prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP) from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and one of them works in our lab, Barathwaj Murali! Use the buttons below to learn more about the award, Barathwaj Murali, and what he hopes to do with this award.
- [Partial Hand Prosthetics Company Scales Manufacturing with Help from 3D Systems](https://weirbdl.org/2022/01/21/partial-hand-prosthetics-company-scales-manufacturing-with-help-from-3d-systems/): 3D Systems’ Application Innovation Group helped Point Designs scale its manufacturing and move from steel to titanium parts. Learn more about the challenges and processes in the article by 3D Systems or check out Point Designs and what they offer below.
- [VA did that: Next generation prosthetics for Veterans of all eras](https://weirbdl.org/2021/10/08/va-did-that-next-generation-prosthetics-for-veterans-of-all-eras/): Dr. Jacob Segil, a graduate from the Weir Biomechatronics Development Laboratory, and Dr. Tyler worked with the VA to develop a prosthetic hand system that can sense touch. Read more about their work below or check out what the VA is doing now in the field of prosthetics.
- [Point Designs LLC awarded a Phase 2 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)](https://weirbdl.org/2020/02/27/point-designs-llc-awarded-a-phase-2-small-business-technology-transfer-sttr/): The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health awarded Point Designs a Phase 2 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) for The Point Digit: A ratcheting prosthetic finger technology using advanced rapid manufacturing technology. The Weir Biomechatronics Development Laboratory is a key partner with this award. Learn more about it in the article below.
- [Bioengineering is top-ranked biomedical engineering program in Colorado; moves up by 10 in national rankings](https://weirbdl.org/2019/03/14/bioengineering-is-top-ranked-biomedical-engineering-program-in-colorado-moves-up-by-10-in-national-rankings/): The bioengineering graduate program moved up 10 spots in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2020 Best Graduate Schools Report, published March 12. The program is now ranked number 69 in the country, and is the top-ranked biomedical program in Colorado.  Kudos to Dr. Robin Shandas, founding chair and professor, and his team of faculty and staff for this achievement. The bioengineering program has gained national recognition in less than 10 years of its establishment, which speaks volumes to the quality of bioengineering research and teaching taking place at CU Denver and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus.

## Pages

- [Machine Learning for Prosthetic Hands](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/signal-decoding/machine-learning-for-prosthetic-hands/)
- [Adeno-Associated Viruses](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/sensory-feedback/adeno-associated-vectors/)
- [Neuromusculoskelatal Modeling Applications](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/signal-decoding/neuromusculoskelatal-modeling-applications/)
- [3D-Printed Prosthetic Fingers for Women Veterans](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/prosthetic-components/3d-printed-prosthetic-fingers-for-women-veterans/)
- [Biomimetic Prosthesis-Orthosis Prototype](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/prosthetic-components/biomimetic-prosthesis-orthosis-prototype/)
- [Markforged Mark Two](https://weirbdl.org/services/markforged-mark-two-2/): Markforged Mark Two The Markforged Mark Two is a Carbon Fiber Composite 3D Printer that combines continuous carbon fiber reinforcement with workhorse reliability for versatile parts with 26x the strength of ABS, ready same-day for use straight off the printer. Table 1: Commonly Asked About Features Features Details Build Volume (mm) 320 x 132 x 154 Layer Height 100 μm Materials in Stock Onyx, Precise PLA Price Range ($-$$$) $-$$ Table 2: Additional Resources Resources Details Full Machine Data Sheet Technical Data Sheet MSDS Material Sheets 1. Onyx Data Sheet2. Precise PLA Data Sheet Previous Prints Work With Us! Are […]
- [Services](https://weirbdl.org/services/): Services Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing We offer various types of additive and subtractive manufacturing to meet your project needs. Explore our machines, submit a project inquiry, or pay your invoice in the sections below!
- [Glowforge Pro](https://weirbdl.org/services/glowforge-pro-2/): Glowforge Pro With precision power settings and a 45W CO2 laser, the Glowforge Pro can cut, engrave, and score hundreds of laser-compatible materials for your projects. Table 1: Commonly Asked About Features Features Details Cut Area (mm)Maximum Material Size 279 x 495 x 50unlimited x 515 x 50 Engraving ResolutionPositioning Precision 1355 DPI0.025 mm Materials in Stock Acrylic Price Range ($-$$$) $ Table 2: Additional Resources Resources Details Full Machine Data Sheet Technical Data Sheet MSDS Material Sheets Acrylic Data Sheet (Coming Soon) Previous Prints Work With Us! Are you interested in working with us? Submit an inquiry about your project! […]
- [EOS M270](https://weirbdl.org/services/eos-m270/): EOSINT M 270 Using the process known as Direct Metal Laser-Sintering (DMLS), the EOSINT M 270 fuses metal powders into a 3D part by melting the powder with a focused, solid-state fiber laser. This allows for precision and rapid production of 3D printed metal parts in just hours! Table 1: Commonly Asked About Features Features Details Build Volume (mm) 250 x 250 x 215 (incl. building platform) Layer Height 20 µm (material dependent) Materials in Stock Maraging Steel (MS1) Price Range ($-$$$) $$$ Table 2: Additional Resources Resources Details Full Machine Data Sheet 1. Technical Data Sheet2. Catalogue Sheet MSDS […]
- [Plastic Printing](https://weirbdl.org/services/plastic-printing/): Plastic 3D Printing
- [Connex 350](https://weirbdl.org/services/connex-350/): Connex 350 The Connex350 by Stratasys is a Poly Jet 3D Printer. The printer creates 3D parts layer by layer through a process of depositing liquid photopolymer onto the build platform and then curing the layer with UV light. This technology allows us to combine materials to change the mechanical properties and colors of parts all within the same build plate. Table 1: Commonly Asked About Features Features Details Build Volume (mm) 342 x 342 x 200 Layer Height 16 µm Materials in Stock Biocompatible Med610 Price Range ($-$$$) $$ Table 2: Additional Resources Resources Details Full Machine Data Sheet […]
- [CNC Machine](https://weirbdl.org/services/cnc-machine/): VMC2 Vertical Machining Center The VMC2 Vertical Machining Center is a strong, precise, compact, and versatile CNC machine. With its 3-axis system, this CNC can cut and shape highly complex metal parts with precision movements using the ProtoTRAK RMX software. Table 1: Commonly Asked About Features Features Details Build Area (mm)Travel Limits (mm) 457 x 381355 x 304 x 431 Cut Tolerance Adjustable as needed for design Materials in Stock None, can purchase as needed Price Range ($-$$$) $$$ Table 2: Additional Resources Resources Details Full Machine Data Sheet Technical Data SheetBrochure MSDS Material Sheets None Previous Prints Work With […]
- [B9 CORE 530J](https://weirbdl.org/services/b9-core-530j-page/): B9 CORE 530J The B9 Core 530J – where precision meets speed. This machine offers advanced precision and rapid printing capabilities, making it a versatile solution for everything from rapid prototyping to higher-throughout micro 3D printing. This is a Digital Light Processing (DLP) printer that utilizes light projections to cure individual layers of liquid resin to create your designs. Table 1: Commonly Asked About Features Features Details Build Volume (mm) 57.6 x 32.4 x 127 Layer Height 10μm (dependent on material, geometry, and slice thickness) Materials in Stock BioRes-Silicone Price Range ($-$$$) $$-$$$ Table 2: Additional Resources Resources Details Full […]
- [Spiral Nerve Cuff](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/human-interfaces/optogenetics/spiral-nerve-cuff/)
- [3D Printing Nerve Cuffs](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/human-interfaces/optogenetics/3d-printing-nerve-cuffs/)
- [Optogenetics](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/human-interfaces/optogenetics/): Check out the projects we are currently working on! Our Collaborations
- [Power Hungry](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/human-interfaces/power-hungry/)
- [Sensory Feedback](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/sensory-feedback/): Current Projects Check out the research we are currently working on at the Weir Biomechatronics Development Laboratory. Past Projects Check out some of the past research we have conducted at the Weir Biomechatronics Development Laboratory.
- [Prosthetic Components](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/prosthetic-components/): Current Projects Check out the research we are currently working on at the Weir Biomechatronics Development Laboratory. Actuators Twisted Liquid Crystal Elastomers, Series Elastic Actuators, Hydraulically Amplified Self-healing Electrostatic (HASEL) actuators, Shape Memory Alloy Actuators Past Projects Check out some of the past research we have conducted at the Weir Biomechatronics Development Laboratory. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Development of a Novel Prosthetic Wrist Device Incorporating the Dart Thrower’s Motion Mechanical Finger Powered Finger Mechanical Thumb
- [Signal Decoding](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/signal-decoding/): Areas of Signal Decoding Our research targets a few main areas of Signal Decoding – Signal Preparation, Algorithm Development, and Neuromuskuloskeletal Modeling. Explore the following sections to learn about the projects in each area! Signal Preparation Signal preparation is all about the way we process and manipulate input signals to prepare them for use in control systems. Kalman Filtering Algorithm Development Algorithm development focuses on different control strategies to make devices functional for the user. Predicting Prosthetic Finger Postures Postural Algorithm Controller Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) Classifier Model Applications Modeling focuses on the replication of these physical systems in various […]
- [Human Interfaces](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/human-interfaces/): Current Projects Check out the research we are currently working on at the Weir Biomechatronics Development Laboratory. Past Projects Check out some of the past research we have conducted at the Weir Biomechatronics Development Laboratory.
- [Contact](https://weirbdl.org/contact/)
- [Resources](https://weirbdl.org/resources/): Resources Explore the Resources Offered by our Lab and the University Lab Arcvhives Our electronic lab notebook Where we keep track of our projects, lab meeting notes, inventories, and more. Access our online repository here. Graduate School Resources from the Graduate School If you need information about the bioengineering program, graduation, deadlines, or anything else – check out their website here! Proceedings Conference proceedings Check out the proceedings and other resources from many conferences surrounding our work in the lab.
- [Our Team](https://weirbdl.org/our-team/): Meet the Students Meet the Staff Previous Students
- [News](https://weirbdl.org/news/): Recent Lab Updates
- [Research](https://weirbdl.org/research-areas/): Research Areas The Weir Biomechatronics Development Laboratory strives to develop better prosthetic limb systems by conducting research in fields ranging from 3D metal printing to optogenetics. We believe that finding solutions requires pushing the bounds of technology and creativity every day.  Our goal is to practically apply our knowledge to give back independence and confidence to people who use prostheses.​ Click on the figures below to learn more about each area of research!
- [Home](https://weirbdl.org/): What We Do Our work encompasses novel technologies such as surface electromyography, machine learning, optogenetics, and blood-based fuel cells. We explore innovative approaches using 3D printing to design customized prostheses, develop advanced control algorithms to enhance both body-powered and externally-powered prostheses, and investigate optogenetics for interfacing with the peripheral nervous system to achieve organ modulation, brain circuit control, and muscle activation for prosthesis control and sensory feedback restoration. Latest News and Articles In collaboration with:


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