‘Karl Zelik’
Engineering professor builds his own super suit to reduce back stress
Aug. 1, 2017—TV infomercials offer a world of potential solutions for back pain, but most of them have at least one of three problems — they’re unproven, unworkable or just plain unattractive. A team of Vanderbilt University engineers is changing that with a design that combines the science of biomechanics and advances in wearable tech to create...
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Zelik receives two major young investigator awards for biomechanics work
Jun. 15, 2017—Karl Zelik, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, has received top awards from the International Society of Biomechanics and the American Society of Biomechanics for early career research. Both awards recognize Zelik’s body of work on improving and unifying the understanding of human locomotion, and translating this understanding to advances in prosthetic and exoskeleton technologies....
Understanding robotic exosuit-human interaction will boost health and performance
Jun. 1, 2017—Team led by Vanderbilt researchers develops new, quicker method to measure energy transfer between assistive devices and people wearing them That robotic exoskeletons can improve mobility of people with disabilities and enhance human performance is widely understood. The same has not yet been true for how to best measure and optimize the interactions between individuals...
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Vanderbilt joins 40 academic partners to create, deploy robotic technology in critical manufacturing sectors
Apr. 25, 2017—Vanderbilt University is one of 40 academic partners in a new robotics manufacturing institute in Pittsburgh that will be funded with $80 million from the Department of Defense and $173 million in matching funds from more than 200 participating partners, including companies, local governments, academic and nonprofit organizations. The Defense Department awarded the contract to...
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Zelik receives SEC faculty travel grant
Oct. 10, 2016— Castilho Karl Zelik, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, is one of nine Vanderbilt faculty members who will participate in the 2016-17 SEC Faculty Travel Program. Now in its fifth year, the program provides support for selected faculty members to collaborate with colleagues at other Southeastern Conference member institutions. Crucini More than 100 faculty...
Better, faster, stronger: Tennis champ researching prosthetics that push the limits
Feb. 4, 2015—Eric Honert ranked as Colorado’s best collegiate tennis player last year. He spent the summer climbing as many of the Colorado Fourteeners – mountains with peaks of 14,000 feet elevation or higher – as he could fit in. He runs miles a day just for fun and enjoys even the brief 10 minutes it takes him...
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Zelik explores biological mechanisms behind human movement
Oct. 17, 2014— Karl Zelik, assistant professor of mechanical engineering (Anne Rayner/Vanderbilt) Karl Zelik’s BAT lab in Olin Hall has nothing to do with flying mammals or a caped superhero. The Biomechanics and Assistive Technology laboratory is dedicated to locomotion—in particular, to understanding the mechanisms of human locomotion and using engineering to improve movement and mobility for...