Raziel Riemer, Israel

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva

WG1, WG2, WG3-member

http://www.bgu.ac.il/~rriemer/

I am interested in the science of human motion, particularly in the area of locomotion (e.g., walking, running). I take a multi-method approach, and integrate theoretical and empirical insights. The theoretical methods used in my research include simulation, modeling, optimization, and statistics. Empirically, I perform experiments using measures of movement, forces, and physiological indicators. 
My research has implications for robotic systems, wearable robots, clinical diagnostics and rehabilitation, ergonomics, and human living environments, as discussed below. 
One of my main research programs deals with the development of a wearable robot (i.e. exoskeleton) that can utilize human movement for energy harvesting – energy which can eventually be used to power electrical devices. Another application of this exoskeleton is to design a device that assist walking yet requires less energy then regular exoskeletons (without harvesting mechanism).

This research program was initiated during my PhD studies with a project identifying conversion methods and potential human movements suitable for energy generation (Niu, Chapman, Riemer, and Zhang, 2004; funded by the Office of Naval Research, USA). Later, we expanded the investigation to assess current devices (Riemer and Shapiro, 2011). Our efforts have led to the development of an actual device that can be used to generate energy (Riemer, Shapiro, and Azar, 2010; Rubinshtein, Riemer, and Ben-Yaakov, 2012; Rubinshtein, Peretz, and Riemer, 2014, Cevera at el 2016). In addition, we have studied the metabolic rate while carrying a mass (i.e., the device mass; Scherzter and Riemer, 2014), and have developed a method to evaluate the different energy harvesting devices based on their design parameters (Scherzter and Riemer, 2015). This project can serve as a basis for the development of exoskeletons requiring lower operation energy. The effect of the physical interaction between the wearable robot and the human on the metabolic rate is unclear. Thus, a past project deals with the link between ankle muscle-tendon mechanics and energetics during human locomotion (Riemer and Sawicki, BSF grant 2011). The energy harvesting research program has attracted much interest, and is funded by the Administration of Research and Development of Weapons and Infrastructure Technology (MAFAT grant). 

In summery my main interests are:
Development of exoskeleton
Development of method for best design of exoskeletons
Assessment of their performance.

I believe that understanding the way our body moves and the interaction between the human and the exoskeletons have great potential for scientific contributions, and consequently and most importantly, for enhancing people’s well-being.

Riemer, R. and Shapiro, A. 2011. Biomechanical energy harvesting from human motion: theory, state of the art, design guidelines, and future directions. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, Vol. 8, Issue 22, 1-13

Scherzter, E., Riemer, R., 2015. Harvesting biomechanical energy or carrying batteries? An evaluation method based on a comparison of metabolic power. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, Vol. 12, Issue 30 (March), 1-1

Cervera,A., Rubinshtein, Z., Gad,M., Riemer, R., Peretz, M. 2016. Biomechanical Energy Harvesting System with Optimal Cost-of-Harvesting Tracking Algorithm. IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics. Vol. 4, Issue 1, 293-302

Scherzter, E. and Riemer, R. 2014. Metabolic rate of carrying added mass: a function of walking speed, carried mass and mass location. Journal Applied Ergonomics. Vol. 45, Issue 6 (November), 1422-1432