MERI to host an exhibition that brings together mobile phone art, a potential cure for back pain, a film about badminton and an interactive 'SMART' floor.
The diverse projects have all been created or assisted by Engineering For Life, a three-year, £1m project to encourage interdisciplinary working at Sheffield Hallam University, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Engineering for Life has led to scientists, artists, designers, sports engineers and jewellers from across five research centres at the University working together on a range of projects looking at assisted living, sustainability and sports technology.
The exhibition, Encompass, will feature around 30 projects developed by University academics, often working in collaboration with multinational companies, small businesses and charities.
Projects include Hydrogel Delivery For The Back, where scientists and bioscientists have patented a unique injection which has the potential to ease lower back pain.
Mobile phone inspired rings and necklaces, created to highlight the materials found within modern technology, will also be on show.
Other projects include:
- Paddling The Dragon - a simulated dragon boat to encourage better rates of breast cancer rehabilitation
- Arty Sciency Sporty Art - a film about the velocity of a badminton shuttlecock which premiered at the 2011 UK Badminton championships
- Smart Floor - an interactive floor which helps encourage fitness, mobility and learning. A smaller version was previously displayed at Weston Park Museum as part of SportsLab and is currently on display at the V&A Museum of Childhood as part of the Beautiful Games Exhibition.
- Professor Chris Care, who heads up the Engineering For Life team, said: "This is a true celebration of what can be achieved by working together.
"The project shatters the belief that University departments work better in isolation - in fact, many of the most successful projects have been true collaborations which have potential to impact on society."
Encompass opens in Hallam Hall on Monday 11 June, running until Thursday 14 June, from 10am to 8pm on Monday and Wednesday, and from 10am to 5pm on Tuesday and Thursday.
An accompanying conference, Understanding Interdisciplinary Theory and Practice, will feature big-name speakers, many with an interdisciplinary focus, from the UK and Europe, Australia and Canada.
High profile speakers include Robert Frodeman from the University of North Texas, Lizbeth Goodman from University College, Dublin and former Sheffield Hallam lecturer Professor Ann Light, now at Northumbria University.
Professors Veronica Strang and Thomas McLeish, both from Durham University, will also be presenting their interdisciplinary experiences at this event.