• Developing a system that combines electrical stimulation of paralyzed muscles with a mechanical brace to restore walking to individuals with paraplegia.
• Exploring the fundamental characteristics of tiny hydraulic systems and their application to powered exoskeletons for orthotics and human power amplification.
• Developing a tiny internal combustion engine and compressor for supplying compressed air to portable, wearable pneumatic systems.
• Researching the mechanical properties of human muscle including developing new research and clinical diagnostic instrumentation to quickly and easily measure muscle function.
• Assessing performance characteristics of tools and devices used in surgical procedures.
• Exploring new ways to educate engineers, including low-cost take-home lab kits.

William Durfee’s research and professional interests include the design of medical devices, rehabilitation engineering, exoskeletons and wearable robots, compact hydraulic systems, product design and design education. 
Lab
Human/Machine Design Lab

ME Research Areas
Biosystems & Bioengineering
Sensing & Controls

ME Impact Areas 
Human Health
Robotics & Mobility

Education

Ph.D. 1985, Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.S. 1978, Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
A.B. 1976, Engineering and Applied Physics, Harvard University

Professional Background

• Professor and Director of Design Education, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 2001-present. Additional appointments to the Graduate Faculty in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the Program in Human Factors and Ergonomics, the Neuroengineering Program, and the Product Design Program.
   
• Director, Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center, University of Minnesota, 2022 - present. 
   
• Adjunct Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Minnesota, 2022 - present.

Scientific & Professional Societies

Honors and Awards

• Entrepreneurship Faculty of the Year, Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship, 2017
• Co-Editor, ASME Journal of Medical Devices, 2016-present
• Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, 2015
• President’s Award for Outstanding Service, 2011
• Program in Physical Therapy Faculty Service Award, 2011
• Horace T. Morse Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education, 2001
• Member, Academy of Distinguished Teachers, University of Minnesota, 2001-present
• Minnesota State Council on Disability Educator of the Year Award, 2000
• George Taylor/IT Alumni Society Distinguished Teaching Award, 2000

Selected Publications

• W Durfee, Z Sun, J Van de Ven, Fluid Power System Dynamics, Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power, 2015. (book)
• W. Durfee and P. Iaizzo, editors, Medical Device Innovation Handbook, 9th edition, University of Minnesota Medical Devices Center, 2022. (book)
• M Gotthelf, D Townsend, W Durfee, A video game based hand grip system for measuring muscle force in children, J NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, (2021) 18:113, doi.org/10.1186/s12984-021-00908-1, 2021. [https://rdcu.be/cn8oY]
• –L Griffin, M Yu, A Cloet, S Arnold, N Carlson, M Hillmyer, Q Ou, C Pei, Q Cao, D Pui, R Franklin, W Durfee, Protective masks utilizing non-endangered components, J Medical Devices, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4053720
• –S Hashemi, D Bentivegna, W Durfee, Bone-inspired bending soft robot. Soft Robotics,, doi.org/10.1089/soro.2019.0183 , 2020

Google Scholar Profile