Add POLAR project

_config.yml

@@ -160,9 +160,9 @@ disqus_shortname: al-folio # put your disqus shortname
 # External sources.
 # If you have blog posts published on medium.com or other external sources,
 # you can display them in your blog by adding a link to the RSS feed.
-external_sources:
-  - name: medium.com
-    rss_url: https://medium.com/@al-folio/feed
+#external_sources:
+#  - name: medium.com
+#    rss_url: https://medium.com/@al-folio/feed
 
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Collections

_projects/polar.md

@@ -1,82 +1,54 @@
 ---
 layout: project
-title: POLAR
-description: Prosthetics and Orthoses for Limited Access Regions
-img: assets/img/projects/polar/rendersocket.png
+title: P.O.L.A.R
+description: High efficiency manufacturing of prosthetic sockets
+img: assets/img/projects/polar/badge.png
 importance: 2
-category: Future
+category: Current
 related_publications: true
 collabarators: ["Dr Angus B. Clark, Imperial College London", "Dr Buki Omarali, Imperial College London"]
 ---
 
-Every project has a beautiful feature showcase page.
-It's easy to include images in a flexible 3-column grid format.
-Make your photos 1/3, 2/3, or full width.
+## Research Aims
 
-To give your project a background in the portfolio page, just add the img tag to the front matter like so:
+- Identify and develop advanced 3D printer designs to significantly increase the speed at which a viable, lower limb prosthetic socket can be manufactured.
 
-    ---
-    layout: page
-    title: project
-    description: a project with a background image
-    img: /assets/img/12.jpg
-    ---
+- Explore mateirals and manufacturing strategies to enhance the strength of 3D printed prosthetic sockets to a point where they can reliably pass ISO10328 testing.
+
+- Develop a logistical model sof distributed manufacturing of custom fitted prosthetic sockets in LMICs.
+
+## The Challenge
+
+Millions of people worldwide, primarily in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), live with limb loss. Traditional prosthetic socket manufacturing is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and requires specialized skills. This creates a significant gap between the need for prosthetics and the availability of affordable, accessible solutions. While 3D printing offers potential, existing challenges such as slow print times and insufficient mechanical strength hinder its widespread adoption in LMICs.
+
+## The Solution
+
+The POLAR 3D printer addresses these challenges by offering a rapid, cost-effective, and customizable solution for producing prosthetic sockets. Our innovative polar kinematics design significantly reduces print time compared to traditional Cartesian printers. By employing dual print heads and advanced materials, we aim to achieve the required mechanical strength while maintaining high production speed {% cite Brown2024_POLAR %}.
 
 <div class="row">
     <div class="col-sm mt-3 mt-md-0">
-        {% include figure.liquid loading="eager" path="assets/img/1.jpg" title="example image" class="img-fluid rounded z-depth-1" %}
-    </div>
-    <div class="col-sm mt-3 mt-md-0">
-        {% include figure.liquid loading="eager" path="assets/img/3.jpg" title="example image" class="img-fluid rounded z-depth-1" %}
-    </div>
-    <div class="col-sm mt-3 mt-md-0">
-        {% include figure.liquid loading="eager" path="assets/img/5.jpg" title="example image" class="img-fluid rounded z-depth-1" %}
-    </div>
-</div>
-<div class="caption">
-    Caption photos easily. On the left, a road goes through a tunnel. Middle, leaves artistically fall in a hipster photoshoot. Right, in another hipster photoshoot, a lumberjack grasps a handful of pine needles.
-</div>
-<div class="row">
-    <div class="col-sm mt-3 mt-md-0">
-        {% include figure.liquid loading="eager" path="assets/img/5.jpg" title="example image" class="img-fluid rounded z-depth-1" %}
+        {% include figure.liquid loading="eager" path="assets/img/projects/polar/rendersocket.png" title="CAD render of the prototype POLAR 3D printer" class="img-fluid rounded z-depth-1" %}
     </div>
 </div>
 <div class="caption">
-    This image can also have a caption. It's like magic.
+    CAD render of the prototype POLAR 3D printer
 </div>
 
-You can also put regular text between your rows of images.
-Say you wanted to write a little bit about your project before you posted the rest of the images.
-You describe how you toiled, sweated, _bled_ for your project, and then... you reveal its glory in the next row of images.
+## Our Approach
 
-<div class="row justify-content-sm-center">
-    <div class="col-sm-8 mt-3 mt-md-0">
-        {% include figure.liquid path="assets/img/6.jpg" title="example image" class="img-fluid rounded z-depth-1" %}
-    </div>
-    <div class="col-sm-4 mt-3 mt-md-0">
-        {% include figure.liquid path="assets/img/11.jpg" title="example image" class="img-fluid rounded z-depth-1" %}
-    </div>
-</div>
-<div class="caption">
-    You can also have artistically styled 2/3 + 1/3 images, like these.
-</div>
+We have developed a prototype polar 3D printer optimized for socket production. Key features include:
 
-The code is simple.
-Just wrap your images with `<div class="col-sm">` and place them inside `<div class="row">` (read more about the <a href="https://getbootstrap.com/docs/4.4/layout/grid/">Bootstrap Grid</a> system).
-To make images responsive, add `img-fluid` class to each; for rounded corners and shadows use `rounded` and `z-depth-1` classes.
-Here's the code for the last row of images above:
+- Polar kinematics: Enables faster circular motion, ideal for cylindrical socket shapes.
+- Dual print heads: Increase material deposition rate and allow for composite materials.
+- Advanced materials: Support for high-performance materials like PEEK and nylon to enhance strength.
+- Custom slicing software: Optimizes toolpaths for the polar printer, ensuring precise and efficient production.
 
-{% raw %}
+## Impact
 
-```html
-<div class="row justify-content-sm-center">
-  <div class="col-sm-8 mt-3 mt-md-0">
-    {% include figure.liquid path="assets/img/6.jpg" title="example image" class="img-fluid rounded z-depth-1" %}
-  </div>
-  <div class="col-sm-4 mt-3 mt-md-0">
-    {% include figure.liquid path="assets/img/11.jpg" title="example image" class="img-fluid rounded z-depth-1" %}
-  </div>
-</div>
-```
+Initial simulations demonstrate a dramatic reduction in print time compared to existing 3D printers. We are currently refining our prototype and conducting rigorous testing to evaluate print times, mechanical strength, and overall performance. Successful development of the POLAR 3D printer has the potential to revolutionize prosthetic care in LMICs by providing a scalable, affordable, and efficient solution for producing personalized prosthetic sockets.
 
-{% endraw %}
+<div class="row">
+    <div class="col-sm mt-3 mt-md-0">
+        {% include figure.liquid loading="eager" path="assets/img/projects/polar/logo.png" title="POLAR project patch" class="img-fluid rounded z-depth-1" %}
+    </div>
+</div>