Doctor Leigh Fleming BEng(hons), PhD, PGCert(HE)
Deputy Head of Department — Engineering and Mathematics
Summary
A mechanical engineer by background, I am passionate about improving quality of life through engineering, much of my research focusses on the application of engineering to medical and health related problems.
My teaching focus is on ensuring students are challenged and have the opportunity to develop their skills undertaking engineering, maths and physics courses which are relevant to industry.
About
My Undergraduate studies were in Mechanical Engineering Design at The University of Huddersfield. Following this I went on to undertake a PhD in “The Use of 3D Analysis Techniques to Investigate the Wear of Femoral Stems in Total Hip Replacement”.
Having spent some time in industry working in the R&D department at DePuy International, focusing on design and test of orthopedic implants, I returned to academia to work at the University of Huddersfield in the Centre for Precision Technologies.
As a metrologist, I have worked on a number of research projects centered around the application of novel metrology solutions to improve function and performance of surfaces. These include a diverse range of industrial and clinical applications:
- NANOMEND, and FP7 funded consortium to detect and eliminate defects in roll to roll manufacturing process, specifically flexible photovoltaics
- SOLADIM, a DTI funded project to investigate defect detection in semi-conductor materials; a number of industrial projects looking at optimisation of manufacturing processes and functionality in different applications such as fan and turbine blade manufacture for the aerospace industry
- investigations into wear of a range of orthopaedic implants.
More recently the focus has been on measurement and characterisation in a number of areas around skin integrity such as wound care, pressure care, support surfaces and characterisation of skin texture.
Teaching
Department of Engineering and Mathematics
I currently teach on the Engineering Professional Practice modules but have previously taught Thermofluids, Materials, Design for Manufacture and Engineering Principles.
Publications
Key Publications
Leung, I.P.H., Fleming, L., Walton, K., Barrans, S., & Ousey, K. (2017). Development of a model to demonstrate the effects of friction and pressure on skin in relation to pressure ulcer formation. Wear, 376-77 (Part A), 266-271. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2016.11.026
Reading, M., Ghori, M.U., Brown, D.R., Fleming, L.T., Antonijevic, M.D., Grandy, D.B., ... Conway, B.R. (2017). Chemical Imaging by Dissolution Analysis: Localized Kinetics of Dissolution Behavior to Provide Two-Dimensional Chemical Mapping and Tomographic Imaging on a Nanoscale. Analytical chemistry, 89 (11), 5882-5890. http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.7b00202
Elrawemi, M., Blunt, L., Muhamedsalih, H., Gao, F., & Fleming, L. (2015). Implementation of in Process Surface Metrology for R2R Flexible PV Barrier Films. International Journal of Automation Technology, 9 (3), 312-321. http://doi.org/10.20965/ijat.2015.p0312
Walton, K., Blunt, L., Fleming, L., Goodhand, M., & Lung, H. (2014). Areal parametric characterisation of ex-service compressor blade leading edges. Wear, 321, 79-86. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2014.10.007
Zhang, H., Brown, L.T., Blunt, L.A., & Barrans, S.M. (2008). Influence of femoral stem surface finish on the apparent static shear strength at the stem-cement interface. Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials, 1 (1), 96-104. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2007.06.001
Journal articles
Assadian, O., Ousey, K.J., Fleming, L., Mishra, R., Blackburn, J., & Sigmund, F. (2023). When is antibiotic therapy necessary for patients with infections in hard-to-heal wounds? Journal of wound care, 32 (1), 3-4. http://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2023.32.1.3
Popov, O., Vishnyakov, V., Fleming, L., Podgurskiy, M., & Blunt, L. (2022). Reaction Sintering of Biocompatible Al2O3-hBN Ceramics. ACS omega, 7 (2), 2205-2209. http://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c05749
Leung, I.P.H., Fleming, L., Walton, K., Simon, B., & Ousey, K. (2019). Finite Element Analysis to model ischemia experienced in the development of device related pressure ulcers. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine. http://doi.org/10.1177/0954411919851387
Ghori, M.U., Mohammad, M.A., Rudrangi, S.R.S., Fleming, L., Merchant, H.A., Smith, A.M., & Conway, B.R. (2017). Impact of purification on physicochemical, surface and functional properties of okra biopolymer. Food Hydrocolloids, 71, 311-320. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2017.02.010
Ousey, K., Stephenson, J., & Fleming, L. (2016). Evaluating the Trezzo range of static foam surfaces: Results of a comparative study. Wounds UK, 12 (4), 66-73.
Elrawemi, M., Blunt, L., Fleming, L., Bird, D., Robbins, D., & Sweeney, F. (2014). Modelling water vapour permeability through atomic layer deposition coated photovoltaic barrier defects. Thin Solid Films, 570, 101-106. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2014.08.042
Smith, A.M., Fleming, L., Wudebwe, U., Bowen, J., & Grover, L.M. (2014). Development of a synovial fluid analogue with bio-relevant rheology for wear testing of orthopaedic implants. Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials, 32, 177-184. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2013.12.009
Fleming, L., Zala, K., & Ousey, K. (2014). Investigating the absorbency effects of LBF barrier cream. Wounds UK, 10 (2), 24-30.
Fleming, L. (2013). Engineering the future of pressure care. Wounds UK, 9 (4), 8-10.
Ousey, K., Atkinson, R., Fleming, L., & Conway, B. (2013). Academia and clinical practice - working together successfully to develop skin integrity knowledge and skills. Journal of Community Nursing, 27 (1).
Zhang, H.Y., Blunt, L.A., Jiang, X.Q., Fleming, L.T., & Barrans, S.M. (2012). The influence of bone cement type on production of fretting wear on the femoral stem surface: a preliminary study. Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon), 27 (7), 666-672. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2012.02.008
Zhang, H., Jiang, X., Blunt, L., & Brown, L. (2012). The application of 3D surface metrology in characterization of femoral stem wear. Yingyong Jichu yu Gongcheng Kexue Xuebao/Journal of Basic Science and Engineering, 20 (1), 139-148. http://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1005-0930.2012.01.016
Zhang, H., Blunt, L., Jiang, X., Brown, L., & Barrans, S. (2011). The significance of the micropores at the stem-cement interface in total hip replacement. Journal of biomaterials science. Polymer edition, 22 (7), 845-856. http://doi.org/10.1163/092050610x540495
Blunt, L.A., Zhang, H., Barrans, S.M., Jiang, X., & Brown, L.T. (2009). What results in fretting wear on polished femoral stems. Tribology International, 42 (11-12), 1605-1614. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2008.11.007
Zhang, H.Y., Brown, L., Barrans, S., Blunt, L., & Jiang, X.Q. (2009). Investigation of relative micromotion at the stem-cement interface in total hip replacement. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part H, Journal of engineering in medicine, 223 (8), 955-964. http://doi.org/10.1243/09544119jeim594
Zhang, H., Brown, L.T., Blunt, L.A., Jiang, X., & Barrans, S.M. (2009). Understanding initiation and propagation of fretting wear on the femoral stem in total hip replacement. Wear, 266 (5-6), 566-569. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2008.04.076
Zhang, H.-.Y., Blunt, L., Jiang, X.-.Q., Brown, L., Barrans, S., & Zhao, Y. (2008). Femoral stem wear in cemented total hip replacement. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part H, Journal of engineering in medicine, 222 (5), 583-592. http://doi.org/10.1243/09544119jeim346
Zhang, H., Brown, L., & Blunt, L. (2008). Static shear strength between polished stem and seven commercial acrylic bone cements. Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine, 19 (2), 591-599. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-007-3211-6
Brown, L., Zhang, H., Blunt, L., & Barrans, S. (2007). Reproduction of fretting wear at the stem-cement interface in total hip replacement. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part H, Journal of engineering in medicine, 221 (8), 963-971. http://doi.org/10.1243/09544119jeim333
Walton, K., Blunt, L., & Fleming, L. (n.d.). The topographic development and areal parametric characterization of a stratified surface polished by mass finishing. Surface Topography: Metrology and Properties, 3 (3), 035003. http://doi.org/10.1088/2051-672x/3/3/035003
Elrawemi, M., Blunt, L., Fleming, L., & Sweeney, F. (n.d.). Further development of surface metrology methods for predicting the functional performance of flexible photovoltaic barrier films. Surface Topography: Metrology and Properties, 1 (1), 015006. http://doi.org/10.1088/2051-672x/1/1/015006
Walton, K., Fleming, L., Goodhand, M., Racasan, R., & Zeng, W. (n.d.). High fidelity replication of surface texture and geometric form of a high aspect ratio aerodynamic test component. Surface Topography: Metrology and Properties, 4 (2), 025003. http://doi.org/10.1088/2051-672x/4/2/025003
Holland, M., Fleming, L., Walton, K., Cerquiglini, A., Hothi, H., Hart, A., ... Bills, P. (n.d.). Characterisation of wear areas on UHMWPE total knee replacement prostheses through study of their areal surface topographical parameters. Surface Topography: Metrology and Properties, 6 (3), 034006. http://doi.org/10.1088/2051-672x/aac071
Conference papers
Anda, I., Mishra, R., Iram, S., Aliyu, A.M., Jackson, F.F., & Fleming, L. (2022). A Machine Learning Model for the Development of a Digital Twin for a Control Valve for Oil and Gas Pipelines. 2022 International Conference on Maintenance and Intelligent Asset Management (ICMIAM), 1-6. http://doi.org/10.1109/icmiam56779.2022.10146806
Blunt, L., Robbins, D., Fleming, L., & Elrawemi, M. (2014). The Use of Feature Parameters to Asses Barrier Properties of ALD coatings for Flexible PV Substrates. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 483, 012011. http://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/483/1/012011
Elrawemi, M., Blunt, L., Fleming, L., Sweeney, F., & Robbins, D. (2014). Defect detection in thin-film photovoltaics; Towards improved efficiency and longevity. 2014 5th International Renewable Energy Congress (IREC), 1-5. http://doi.org/10.1109/irec.2014.6827021
Elrawemi, M.S., Blunt, L., & Fleming, L. (2014). Metrology and characterisation of defects on barrier layers for thin film flexible photovoltaics. Conference Proceedings - 14th International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, EUSPEN 2014, 1, 165-168.
Blunt, L., Elrawemi, M., Fleming, L., Martin, H., Muhamedsalih, H., & Robbins, D. (2014). Development of the basis for in process metrology for roll to roll production of flexible photo voltaics. 11th IMEKO TC14 Symposium on Laser Metrology for Precision Measurement and Inspection in Industry, LMPMI 2014, 9-12.
Fleming, L., Blunt, L., Robbins, D., & Elrawemi, M. (2013). Characterisation techniques to assess functional properties of barrier coatings for flexible PV substrates. Laser Metrology and Machine Performance X - 10th International Conference and Exhibition on Laser Metrology, Machine Tool, CMM and Robotic Performance, LAMDAMAP 2013, 59-68.
Blunt, L., Elrawemi, M., Fleming, L., Martin, H., Muhamedsalih, H., & Robbins, D. (2013). Development of the basis for in process metrology for roll to roll production of flexible photo voltaics. 11th IMEKO TC14 International Symposium on Measurement and Quality Control, ISMQC 2013, 363-366.
Zhang, H., Brown, L., Blunt, L., Jiang, X., & Barrans, S. (2011). The contribution of the micropores in bone cement surface to generation of femoral stem wear in total hip replacement. Tribology International, 44 (11), 1476-1482. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2010.11.007
Zhang, H., Brown, L., Blunt, L., & Barrans, S. (2008). An investigation on generation of debris at the stem cement interface. 8th World Biomaterials Congress 2008, 4, 1768.
Zhang, H., Brown, L., & Blunt, L. (2007). A Better Understanding of the Surface Topography at the Stem-Cement Interface. ASME/STLE 2007 International Joint Tribology Conference, Parts A and B, 513-515. http://doi.org/10.1115/ijtc2007-44019
Brown, L., & Blunt, L. (2006). The development of measurement protocol for characterisation of ultra smooth surfaces. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, EUSPEN 2006, 1, 516-519.
Bills, P., Brown, L., Jiang, X., & Blunt, L. (2005). A metrology solution for the orthopaedic industry. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 13, 316-319. http://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/13/1/074
Zhang, H.Y., Fleming, L., & Blunt, L. <i>In Vitro</i> Experimental Investigation of the Integrity of the Stem–Cement Interface. Advanced Materials Research, 647, 53-56. http://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.647.53
Book chapters
Fleming, L.T., & Leung, P.H. (2020). Effects of friction and pressure on skin in relation to pressure ulcer formation. In Innovations and Emerging Technologies in Wound Care. (pp. 281-291). Elsevier: http://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-815028-3.00015-8
Brockett, C., Fleming, L., Jennings, L., Jin, Z.M., & Fisher, J. (2013). Tribology of Ankle Joints. In Encyclopedia of Tribology. (pp. 3851-3854). Springer US: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-92897-5_1286