Gold Medallist Puneet Kumar: Panjab University Research Empowers Amputee Athletes
For most people, running is freedom. But for an amputee, it is a dream that often feels out of reach. At Panjab University, that dream is being reignited through the determination and innovation of Puneet Kumar, University Gold Medallist in Mechanical Engineering and PhD Research Scholar at the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), Panjab University, Chandigarh.
City Air News
Oct 31, 2025 09:10
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Chandigarh, October 31, 2025: For most people, running is freedom. But for an amputee, it is a dream that often feels out of reach. At Panjab University, that dream is being reignited through the determination and innovation of Puneet Kumar, University Gold Medallist in Mechanical Engineering and PhD Research Scholar at the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Puneet is redefining prosthetic technology with his cutting-edge research on running blades — specialised prosthetic limbs designed for athletes with lower-limb amputations. His work blends advanced engineering with human empathy, restoring not just mobility but also confidence and dignity to those who aspire to run again.
“Every step matters for an amputee. If my research can help even one athlete run without fear or climb stairs with confidence, that is my greatest achievement,” says Puneet with heartfelt conviction.
The research focuses on optimising the material composition, geometric design, and socket structure of prosthetic limbs to minimise stress and deformation — making them safer, stronger, and more efficient. Through simulations, gait data analysis, mathematical modelling, and experimental validation, Puneet has identified innovative configurations that enhance comfort, stability, and performance. The result: prosthetics that offer a more natural running experience and bridge the gap between limitation and liberation.
As part of an international collaborative project, Puneet also serves as a Junior Researcher at Nottingham Trent University (UK) under the Nottingham Trent University – Panjab University partnership titled “A Sensor Array to Characterise the Mechanical Properties of Lower Limb Prosthetic Components in Vivo.”
The research team — Puneet Kumar, Shivam Jadaun, Liza Verma, and Isha Karnawal (UIET, Panjab University); Parveen Kumar (Exigo Recycling Pvt. Ltd., Karnal); Daman Preet Singh (Saket College of Physiotherapy, Panchkula); and Barnett Cleveland, Shukri Afazov, Paul Felton, and Philip Breedon (Nottingham Trent University, UK) — collectively contributed to this groundbreaking effort. Together, they developed a novel strain sensor array and an indigenous testing machine for real-time evaluation of prosthetic components.
This initiative, conducted under the guidance of Dr Gaurav Sapra and Dr Rajesh Kumar (UIET, Panjab University), integrates multidisciplinary expertise spanning mechanical design, materials science, physiotherapy, and data acquisition. It symbolises the power of international collaboration in advancing assistive technology research.
