{"id":141,"date":"2026-03-19T07:51:47","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T07:51:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medlearn.imperial.ac.uk\/innovation\/projects\/vr-micropipette-training\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T13:55:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T13:55:49","slug":"vr-micropipette-training","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/medlearn.imperial.ac.uk\/innovation\/projects\/vr-micropipette-training\/","title":{"rendered":"VR Micropipette Training System"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n.pip-hero{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#001E45 0%,#003E74 100%);padding:52px 40px 48px 40px;}\n.pip-hero-inner{max-width:900px;margin:0 auto;}\n.pip-hero-meta{margin-bottom:14px;}\n.pip-hero-tag{background:#4CAF92;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.5px;text-transform:uppercase;padding:4px 12px;border-radius:3px;}\n.pip-hero-dot{color:rgba(255,255,255,0.5);margin:0 10px;}\n.pip-hero-faculty{color:rgba(255,255,255,0.6);font-size:13px;}\n.pip-hero 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.pip-hero-desc{font-size:15px;}\n  .pip-timeline-line{display:none;}\n  .pip-tl-row{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:0;margin-bottom:16px;}\n  .pip-tl-left{text-align:left;padding-right:0;}\n  .pip-tl-right{padding-left:0;}\n  .pip-tl-empty{display:none;}\n  .pip-team-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}\n  .pip-impact-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}\n  .pip-stats-inner{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);}\n  .pip-stat{border-right:none!important;border-bottom:1px solid #dce5f0;}\n  .pip-overview,.pip-timeline-section,.pip-team,.pip-impact{padding:36px 18px;}\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<!-- HERO -->\n<div class=\"pip-hero\">\n  <div class=\"pip-hero-inner\">\n    <div class=\"pip-hero-meta\">\n      <span class=\"pip-hero-tag\">SIMULATION TRAINING<\/span>\n      <span class=\"pip-hero-dot\">\u00b7<\/span>\n      <span class=\"pip-hero-faculty\">School of Medicine \u00b7 Faculty of Medicine<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <h1>VR Micropipette Training System<\/h1>\n    <p class=\"pip-hero-desc\">A custom-engineered haptic pipette controller paired with VR headsets, designed to teach life-science students the precise technique of micropipetting \u2014 transforming a high-stakes, error-prone lab skill into an immersive, repeatable training experience.<\/p>\n    <div class=\"pip-hero-kv\">\n      <div class=\"pip-hero-kv-item\"><div class=\"kv-label\">Status<\/div><div class=\"kv-val\">Active \u00b7 Patent Filed<\/div><\/div>\n      <div class=\"pip-hero-kv-item\"><div class=\"kv-label\">Started<\/div><div class=\"kv-val\">2023<\/div><\/div>\n      <div class=\"pip-hero-kv-item\"><div class=\"kv-label\">Funding<\/div><div class=\"kv-val\">Digital Innovation Fund<\/div><\/div>\n      <div class=\"pip-hero-kv-item\"><div class=\"kv-label\">IP<\/div><div class=\"kv-val\">UK Patent Filed \u00b7 Jan 2025<\/div><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- STATS ROW -->\n<div class=\"pip-stats\">\n  <div class=\"pip-stats-inner\">\n    <div class=\"pip-stat\"><div class=\"pip-stat-num\">20<\/div><div class=\"pip-stat-lbl\">Haptic Units Built<\/div><\/div>\n    <div class=\"pip-stat\"><div class=\"pip-stat-num\">~30<\/div><div class=\"pip-stat-lbl\">Students per Session<\/div><\/div>\n    <div class=\"pip-stat\"><div class=\"pip-stat-num\">1<\/div><div class=\"pip-stat-lbl\">UK Patent (Case 12013)<\/div><\/div>\n    <div class=\"pip-stat\"><div class=\"pip-stat-num\">3+<\/div><div class=\"pip-stat-lbl\">Institutions Interested<\/div><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- OVERVIEW -->\n<div class=\"pip-overview\">\n  <div class=\"pip-overview-inner\">\n    <div>\n      <h2 class=\"pip-section-h2\">The Challenge<\/h2>\n      <p class=\"pip-body-p\">Micropipetting is one of the most fundamental techniques in life science \u2014 yet mastering it requires hours of supervised practice with expensive reagents. Students often develop poor habits that compromise experimental results, and lab time for hands-on training is tightly constrained.<\/p>\n      <p class=\"pip-body-p\">Dr Silke Donahue, Senior Teaching Fellow in the School of Medicine, identified an opportunity: what if students could practise the physical technique of pipetting in a VR environment before ever touching a real instrument?<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n    <div>\n      <h2 class=\"pip-section-h2 navy\">The Solution<\/h2>\n      <p class=\"pip-body-p\">Working with Ori Blich \u2014 an engineering student who later continued the work as a freelance engineer \u2014 the team developed a custom haptic pipette controller, a physical device engineered to replicate the weight, resistance and feel of a real micropipette. The Digital Media Lab (DML) developed the bespoke VR scenario environment, pairing the haptic controller with immersive VR headsets.<\/p>\n      <p class=\"pip-body-p\">The system places students inside a virtual laboratory where they can practise sample transfer, volume setting and tip changing, receiving immediate visual and haptic feedback. The scenario was designed with a narrative storyline to keep engagement high.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- TIMELINE -->\n<div class=\"pip-timeline-section\">\n  <div class=\"pip-timeline-inner\">\n    <h2 class=\"pip-timeline-h2\">Project Journey<\/h2>\n    <div class=\"pip-timeline-wrap\">\n      <div class=\"pip-timeline-line\"><\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"pip-tl-row\">\n        <div class=\"pip-tl-left\">\n          <div class=\"pip-tl-card\">\n            <div class=\"pip-tl-date\">Spring 2023<\/div>\n            <div class=\"pip-tl-title\">Concept and Team Formation<\/div>\n            <p class=\"pip-tl-body\">Dr Donahue connects with Adrian Cowell (Innovation Lead) and Ori Blich. The VR micropipette idea takes shape and the team submits a bid to the College Digital Innovation Fund.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"pip-tl-empty\"><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"pip-tl-row\">\n        <div class=\"pip-tl-empty\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"pip-tl-right\">\n          <div class=\"pip-tl-card\">\n            <div class=\"pip-tl-date\">Late 2023<\/div>\n            <div class=\"pip-tl-title\">Funding Secured and Build Begins<\/div>\n            <p class=\"pip-tl-body\">The College Teaching and Learning Strategy (Digital Innovation Fund) award is confirmed. Hardware engineering and VR scenario development begin. The team refines the storyline and haptic controller design.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"pip-tl-row\">\n        <div class=\"pip-tl-left\">\n          <div class=\"pip-tl-card\">\n            <div class=\"pip-tl-date\">Early 2024<\/div>\n            <div class=\"pip-tl-title\">Prototype Refinement<\/div>\n            <p class=\"pip-tl-body\">VR scenario storyline and visual assets finalised. Micropipette cross-section visuals integrated into the simulation. 20 haptic controller units produced and tested.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"pip-tl-empty\"><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"pip-tl-row\">\n        <div class=\"pip-tl-empty\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"pip-tl-right\">\n          <div class=\"pip-tl-card\">\n            <div class=\"pip-tl-date navy\">November 2024<\/div>\n            <div class=\"pip-tl-title\">First Teaching Sessions<\/div>\n            <p class=\"pip-tl-body\">Live sessions delivered with approximately 30 students in RCS1.11. Dr Richard Palermo leads delivery using all 20 headsets and haptic controllers on 12th and 14th November. Student response is highly positive.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"pip-tl-row\">\n        <div class=\"pip-tl-left\">\n          <div class=\"pip-tl-card\">\n            <div class=\"pip-tl-date navy\">January 2025<\/div>\n            <div class=\"pip-tl-title\">Patent Filed and Bett Showcase<\/div>\n            <p class=\"pip-tl-body\">A UK patent application is filed through Imperial Innovations (Case 12013, ref 138549GB1). The project is presented at the Bett education technology conference in London, generating significant interest from the sector.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"pip-tl-empty\"><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"pip-tl-row\">\n        <div class=\"pip-tl-empty\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"pip-tl-right\">\n          <div class=\"pip-tl-card\">\n            <div class=\"pip-tl-date\">2025 onwards<\/div>\n            <div class=\"pip-tl-title\">Scaling and External Interest<\/div>\n            <p class=\"pip-tl-body\">Cardiff Metropolitan University explores adoption. Imperial Chemistry faculty and DML request 40 units for expanded deployment. Ongoing teaching sessions continue at the ICTEM building, SL Lab.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- TEAM -->\n<div class=\"pip-team\">\n  <div class=\"pip-team-inner\">\n    <h2>Project Team<\/h2>\n    <div class=\"pip-team-grid\">\n      <div class=\"pip-team-card blue\">\n        <div class=\"pip-team-name\">Dr Silke Donahue MEd SFHEA<\/div>\n        <div class=\"pip-team-role\">Project Lead<\/div>\n        <p class=\"pip-team-bio\">Senior Teaching Fellow (non-clinical), School of Medicine, Hammersmith Campus. Conceived the original idea, secured funding, and led the pedagogical design and delivery throughout.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"pip-team-card green\">\n        <div class=\"pip-team-name\">Ori Blich<\/div>\n        <div class=\"pip-team-role\">Engineering Student &amp; Freelance Engineer<\/div>\n        <p class=\"pip-team-bio\">Digital Media Lab (DML). Designed and built the custom haptic micropipette controller hardware and developed the bespoke VR simulation environment.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"pip-team-card blue\">\n        <div class=\"pip-team-name\">Dr Richard Palermo FHEA<\/div>\n        <div class=\"pip-team-role\">Teaching Lead<\/div>\n        <p class=\"pip-team-bio\">Teaching Fellow, BSc Medical Biosciences, Faculty Education Office (Medicine). Led the live teaching sessions and student experience delivery at ICTEM and RCS1.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"pip-team-card green\">\n        <div class=\"pip-team-name\">Adrian Cowell<\/div>\n        <div class=\"pip-team-role\">Innovation Lead<\/div>\n        <p class=\"pip-team-bio\">Faculty of Medicine Innovation Lead. Facilitated the initial team connections, guided strategic development, and supported IP and commercialisation pathways.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- IMPACT -->\n<div class=\"pip-impact\">\n  <div class=\"pip-impact-inner\">\n    <h2>Impact and Outputs<\/h2>\n    <div class=\"pip-impact-grid\">\n      <div class=\"pip-impact-card\">\n        <div class=\"pip-impact-icon blue\"><svg width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M10 2L12.4 7.6L18.5 8.3L14.2 12.4L15.5 18.4L10 15.4L4.5 18.4L5.8 12.4L1.5 8.3L7.6 7.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n        <div class=\"pip-impact-title\">Intellectual Property<\/div>\n        <p class=\"pip-impact-body\">UK Patent Application filed January 2025 through Imperial Innovations (Case 12013, ref 138549GB1). The novel haptic controller design is a unique contribution to VR-based laboratory skills training.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"pip-impact-card\">\n        <div class=\"pip-impact-icon green\"><svg width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\"><rect x=\"3\" y=\"5\" width=\"14\" height=\"10\" rx=\"2\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" fill=\"none\"\/><path d=\"M7 10h6M10 7v6\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n        <div class=\"pip-impact-title\">Student Learning<\/div>\n        <p class=\"pip-impact-body\">Enables unlimited, cost-free repetition of a critical lab skill. Students practise before ever handling real equipment, reducing reagent waste and improving safety and confidence in the lab.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"pip-impact-card\">\n        <div class=\"pip-impact-icon blue\"><svg width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\"><circle cx=\"10\" cy=\"10\" r=\"7\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" fill=\"none\"\/><path d=\"M7 10l2 2 4-4\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n        <div class=\"pip-impact-title\">Sector Reach<\/div>\n        <p class=\"pip-impact-body\">Presented at Bett (London, 2025). Interest from Cardiff Metropolitan University and internally from Imperial Chemistry and DML, with requests for up to 40 units for broader deployment.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SIMULATION TRAINING \u00b7 School of Medicine \u00b7 Faculty of Medicine VR Micropipette Training System A custom-engineered haptic pipette controller paired with VR headsets, designed to teach life-science students the precise [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":7,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-141","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medlearn.imperial.ac.uk\/innovation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medlearn.imperial.ac.uk\/innovation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medlearn.imperial.ac.uk\/innovation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medlearn.imperial.ac.uk\/innovation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medlearn.imperial.ac.uk\/innovation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/medlearn.imperial.ac.uk\/innovation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/141\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":254,"href":"https:\/\/medlearn.imperial.ac.uk\/innovation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/141\/revisions\/254"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medlearn.imperial.ac.uk\/innovation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medlearn.imperial.ac.uk\/innovation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}