As humans, our fascination with recreating images of ourselves began with parietal art many thousands of years ago, and has continued throughout the ages. However, we also now strive to create moving, thinking, believable, virtual humans, rather than focus entirely on static images. Moreover, computer generated humans are now integral to the digital world that encompasses us, yet 3D animation remains rife with challenges. The overarching objective of the thesis, therefore, is to systematically investigate and design a comprehensive computational model that leverages the effect of natural motion from the real-world to mediate enhanced 3D animation production. Thus natural motion is simulated to support user engagement, leveraged through real-time mapping, and for control of digital characters through enabling devices for markerless capture. Captured data is analysed offline to identify potential creative enhancements. As a result of the comprehensive investigation, contributions include an innovative animation framework to support real and virtual engagement within immersive environments. The novel approach simulates motion, through combining elements of real-time game technology with facets of behaviour simulation from Embodied Conversational Agents. Contributions are also proposed towards bridging the gap between realistic motion capture and authoring more stylised 3D cartoon animations. Shortcomings of transferring natural motion to exaggerated cartoon styled animation are systematically studied and a solution based on parametric motion curve optimization is proposed. Intelligent reasoning for validation of temporal sequencing of animation assets using a structured knowledge model, further contributes towards animation production through facilitating sharing animation planning across different domains. The computational model, thus embodies the concept that through systematic investigation of synergies and differences between natural motion and keyframe animation, the benefits of both can be fused together to target more efficient, yet believable, and even creative animation authoring.

Ever increasing demand for more radiation resistant detectors from experiments such as those at the Large Hadron Collider has pushed the development of novel radiation resistant technologies. Recent developments in the laser processing of diamond have led to the construction of the first 3D diamond detectors: diamond detectors with graphitic electrodes embedded in the sensor material bulk rather than on the surface. This technology also presents interesting properties for the medical field, where 3D diamond detectors are also of interest. This thesis details some of the steps that were carried out between the fabrication of some of the first 3D diamond devices to the present day production and testing of the first 3D pixel devices and the first use of 3D diamond devices in Particle Physics experiments. This progress has in part been pushed by improvements in the laser processing techniques allowing the production of columns with lower resistances and more consistent properties. This thesis describes the fabrication of a number of these devices and details the experiments that these devices have undergone in a number of different conditions at the Diamond Light Source (Oxford), the Ruder Boskovic Institute (Zagreb), the Paul Scherrer Institute (Zurich), and the test beam facilities at CERN. This thesis also describes the simulations that were carried out to replicate the data obtained from some of the earlier devices, and hence understand how charge is collected in 3D diamond detectors and to explain some of the observed behavior of these devices.

La peau joue le rôle de barrière, participe à l'homéostasie générale de l'organisme et à la régulation de la perte d'eau trans-épidermique grâce à un échafaudage de couches de cellules. Avec le temps et l'exposition à des agressions extérieures chroniques telles que le tabac, la pollution et les UV, la peau se détériore. On parle de vieillissement cutané chronologique, extrinsèque et de photovieillissement. Le photovieillissement contribue à l'accélération du vieillissement chronologique et à l'induction de cancers cutanés. Les UVA et les UVB sont responsables de la production d'espèces réactives de l'oxygène qui sont impliquées dans la création de dommages à l'ADN et de modifications morphologiques de la peau. Afin de protéger l'organisme de ces altérations, les industriels cherchent à créer de nouveaux produits protecteurs. Pour répondre à cette problématique, il est nécessaire de développer de nouveaux outils et des modèles cutanés d'évaluation avant de tester sur volontaires ou pour éviter les tests sur animaux. Dans cet objectif, ces travaux de thèse se proposent dans un premier temps de caractériser un modèle cutané, l'explant de peau humaine, grâce à une nouvelle méthodologie d'imagerie couplant transparisation et microscopie à feuille de lumière (LSFM). Nos résultats montrent qu'il est possible d'imager des biopsies entières en 3D par sectionnement optique, rapidement et avec une bonne résolution. Il est également possible d'observer les composants majeurs de la peau et de ses annexes, pour étudier des pathologies ou les effets d'agressions extérieures comme les UV. Dans un second temps, nous avons choisi de mettre en place un modèle cutané permettant d'étudier les effets des UVA dans le photovieillissement et de tester l'effet de nouvelles molécules protectrices. Nos résultats montrent qu'une irradiation répétée d'UVA sur un explant de peau provoque l'apparition de cellules apoptotiques et des cassures de l'ADN. L'épaisseur de l'épiderme est diminuée et des immunomarquages in situ observés par LSFM montrent une modification de la localisation de deux protéines impliquées dans la différenciation tardive de l'épiderme. L'analyse de l'ultrastructure du derme montre une altération des principales fibres de la matrice extracellulaire. L'utilisation d'une protection solaire SPF30 a permis de valider la réponse du modèle à un traitement et de tester ainsi une librairie de molécules protectrices. En conclusion, Nos travaux ont permis d'observer pour la première fois la peau par LSFM et démontrer les multiples applications de cette méthodologie en dermatologie. Le modèle " explant UVA ", mimant le photovieillissement, permet d'identifier de nouveaux protecteurs solaires et actifs anti-UVA. / Skin plays the role of a barrier, contributing to the general homeostasis of the body and regulating transepidermal water loss thanks to many cell layers. Over time and with chronic external aggressions such as the tobacco, the pollution and the UV, skin deteriorates. The terms chronological, extrinsic skin aging and photoaging are used. Photoaging is involved in particular in the acceleration of chronological aging and in the induction of skin cancer. UVA and UVB are responsible for producing reactive oxygen species that are involved in DNA damages and morphological modifications of skin. To protect the body against these changes, industrials are working to create new protective products. To further this pursuit, it is necessary to develop new tools and cutaneous models before testing on volunteers or animals. To this end, this thesis first aim to characterize a cutaneous model, the human skin explant, thanks to new imaging methodology coupling clearing and light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM). These results show that it was possible to observe, by optical section, entire 3D biopsies, quickly and with a good resolution. It is thus possible to visualize the major components of skin and these appendages, to study pathologies and external aggressions effect such as UV. Subsequently, we choose to create a cutaneous model making it possible to study the effects of UVA in photoaging and to test the protective effect of new molecules. These results show that repeated UVA irradiation of a skin explant cause apoptotic cells and DNA strand breaks. The thickness of the epidermis decreased and LSFM In situ immunolabeling reveal the modified location of two proteins involved in late differentiation of the epidermis. Analysis of dermis ultrastructure shows a change in the main fibers of the extracellular matrix. The use of SPF30 sunscreen allowed us to validate the model's response to treatment and to test protective molecules. In conclusion, own research has made it possible, for the first, to observe skin by LSFM and to demonstrate the many applications of this methodology in dermatology. The "UVA explant" model, miming photoaging, allows researchers to identify new sunscreens and anti-UVA actives.

The field of biomaterials has seen huge development over the past decade with enormous efforts invested in discovering materials with improved biocompatibility, application and versatility. Polymers can display many properties that make them ideal biomaterials, such as their potential flexibility, low weight, low cost and biodegradability. Moreover, they can be prepared in a wide variety of compositions and forms and be readily fabricated into various shapes and structures. Polymer microarrays represent an efficient high-throughput platform for the screening and discovery of new materials compared to conventional assays with advantages such as high-density screening, internal consistency of assays and the requirement for only small quantities of material. The first part of this thesis describes work in the area of diabetes research with a focus on how dysfunctional β-cells could be replaced by the transplantation of β-cells obtained from pluripotent stem cells. To achieve this aim, high numbers of β-cells are required. A polymer microarray screening approach was used to identify a number of polymers that promoted the attachment of pancreatic progenitor cells and enhanced cell proliferation. Multiple scale-up fabrication techniques were assessed to establish the most suitable approach and surface for long term cell culture leading to the obtainment of reproducible in situ polymerised polymer layers with enhanced binding properties toward pancreatic progenitor cells. These surfaces have the potential to support cell adhesion and proliferation and could find potential use in the industrial sector to increase the production of pancreatic progenitor cells in vitro. In the second part, efforts were made to gain a better understanding of the maturation of β-cells and their behaviour, with the development of 3D hydrogels based on the previously identified polymers. In this scenario, parameters such as stiffness and porosity were evaluated to identify the best environmental conditions to support 3D cell culturing of pancreatic progenitor cells. Several approaches were tested to generate scaffolds with suitable stiffness and porosity leading to the obtainment of scaffolds based on the previously identified polymer composition and with controlled porosity and stiffness. These scaffolds could represent a suitable environment to allow a better understanding of cell organisation and regulation. In a third avenue of work, arrays of 3D biocompatible materials, which were tailored for varying elasticity, hardness, and porosity (to provide the necessary physical cues to control cellular functions) were fabricated. In this chapter, details of the development of an array of eighty 3D double-network hydrogel features are reported. The array features can be produced as single or double networks and modulated in terms of stiffness, viscoelasticity and porosity to assess cell response to materials with a wide range of properties. The final part of the thesis describes the development and screening of polymeric materials to allow a better understanding of cell–surface interactions with various cell types. To investigate the correlation between cell attachment and the nature of the polymer, a series of random and block copolymers were synthesised and examined for their abilities to attach and support the growth of human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T), with attachment modelled on monomer ratios, arrangement, and polymer chain length. The results of this screening showed differences between block copolymers and random copolymers in cell adhesion and provide interesting insight into the improvement of polymer coatings for cell culture.

Peu d'études ont été menées sur l'influence de la stéréoscopie sur la perception d'un mixage audio au cinéma. Les témoignages de mixeurs ou les articles scientifiques montrent pourtant une grande diversité d'opinions à ce sujet. Certains estiment que cette influence est négligeable, d'autres affirment qu'il faut totalement revoir notre conception de la bande-son, aussi bien au niveau du mixage que de la diffusion. Une première série d'expériences s'est intéressée à la perception des sons d'ambiance. 8 séquences, dans leurs versions stéréoscopiques (3D-s) et non-stéréoscopiques (2D), ont été diffusées dans un cinéma à des sujets avec plusieurs mixages différents. Pour chaque présentation, les sujets devaient évaluer à quel point le mixage proposé leur paraissait trop frontal ou au contraire trop « surround », le but étant de mettre en évidence une éventuelle influence de la stéréoscopie sur la perception de la balance frontal/surround d'un mixage audio. Les résultats obtenus ont rejoint ceux d'une expérience préliminaire menée dans un auditorium de mixage, où les sujets se trouvaient en situation de mixeur et devaient eux-mêmes régler la balance frontal/surround : l'influence de la stéréoscopie était faible et n'apparaissait que pour quelques séquences. Des études ont ensuite été menées sur la perception des objets sonores tels que dialogues et effets. Une quatrième expérience s'est intéressée à l'effet ventriloque en élévation : lorsque l'on présente à un sujet des stimuli audio et visuel temporellement coïncidents mais spatialement disparates, les sujets perçoivent parfois le stimulus sonore au même endroit que le stimulus visuel. On appelle ce phénomène l’effet ventriloque car il rappelle l'illusion créée par le ventriloque lorsque sa voix semble plutôt provenir de sa marionnette que de sa propre bouche. Ce phénomène a été très largement étudié dans le plan horizontal, et dans une moindre mesure en distance. Par contre, très peu d'études se sont intéressées à l'élévation. Dans cette expérience, nous avons présenté à des sujets des séquences audiovisuelles montrant un homme en train de parler. Sa voix pouvait être reproduite sur différents haut-parleurs, qui créaient des disparités plus ou moins grandes en azimut et en élévation entre le son et l'image. Pour chaque présentation, les sujets devaient indiquer si la voix semblait ou non provenir de la même direction que la bouche de l'acteur. Les résultats ont montré que l'effet ventriloque était très efficace en élévation, ce qui suggère qu'il n'est peut-être pas nécessaire de rechercher la cohérence audiovisuelle en élévation au cinéma. / Few psychoacoustic studies have been carried out about the influence of stereoscopy on the sound mixing of movies. Yet very different opinions can be found in the cinema industry and in scientific papers. Some argue that sound needs to be mixed differently for stereoscopic movies while others pretend that this influence is negligible.A first set of experiments was conducted, which focused on the perception of ambience. Eight sequences - in their stereoscopic (s-3D) and non-stereoscopic (2D) versions, with several different sound mixes - were presented to subjects. For each presentation, subjects had to judge to what extent the mix sounded frontal or “surround.” The goal was to verify whether stereoscopy had an influence on the perception of the front/surround balance of ambience. Results showed that this influence was weak, which was consistent with a preliminary experiment conducted in a mixing auditorium where subjects had to mix the front/surround balance of several sequences themselves.Studies were then conducted on the perception of sound objects such as dialogs or on-screen effects. A fourth experiment focused on ventriloquism in elevation: when presented with a spatially discordant auditory-visual stimulus, subjects sometimes perceive the sound and the visual stimuli as coming from the same location. Such a phenomenon is often referred to as ventriloquism, because it evokes the illusion created by a ventriloquist when his voice seems to emanate from his puppet rather than from his mouth. While this effect has been extensively examined in the horizontal plane and to a lesser extent in distance, few psychoacoustic studies have focused on elevation. In this experiment, sequences of a man talking were presented to subjects. His voice could be reproduced on different loudspeakers, which created disparities in both azimuth and elevation between the sound and the visual stimuli. For each presentation, subjects had to indicate whether or not the voice seemed to emanate from the mouth of the actor. Ventriloquism was found to be highly effective in elevation, which suggests that audiovisual coherence in elevation might be unnecessary in theaters.

Le principal objectif de cette thèse a été d'utiliser des outils numériques en sciences pour l'ingénieur dans le cadre d'applications médicales dont le but était de mieux appréhender la pathogénie des troubles fonctionnels, et de développer de nouvelles techniques thérapeutiques (sphère orofaciale). Dans un premier temps l'outil éléments finis s'appuyant sur des données rhéologiques a été utilisé afin de mieux appréhender la problématique de l'articulation temporo-mandibulaire. Les résultats numériques associés à une captation du mouvement de la mandibule ont permis de mieux comprendre, au sens, mécanique certains aspects mandibulaires. Par ailleurs, dans un deuxième temps, l'outil CAO a été mis en œuvre afin d'aider la préparation de la chirurgie maxillofaciale. Cette nouvelle approche a permis de mettre en œuvre une nouvelle méthodologie en chirurgie des tumeurs interruptrices en améliorant (i) le contrôle du résultat esthétique, (ii) la réduction du temps opératoire et (iii) le respect de la bonne congruence de l'ATM. / The main objective of this thesis was to use numerical engineering softwares in the framework of medical applications whose purpose was to understand the pathogenesis functional disorders, and to develop new therapeutic techniques (orofacial sphere). At first, finite elements tools based on rheological data has been used to understand the problem of TMJ. Numerical results associated with motion capture of the mandible have a better understanding the mandibular mechanical aspects. Moreover, in a second step, the CAD tools implemented to assist the preparation of the maxillofacial surgery. This new approach allowed a new methodology surgery interrupter tumors improving (i) controling the esthetic result, (ii) reducing the operating time and (iii) respecting a good TMJ congruence.

This thesis explores the hypothesis that current industry standard methods used to visualise environmentally hazardous or historically significant shipwrecks can be improved by adopting a number of new, aesthetically considered, methods. The thesis describes the development of occlusion objects, locoramps and the use of digital cinematography, as methods that the author proposes to improve the 3D visualisation of point cloud data from multibeam sonar. Case studies were selected as the basis for experimentation; they include HMS Royal Oak in Orkney and SS Richard Montgomery in the Thames Estuary. The author collaborated with a multi-disciplinary team of forensic maritime archaeologists, marine surveyors and salvage experts to gain access to unique shipwreck sites and the high resolution sonar data gathered from them. Through experimentation with the data, occlusion objects, locally oriented colour ramps (locoramps) and improved depth cueing through digital cinematography were developed and applied in 3D visualisations of the case study wrecks. A real-time application WreckSight was created to exploit the new methods. The resulting 3D visualisations of the wrecks were evaluated by a number of target audience groups by means of an interactive questionnaire that allows a direct comparison of data presented using the new methods with traditional display methods. Analysis of the resulting data shows a statistical significance that supports the hypothesis. The author proposes that the new methods constitute new knowledge in the 3D visualisation of multibeam sonar data of shipwrecks.

Höftfrakturer är ett stort problem för äldre i dagens samhälle och för samhället i stort. Många drabbas vilket leder till stort lidande och för samhället höga kostnader. Detta har Professor Peter Apell vid Chalmers University of Technology uppmärksammat. Han har startat upp flera projekt inom området Innovative textiles in healthcare för att hitta nya och bättre lösningar på problem relaterade till vård och hälsa. Det här projektet är ett av de projekt som uppkommit genom hans engagemang. Projektets fokus har varit att undersöka dämpning och spridning av kraft samt energiupptagningsförmåga hos tredimensionell väv i kombination med non woven. Samma typ av undersökning har utförts på ett polymert material kallat D3O. D3O används i nuläget i viss typ av skyddsutrustning men inte inom området höftskydd för äldre. De olika materialens egenskaper har därefter jämförts. Intresset för att undersöka 3D-textil i sammanhanget skyddsmaterial är grundat i att det kan ha flera fördelar i förhållande till de material som används i befintliga skydd idag. Många höftskydd på marknaden har skumgummi som skyddsmaterial. En fördel med textila skydd är möjligheten att producera skydd och hållare för skyddet i ett och samma material vilket förenklar framtida återvinning. Med textila skyddspaneler finns även möjligheten att framställa lätta och flexibla skydd för ökad komfort. Projektets största begränsning har varit testutrustning och testmetoder, en begränsning för hela industrin inom utveckling av höftskydd. Den testutrustning som använts i projektet har varit en fallrigg med tillhörande fallkropp i form av en kula, hos företaget Industritextil Job i Kinna, samt två olika dragprovare med speciellt framtagna hållare och klämmor vid Textilhögskolan i Borås. De textila konstruktionerna som undersökts under projektet har framställts av författarna med hjälp av maskiner och textila material som varit tillgängliga på Textilhögskolan. Flera bindningar togs fram, dessa vävdes och studerades. Två varianter av distansvävar med stående distanser ansågs ha potential tillsammans med två olika konstruktioner av non woven. D3O-materialet köptes in i form av färdiga höftskydd. Projektet har resulterat i att de konstruktioner som tagits fram i väv och non woven har potential men i nuläget troligtvis inte tar upp tillräckligt mycket av kraften för att undvika en frakturskada. Undersökningen har dock visat att det finns mycket att utveckla och forska vidare på inom området 3D-textil. Det polymera skyddet D3O visade goda resultat teoretiskt och praktiskt i den utsträckning det kunde undersökas med tillgänglig testutrustning. Mer arbete med utformning av materialet rekommenderas för att ta fram ett skydd som är bra ur både komfort- och funktionssynpunkt. Det krävs ytterligare tester med bättre anpassad testutrustning innan skyddseffekten kan bekräftas vara tillräcklig. / Hip fractures are a big problem for the elderly in today's society and a problem for our society as a whole. A lot of people get affected by it and it leads to suffering and a large cost for society. This is something Professor Peter Apell at Chalmers University of Technology has noticed. He has started several projects within the field of Innovative textiles in healthcare to find new and improved solutions to issues related to health and welfare. This project is one of the projects started because of his commitment to the cause. The focus of the project has been to explore the attenuation of force, dispersion of force and energy absorption of distance weaves in combination with non woven materials. The same type of exploration has been applied to a polymer material called D3O. D3O is already being used in some types of protective gear but not within the area of hip protection for the elderly. The different materials characteristics have thereafter been compared. The base of the interest in exploring 3D textile protection is that it could provide certain advantages which some of the hip protection products of today lacks. Many of the products today use foam rubber as the base of protection. An advantage with protective panels made by textiles is the possibility that the whole of the protective product can be made in one and the same material throughout which will simplify future recycling. Another advantage with textile protective panels is the possibility of light and flexible constructions for increased comfort. The most influential restriction to the project has been equipment for performing tests on the materials, which is a big restriction in the whole business of developing hip protection. The testing equipment used in this project has been a setup for performing drop testing with a cylindrical impact body, at the company Industritextil Job in Kinna, and two different tensile machines with specially made clamps at the University of Borås. The textile constructions examined during the project has been manufactured with the use of machines and materials available at the Swedish School of Textiles at the University of Borås. Different weaves were constructed, produced and studied. Two of the three dimensional weaves were regarded as having potential if combined with two different non woven structures. The D3O material was bought, readymade, in the form of hip protection panels. The project has shown that the contextures produced have potential but as of now probably is not enough to protect the hip from fracturing. They did show that there is a lot to explore further within the area of 3D-textiles. D3O, showed good results theoretically and practically to the extent possible to test with the available equipment. More work is advised concerning the shape of the protection panel to make it comfortable and effective in its protection. Further testing with other more adapted testing equipment is required before it can be said with certainty that the protective panel reduces applied forces enough for it to avoid a fractured hip.

This thesis describes work on a novel 3D imaging system that successfully implements optical feedback and noise rejection mechanisms. The system is a combination of three relatively new technologies, namely, holographic projection, Time of Flight (ToF) ranging and Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) sensors. Holographic projection is used to provide structured illumination with optical feedback instead of more commonly used uniform illumination in similar imaging systems. It is obtained using a Ferro-electric Liquid Crystal on Silicon Spatial Light Modulator (FLCoS SLM). The structured illumination with optical feedback can be operated at up to 60 Hz with the current device, and has been shown to provide an average gain of about 1.56 in useful light levels. Alternatively, a gain over a limited area of up to a factor of 9 is possible with the current system. Time of Flight ranging is a method of choice for the system when depth estimation is concerned. It works even at very low light levels and allows for sub-centimetre depth resolution. ToF method was implemented using 20 MHz laser diode with 50 ps pulse duration and 200 mW peak power, as well as a SPAD sensor. The SPAD sensor consisted of a 32 32 array of 50 μm pixels, each with 10 bit Time to Digital Converter (TDC) with 50 ps timing resolution. Sensor pixels feature 100 Hz mean Dark Count Rate (DCR). The use of SPAD sensors with an adaptive sensing algorithm presented in this work has been demonstrated to reduce effective noise levels as seen by the sensor by a factor of 16. As a result, a significant gain in depth resolution can be achieved. The quantification of this gain is explained in more detail within this work. Furthermore, the work describes in detail system design, methodology of experimental procedure as well as different algorithms essential to the correct operation of the system. Significant amount of time is dedicated to diffraction pattern generation for the use in holographic projection, as well as modelling of photon detection in SPAD sensors and associated peak detection necessary to extract depth information from histograms of timed of photons. Moreover, the thesis discusses potential applications for the system based on the results of system characterisation presented in this work. The current state of the system suggests best suitability for gaming and machine vision applications. Finally, the work offers potential solutions to the practical issues that remain unresolved in the current system, alternatives for components used and paths for potential future development of the system proposed.

The methodologies utilised by pharmaceutical companies for the toxicity screening of developmental drugs are currently based on outdated two-dimensional (2D) plate-based assay systems. Although such methods provide high-throughput analysis, limitations surrounding the biomimicry of the culture environment reduces the accuracy of testing, making the process cost and time inefficient. To significantly enhance the current methods, a screening platform that is both flexible in its design and is amenable toward physiologically representative engineered tissue is required. Incorporating a flow environment within the system elicits a variety of advantages over standard static cultures, pertinently the ability to couple the flow path with automated analytical systems via the use of intuitive software. Musculoskeletal pathological conditions account for £4.76 billion of NHS spending as of 2011 (Department of Health), affecting one in four of the UK adult population. Skeletal muscle, a highly metabolic and regenerative tissue, is involved in a wide variety of functional, genetic, metabolic and degenerative pathological conditions such as muscular dystrophy, diabetes, osteoarthritis, motor neuron disease and pertinently muscular weakness associated with aging populations. Skeletal muscle tissue engineering is centred on the in vitro creation of in vivo-like tissue within laboratory environments and seeks to aid the development of future therapies, by reliably elucidating the molecular mechanisms that regulate such conditions. However, the translation of such models toward systems amenable to pharmaceutical companies has to date been limited. Microphysiological perfusion bioreactors for in vitro cell culture are a rapidly developing research niche, although state of the art systems are currently limited due to the biologically non-representative 2D culture environment, lack of adaptability toward different experimental requirements and confinement to offline analytical methods. Advancements in additive manufacture (AM), commonly known as three-dimensional (3D) printing has provided a method of production that enables researchers to hold complete design freedom and facilitate customisation of required parts. The low cost, rapid prototyping nature of AM further lends itself toward the development of such technology, with design iterations quickly and easily printed, tested and re-designed where appropriate. Issues do however, currently persist regarding the biological compatibility of printed polymers and functional material properties of parts created. As such, this thesis investigated the use of AM as a rapid and functional prototyping technique to design and develop microphysiological perfusion bioreactors. Here, biocompatibility of candidate polymers derived from commercially available 3D printing processes; fused deposition modelling (FDM), stereolithography (SL), selective laser sintering (LS) and PolyJet modelling (PJM) were elucidated. Following the biological evaluation of these polymers, their suitability, and the applicability of each process in function and manufacture of perfusion bioreactors were assessed alongside the research and development process of system designs. Specifically, attention was afforded to the homeostatic environment within bio-perfusion systems. Once finalised, the biological optimisation of designs; biocompatibility and rates of proliferation in response to the perfusion environment, was undertaken. Protocols were then established for the automated perfusion of skeletal muscle cells in both monolayer and tissue engineered 3D hydrogels. This research outlined significant contributions to the scientific literature in 3D printed polymer biocompatibility, in addition to creating bio-perfusion systems that are adaptable, analytical and facilitate the in situ phenotypic development of physiologically representative skeletal muscle tissue. Polymer biocompatibility elucidated in this work will help to facilitate the wide-ranging use of AM in biological settings. However, advancements in the chemical properties of liquid resins for advanced photo-curable processes remain necessitated for AM to be considered as a primary manufacturing technique in the biological sciences. Furthermore, although systems developed in this work have provided a base technology from which to develop and build upon, significant challenges remain in the integration of tissue engineered perfusion devices within pharmaceutical settings. Although it is plausible that the technology created in its current guise would facilitate the automated generation of skeletal muscle tissue, systems require further development to aid their usability and scale. Furthermore, work is also required to optimise the biological environment prior to mass manufacture. As such, to truly influence the pharmaceutical industry, which has invested so heavily in more traditional screening technology, a system that is all-encompassing in biology, technology and automated analytics is required.