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Peter Adamczyk

Peter Adamczyk

Mead Witter Associate Professor

Dr. Adamczyk directs the UW Biomechatronics, Assistive Devices, Gait Engineering and Rehabilitation Laboratory (UW BADGER Lab) which aims to enhance physical and functional recovery from orthopedic and neurological injury through advanced robotic devices. We study the mechanisms by which these injuries impair normal motion and coordination, and target interventions to encourage recovery and/or provide biomechanical assistance. Our work primarily addresses impairments affecting walking, running, and standing. Core engineering research includes development and control of advanced semi-active foot prostheses, rehabilitation robots and wearable sensor systems. We apply these developments to advance assessment and rehabilitation in persons with lower limb amputation, balance impairments, hemiparesis, and other mobility challenges..

Professor Peter Adamczyk, Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • PhD 2008, University of Michigan
  • MS 2003, University of Michigan
  • BS 2002, Case Western Reserve University

  • Biomechanics of Walking and Running
  • Biomechanics with Lower Limb Amputation
  • Advanced Foot/Ankle Prostheses
  • Wearable Sensors for "Real-World" Motion Tracking
  • Rehabilitation Robotics
  • Wearable Rehabilitation Devices
  • Wearable Assistive Devices

  • 2022 College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mead Witter Associate Professorship
  • 2020 College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Charles Ringrose Assistant Professorship
  • 2018 College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Harvey Spangler Award for Technology-Enhanced Instruction
  • 2013 Journal of Biomechanics, Certificate of Excellence in Reviewing
  • 2005 University of Michigan, Edward Ginsberg Center Outstanding Campus Impact Award
  • 2005 University of Michigan , Spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. Award
  • 2002 Case Western Reserve University, Case Alumni Association Prize for Achievement
  • 2002 Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Fred Hale Vose Prize
  • 2002 Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Gustav Kuerti Award
  • 2001 Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Robert & Leona Garwin Award
  • 2000 U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Research Undergraduate Laboratory Fellowship
  • 2000 Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Outstanding Junior Award
  • 1999 Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Outstanding Sophomore Award (

  • Reiter, A. J., Martin, J. A., Knurr, K. A., Adamczyk, P., & Thelen, D. G. (2024). Achilles Tendon Loading during Running Estimated via Shear Wave Tensiometry: A Step Towards Wearable Kinetic Analysis.. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
  • Fehr, K. H., Kent, J. A., Major, M. J., & Adamczyk, P. (2024). Changes in dynamic mean ankle moment arm in unimpaired walking across speeds, ramps, and stairs. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 1--27.
  • Fehr, K. H., Bartloff, J. N., Wang, Y., Hetzel, S., & Adamczyk, P. (2024). Estimation of minimum foot clearance using a single foot-mounted inertial sensor and personalized foot geometry scan. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 13640.
  • Wang, Y., Fehr, K. H., & Adamczyk, P. (2024). Impact-aware foot motion reconstruction and ramp/stair detection using one foot-mounted inertial measurement unit. Sensors, 24(5), 1480.
  • Greene, M. J., Fischman Ekman Sim~oes, Ivan,, Lewis, P. R., Nichols, K. M., & Adamczyk, P. (2024). Non-Backdrivable Wedge Cam Mechanism for a Semi-Active Two-Axis Prosthetic Ankle. Prosthesis, 6(3), 683--707.
  • Boyer, K. A., Hayes, K. L., Umberger, B. R., Adamczyk, P., Bean, J. F., Brach, J. S., Clark, B. C., Clark, D. J., Ferrucci, L., Finley, J., & others, (2023). Age-related changes in gait biomechanics and their impact on the metabolic cost of walking: Report from a National Institute on Aging workshop. Experimental gerontology, 173, 112102.
  • Segal, A. D., Petruska, A. J., Adamczyk, P., & Silverman, A. K. (2023). Age-specific biomechanical challenges and engagement in dynamic balance training with robotic or virtual real-time visual feedback. Journal of Biomechanics, 152, 111574.
  • Nichols, K. M., & Adamczyk, P. (2023). Sensitivity of lower-limb joint mechanics to prosthetic forefoot stiffness with a variable stiffness foot in level-ground walking. Journal of Biomechanics, 147, 111436.
  • Bennett, S. T., Han, W., Mahmud, D., Adamczyk, P., Dai, F., Wehner, M., Veeramani, D., & Zhu, Z. (2023). Usability and biomechanical testing of passive exoskeletons for construction workers: a field-based pilot study. Buildings, 13(3), 822.
  • Adamczyk, P., Harper, S. E., Reiter, A. J., Roembke, R. A., Wang, Y., Nichols, K. M., & Thelen, D. G. (2023). Wearable sensing for understanding and influencing human movement in ecological contexts. Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering, 100492.

  • B M E 799 - Advanced Independent Study (Spring 2025)
  • E C E 439 - Introduction to Robotics (Spring 2025)
  • M E 351 - Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects I (Spring 2025)
  • M E 352 - Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects II (Spring 2025)
  • M E 439 - Introduction to Robotics (Spring 2025)
  • M E 790 - Master's Research and Thesis (Spring 2025)
  • M E 890 - PhD Research and Thesis (Spring 2025)
  • M E 990 - Dissertator Research and Thesis (Spring 2025)
  • B M E 799 - Advanced Independent Study (Fall 2024)
  • E C E 439 - Introduction to Robotics (Fall 2024)
  • M E 351 - Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects I (Fall 2024)
  • M E 352 - Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects II (Fall 2024)
  • M E 439 - Introduction to Robotics (Fall 2024)
  • M E 790 - Master's Research and Thesis (Fall 2024)
  • M E 890 - PhD Research and Thesis (Fall 2024)
  • M E 990 - Dissertator Research and Thesis (Fall 2024)
  • M E 890 - PhD Research and Thesis (Summer 2024)
  • M E 990 - Dissertator Research and Thesis (Summer 2024)
  • M E 351 - Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects I (Spring 2024)
  • M E 352 - Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects II (Spring 2024)
  • M E 376 - Introduction to Mechatronics (Spring 2024)
  • M E 790 - Master's Research and Thesis (Spring 2024)
  • M E 890 - PhD Research and Thesis (Spring 2024)
  • M E 990 - Dissertator Research and Thesis (Spring 2024)
  • E C E 439 - Introduction to Robotics (Fall 2023)
  • M E 351 - Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects I (Fall 2023)
  • M E 352 - Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects II (Fall 2023)
  • M E 439 - Introduction to Robotics (Fall 2023)
  • M E 491 - Mechanical Engineering Projects I (Fall 2023)
  • M E 790 - Master's Research and Thesis (Fall 2023)
  • M E 890 - PhD Research and Thesis (Fall 2023)
  • M E 699 - Advanced Independent Study (Summer 2023)
  • M E 790 - Master's Research and Thesis (Summer 2023)
  • M E 890 - PhD Research and Thesis (Summer 2023)
  • M E 990 - Dissertator Research and Thesis (Summer 2023)