Our Research

Researchers at I³R are developing the technologies and solutions that improve lives.

Neural Enabled Prosthesis for Upper Limb Amputees »

Subject group: Seeking Healthy Adult Upper Limb Amputee Volunteers

Clinical Trial
Status: Open

Goal of this study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a new investigational prosthetic system called the neural-enabled prosthetic hand (ANS-NEPH). It is intended to provide the sense of touch, grasp force and hand opening to the user by sending electrical stimulation pulses to electrodes implanted in nerves of the residual limb. The system uses measurements from sensors in the prosthetic hand to adjust the pulses continuously so that the user gets sensation as tasks are performed with the prosthesis.

Non-invasive Electrical Neurostimulation for Sensory Feedback »

Subject group: Seeking Healthy Adult Volunteers

Status: Open

Goal of this study

The purpose of our research study, “Non-invasive Electrical Neurostimulation for Sensory Feedback”, is to investigate a transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation (TENS) approach for providing graded feedback of multiple sensory modalities.

Non-invasive Electrical Neurostimulation for Sensory Feedback »

Subject group: Seeking Healthy Adult Upper or Lower Limb Amputee Volunteers

Status: Open

Goal of this study

The purpose of our research study, “Non-invasive Electrical Neurostimulation for Sensory Feedback”, is to investigate a transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation (TENS) approach for providing graded feedback of multiple sensory modalities.

Cultivate IQ

Status: Open

Goal of this project

To develop and commercialize the Cultivate IQ software platform.

With large industrial farms dominating production and global trade expanding, local farms have increasingly struggled to connect to distributors and food buyers. I3R is addressing this challenge through Cultivate IQ, an AI data insights software platform funded by the National Science Foundation’s Convergence Accelerator Grant, designed to connect small and medium-sized farms to distributors. Offering transparency and useful information across the food supply chain, this tool will allow farmers to know what to grow, how much to grow, and who to sell it to.

Human: The World Within

I³R’s Adaptive Neural Systems Group exemplifies the Institute and its people – driven by purpose. Watch their groundbreaking work in restoring sense of touch to individuals with limb loss, featured in the episode “React” on Human: The World Within on Netflix and PBS

Short Takes: Restoring Touch

An innovative prosthetic system developed by researchers at the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I³R) at the University of Arkansas has allowed Arkansan Dewey Hickey to once again experience touch. Hickey, whose hand was amputated in 1963, is the first Arkansan and only the second person in the world to receive the novel prosthetic system, which restores a meaningful sense of touch and grip force to individuals with an upper limb amputation.

Discover RED: Extending Touch

Biomedical engineering researchers at the University of Arkansas' Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research are developing a novel technology that uses electrical stimulation of the nervous system to extend the sense of touch to virtual or extended realities. This stimulation, done via a bracelet or band, can give virtual objects the weight and feel of real ones. This opens the door to a wide range of potential activities, including rehabilitation and physical therapies that currently require patients with limited mobility to travel.

Cultivate IQ

The NSF Convergence Accelerator, aligned to the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), builds upon NSF's investment in basic research and discovery to accelerate solutions toward societal and economic impact. Convergence Accelerator multidisciplinary teams use convergence research fundamentals and innovation processes to stimulate innovative idea sharing and development of sustainable solutions.