Product Design Engineering · UWE Bristol
I'm Nixon — a product design engineer who builds at the intersection of hardware, firmware, and human need. My final-year project, O.N.Y.X., is a smart wearable knee rehabilitation brace.
Final Year Project
"Don't just recover. Return."
A smart, wearable knee rehabilitation brace that combines pneumatic compression, thermal therapy, and neural-adaptive feedback — designed to close the gap between clinical physiotherapy and at-home recovery. Born from my own multi-year recovery from a serious knee injury.
O.N.Y.X. uses an Arduino Mega 2560, four GA12-N20 compression motors, dual Peltier thermal modules, and real-time thermistor feedback — all wrapped in a custom CAD-formed shell with a teal/charcoal identity system.
Controller
Arduino Mega 2560
Thermal Range
14°C – 37°C (Peltier)
Compression
3 programmable modes
Power
IP5328P power bank module
Sensors
MF52-103 NTC thermistors
Regulatory path
Class IIa — MHRA/UKCA
System Architecture
Orthopedic
Neural-adaptive
Yield &
eXoskeletal Support
About
I'm a Product Design Engineering graduate from UWE Bristol, specialising in the full stack of physical product development — from concept and CAD through to electronics, firmware, and clinical considerations.
My work sits at the junction of engineering rigour and human-centred design. I don't just prototype — I defend component choices, navigate regulatory frameworks, and think about how a product reaches the market. O.N.Y.X. is a case study in exactly that.
Outside the lab I play golf (still learning), follow the Premier League closely, and grew up in Knutsford, Cheshire. My brother plays ice hockey for the Manchester Storm, so competitive sport has always been part of how I see the world — and how I think about recovery.
Design & CAD
Electronics & Firmware
Prototyping
Research & Strategy
Work
Smart Medical Device · 2024–25
A fully functional prototype integrating compression therapy, Peltier thermal control, and Arduino-driven firmware. Developed with clinical input from a physiotherapy apprentice and designed against a Class IIa regulatory pathway. Market projected at £1.57B by 2030.
UX / UI Research
Formative and summative research across multiple product briefs — developing empathy maps, journey flows, and validated design decisions.
Materials & Sustainability
Detailed material justifications balancing performance, biocompatibility, recyclability, and cost — with formal process documentation.
Contact
I'm actively looking for roles in product design engineering, medical devices, or hardware — ideally somewhere I can keep building things that matter. If that sounds like a fit, get in touch.