Daniel is a Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and holds B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Sports Engineering, as well as a Ph.D. focused on concussion prevention and impact protection. His doctoral research explored advanced helmet testing methodologies and the use of mechanical metamaterials to enhance impact protection.
Daniel helps clients bridge the gap between research and innovation, providing specialist expertise in crash testing equipment design, injury prevention, and advanced material technologies. His work centres on developing practical engineering solutions that improve safety, performance, and biofidelity in testing and product design.
With experience across the project life cycle—from concept generation to commercialisation—he combines technical understanding with strategic innovation experience. A SolidWorks Certified Professional and member of the IMechE Sports Engineering Group Committee, Daniel brings both technical excellence and innovation leadership to every project.
An ice hockey player for over 25 years, Daniel combines a lifelong passion for sport with a career dedicated to improving athlete safety and performance.
Expertise areas:
- Impact Biomechanics & Injury Prevention: Extensive knowledge and understanding of biomechanical injuries and their prevention through energy absorbing mechanisms.
- Anthropometric Test Devices (ATDs): Experience in development, testing, and manufacture across the commercially available range of crash test dummies.
- Mechanical Metamaterials: Expertise in development, proof-of-concept, and research of engineered structures, achieving functionalities not found in natural materials.
- Innovation Strategy: Experienced with commercialisation of newly developed products; including full project life cycle, stakeholder engagement, and project leadership.
Professional Engagement
- IMechE Sports Engineering Group
- BSI National Committee member PH/6 “Head protection”
- BSI National Committee member PH/6/6 “Protective helmets for sport and leisure”
- CEN/TC 158/WG 11 “Headforms and test methods”
Publication History
Journal Articles:
- Mechanical metamaterials for sports helmets: structural mechanics, design optimisation, and performance. Haid D., Foster L., Hart J., Greenwald R., Allen T., Sareh P., Duncan O. Smart Materials and Structures, Volume 32, 11 (2023). 10.1088/1361-665X/acfddf
- Free-fall drop test with interchangeable surfaces to recreate concussive ice hockey head impacts. Haid D., Duncan O., Hart J., Foster L. Sports Engineering 26, 25 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-023-00416-6
Conference Proceedings:
- Numerical model of a mechanical metamaterial with adaptable stiffness. Haid D., Duncan O., Hart J., Foster L. ISEA 2024 – The Engineering of Sport 15, Loughborough University, 8 – 11 July 2024.
- Adaptable Mechanical Metamaterial for Ice Hockey Helmet Liners. Haid D., Duncan O., Hart J., Foster L. 2023 IRCOBI Europe conference, Cambridge, 13 – 15 September 2023.
- Proof-of-Concept of an adaptable mechanical Metamaterial for Ice Hockey Helmet Liners. Haid D., Duncan O., Hart J., Foster L. ADM 2023 International Conference, Florence, 6 – 8 September 2023.
- Repeatability and Reproducibility of a Test Method to Assess Ice Hockey Head Impacts. Nickel L., Duncan O., Hart J., Foster L., Haid D. ADM 2023 International Conference, Florence, 6 – 8 September 2023
- Characterisation of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for additive manufacturing. Haid D., Duncan O., Hart J., Foster L. Spinfortec2022: 14. Symposium der Sektion Sportinformatik und Sporttechnologie der Deutschen Vereinigung für Sportwissenschaft (dvs), Chemnitz, 29 – 30 September 2022.
- Free-fall drop test rig to replicate head impacts in ice hockey. Haid D., Duncan O., Hart J., Foster L. ISEA 2022 – The Engineering of Sport 14, Purdue University, 6 – 10 June 2022.
- Feasibility of a free-fall drop test rig to replicate head impact scenarios in ice hockey. Haid D., Duncan O., Hart J., Foster L. 16th International Conference on Advances in Experimental Mechanics, 6 – 8 September 2021.
- Validation of an Inertial Sensor System for Swing Analysis in Golf. Lückemann P., Haid D., Brömel P., Schwanitz S., Maiwald C. ISEA 2018 – The Engineering of Sport 12, Brisbane, Australia, 26 – 29 March 2018.