HIFIm High-Frequency Impulse for Microgravity
Next-generation exercise countermeasures for astronauts in long-duration spaceflight - and advanced rehabilitation on Earth.
HIFIm
High Frequency Impulse for Microgravity
“The next generation of multi-exercise countermeasures for long duration human space exploration.”
inventor: john kennett | patented
John E. Kennett
CEO & Founder, Physical Mind London | Inventor of HIFIm
John E. Kennett is an aerospace engineer, exercise rehabilitation specialist, and inventor of HIFIm (High Frequency Impulse for Microgravity), a compact, mechanically balanced exercise countermeasure system developed to protect astronaut health during long-duration spaceflight.
His career began at British Airways, where he worked on the maintenance of Concorde and Boeing 747 fleets, served as an engineering accident investigator, led business analysis initiatives, and chaired the Engineering Fleet Health and Safety Committee. He later transitioned into academia, becoming a university lecturer in anatomy, sports injuries, and sports psychology. He is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Salford.
Motivated by the challenge of microgravity-induced physiological deconditioning, John developed HIFIm to deliver time-efficient resistance and cardiovascular exercise while minimising structural loading and induced vibration. His work has been supported through multiple UK Space Agency grants, selection for the UKSA Accelerator GEO programme, participation in the GOVBridge UK–Canada bilateral programme, and entry into the Airbus Space Accelerator (2024).
HIFIm has completed multiple ESA parabolic flight campaigns, reached Technology Readiness Level 6, and established academic collaborations with St Mary’s University Twickenham, the University of Salford, and Northumbria University. Through Physical Mind London, John leads the development of human performance systems for spaceflight and terrestrial applications.
Professor Daniel J. Cleather
Chief Scientist, Physical Mind London | Professor of Strength & Conditioning, St Mary’s University Twickenham
Professor Daniel J. Cleather is a leading biomechanist and strength and conditioning specialist, and Chief Scientist at Physical Mind London, where he leads scientific validation and research for the HIFIm (High Frequency Impulse for Microgravity) exercise countermeasure system.
He is Professor of Strength and Conditioning and Programme Director of the MSc in Strength and Conditioning at St Mary’s University Twickenham. Prior to his academic career, he spent six years as a strength and conditioning coach at the English Institute of Sport, supporting elite athletes across athletics, rowing, fencing, and rugby. He holds an MSc in Kinesiology from California State University, Long Beach, and a PhD in Bioengineering from Imperial College London.
Professor Cleather’s research focuses on musculoskeletal mechanics, motor control, joint loading, particularly of the knee, and the function of biarticular muscles, using advanced computational modelling techniques. He is the author of several widely recognised books, including the Force series, The Little Black Book of Training Wisdom, and The Practice of Change.
In the space domain, Professor Cleather specialises in exercise countermeasures for long-duration missions. He has participated in multiple ESA parabolic flight campaigns and contributed to funded projects with national and international space agencies. At Physical Mind London, he leads research into HIFIm’s vibration behaviour, force transmission characteristics, and physiological efficacy for astronaut health, including studies relevant to the Lunar Gateway programme.
Dominic Tuohy
Technical Development Partner, Physical Mind London | Oscar-Winning Special Effects Supervisor & Co-Founder, 2EFX
Dominic Tuohy is a world-leading Special Effects Supervisor and co-founder of 2EFX, with extensive experience designing, building, and operating complex mechanical systems for demanding and safety-critical environments.
Through 2EFX, Dominic has played a pivotal role in supporting the development of HIFIm (High Frequency Impulse for Microgravity), contributing to mechanical design realisation, fabrication methods, and iterative prototyping. His expertise has been instrumental in translating conceptual engineering designs into robust, repeatable physical systems capable of withstanding high dynamic loads and repeated operational use.
Dominic’s background in special effects engineering spans large-scale mechanical rigs, precision mechanisms, and bespoke load-bearing structures developed for the film industry under extreme time, safety, and reliability constraints. He is internationally recognised for his work as a Special Effects Supervisor and was part of the Academy Award-winning team for 1917, alongside multiple additional Academy Award nominations across his career.
His involvement in HIFIm brings a unique cross-disciplinary skillset to Physical Mind London, combining creative problem-solving with rigorous practical engineering. This collaboration has been central to bringing HIFIm from concept to functional demonstrator, ensuring that the system is not only theoretically sound, but physically robust and operationally credible.
Vince Abbott
Lead Design Engineer, Physical Mind London | Special Effects Engineer, 2EFX
Vince Abbott is a highly experienced mechanical design engineer and Special Effects Lead Engineer, bringing exceptional depth of expertise in the design, fabrication, and integration of complex mechanical systems subjected to demanding operational and safety constraints.
As Lead Design Engineer for HIFIm (High Frequency Impulse for Microgravity), Vince has been central to translating system requirements into detailed, manufacturable mechanical designs. He has led the development of critical assemblies, toleranced interfaces, and load-bearing structures, ensuring that HIFIm’s mechanically balanced architecture performs reliably under high cyclic loading and repeated use. His work has been instrumental in achieving a system that is both mechanically rigorous and practically buildable.
Vince’s engineering background includes senior technical roles on major international film productions, where he has contributed to the design and execution of sophisticated mechanical systems for projects including Star Wars, Gravity, Mission: Impossible, and James Bond. These environments demand uncompromising attention to safety, precision, redundancy, and repeatability, often under severe time pressure and evolving requirements.
This experience has translated directly into the HIFIm programme, where Vince has applied a disciplined engineering mindset to rapid prototyping, failure-mode anticipation, and structural robustness. His contribution has ensured that HIFIm is not only conceptually innovative, but engineered to withstand real-world operational demands consistent with spaceflight testing and future mission use.