Capstone Projects for Winter/Spring 2004
Bike Suspension DesignOverviewDesign a new suspension for mountain bikes to improve rider comfort in a variety of mountain biking conditions. AdvisorsAcademic Advisor: Dr. Wern Clean Hands WheelchairOverviewDesign a new wheelchair or wheelchair attachment such that the wheelchair can be easily moved without hands pushing on wheels that roll on the ground. AdvisorsCommunity partner: Keen Mobility Inc Academic Advisor: Dr. Sailor Drawbar Strength Testing DeviceOverviewDesign a device for destructive testing and monitoring the performance of Semi-truck drawbars. AdvisorsCommunity partner: Conmet Academic Advisor: Dr. Etesami Elephant Seal LiftOverviewDesign a device that would assist in lifting "Mira", the Zoo’s disabled elephant seal, out of its pool. AdvisorsCommunity partner: Metro Zoo Academic Advisor: Dr. Etesami OutcomeThe design team designed and build a lightweight, stowable ramp that is placed on the edge of the Mira's tank. The ramp structure is welded aluminum. The ramp surface is covered with plastic with rubber strips made of recycled tires for added traction. The entire system is The roll-away ramp cost about $700 and was paid for by donations to the zoo.
Gas Pipe Repair DeviceOverviewDesign a device that would repair pipes that have been previously cut for pipeline repair. The device is to replace pipe cutouts and restores the pipe to its original condition such that automated pipe inspection tools can operate through the repaired pipe. AdvisorsCommunity partner: NW Natural Academic Advisor: Dr. Etesami Mechanical Simulation of BrainOverviewDesign a device that can simulate the mechanical properties of a brain and predict the induced pressure variations as a result of blood flow through the brain. The objective is to provide a tool for surgeons to obtain predictions that would otherwise require physical probing of the brain. This project is multi-disciplinary involving electrical engineering students as well. AdvisorsCommunity partner: Kohles Bioengineering Academic Advisor: Dr. Biber Outcomes:Ryan Mangan (MME) and Edward Stan (ECE) continued work this summer on their capstone project as preparation for presentation at two national conferences. The project entitled "Cranial Vascular Dynamics Model" was presented at the 28th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics (ASB), held Sept. 8-11, 2004 in Portland, Oregon, and the 26th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) held Sept. 1-5, 2004 in San Francisco, California. The students were members of a six-person, interdepartmental capstone team advised by Adjunct Associate Professor Sean S. Kohles (MME), Associate Professor James McNames (ECE), and Assistant Professor Cathy Biber (MME). Results from the model provided a proof-of-concept demonstration of many biomechanical factors influencing traumatic brain injury physiology. Micro-Gravity Test ApparatusOverviewDesign a system to achieve and monitor steady-state two-phase flow in a micro-gravity environment. This project is chosen by NASA for test flight in an airplane that simulates microgravity. AdvisorsCommunity partner: NASA Academic Advisor: Dr. Weislogol Mini BajaOverviewDesign an off-road vehicle using a standard engine to compete in a variety of performance categories. The competition is sponsored by Society of Automotive Engineers. AdvisorsCommunity partner: SAE Academic Advisor: Dr. Wern Thermal Resistance Measurement DeviceDesign a device to test the thermal performance of interface materials that promote heat transfer between heat sinks and electronic devices. AdvisorsCommunity partner: Tektronix Academic Advisor: Dr. Recktenwald OutcomeThe student team designed and fabricated a working TIM tester. The TIM sample is sandwiched between two 5 cm diameter aluminum pucks. One puck -- the thermally active puck -- has an internal cavity through which hot or cold water is circulated. The other puck -- the thermally passive puck -- rests on a low friction air cylinder which applies a controlled force to squeeze the TIM. Two temperature controlled recirculating baths supply hot and cold water to two flow loops controlled by solenoid valves. The temperature of water circulating through the active puck is rapidly changed via a single switch on the front control panel.
The photo from the front shows the control panel, a connector block for sensors, and the three-legged frame that holds the active puck and passive pucks and the TIM sample. The photo from the back shows the two water circulators and teh flows loops. The TIM tester is currently undergoing further development in the MME Thermal Management Laboratory. |
