Below are the projects from 2015 / 2016.

This list is kept online for incoming students thinking of possible project ideas and sponsors, and for potential sponsors to see previous project postings.

The first posting for the 2016 / 17 year will  will be posted approximately the week before classes begin on Tues Sept 6th.

UBC ENGINEERING PHYSICS PROJECT LAB

AVAILABLE PROJECTS - 2015/ 2016

d. Full Writeups

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1. [ & ] Gain stabilization of an optical Yb-doped fiber amplifier  (Jones)           

 David Jones, UBC Physics and Astronomy   [ & claimed by 479 group ]

Project Description:

 We use an 80 Watt 980-nm pump laser diode that pumps our high power Yb-doped fiber amplifier (which in turn amplifies a 100 femtosecond pulse train seed that is at 1040 nm). As you might imagine, the pump diode gets warm. Currently we are cooling the pump diode with a water cooled chiller plate that is run open loop. The problem is the pump diode wavelength (nominally 980-nm) is a function of temperature and current drive. As the absorption of the Yb-doped fiber is wavelength dependent, the wavelength shift of the pump in turn causes the amplifier gain to also be temperature dependent on the pump diode. In addition, the gain is not exponential with the drive current to the laser diode pump (again due to the wavelength shift as the temperature shifts with increasing drive current).

Project Roadmap:

·      measure the laser pump diode wavelength as a function of temperature and drive current;

·      thermal modeling of the laser pump diode system to select proper thermoelectric cooler (TEC);

·      design and construction of new cooling system including: (TEC, mechanical baseplates, PID feedback loop);

·      confirm temperature and wavelength stability across all drive currents;

·      measure gain of Yb-doped fiber amplifier with temperature stabilized pump diode.

Resources Available: All necessary materials will be provided.

Expected Technical Background: nothing special (mechanical design/construction, thermal modeling, PID/servo experience). Guidance with optical measurements will be provided.

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2. Front-Wheel Removable Electric Bicycle Motor (Kotlicki)

Andrzej Kotlicki, UBC Physics and Astronomy

Attempt to build a removable all-in-one unit for a friction-drive system containing both the battery pack, motor, and motor controller for the front wheel of a bicycle.  Similar systems are being designed for the back wheel (including one that involves some significant Engphys input on a project based out of MIT, the Copenhagen Wheel Project), and a few systems have been built with front-wheel friction drive (see here and here), combining both features and designing the system for a newer generation of smaller more powerful LiPo batteries has yet to be completed.  A system attached to the front wheel fork may allow for a few improvements over existing kits, including the use of a much smaller drive motor, and the ability to swap the motor in and out the system relatively easily without having to replace the wheel or hub.

Groups last year contributed to the first iteration of the project:   Front Wheel Electric Drive Bicycle Motor (2013)   The next iteration will attempt to bring together all of the elements into a transportable self-contained unit which can be used by the Project Sponsor and others on a variety of rental bicycles in Vancouver and, ideally, throughout Europe.  The next iteration will take the components from the previous generation and focus on manufacturability, the ease of use on the most popular styles of rental bicycles, and minimal manual adjustments required to fit a variety of bicycles.

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3. Boat barnacle scraping system  (Kotlicki)

Andrzej Kotlicki, UBC Physics and Astronomy

It is difficult and expensive to remove barnacles and other buildup from the hulls of recreational boats.  Although some tools make the operation easier to perform manually (like the Waveblade Barnacle Eater),  it is still a manually intensive process.

There are large automated systems (the US Navy BUG robot) targeted at doing large vessels, but no solution exists for smaller recreational boats, which might benefit from having a system for easy servicing of the hulls without necessarily going into drydock.   It may be that a passive system to prevent buildup might be the optimal solution (the Barnacle Guard for pontoon pylons), if a group could design such a system.

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4. Neuraxial Patient Positioning Device  (Tang)

Dr. Raymond Tang, Dr. Andrew Sawka, Dr. Himat Vaghadia - Department of Anesthesia, Vancouver Coastal Health

Project objectives, background, and scope:

Spinal anesthetics and epidural analgesia are common techniques used in anesthesia. It involves placing a needle between the spinous processes or laminae of the vertebrae and injecting local anesthetic into the intrathecal sac for a spinal or placing a catheter in the epidural space for an epidural.

To facilitate the placement of the needle, patients are traditionally positioned with their lumbar spine flexed to increase the space between the vertebrae so the needle may enter the space more easily. More recently, our group has found that by rotating the spine in the same direction as the needle, the space between the adjacent laminae increases further which may further help successful placement of the needle. The patient is maintained in this position by a nurse who stands in front of the patient and supports him/her. Unfortunately, there have been a number of workplace injuries associated with this practice with nurses suffering back injuries holding the patient up. As a consequence, Worksafe BC has now recommended using a support device rather than a person to perform this function.

Currently, there are a few commercially available patient positioning devices available. At VGH, we have trialled 2 such devices but both were unanimously not accepted by the operating room team. The problems listed in regards to these devices were:

1. Too bulky and difficult to maneuver in and out of the operating room
2. Large footprint which made it difficult to place adjacent to the OR table
3. Limited in their ability to optimize the patient position

The goals of this project will be to create a more ergonomic patient positioning device with the following specifications:

1. Easy to maneuver about in the OR and potentially be collapsible
2. Able to SAFELY support patients of various body habituses
3. Have a small footprint capable of placing adjacent to the OR table
4. Incorporate the ability to flex AND rotate the patient and maintain that position comfortably for patients
5. Be robust and durable enough to withstand multiple daily uses

Sample of commercially available device:

http://www.phsmedicalsolutions.com/store/Epidural-Positioning-Device/EPD-Package-2-Epidural-Positioning-Device-P485C132.aspx

http://www.google.com/patents/US8365739

Design and analysis:

Students involved in this project would design and build a prototype meeting the above specifications. They must have a good understanding of spine anatomy and kinematics to ensure that the design is able to optimize the patient positioning without compromising patient comfort and safety. Ideally, the device would be created from a strong lightweight material so that it would be easily moved about and preferentially collapsible.

The prototype device would be tested out at VGH on various sized individuals to assess for its ability to optimize patient position. Patients or volunteers would be asked about how comfortable/ uncomfortable the device is when placed into position and staff would be asked about the ergonomics of the device.

The novelty of the device may lend to a patent filing via UILO upon completion.

Resources available:

Drs. Tang, Sawka, and Vaghadia are available to correspond with interested individuals. Access will be available to the OR to look at operating rooms, tables, and current practice in placing neuraxial blocks. This project is non-funded with no industry affiliations but some financial assistance may be available from the sponsors.

Expected technical background:

Interested individuals should have some interest in engineering applications in medicine. They will learn about the conduct of neuraxial anesthetics and spine mechanics. They should have some mechanical engineering experience with knowledge of materials and be able to produce a working prototype.

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5. [ & ] Ultrasound Probe holder for use during Epidural placement - Device fabrication project (Shanahan Tang)

Dr Enda Shanahan, Dr Raymond Tang, Dept of Anaesthesia, VGH  [ & claimed by 459 group ]

Background and Concept:

A successful, fully functioning epidural can play a vital part in a patient’s pain control regimen, and ultimately in their recovery, post major surgery. Epidurals are inserted between the patient’s vertebrae, in their back prior to being anaesthetized. Patients may be in the sitting position or lying lateral for placement. Insertion is a 2-handed technique, where one hand advances the needle while the second hand applies pressure to the plunger of a syringe attached to the back of the needle. As the tip of the needle enters the epidural space the plunger will rapidly depress as air/saline leave the syringe and enter the space. This is called 'Loss of Resistance' (LOR).

Unfortunately due to anatomic variation and spinal degeneration, it can prove quite difficult to find the epidural space.  

Thankfully with the advent of Ultrasound (US) we have a second means (in addition to 'loss of resistance') for locating it.

Problem  - As LOR is a two-hand technique, maintaining the US probe in a optimal position and thus with optimal image, has been difficult and cumbersome.

Proposal - A hands-free device which would maintain the US probe in an exact position, giving an US image, while the 2-hand LOR technique was performed.

Details -  3 components:   Part1- anchoring device, Part2 -arm, Part3 - US probe attachment.

Part1 Anchoring device -  'Suction cup' which would anchor the whole device to the patient.

Example is the 'Kiwi Ventouse' device - used for assisted baby delivery, it is applied to the baby's head and via a pump and a valve mechanism, a strong suction is created beneath the cup securing it to the baby, in our case it would be to the patient’s back, approximately 20-30 ms from intended entry point of epidural.

Part2 Arm - From the base, i.e. the suction cup would come the arm. Requirements for the arm include being able to move in all 3 axis's, ability to remain in position once manipulation has ceased, ability to maintain some slight pressure of the probe onto skin.

Suggestion 1 - a multi jointed arm, like one limb of the 'spider tripod'

Suggestion 2 - joint and springs like below

Part3 -  Clip to hold US probe to arm. Below is an US probe.

Ideally candidates would have some background in mechanical/biomedical engineering.

We hope to have a prototype to test on volunteers/faculty first then on patients of VGH. If successful potential commercial production.

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6. [ & ] Real-time online helium quality monitoring and response system based on an acoustic gas purity sensor  (Macleod Day)  

Ben MacLeod, James Day  – UBC Laboratory for Atomic Imaging Research  (AMPEL/UBC Physics and Astronomy)  [ & claimed by 479 group, Sept 10 ]

Sponsor Note:   If you are interested in using physical principles to design and implement a useful sensor for a real-world industrial application and want to gain experience in instrumentation, mechanical and electrical design, signal processing, programming and device networking, this project is for you!

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7. [ & ] Ultra-low-resonant frequency passive and active vibration isolator system (MacLeod)

Ben MacLeod   – UBC Laboratory for Atomic Imaging Research  (AMPEL/UBC Physics and Astronomy)   [ & claimed by 479 group, Sept 14 ]

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8. Real-time monitoring of length of bales in a square baler  (PaintedRiverFarm)

Wes Gilmore, Painted River Farm, Barnston Island

It is desirable to have a device to monitor the length of bales in a square baler. The purpose of this is to be able to monitor the length of the bales without having to stop and physically measure the bales.

The basic process of the baler is as follows:

• Hay is fed into the front of the machine and forced into the Bale chamber. Once in the chamber it is being compressed against the previous bale by a plunger.As the Bale is being pushed through the chamber the star wheel is rotating which in turn moves the trip arm of the knotter. Once the arm is tripped the knotter ties the knot, cuts the string and the process starts over again.
• The existing system is not always consistent because of a number of variables.
• Attached is picture of the baler and the existing tying and measuring system.
• The first plan would be to measure the amount of string each bale uses. Each time the baler cuts the string the monitor would reset after about a 10 second delay. If the length of the string was different then an adjustment would required.
• The other option would be to measure the star wheel and correspond it with the knotter.Same as before  the monitor resets after 10 second delay.

Or open to any other suggestions.

The purpose of this is to have a consistent length of bale which in turn makes the machine that picks up the bales more efficient.

Other Details:

1. approx 3-6 bales per minute are produced depending how heavy the crop is.
2.  length is the most important thing to be measured, as using the weight of the bale would not work at all.
3.  bales are approximately 36 inches long, 16” wide and 18” tall. The 16 and 18 numbers do not change. 2” either way would be acceptable, 1” would be ideal.

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9. [ & ] Single Cell Electroporator - Mixed Analog/Digital Circuitry Design and User Interface Development (Sakaki Haas)

Dr. Kelly Sakaki / Associate Professor Kurt Haas, Haas Laboratory, Brain Research Centre, Dept. of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Fac. of Medicine [ & claimed by 479 group, Sept 10 ]

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10. UBC Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Three Projects (UBC UAS)

Alexander Harmsen, UBC UAS  [& project A claimed by 479 group, Sept 10]

UBC Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UBC UAS) is a UBC Engineering Student Team and is competing in the Australian Outback Challenge - the toughest UAV challenge on the face of the Earth surrounding a medical diagnostic recovery mission! The challenge requires teams to locate, land and retrieve a blood sample which is 15km away from the initial launch point - all autonomously. We are using a system-of-systems approach to make best use of multi-copter, fixed-wing and hybrid aircraft designs. The autonomous technology needed for this project is novel and we are developing most of the interesting elements of the project in-house at UBC. More information is available on our website at www.ubcuas.com There are currently 3 projects available for the Engineering Physics 459/479 class.

[ & ] Project A -   VTOL Aircraft Design  

[& project A claimed by 479 group, Sept 10]

Motivation: multi-rotor aircraft offer advantages for controllability and maneuverability but cannot traverse very long distances. Fixed-wing aircraft offer advantages in endurance, but are hard to land precisely and control close to the ground. The challenge requires a hybrid approach using a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft.

Objectives: design the electrical systems and mechanical structure (<2m wingspan & <10kg) and build an initial prototype to be flown with a traditional autopilot in forward flight or hover mode (not expecting transition capabilities in flight to be demonstrated). Validation testing can be performed on bench-top, in wind tunnel, and in UBC UAS testing field (Surrey).

Resources available: ~$1000 budget, motors, electronics, off-the-shelf autopilot

Long-term project goals: UBC UAS will iterate on this design and integrate a custom-built autopilot into the new design to be able to do extensive testing ahead of the competition.

Similar products: Arcturus Jump, Krossblade SkyProwler VTOL Transformer, CQV Vertex VTOL, Latitude Hybrid Quadcopter, etc

Project B - Autopilot

Motivation: Traditional autopilot systems are too closed-off or bloated for the specific use case that the medical evacuation drone requires. The new VTOL/hybrid aircraft design requires unique transition capabilities that are not currently available in even the most adaptable open source autopilot systems.

Objectives: An autopilot capable of low-level control of 4 motors for vertical takeoff and forward flight, sensor package (IMU, compass, GPS), emergency take-over, and transition to aircraft-style forward flight. Validation testing to be done with existing quadcopter and fixed-wing frames that UBC UAS owns and operates (the team will take care of flight permissions & airfield for testing).

Resources available: ~$300 budget, processor, IMU/GPS, controller, radios and access to an aircraft testing platform.

Long-term project goals: UBC UAS will take this basic autopilot and build a high level command interface for waypoint planning, navigation, error handling and autonomous navigation in the competition scenario. These goals need to be taken into account when designing the lower level architecture.

Project C - Airborne Tracking Antenna / Communications Attachment (drone relay attachment)

Motivation: In order to keep an open communication link over 15km there will be a relay drone deployed to 200m AGL. This drone will hover in place and carry a communications attachment to act as a forwarding relay between the primary deployment vehicle and the ground station.

Objectives: Build a lightweight attachment for the existing quadcopter system that acts as a relay for telemetry, commands and a continuous video stream between a ground station and the radios onboard a moving vehicle. Validation can be performed on the ground and in the air using one of the existing multi-rotor aircraft platforms that UBC UAS owns and maintains.

Resources available: ~$500 budget, processor, radios/antennas, aircraft testing platform

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11. [ ? ] Personalized Scalp Tourniquet for Cancer Chemotherapy (WesternClinical)

Jim McEwen, OC PhD PEng, President, Western Clinical Engineering Ltd.  

[ CROSS-POSTING    This project is being cross-posted to UBC MECH or EECE Capstone roject Courses, and may only be available after ECE/MECH selection.  This likely limits to only the 8-month 459 students. ]   [ Project still available, not chosen by other Castpone courses ]  [ ? currently under 459 discussion ]

Background Information:

This project will appeal to (ECE) students interested in biomedical engineering, and especially to those interested in biomedical engineering innovations that may immediately improve the quality of life of patients, and in particular women who must undergo adjuvant chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery.  

The project will begin with an orientation to current chemotherapy regimens in which alopecia (hair loss) is a side effect which can have a significant effect on a patient’s quality of life and perception of wellness.   Students will also be familiarized with a state of the art surgical personalized tourniquet system developed by the company; although this personalized tourniquet system is primarily useful in surgery, the company believes that it also has important potential for preventing hair loss resulting from certain types of chemotherapy, by overcoming problems and limitations in earlier clinical studies that are evident to the company.  

Those earlier studies will be provided and reviewed, and students will be given an overview of a key outstanding need and an opportunity for adaptation of the company’s technology to help facilitate the use of personalized scalp tourniquets in chemotherapy.  The capstone project will involve creatively identifying possible solutions to meet the need, and then the project will involve the design and implementation of their best solution. Depending on success and timing, the students should have an opportunity to present their results to oncologists who are experts in the field of breast cancer, and perhaps see their project results used in chemotherapy.

General information on surgical tourniquets can be found by visiting www.tourniquets.org, and by reading the reference publication [1]. General information on a previous unsuccessful use of scalp tourniquets in chemotherapy is given in the 2011 review paper [2].

(PDF copies of the below reference is available from the company.)

[1]  Noordin S, McEwen J, Kragh J, Eisen A, Masri B.  Current Concepts: Surgical tourniquets in orthopaedics.  J Bone Joint Surg Am (Dec 2009); 91: 2958-2967.

[2]  Dabrowski T. Hair Loss as a consequence of cancer chemotherapy – physical methods of prevention. A review of literature. Contemporary Oncology (2011); 15(2); 95-101.

Project Main Objective(s):

The overall goal is to see whether existing biomedical sensors useful in measuring arterial blood flow distal to a tourniquet cuff applied to a limb can be adapted to accurately and reliably measure very low levels of arterial blood flow in the scalp distal to a tourniquet cuff.  This will involve evaluation of existing photoplethysomgraphic sensors and ultrasonic sensors, as well as other potential sensors.  A key consideration is to adapt the design of one or more biomedical sensors so that it can function well at low levels of blood flow, and in conjunction with the tourniquet cuff and with the connected automatic tourniquet instrument. Another consideration is to adapt the design of a biomedical sensor so that it can be optimally attached to desired locations on the scalp of patients having substantial hair so that it will function accurately and reliably over time.  After the design of one or more suitable sensors, the Capstone team can then proceed to test and validate their performance using ‘gold standard’ apparatus in the company’s lab.

A significant part of this project will involve analysis of a biomedical signal that is indicative of arterial blood flow in the scalp produced by cyclical penetration of arterial blood past the tourniquet cuff while it is applied to a patient's scalp and pressurized to various pressure levels.  These biomedical signals are often small in amplitude, and must be detected reliably in the presence of noise due to head movement and changes in the device/tissue interface over time that may be larger in magnitude than the signal.  Existing tourniquet systems are available for orientation of the capstone team at the outset to the signals and noise associated with existing tourniquet sensors and sensor placements.  

The first part of the project will involve the orientation outlined above, as well as an initial look at state of the art in tourniquet technology, including arterial blood flow sensors, and an initial look at chemotherapy, hair loss and quality of life of breast cancer patients.  The capstone team may wish to focus on identifying and comparatively evaluating ideas for adapting existing types of biomedical sensors to meet the needs of this application.  A next phase of the project would involve implementing such adapted sensors and collecting biomedical signal data from them.   Follow-on phases would involve validating the data against a gold standard, integrating the sensors into tourniquet cuffs and instruments, and reduction of common sources of noise to acceptable levels.

Project Main Deliverable(s):

A biomedical sensor and signal processing method, adapted from existing sensors and methods, capable of reliably and accurately detecting low levels of arterial blood flow at desired locations in the scalp distal to a scalp tourniquet cuff; such a sensor should function accurately and reliably in the presence of common types of biomedical and environmental noise, and should be suitable for incorporation into personalized tourniquet systems for use in chemotherapy for breast cancer patients.

Special considerations (equipment, location, constraints, existing material…):

The sponsoring company, Western Clinical Engineering Ltd, will cover all approved costs of materials, supplies and special equipment.  Also, the company will make available to the student team key staff who have many years of extensive knowledge about, and extensive experience with, personalized  tourniquet systems for surgery, various types of therapies and military applications.

The project team will have access to the company's lab, including its exemplars of personalized tourniquet systems and accessories.

Because of the surgical aspects of this project, and because of the interdisciplinary nature of this biomedical engineering project, the company reserves the right to confirm the choice of the proposed capstone team, to help assure a good match of capabilities and interests, and thus a good probability of successful capstone project completion.

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12. [ ? ] Intelligent Robot Navigation System (A&K Robotics)

Matt Anderson, A & K Robotics  [ ? currently under discussion with 459 group ]

A&K Robotics is an early-stage start-up based out of Vancouver. They design and build robots and want to change the world through automation. The company was founded by Matthew Anderson, a Sauder graduate, and has grown to include four passionate engineers and an expert in operations management. Their first target market is the commercial cleaning industry, in which they want to apply new technologies as practical solutions.

Project Objectives, Background, and Scope

The scope of this project is to design and prototype a proof of concept autonomous commercial floor cleaner. The prototype does not need to clean, but must move and navigate as if it was cleaning.

This is an open ended design project where students have the freedom to tackle it using creative and innovative solutions such as LIDAR 3D mapping, dead reckoning, ultrasonic sensors, beacon triangulation, etc.

Currently, there is no robust autonomous system available for commercial floor cleaning. This project aims to provide a proof of concept prototype that moves in a non-random path to fully cover a floor area designated by the user.

If the proof of concept is successful, it may be implemented into a larger commercial cleaning autoscrubber for additional testing.

A tech prize package will be awarded if the bonus objective (see below) is achieved. In addition, strong performance may lead to consideration for future internship opportunities.

Design and Analysis

This project involves challenging yet rewarding design and analysis components. On the design side, students will create a navigation system, implement a range of sensors, and integrate controls for the mechanical drive. Students are free to build off existing mechanical systems such as consumer robots or RC Vehicles. For analysis, students will have the opportunity to develop their own algorithms to allow for efficient cleaning of an area.

Resources Available

Students will have access to equipment at their disposal, including waterjet cutter, laser cutter, machine shop, instrumentation lab, etc. ROS (Robot Operating System) is the preferred solution, with numerous libraries existing free online for basic robotic functions including navigation. A&K Robotics is also committed to working closely with the students to foster an enriching experience and success for all parties. In addition to $200 provided by EngPhys, A&K can provide $500 for a total of $700.

Expected Technical Background

·       Interest in robotics

·       Experience with electronics, instrumentation, and micro-controllers

·       Confident with programming and mathematics

·       Innovative and creative problem solver

Preference for 4-Month or 8-Month group

No strong Preference

Project Requirements

·       Operates in  an indoor environment with relatively open spaces such as hallways, corridors, and concourses

·       Moves in a non-random path that eventually covers all floor area

·       Avoids rooms or areas that can be user defined (ie: We can’t have the robot go inside a washroom, or start cleaning over a carpeted area)

·       For the first run in a new area, a human operator is available if desired to “teach” the robot where/how to clean by pushing or driving it around. (ie: A human operator teaches the exact cleaning path which the robot follows autonomously on all subsequent runs, or a human operator can push it around the perimeter of the cleaning area which the robot autonomously cleans inside on subsequent runs, etc.)

·       Beacons/markers can be used if required. However, they must be unpowered

·       Will still work if some objects are moved in-between cleaning runs (ie: a garbage can or couch is shifted)

·       Actual cleaning is not required

Bonus Objective: (Prize package if achieved)

·       Robot must be fully functional without the need of a user loaded map/floor plan

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13. Wine Bottle Fracture Detection  (ReWine)

Cassandra Lum, Dr. Sheilagh Seaton, ReWine / Enactus Okanagan College

Photos from Mission Bottle Washing Co.

Project Objectives, Background and Scope:

ReWine is a project that Enactus Okanagan College students are working on, the purpose of this project is to develop a system for the washing and reuse of wine bottles. We hope to create a system modelled off the successful process in use by the Brewers Distributers LTD (BDL). A staggering 97% of the Province’s wine is made in the Okanagan, and none of the bottles are being washed and reused. Mission Bottle Washing is the only privately owned bottle washing facility in the province, they are located in Summerland, and have the capacity to implement a program of the potential magnitude this possesses.  The ability to wash and reuse bottles will drastically reduce the waste currently seen in the wine industry, through the reuse of bottles, reduced purchasing costs, and reduced waste in the region.

Last summer we were fortunate to receive support from Summerland’s Climate Action Committee, to conduct initial research into the barriers a program like this would encounter in its implementation. Upon completion we identified six barriers that can also be identified as risks to a pilot program: standardization of bottles, standardizing label material and adhesive, post wash degradation, sanitation and cleanliness, cost vs. benefit for wineries, program logistics and implementation. Since then, our team has continued to work on the project and are now ready to conduct an initial pilot. This will aid in overcoming barriers including standardization of bottles, standardization of label material and adhesives, and the cost versus benefit to wineries, respectively. Our challenge is to find a system to address post washing bottle degradation.

There are three areas that need to be protected during washing to ensure that bottles can be sealed properly. First, cracks along the mouth of the bottle inhibit a proper seal for both cork and screw cap closures. Cracks can cause excess oxygen to enter the bottle which would cause the wine to sour. Second, damage to threads can cause the same problem for sealing bottles with a screw cap. Finally, there is a squared ridge along the bottle neck which is disguised by the foil, but is critical to the screw cap seal. If this edge becomes rounded during the washing process it would not provide the reverse pressure needed to open the bottle. These qualities cannot be easily monitored with manual visual inspections, but the consequences for a winery can be devastating. In addition, with 81% of the wineries using screw caps with their standard bottle shapes, the potential for this type of degradation is increased further.  Consequently, in order for wineries to consider taking on a bottle washing program, we would like to see if technology can be used to determine the level of bottle degradation so bottles that don’t meet a minimum standard can be removed from the bottling line.  

Design and Analysis

This project would require the design of a system for measuring the amount of post-washing bottle degradation in three areas:

1. Cracks in the bottle neck that would inhibit a screw cap seal;
2. Damage to the screw cap threads
3. Measurement of the amount of rounding for the squared ridge required for sealing to ensure above a certain standard (standard to be determined)

The resulting system could be installed at Mission Bottle Washing facility to cull bottle prior to resale or it could be included in the bottling line process, but would need to be mobile as the line is moved between locations throughout the bottling season.

Resources available:

Enactus OC can provide wine bottles for testing. A standardized bottle will be used with a screw cap.

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group: no preference

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14. [ & ] ElectroChemoDiffractive Optical Devices  (Bizzotto, Whitehead)

Dan Bizzotto, UBC Chemistry / Lorne Whitehead, UBC Physics and Astronomy  [& claimed by 479 group, Sept 10 ]

Liquid crystals can be used to form variable diffraction patterns for beam steering and holography.  Variable diffraction devices using liquid crystals are typically assembled by containing a thin layer of liquid crystal material between two electrically conductive and optically transparent electrodes, one of which contains an appropriate diffraction pattern.  The diffractive pattern of light transmitted through the stack can be controlled by varying the optical properties of the intermediate liquid crystal layer.  The usefulness of a liquid crystal based diffraction device is limited, however, because liquid crystal materials are capable of generating only a relatively small change in refractive index.  This limited index difference means that the smallest practical size for the diffraction pattern features is about 5 microns, and consequently only small variations in the diffraction angles can be achieved.

Variable diffraction patterns with feature sizes of 0.1 microns or smaller would be far more useful, because it would enable much larger diffraction angles to be achieved.  This project will investigate an alternate method that has the potential to be extremely effective for diffraction control.  This approach will use an array of transparent electrodes on a much finer size scale, wherein a voltage applied to each electrode, relative to an ambient liquid, causes it to have a selectable degree of transmission.  

Figure 1.  Interdigitated diffraction grating pattern (Source:  Hrudey et al., “Variable diffraction gratings using nanoporous electrodes and electrophoresis of dye ions”, Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 6645, 2007.)

Figure 2.  Device shown with (a) absorbing material attracted towards continuous electrode and (b) molecules attracted towards half of the interdigitated grating  (Source:  Hrudey et al., “Variable diffraction gratings using nanoporous electrodes and electrophoresis of dye ions”, Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 6645, 2007.)

Preliminary work in this area suggests that electrodeposition of metallic film may be a possible technique at a 100X finer pitch than is possible for liquid crystal based devices.  The process for electrodeposition of metallic films has already been developed as part of another research program, and the process can be readily adapted to this project.   However, to our knowledge this process has not been previously been attempted for the purpose of varying a diffraction pattern, and so this project has the potential to yield new and meaningful research results.

Initial experiments will involve tests first using non-patterned transparent electrodes formed from either indium tin oxide or a very thin coating of gold, then using large-scale diffraction patterns etched into these electrode materials.  If early tests are encouraging, increasingly finer electrode patterns will be incorporated, either using custom-made patterns or commercially-available active matrix electronic backplanes.   Depending on the size scales that are used, the students may learn various fabrication methods including photolithography, chemical etching and focused ion beam milling techniques.

This project has two supervisors, Professor Dan Bizzotto in CHEM (providing expertise in electrochemistry) and Professor Lorne Whitehead in PHAS (providing expertise in optical microstructures).  Portions of the work will take place in each of their labs.  The work will be quite interdisciplinary, and we feel it should be relatively straightforward to get preliminary results which we could to lead to an initial publication.  A capable project team may be able to take this research considerably further, possibly in unanticipated directions.  Drs. Bizzotto and Whitehead would be happy to discuss this project with interested students.  

Link to Paper  - Variable diffraction gratings using nanoporous electrodes and electrophoresis of dye ions (SSP Lab)   (This paper describes the same overall concept of a controllable diffraction grating, but it used a different approach involving highly porous electrodes and electrophoresis of dye molecules)

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15. [ & ] Vital Signs Monitoring  for Children via Multi-sensor Bed Sheet  (SleepSmart)

Dr. Van der Loos, Dr. Osman Ipsiroglu, and Ms. Tina Saad,    Sunny Hill Health Center for Children; BC Children’s Hospital         [ & claimed by ECE group, Sept 17  ] 

[ # CROSS-POSTING    This project is being cross-posted to UBC MECH or EECE Capstone roject Courses, and may only be available after ECE/MECH selection.  This likely limits to only the 8-month 459 students. ]

Background Information:

Chronic sleep disorders affect more than 50 million people in the U.S., and there are numerous clinical populations, such as spinal cord injury patients, cognitively-impaired elderly persons living at home, and infants at risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, who could benefit from unobtrusive, long-term monitoring. The prototype SleepSmart sheet is a thin, full-length (adult-sized), multi-sensor mattress pad. It is controlled by software to detect heart rate, breathing rate, body orientation, and index of restlessness [1], [2].

Project Main Objective(s):

The objective of this project is to design and develop a vital signs monitoring device adapted for children based on the current SleepSmart prototype. The device should be designed in the most unobtrusive form possible (e.g., bed sheet, mattress pad), impervious to liquids, washable, and with high accuracy data collection and analysis. The device should be accompanied by a user-friendly software that displays the data in a meaningful form for clinicians.

This project will include aspects of research, design, and development. Your task will be to develop a prototype by:

• Investigating current sensors on the market and decide on the most suitable option for children
• Optimizing and testing the current SleepSmart software to accurately collect, analyze, and display data in a meaningful data for clinicians
• Designing and developing a functional prototype that can detect heart rate, temperature, body orientation, index of restlessness etc.
• Ensuring functionality through sufficient testing (possibility for conducting preliminary clinical trial)

We are looking for developers with skills and interests in:

• Software algorithm design and testing
• Research and information gathering
• Circuit and biosensors design
• Biosignal processing

Project Main Deliverable(s):

Functional prototype (both hardware and software) suitable for pediatric use and tested for robustness and accuracy. The development team should create supporting documentation for future development. We look forward to working with you!

Contact Information:

[1]                Van der Loos H.F.M. et al., “Unobtrusive vital signs monitoring from a multisensor bed sheet,” RESNA'2001, Reno, Nev., 2001, pp. 218-220.

[2]                H.F.M. Van der Loos, N. Ullrich, H. Kobayashi, “Development of sensate and robotic bed technologies for vital signs monitoring and sleep quality improvement,” Autonomous Robots, 15, 2003, pp. 67-79.

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16. Robotics Projects (MarginallyCleverRobots)

Dan Royer, Marginally Clever Robots

Some videos and photos of Dan’s projects in action:

video: https://instagram.com/p/6RWfTiIfDf/ 

photo: https://instagram.com/p/6JII3nIfDz/    https://instagram.com/p/7Ei-PyofER/ 

Project A - Stewart Platform v3

Background:I am already making and selling a low end stewart platform.  I want to offer customers a better machine.  Your goal is to improve on the existing design.

Here is an early prototype:

https://instagram.com/p/2o2tVbofLk/?taken-by=imakerobots 

All the 3d printed parts need to be milled and properly attached; the screws need to be made to measure (too long here); and more.  The dream project is to attach a pin on the head and carve the head of a pencil under a microscope.

Demonstrate a practical example where this robot would be useful.

Resources:  I have all the parts for the prototype, plus 3d printers and laser cutter available.  I can have access to a machinist, tho i suspect UBC pricing for students is far better.

Expected Technical Background:  experience with 12v5a linear actuators would be good.  experience with universal joints would be good.

Preference for 4 or 8 month project:  4 month.

Project B - CoreXY Jigsaw solving robot

Background:    I have already built a corexy frame.  I want to use a vacuum to pick up pieces and a camera to watch pieces.  I will let the internet solve my jigsaws for me.

https://instagram.com/p/4qQ01sofLY/?taken-by=imakerobots 

https://instagram.com/p/4sTA6kofBU/?taken-by=imakerobots 

Machine already has a java interface for X,Y, and a servo for Z movement.  Your goal is to put the rest of the pieces together and run it through a website (preferably Twitch).

Demonstrate a practical example where this robot would be useful.

Resources   I have all the parts for the prototype, plus 3d printers and laser cutter available.  I can have access to a machinist, tho i suspect UBC pricing for students is far better.

Expected Technical Background:  electrical; live streaming website integration.

Preference for 4 or 8 month project:  4 month.

Project C - Delta Robot v4

Background:. I have already built a 3 arm delta robot.  It could be much better.

https://www.marginallyclever.com/shop/delta-robots/3-arm-delta-robot-v3 

Your goal is to improve on the speed, accuracy, range of motion, weight limit, interchangeable heads, and develop practical applications.   - the delta robot currently uses some Tamiya rod ends.  Due to Tamiya's business model, we cannot obtain these parts without major headache.  Marginally Clever would like the update to eliminate this part, either by sourcing from a better supplier or by redesigning to achieve equal or better performance with a different method.

Demonstrate a practical example where this robot would be useful.

Resources    I have all the parts for the prototype, plus 3d printers and laser cutter available.  I can have access to a machinist, tho i suspect UBC pricing for students is far better.

Expected Technical Background:  electrical; kinematics; mechanical; design;

Preference for 4 or 8 month project:  8 month.

Project D - Crab Robot v2

Background:   I have already built a 6 legged walking robot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3ySNng9vsg 

Your primary goal is to design a single arduino-based control chip to drive all 18 servos and improve on the 'smoothness' of the motion.

Your secondary goal is to improve the mechanical design - less flex, better traction underfoot, possibly a touch sensor in each foot.

Participants who succeed at this project will be invited back to repeat the machine at a larger scale.

Demonstrate a practical example where this robot would be useful.

Resources:   I have all the parts for the prototype, plus 3d printers and laser cutter available.  I can have access to a machinist, tho i suspect UBC pricing for students is far better.

Expected Technical Background:  . electrical; kinematics; mechanical; design;

Preference for 4 or 8 month project:  8 month.

Project E - Tool Change System for 5dof Robot Arm

https://instagram.com/p/6yzLU6IfNx/                https://instagram.com/p/7Ei-PyofER/                https://instagram.com/p/7IzokJIfGQ/ 

I've achieved controlled motion in all five axes.   I've just received the pcb, too.  Simulation/programming software for the arm is coming along as well.

Goals for the Project:

• design a tool and demonstrate a practical use of the tool.
• make the machine passively compliant, and stiffen the mechanism to increase accuracy.
• to design an automatic tool changer, or identify a suitable off-the-shelf system for the tool change setup.
• develop multiple tools for the wrist;
• develop practical applications using these tools;
• high Ingress Protection rating (low priority);

With the pcb in house I could have two more arms ready in about two weeks.  One arm could live for a couple of months in the Project Lab for students working on the project.

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17. RFID automated, digital load cell balance for monitoring the weights of multiple mice within their cage  (Murphy)

Prof. Tim Murphy, Jeffrey LeDue, Center for Brain Health

Project Background and Scope:  We are currently developing and employing automated home cages for long term assessment of mouse models of human neurological disease.   Animals interact with levers to assess motor function and receive water rewards.  Brain imaging is performed via genetically encoded fluorescent indicators that report neuronal ion concentrations or cell membrane voltage.  All of this is automated and self-initiated by the animals, producing a richer data set with fewer confounds while reducing the burden on the experimenter.

Project Objective:  We want to automate the measurement of each animals body weight using their existing RFID tag and a digital load cell.  Weight is used as a primary read-out of animal well-being.  At present we must interrupt the experiment and manually measure the weight of each animal.  Automating this produces higher quality data as the animals and their training are not disrupted unnecessarily.

Design and Analysis: We would like a design which incorporates a digital load cell into our existing automated mouse home cage.  It should be compatible with Raspberry pi as we use these to control the cage.  An analysis of the accuracy and repeatability of the measurements of each animals weight is needed.

Resources available:  We can offer access to CAD software, 3d printers, Raspberry pis, electronics components, etc, and on-going consultation with the personnel who have designed the automated cages in use now.  

Expected Technical Background:  Previous experience with Raspberry pi and/or Python is an asset but not required.  

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group:  None

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18. Dual channel Raspberry Pi Camera Module based brain imaging (Murphy)

Prof. Tim Murphy, Jeffrey LeDue, Center for Brain Health

 

Project Background and Scope:  We are currently developing and employing automated home cages for long term assessment of mouse models of human neurological disease.   Animals interact with levers to assess motor function and receive water rewards.  Brain imaging is performed via genetically encoded fluorescent indicators that report neuronal ion concentrations or cell membrane voltage.  All of this is automated and self-initiated by the animals, producing a richer data set with fewer confounds while reducing the burden on the experimenter.

Project Objective:  We want to add a second Raspberry pi camera to our current automated home cage.  This will allow us to collect signals from two indicators at the same time, doubling our data set, or to make use of ratiometric indicators which require the collection of two different colour channels.  

Design and Analysis: We would like a design which makes use of a 3d printed plastic part to mount two raspberry pi camera modules in our existing automated home cage system.  The design should allow for the mounting and exchange of dichroic beamsplitters and bandpass emission filters for separating and spectrally isolating the individual fluorescent indicators.  An analysis of the image offsets between the two channels and the reliability of printing the part is needed.

Resources available:  We can offer access to CAD software, 3d printers, Raspberry pis, optical components, etc, and on-going consultation with the personnel who have designed the automated cages in use now.  

Expected Technical Background:  Previous experience with Raspberry pi and/or Python is an asset but not required.  

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group:  None

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19. Raspberry pi based approach to screening compounds to combat brain swelling (MacVicar)

Center for Brain Health, Brian MacVicar

Project Objectives, Background and Scope:  The objective of this project is to use low-cost imaging technology, in particular the raspberry pi and its camera module, to create a simple way to screen compounds which may effect brain swelling.  To do this, we will exploit the change in transmittance of IR light by the brain tissue as it swells.  We expect this project to deliver an instrument which is scalable, due to its low cost, enabling us to test many compounds on many brain slices simultaneously.  This is important as there are many FDA approved compounds which may impact swelling and our current screening approach is serial.  

Design and Analysis:  Each brain slice imager must incorporate its own perfusion system to ensure that the proper buffered solutions reach the slice to keep it healthy during the screen.  Student groups are expected to evaluate pumps and design a pump module for this purpose.  The experiment requires:

1. a flow rate of ~3 mL/min

2. minimal vibration or mechanical disturbance from the pumping mechanism.

3. total volume ~1-2 mL, recirculated as some compounds in the screen are available in very low quantities.

4. a port to introduce gas into the solution

5. a port and mechanism to introduce the compound to test at a specific time during imaging

6. re-purpose an existing tissue bath from the lab, or construct an alternate

7. control of the pump module from python for use with the raspberry pi

The pumping module will be integrated with an imaging module we have been developing.  We will provide live brain slices to facilitate testing.

Resources available:  Our lab facilities are in the Centre for Brain Health.  We can provide technical assistance in optics as well as expertise in the preparation and use of brain slices.  Students will have access to CAD software, 3d printer and raspberry pis, electronic and optical components as well as stepper motor based pumps and driver kit from the Lee Company.

Expected Technical Background:  Previous experience with raspberry pi, python is an asset.  

Preference for 4 or 8-month group: none.

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20. [ & ]Pulsed-Laser Imaging System (DarkVision)                        

Graham Manders – CTO – DarkVision Technologies   [ & claimed by 479 group, Sept 10)

About DarkVision:

DarkVision Technologies is developing an imaging technology that goes inside oil and gas wells to give operators a picture of the inner workings of their well.  The system is capable of seeing through opaque fluids which has been a major hurdle, preventing the adoption and wide-scale use of traditional camera & machine vision technologies in wells. The system is a complex tool that goes thousands of meters underground to bring operators high-resolution 3D models of their wells.  Founded by a group of successful entrepreneurs and UBC engineers, the company won 1st prize in the New Ventures BC competition for the top tech start-up in BC with the most potential.

DarkVision Downhole Tool

5 Reasons Why You Should Choose DarkVision’s Project:

1. Sponsored “best” Project Last Year: Won top prize in 2014 MECH Capstone design competition.
2. Big Budgets: We don’t skimp on resources to make the project a success.
3. Real-World Project: Project will be used by company as soon as completed. Critical project!
4. Cool Project: Blend of electronics, optics, image processing and mechanical design.  You’ll get to do it all.
5. Full-time Employment Opportunity: The company will be hiring 3 more engineers in May 2016.

Project Description

This project involves the creation of a optical imaging experiment the details of which are confidential.  Please see the password-protected page for more information.

Project Scope

• Research various optical configurations and determine the optimal layout for this application.
• Select optical and imaging components.
• Detailed design of:

• Optics: Diffraction, refraction and aberration calculations and simulations.
• Mechanical: Adjustable lens, mirror, camera and laser mounts.  Stand and optical bench.
• Electronics: Laser pulsing circuitry to create 100 ns pulses and camera triggering circuitry.
• Software: Image capture, processing and recording software.

• Build, test and integrate system.

Resources Available from DarkVision

DarkVision will provide the following to facilitate the development of this project:

• $15,000 budget
• Design advice from DarkVision Engineers and CTO
• Frequent meetings & feedback sessions
• Access to DarkVision facility and equipment
• Contacts at machine and fabrication shops that can aid in construction

4-month or 8-month Preference   4-month preferred as this may lead to a hiring opportunity, but 8-month group is appropriate as well.  

Please contact Graham Manders (CTO) at manders@darkvisiontech.com with questions regarding this project.

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21. Vacuum Furnace Automation (Etalim)

Will Aitchison, Etalim 

Background

Etalim is a small start-up company developing a thermo-acoustic engine to convert heat to power.  We frequently use a vacuum-brazing technique to bond metals during the construction of components for engine assembly and development.  The vacuum brazing process requires a number of steps and checks to control the vacuum tube furnace and the auxiliary vacuum pump and sensing equipment, and these steps vary depending upon which exact brazing process is used.

Project Objectives and Scope

This project is to automate the brazing process by providing the following services:

1.       Data sensing and logging for failsafe and equipment reliability monitoring

2.       A simple user interface allowing the user to select the brazing process required

3.       Control of two different types of vacuum pumps and their associated pneumatic valves as per the process requirements and sensor data

4.       Control of the vacuum furnace via serial port as per process requirements and sensor data

5.       If time permits, create a web portal to view furnace telemetry

Currently, the vacuum furnace and support equipment is configured as follows:

Design and Analysis

Students will be expected to design the system topology and determine how to interact with the temperature controller via serial port, and control the current pneumatic valves and other equipment.  Students must also determine all possible failure states and conditions, and implement appropriate safeguards.

Resources Available

Students have access to Etalim’s onsite resources, which include an electronics work area and a machine shop.  A small team of experienced engineers are available for guidance, but none have experience creating these types of automated systems.

Expected Technical Background

Students should have some knowledge or experience with serial communications or interfacing with industrial controllers.  Any experience controlling valves or industrial sensors is valuable but not required.

Preference for 4 or 8 Month Group

No preference, either 4 or 8 month groups are welcome.

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22. [ & ] Project from Zaber Technologies (Zaber)  

Jacob Bayless, Andrew Lau, Zaber Technologies   [ & clamed by 479 group ]

Background on Zaber

Zaber Technologies was founded in 1997 by a group of friends, all former UBC students. We develop and manufacture precision motion control products, many of which use open-loop microstepping drives that can achieve resolutions of 0.1 um or better with ±10 um accuracy over 50 mm of travel. Researchers, engineers, systems integrators, and OEMs from around the world use our products in a wide variety of markets including optics and photonics, lab automation, microscopy, and industrial automation.

Zaber was founded by fizzers and electro-mechs from UBC. We have a flat structure, flexible working hours, and a very friendly work environment. We are completely employee-owned with no outside funding. We are profitable and growing organically at double digits every year. Sign up for one of our projects to experience first-hand why Zaber is a different kind of company.

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23. [ ? ] jOcular – Improved photon path computation including self-interference, or other enhancements (StarfishMedical).

Kenneth MacCallum, jOcular Optical Design Software  [ ? under discussion with 459 group ]

Project Objectives, Background and Scope

See jocular.sourceforge.net for background. The objective of this project is to conceptualize, code and test a new photon path computation engine to more accurately compute light intensities in simulated optical systems to include such effects as photons interfering with themselves to allow modeling of dichroic filters, double slits, etc. Any other improvements or additions are welcome too; there’s plenty of scope for work on this project.

Design and Analysis

It is expected that any enhancement will first be explored at the theoretical level, then conceptualized to a possible algorithmic solution and then prototyped to test for performance.

Resources Available

Not much required. I’ll be available for brainstorming and discussion.

Expected Technical Background – Knowledge of optics and Java programming is required.

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24. Application of Evolutionary Algorithms to Constrained Curve Creation (Tillie)

Daniel Tillie

Project Objectives, Background and Scope, Design and Analysis: The goal of this project is to implement a method for optimizing a path curve given a minimal constraints. A successful implementation would have a broad range of applications. Rail alignments, road alignments, even aircraft parking taxi paths. The optimization method is left to the student; using evolutionary algorithms is a suggestion.  More generally speaking, the project is simply a multi-variable optimization problem, and students will have the opportunity to research the topic and apply methods to a practical problem.

Resources available: A sample implementation of the major required features has been implemented in Python by the Sponsor. The Sponsor is available to provide guidance.

Expected Technical Background: Eng Phys background preferred. Must be comfortable with simple vector analysis, programming, and project planning/reporting. Interest in multivariable optimization problems preferred. I encourage interested students to use this opportunity to practice delivering a project using processes commonly used in engineering consulting.

Preference for 4 or 8 month: Scope is reasonably suited for both 4 month and 8 month project durations. Group size is similarly flexible (1-3 is probably the correct size)

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25. Foldable and removable heeled shoes  (Djossa)

Solange Djossa

Project Objectives, Background and Scope – Over the past couple of years, numerous women have tried to create shoes with foldable heels. Despite the promise of this idea, many are those that have fallen short of producing a product that women want to wear. Over the past year I have been looking into why these creations have not had more success and have seen that engineering physics could help me create a successful prototype. I would like this project to result in a prototype of a safe yet fashionable foldable heel that women can wear on a regular basis. This prototype is expected to resemble heels currently considered fashionable whilst incorporating a foldable and removable heel. The challenge of this project is that any and every unconventional method can be used to create the wanted outcome. The final product should be able to support a full-grown woman and her movements without sacrificing style, safety, and comfort.

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group : no immediate preference

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26. [ & ] Recovery Monitor for Knee Surgery Patients  (ClarisHealthcare)

Geof Auchinleck, Claris Healthcare  [& claimed by 479 group Sept 10]

Length:  4 or 8 months.

Objective:

After a Total Knee Arthroplasty and other types of knee surgery, it is critical that the patient adhere to the prescribed exercise regimen while avoiding wound infection in order to fully recover.

The purpose of this project is to develop a means to monitor compliance and to provide early detection of possible infections.

Detection of post-operative infection may be achieved by monitoring skin temperature near the wound site.   As the patient’s body reacts to an infection, skin temperature near the wound increases.  By monitoring the skin temperature, it may be possible to detect infection before it has time to progress, allowing the patient’s physician to take corrective action.

Post-operative exercises required for proper recovery are often difficult and sometimes a bit painful for the patient.  For this reason, many do not fully comply with the prescribed program – either by ‘cheating’ a bit, or by not actually achieving the required range of motion or number of repetitions required.  A neutral means for monitoring the patient’s compliance and success with the exercises prescribed will allow the patient’s caregivers to ensure they are progressing properly.

Suggested Approach:

After surgery, the patient’s knee will be dressed with an appropriate wound dressing.  It should be possible to incorporate sensors in the dressing, or perhaps in a fabric covering that can be attached over the dressing.  The skin temperature sensor could be solid-state integrated temperature sensor taped directly to the skin near the wound.  Detection and monitoring of knee motion will be more difficult.  One suggested approach would be to embed multiple-axis accelerometers into the dressing above and below the knee joint in order to detect absolute and relative motions.

The sensors should be connected to a battery-powered device that is preferably small enough and light enough to be clipped to the wound dressing itself, or otherwise located near the knee (on a strap perhaps).  This device would link to a smartphone or other device to upload data from the sensors.

An interesting part of the project will be determining if information from the motion sensors can be analysed to measure the following:

-       General activity level

-       Number of knee flexes

-       Range of motion of the knee flexes

-       Number of repetitions of prescribed exercises completed.

These four factors represent increasing levels of difficulty – it should be relatively easy to detect activity, while characterizing the signal patterns associated with specific exercises might be quite a challenge.

Scope:

For a four-month project the goal would be a laboratory-grade apparatus that is able to capture data from a person’s knee and send it for analysis, including preliminary analyses to demonstrate the practicality of detecting some or all of the parameters described above.

For an eight-month project, the goal would be a portable version suitable for testing on live subjects,  preferably able to report summary data for the four parameters to a cell phone or other device.

Resources Available:

The sponsor will provide a limited budget for the purchase of hardware components such as sensors, single board computers or the like.  The sponsor will be available for regular consultation and will also be able to arrange consultation with experts in the area of post-surgical recovery.

Technical Background:

This project will require some ability to design and construct electronic apparatus and use sensors, and to do data analysis to extract meaningful features from a noisy data set.

Further information:

http://rebalancemd.com/patient/resource-files/Before_During_&_After_Hip_&_Knee_Replacement_Surgery.pdf

http://rebalancemd.com/patient/knee/

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27. Hull Design Project (UBC Sailbot)

[  CROSS-POSTING    This project is being cross-posted to UBC MECH or EECE Capstone project Courses, and may only be available after ECE/MECH selection.  This likely limits to only the 8-month 459 students. ]   [  Project still available, not chosen for other capstone program  ]

NB:  There is one current ENPH 479 student associated with the project.   The project will be broken into one component for the 479 student, and another for an 8-month group from MECH.

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28. [ & ]  High-speed Autonomous Sailing Control System Design  (UBC Sailbot)

Bryan Luu, UBC Sailbot    [& pdf writeup has been updated, Sept 15.  Claimed by 459 group ]

The project will be sponsored by UBC Sailbot, with a senior Software and Controls member, Bryan Luu, leading the project. He is leading a ENPH 459 team, which is currently actively looking for 1 more team-mate. All interested parties should contact control@ubcsailbot.org

Do you want to be a part of something exciting? Do you want to work with a great team to develop Green technology, and even beat other schools at it?

UBC Sailbot needs innovators to design autonomous control for a new kind of Sailbot, one that uses novel propulsion mechanisms. This boat will be entered into a new competition to take place in Vancouver in Summer 2017, the inaugural Autonomous Clean-Energy Marine Robotics Competition. The competition is focused on building better boats for the future: boats that can transport payloads quickly, efficiently while using the least energy and zero emissions.

Although Sailbot has traditionally built sailing boats, with this new objective, different wind-energy propulsion mechanisms for the boat are being considered. Consequently, a new autonomous control system for the best candidate mechanism must be designed.

Examples of “alternative” methods of wind propulsion:

• Fixed-wing sails - used by Saildrone, or the America's Cup boats.
• Kite-assisted sailing - this company called SkySails has already developed them for industry. It is also related to a previous ENPH 459 project.
• Flettner Rotors - uses the Magnus Effect as an alternative to generate lift from wind instead of sails, and there's this company that made a commercial boat with it.

The main project goals are to:

1. Assist in the decision of a propulsion mechanism, from a controls perspective, conducting research and testing, collaborating with other team members
2. Design, build and test the control system architecture for the new propulsion type
3. Demonstrate that the control system works for the new propulsion type in an environment similar to being on the final boat

The project will be sponsored by UBC Sailbot, with a senior Software and Controls member, Bryan Luu, leading the project. He is leading a ENPH 459 team, which is currently actively looking for 1 more team-mate. All interested parties should contact control@ubcsailbot.org

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29. [ & ]  Half-plane, triple-link inverted pendulum model of a human body to study falls  (Khalili Borisoff vanderLoos)

Mahsa Khalili, Jaimie Borisoff, Machiel Van der Loos,

[  CROSS-POSTING    This project is being cross-posted to UBC MECH or EECE Capstone roject Courses, and may only be available after ECE/MECH selection.  This likely limits to only the 8-month 459 students. ]   [ Project still available, not selected by other capstone programs. ]  [ & claimed by 459 group ]

Project Objectives, Background and Scope

Lower-limb exoskeletons are wearable robotic aids that can provide mobility assistance, including standing and walking, for stroke survivors or people with spinal cord injuries. Despite the advancements that have been made in the design and control of exoskeletons, there are still usability and safety concerns that limit the application of these devices to rehabilitation centres in which they are used under supervision of physical therapists. Currently, there is no way to prevent a fall when losing balance while using an exoskeleton. In the case of a fall, whether joints are locked or are underactuated, the impact velocity when hitting the ground is large enough to cause traumatic brain injury, bone fracture or bruises.

As part of a Master’s thesis in the UBC Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, we are working on the development of control strategies to mitigate the risk and severity of injury when falling while wearing an exoskeleton. Specifically, we are trying to minimize the impact velocity (impact force) and risk of head impact when hitting the ground. To study this problem, a model of a triple-link inverted pendulum has been used to represent the dynamics of the human fall. Required moments that need to be applied at each joint to minimize the impact velocity are computed through an optimization process. The resulting motion of the triple-link inverted pendulum is simulated in MATLAB, and one example of this type of motion is shown below.

Figure 1. Optimized falling motion of a triple-link inverted pendulum 2

In order to validate the results of the simulation, we need a mechanical test setup to implement the developed control strategy and apply the optimal moments at the joints of the triple-inverted pendulum. The main requirements of this setup include:

1. Design and fabrication of a human size (size is negotiable), half-plane, triple-link inverted pendulum that has actuation at the joints. Length and mass of each link need to be adjustable. Actuators should be selected based on the maximum required torque and power at each joint, so half-mass.

2. The set of equations governing the dynamics of the system, including the dynamics of the actuator, damping or friction.

3. Sensors (joint angle and angular velocity) to be selected and mounted at each joint.

4. Design and fabrication of the controller for the motion of the system

5. Measurement of impact force at the moment of hitting the ground

6. Safety considerations to avoid any damage to the system when hitting the ground

Resources available

$1,000 for the device, actuators, amplifiers and sensors. Additional resources may be available based on further justification. The sponsor will supply controllers and control computer.

Expected Technical Background

Mechanical design and fabrication skills

Background in the design of a real time controller

Knowledge in biomechanical and robotics engineering

Additional information

Below you can see 3 of the most advanced lower limb exoskeletons that are currently used for rehabilitation purposes. As mentioned previously, none of these devices have any kind of “Safe Fall” algorithm implemented in their control system. Illustrating the efficacy of the “Injury Mitigation Control Strategy”, developed in this project, may lead to future collaboration with the companies that are manufacturing exoskeletons. 3

Figure 2. Lower limb exoskeletons (from left to right: Rewalk1, Ekso bionics2, Indego3)

1 http://rewalk.com/ 

2 http://intl.eksobionics.com/ 

3 http://www.indego.com/indego/en/home

“Safe Fall” control strategies have been studied, developed and tested in the domain of humanoid robots. As an example, an optimized motion of a robot during a backward fall is shown in figure 2. To watch the full video, click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tiOs0vlJig&list=WL&index=5

What we are planning to do in our project is to first validate the results of the simulation with a simplified test setup and if the outcome was satisfactory, we could implement the algorithm in an actual exoskeleton and perform controlled-fall experiments similar to what it’s shown in figure 3. 4

Figure 3. Falling motion[1]

[1] K. Fujiwara, F. Kanehiro, S. Kajita, K. Yokoi, H. Saito, K. Harada, K. Kaneko, and H. Hirukawa, “The first human-size humanoid that can fall over safely and stand-up again,” Proc. 2003 IEEE/RSJ Int. Conf. Intell. Robot. Syst. (IROS 2003)

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30. [ & ] Automating drug injection into microfluidic devices (Cheung)

Karen Cheung, Loic Laplatine, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering BioMEMS Group  [ & claimed by 459 group ]

Our team is currently developing microfluidic devices for diverse applications in the health and environment industry. These devices aim for instance to detect and monitor the presence of chemicals in aqueous solutions, such as water or biological medium (sensors). They can also be used to control the deliverance of drugs injected at various concentrations, durations and repetition rates on living cells or tissues (drug screening). Many of these experiments last up to several days and need to be automated. There are some commercially-available systems for microfluidic flow control such as the ones commercialized by Agilent, Arrayit, Bioscience Tool. However, they are limited to a few channels (typically from 4 to 16) while we would like to handle more samples, typically a titration plate of 96 wells.

This project will focus on the design, fabrication and automation of a system able to handle small liquid samples to load them into our current microfluidic devices. Such system aim to be a module that can be used for a multitude of devices and experiments far beyond our group, including potential treatment testing at the BC Cancer Agency, calibration/testing of a silicon photonics sensor under development for water safety monitoring...

During this project, the student(s) will:

Literature

-       Review the literature to understand the underlying of microfluidics and some of its biomedical applications

Hardware

-       Learn to assemble commercial mechanical components (motor-controlled stages, pumps, valves…)

-       Design and assemble custom mechanical parts (SolidWorks)

-       Learn to assemble, connect and test polymer microfluidic devices

Software

-       Program a software in C# to automate the system

-       Program a signal processing software in MATLAB to analyse the experimental response after loading the samples

Integration

-       Integrate this new system to existing experiments

-       Integrate the software to our current C# automation software

-       Retro-controlled the automation C# software with the MATLAB software

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31. Ocean Current Measuring Project (Dennison)

Glen Dennison, Underwater Council of BC

To build an ocean current monitor. (a suggested design will be given to help you start out).

The unit will log current velocity and direction to an on board memory card.

In addition you may be working with senior scientists from the DFO and Vancouver Aquarium.

I will be available on a regular bases for consultation and progress meetings.

Work to be completed in the 155 Hennings EngPhy Lab or the A040 lab in Hebb building

Glass sponge, an ancient life form is abundant in Howe Sound. Where and how it grows is still a mystery to marine biologist. Join

the team on leading edge studies and participate in the learning adventure!

Near the bottom of Howe Sound 300 meters down very little is known about the water current flow. Glass sponges thrive in the

deep currents.

Your project should you accept it, will be to design and build a current flow meter to monitoring and logging current velocity and

direction over a one week period. You will then field test your unit on a trip to Howe Sound. Life jackets must be worn at all times

when launching and recovering the instrument on the water.

Skills needed

Basic engineering skills, Programming skills, Digital electronics, basic machining, mechanical design, Solidworks skills, pcb design

skills, assemble skills.

Past Project and Proposed Upgrades

A previous 479 group did the initial development of the Ocean Current Monitor (link here).    Several improvements can be made to the existing system, including:

• Software re write using the 1st version as an example target is an Arguing Nano
• Calibration of the unit
• Power supply designs and circuit packaging
• Testing of the impeller design  an improvements  (SolidWorks file will be provided)
• Field testing in Howe Sound and deployment
• In addition I would like all students in the review seal designs and pressure and volume laws.   This I can review with them and homework studies will be assigned.
  

Requirements

- all meetings, scheduled, must be attended

- if unable to attend a valid reason must be given

- punctuality counts

- all homework assignments must be completed on time (yes there will be homework)

- all physical work must be completed on time

- regular reports must be submitted

- Diligent and concentrated work is expected on this project

- All aspects of the project must be documented, including all basic laws used in the design.

 Specifications

- log current velocity and direction

- Velocity 0 – 5 knots

- direction to 5 degrees magnetic

- log values for 7 days

- Depth rating 300 meters

- download able on the surface

- small size and manageable weight

- All plastic construction

- use Arduino micro computer and USB add on, interface

- use 1 gig SD micro card

- use Hall Effect sensor and rare earth magnets

- use abs or pcv pipe

- use 3D printed impellor 4.5 inch diameter and height or smaller to accommodate the 3D printers in the engphy lab

- USB downloadable to CSV file format

- write an interface program for downloading data to a PC (USB port on the logging instrument to the USB port on a PC)

- a suggested design will be provided with Soildworks files but you will be free to make changes

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32. Transmit/Receive switch for solid-state NMR (Michal)

Carl Michal, UBC Physics and Astronomy  [ claimed by 479 group, Sept 10  available again ]

The goal of this project is to design and build a high-power rf switch for solid-state NMR measurements. This switch is a three-port device, essentially an SPST switch. In the transmit mode, the switch must allow rf signals (10-400 MHz) at high power (500 W) to be transmitted to an NMR probe circuit for duty cycles up to 5%, (eg 50 ms/s). In the receive mode, small NMR signals are transmitted from the probe circuit to a low-noise amplifier. The switch mode is controlled by a TTL and CMOS compatible logic input. Key specifications include:

1) switching time: < 500 ns.

2) transmit port to receive port isolation: < 2V p-p leakage on receive port at all transmit input powers and frequencies

3) transmit insertion loss: < 1.5dB

4) receive insertion loss: < 1 dB

The scope of the project includes selecting the switch topology, detailed circuit design and part selection, and building a finished device (preferably 2 units).

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33. Projects from the Human Communications Technologies Lab (HCT Lab)

Sid Fels, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Human communications Technology Laboratory (HCT) lab has projects that are concerned with understanding and creating new interfaces to improve the people's ability to interact with technology.  Some of the past projects have resulted in patents, academic publications, graduate theses and products.  Most projects require programming skills in at least C or C++ as a starting point and also require integration of hardware and software.

A number of undergraduate projects are listed at the following website:  

http://hct.ece.ubc.ca/student-projects/hct-lab-projects/ 

Please contact the Project Lab to discuss the listed options prior to contacting Dr. Fels or the other project leads listed on the website.

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34. High Accuracy Electric Current Recorder and Analyzer  (FRP TransmissionInnovations)

Janos Toth, FRP Transmission Innovations Inc.

The project is building a device that can:

• Continuously record leakage electric current from -500 micro Ampere to +500 micro Ampere
• Recording accuracy of 1 micro Ampere
• Recording is being done with an internal or external computer
• The different voltage levels the equipment needs to monitor (1 to 100 kV, 100 to 200 kV, 200 to 300 kV, 300 to 400 kV, 400 to 500 kV, 500 to 600 kV)
• Recording sampling is in 100th of a second or faster
• The recording is displayed on a screen for continuous operator visual monitoring
• The monitoring computer needs to be able to analyze the measurements and give warnings if certain levels exceeded or certain patterns of current change is exhibited (further details will be given when project is selected)
• The meter could use 12 DC as a power source
• The system should be able to operate on it s power source for at least 6 hours, preferable 8 hours.
• The whole system should withstand electro magnetic field caused by nearby electrical equipment. (Further details will be given to the team when project is selected)
• Prepare detailed documentation on the design and the developed equipment

The project needs to achieve monitoring certain equipment exposed to electric current. It is important for safety, as allowable leakage current should not be exceeded. This project is important to our industry activity. This could give student exposure to e very specific application in the electrical utility industry.

Design and Analysis: The equipment development requires high level of electrical circuit design, interfacing with a computer and analyzing the measured data. All of these fall into the engineering and physics areas.

Resources available: The design and prototype work required electrical lab capabilities, basic electric circuit making, computer interface hardware and software design, making and debugging the system.  

Expected Technical Background

Required skills include electric circuit and computer interface design, programming and data analysis with patter recognition. SO far there is no published information available

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group

There is no preference from our side. The important parties the project needs to be done in a timely manner and finished by April 2016.

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35. Projects from Cyril Leung (Leung)

Dr. Cyril Leung, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering

NB:    Students interested in these topics should be prepared to take the lead in generating the project objectives and deliverables, and in finding other local resources to help carry the project forward.

Project A - Experiments in social signal processing (Leung)

Imagine the vast range of interesting applications that could be developed if it was possible to accurately measure human emotions. In the past decade, there has been a great deal of research interest in the technically challenging problem of “social signal processing”, including the recognition of emotions. See A. Vinciarelli et al, "Bridging the Gap between Social Animal and Unsocial Machine: A Survey of Social Signal Processing", IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing, vol. 3, No. 1, Jan-Mar 2012, pp. 69-87. The objective in this project is to select a specific small set of emotions (e.g. happy, angry, sad) to recognize and assess the effectiveness of promising approaches/algorithms which have been proposed.

Students interested in this project will take the lead in generating the project objectives and deliverables.  During the project proposal phase, students will be expected to (a) do a thorough review of the state-of-the-art in the field, both in commercial devices and items under development; (b) review previous 459/479 projects in similar fields; (c) discuss options with local experts in the field for their input and guidance; and (d) select and present their project objectives and deliverables based on their findings.   The project sponsor will be available to offer project oversight, provide financial resources where appropriate, and direct student groups to appropriate resources.

Project B - Methods for Monitoring of Human Movement (Leung)

The motivation for this project can be found in the paper “Sensors-based Wearable Systems for Monitoring of Human Movement and Falls” by Shany, T. Redmond, S. Narayanan, M. Lovell, N. in the IEEE Sensors Journal. The Abstract of the paper is reproduced below.

“The rapid aging of the worlds population, along with an increase in the prevalence of chronic illnesses and obesity, requires adaption and modification of current healthcare models. One such approach involves telehealthapplications, many of which are based on sensor technologies for unobtrusive monitoring. Recent technological advances, in particular involving microelectromechnical systems, have resulted in miniaturized wearable devices that can be used for a range of applications. One of the leading areas for utilization of bodyfixed sensors is the monitoring of human movement. An overview of common ambulatory sensors is presented, followed by a summary of the developments in this field, with an emphasis on the clinical applications of falls detection, falls risk assessment and energy expenditure. The importance of these applications is considerable in light of the global demographic trends and the resultant rise in the occurrence of injurious falls and the decrease of physical activity. The potential of using such monitors in an unsupervised manner for community dwelling individuals is immense, but entails an array of challenges with regards to design considerations, implementation protocols and signal analysis processes. Some limitations of the research to date and suggestions for future research are also discussed.”

The objective in this project is to select, implement and evaluate a cost-effective approach for monitoring the movement of seniors in a home environment.

Students interested in this projects will take the lead in generating the project objectives and deliverables.  During the project proposal phase, students will be expected to (a) do a thorough review of the state-of-the-art in the field, both in commercial devices and items under development; (b) review previous 459/479 projects in similar fields; (c) discuss options with local experts in the field for their input and guidance; and (d) select and present their project objectives and deliverables based on their findings.   The project sponsor will be available to offer project oversight, provide financial resources where appropriate, and direct student groups to appropriate resources.

Report from Previous Group Found Here:  Indoor Positioning with Ultrasound and Radio Frequency Waves (2012)

Project C - Energy conservation and management tools for the home (Leung)

It is widely recognized that the use of energy and the associated environmental impact are major global challenges. There is a great deal of interest on the part of governments as well as individual citizens in energy conservation and efficiency measures. At the home level, these include designing new home which minimize energy consumption, improving heat loss in existing homes, smart electrical metering, etc. The objective in this project is to develop specific tools to assist residents in reducing their home energy use. An example is a tool for determining areas in which the most energy savings can be obtained, and suggesting a list of cost effective measures for residents.

Students interested in this projects will take the lead in generating the project objectives and deliverables.  

During the project proposal phase, students will be expected to (a) do a thorough review of the state-of-the-art in the field, both in commercial devices and items under development; (b) review previous 459/479 projects in similar fields; (c) discuss options with local experts in the field for their input and guidance; and (d) select and present their project objectives and deliverables based on their findings.   The project sponsor will be available to offer project oversight, provide financial resources where appropriate, and direct student groups to appropriate resources.

[ & ] Project D - An Electronic White Cane for the Visually Impaired (Leung)

[ & claimed by 459 group]

The objective is to design an electronic white cane to assist visually impaired individuals in everyday activities. Features which could be considered for implementation include aural feedback to the user about the condition of the pavement, surrounding obstacles, GPS capability to provide geographical location, character recognition ability for reading signs, etc. Students will be provided with information on past-year projects on this topic.

Students interested in this projects will take the lead in generating the project objectives and deliverables.  During the project proposal phase, students will be expected to (a) do a thorough review of the state-of-the-art in the field, both in commercial devices and items under development; (b) review previous 459/479 projects in similar fields; (c) discuss options with local experts in the field for their input and guidance; and (d) select and present their project objectives and deliverables based on their findings.   The project sponsor will be available to offer project oversight, provide financial resources where appropriate, and direct student groups to appropriate resources.  

Previous White Cane projects done for 459/479 projects include :

• DROPS:  Drop-Off Recognition Optical Processing System
• Electronic White Cane using RFID Tags
• Navigational Aid for the Visually Impaired

Project E  -  Error Control Coding for Flash Memory (Leung)

The popularity of NAND flash memory is growing very rapidly due to desirable characteristics such as nonvolatility, shock-resistance, light weight and energy efficiency. Applications include USB drives, digital camera storage and solid-state drives (SSDs). As the demand for higher storage capacity per unit area increases, so do the raw bit error rates. In this project, the main error mechanisms affecting NAND flash memory are to be surveyed. The use of low density parity check (LPDC) codes for error control has been proposed. An implementation of LDPC coding and a simulation study of its performance are the main tasks in the project. (Useful courses: EECE 453, EECE 454)

For reference, one good technical resource is the book "Error Control Coding, Second Edition" by S. Lin and D.J. Costello, published by Prentice-Hall. There are also many helpful papers which can also be retried from IEEE Xplore by doing a search on "LDPC, implementation, decoding, ..."

Project F - Continuous non-invasive cuffless monitoring of blood pressure.

http://www.medgadget.com/2013/10/fda-approves-visi-mobile-system-for-cuffless-non-invasive-continuous-bp-monitoring.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23740275

Project G - Needleless blood sugar monitoring.

http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Health-News/blood-sugar-monitoring-glucose/2014/08/25/id/590665/

http://www.livescience.com/49525-temporary-tattoos-blood-sugar-levels.html

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36. Quantitative analysis of cell and tissue dynamics during animal development (Tanentzaph Goodwin)

Lab Supervisor: Guy Tanentzapf, tanentz@mail.ubc.ca

Project Supervisor: Katie Goodwin, katie.e.goodwin@gmail.com

Project Objectives, Background and Scope

Our lab is interested in the mechanisms by which cells interact with their environment, and how this interaction affects cell morphology and dynamics, and overall biomechanical properties of tissues. Our model system is the embryonic development the fruit fly (Drosophila) – see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FChS4KU5jDM

In this project, students will develop image processing and measurement tools for quantitative analyses of cell shape changes and movement during animal development in 4D (e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particle_image_velocimetry) , and then use these techniques in order to shed light on the mechanisms behind defective development. The tools developed in this project will become part of our lab’s framework for quantitative analyses, and provide valuable mechanistic insight into the biological questions we are investigating.

Lab Webpage: http://www.tanentzapf-lab.com/site/Home.html

Design and Analysis

Design: Students will need to design image analysis tools to achieve specific measurement goals, optimize them for our lab’s imaging data, and then streamline them for efficient implementation.

Analysis: Students will apply the tools they use to images and time-lapse movies either provided by the lab or taken by the students themselves. Students and their supervisor will then need to contextualize the results obtained in terms of the biology of the system.

Resources available

Students will have access to computers with MatLab, fruit fly facilities, whatever lab equipment they require for mounting samples, and supervised time using a confocal microscope for recording time-lapse movies.

Expected Technical Background

We require students with a fair amount of MatLab experience, and preferably with some image analysis experience/expertise (see Image Processing Toolbox for MatLab).

Example image of our model system, Drosophila Dorsal Closure

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group

No preference.

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37. Entrance Display Model for the new Quantum Matter Institute Building (UBC PHAS)

Sponsors: Doug Bonn, Sarah Burke, Andrea Damascelli, and Jeff Young, UBC Physics and Astronomy / AMPEL

A new Quantum Matter Institute building has been designed and construction is now well underway in Fall of 2015.  There is a fairly large glass-enclosed display case at the entrance that will be visible both from the sidewalk and the entrance corridor of the new building.  We want to develop some attractive, engaging pieces to display that, together, convey the distinctive theme of research taking place in the building; “from atoms to applications”.

Part of this project will involve further development of some initial concepts for items that would address the atomic-level part of this spectrum.  The remainder of the project will involve developing a design for the final display, and demonstrating its feasibility by building and testing a model.  An example of what we have in mind for the “most atomic” scale display, is a macroscopic working model of how an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) can be used to image the arrangement of atoms on a crystalline solid’s surface.  The atoms would be represented by marbles arranged in some periodic array, perhaps with some imperfections, and a macroscopic AFM tip would be rastor-scanned across the marbles, undulating as it scanned.  The undulation may be induced by having permanent magnets located underneath the marbles, for instance, with another magnet in the AFM tip.  The model would ideally also show how the motion of the AFM tip located at the end of a cantilever (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fivhcWYEtkQ), is actually sensed using a laser beam and a quadrant detector.

We have some less thought-through ideas for the next-size-up display, which the project could also address, depending on team size and the agreed-upon scope of the AFM component.

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38. Honeycomb Kinetic Structure  (TangibleInteraction)

Alex Beim,  Tangible Interaction   (videos of ongoing projects can be found following this link)

Tangible Interaction has worked on a number of public art installations involving lighting and kinetic structures, making use of a selection of off-the-shelf and custom electronics, both wired and wireless, to control and power the systems.  

For the current project, Tangible Interaction would like to create a large kinetic public art sculpture, with the idea is to be able to open and close umbrellas from a computer.  The electromechanical system should control the amount of opening and closing of the umbrella, and be individually addressable, likely controlled a similar way to how they control lights, using Artnet protocol (Artnet is an ethernet implementation of a DMX communication standard, ).    

The focus of the project is on the mechanical development of the system - to design a system to robustly control a single umbrella, opening and closing and holding its position.  For a prototype, working with off-the-shelf umbrellas with minimal or no modifications may be desired, but for future installations Tangible Interaction will likely fabricate special hexagonal umbrellas to create a honeycomb structure then use the umbrellas to create patterns

An ideal prototype the system would be low-cost and easy to replicate for many umbrellas in a single installation, would keep wiring tightly organized and make use of existing controllers.   A project from 2011/12 involved designing a stepper motor controller matrix, allowing for multiple stepper motors to be used in an installation - it may be appropriate to use the controller to control motors here, or it may prove to be too expensive to require 1 stepper motor per installation.

A previous 459/479 group worked on the project previously (link here)- improvements to their design include an improved mechanical design, incorporating many of the findings that the group had in their final deliverable, more appropriate material choices and simpler design that can handle many opening and closings

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39. Automation of Toilet Training for Dairy Cows (Vaughan)

Dr. Alison Vaughan, Faculty of Land and Food Systems

Project objectives, background, and scope:

Training cows to only go to the bathroom in certain areas of their pens would allow farmers to reduce bedding and labour costs, and house their animals in more humane conditions (e.g. cleaner, less restrictive environments).  Dr. Alison Vaughan, a postdoctoral student in the faculty of Land and Food Systems, has demonstrated that cows can be toilet-trained.  Most farmers own too many cows for individual training to be feasible, but automating the process would solve this problem, allowing a large number of cows to be trained in a more consistent and continuous manner than manual training.  

The proposed method of automation is a computer vision-based system.  When the system sees a calf urinate or defecate in the target area, it would signal the calf to indicate that it is allowed access (controlled by the RFID tags all of the animals wear) to a reward pen.  The area in which the calves will be rewarded for urinating or defecating will be reduced over time, a process known as shaping, eventually training them to only urinate/defecate in very specific areas. As with most species, initial toilet training will focus on calves rather than adult cows. This has been split into two sub-projects: the computer vision system, and the reward mechanism for the calves.

Resources:

• The RFID tags the cows wear.
• Enough visible-spectrum/thermal camera rigs mounted above the pen to provide complete coverage of the pens.
• Money from the AMS Sustainability Projects Fund.

John Harvey (current 5th year student, taking 479 this fall) is attached to this project.  If interest is expressed in only one project, he will take on the other.  

[ & ] Project 1: Analysis of video footage

[ & claimed by 479  student ]

A co-op student (John Harvey) has done proof-of-concept work to demonstrate that calves can be tracked by visible-light cameras, and that urine/feces can be identified by a relatively inexpensive thermal camera.  This is a video of the current cow-tracking, developed in C++ using OpenCV, an open-source computer vision library.  

The goal of this project is to develop a piece of software which can take in video footage (visible-spectrum and thermal) of ~8 calves in a pen from one or more video feeds (covering the entire pen) and output the paths the calves have taken around the pen, and the times/locations of each urination/defecation, as well as the identity of the cow who urinated/defecated.  The software has to run in real time.  Specific improvements which need to be made to the program are distinguishing between calves when they are close together, combining footage from the thermal and visible-spectrum cameras, and handling calves entering/exiting the camera’s view.

The current video capture solution is Raspberry Pi based.  Depending, some work may need to be done with how the video is captured, saved, and processed.  The current software is written in C++, although OpenCV has Python, C, and Java implementations.  

Project 2:    Administering the rewards

This project has two goals.  

1. Produce a system (hardware and software) which can actuate a gate based on RFID tags.  The RFID tags the cows currently wear are closed source, so if they are impractical to work with, a new tag system which meets the requirements of the farm (a certain level of robustness, reasonable price point, detection distance on the order of tens of centimeters, and not interfering with the current system) would have to be selected.  The list of tags the gate opens for would have to be easily modifiable by an external program.
2. Produce a system (hardware and software) which signals the cows when they have gone to the bathroom in the right place.  For example, they could wear a pager on a collar, and the system could page calves which have exhibited the desired behaviour.  

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40. [ & ] Downsampling a Kinect Datastream (Mitchell)

Ian Mitchell, UBC Department of Computer Science  [ & claimed by 479 group, Sept 11 ]

Background: A key challenge for robots is knowledge of the local environment.  Among current mobile robots -- such as Google's self-driving car -- laser rangefinders are typically used to detect obstacles; however, such sensors cost hundreds to thousands of dollars each and so are out of reach for inexpensive robots.  Microsoft's Kinect and similar depth sensing (or RGB-D) cameras are a much less expensive alternative, but they suffer from two challenges: their field of view is limited, so four or more cameras are required to provide full coverage around the robot; and each camera generates full frame video, so reading from multiple cameras can easily overwhelm the peripheral bus on a typical laptop.

Objectives & Scope: Students will develop a system to allow multiple RGB-D cameras to be connected to a single laptop USB bus and thereby deliver downsampled RGB-D video streams into ROS (the Robot Operating System).  The robotics and vision communities have embraced RGB-D sensors, so there is extensive software already available for them.

Design & Analysis: Solutions may be a mixture of hardware and software; for example, one potential solution is to attach a small single board computer (SBC) to each camera (eg: a Beagleboard or Raspberry Pi), and have the SBC pass along only a fraction of the incoming video frames to the main laptop.  Students are free to explore other potential solutions.  Once a solution is constructed, the analysis would involve exploring the capabilities of the system; for example, how many cameras and what frame-rates are possible?

Resources: We have several RGB-D cameras, at least one of which can be devoted to this project full-time.  We have a Beagleboard or could purchase other small SBCs.  ROS is open source software.

Expected Technical Background: Experience with Linux and Python or C++ is necessary to work with ROS.  Experience with SBCs and/or USB protocols would be an advantage, but not a necessity.

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41. Live Tracking of Wheel Rotation & Wheelies with a Smartphone / Tablet (Mitchell Borisoff)

Ian Mitchell, UBC Department of Computer Science  

Jaimie Borisoff, BCIT Rehabilitation Engineering Design Laboratory

Background: It has been repeatedly demonstrated that wheelchair (WC) users benefit enormously from structured skills training programs; however, such training programs are often not available because of resource limitations.  In a previous project, we have developed an at-home training program that uses an Android tablet to deliver video instruction to trainees.  Unfortunately, such motor-skills training programs inevitably involve extensive and rather boring repetition. One way to encourage trainees to continue such repetitive exercises is "gamification": Make the exercise into a game, and provide rapid and regular feedback on progress.  In the context of WC skills training, such feedback requires knowledge about how the trainee has moved the wheels.

In a previous year's project, students designed a Android app which connected by bluetooth to a pair of accelerometers mounted on the WC's wheels and thereby tracked WC motion.  This app was then expanded into a series of games which are currently undergoing user testing.

Objectives & Scope: In this year's project, students will investigate improvements to the sensor system.  An example improvement is a mechanism to detect caster pops and wheelies (the former when weight is temporarily shifted off the front casters of the WC, the latter when the casters are lifted / held off of the ground).  Other examples could be better battery life, accuracy and/or mounting hardware.

Design & Analysis: Students will design / source hardware and software.  Students will characterize key properties such as accuracy, battery life and cost.  Students will demonstrate their solution by visualizing the incoming datastreams on the Android device, either as a standalone app, or integrating with the existing game.

Resources available: An Android tablet or smartphone and a manual wheelchair can be borrowed for development and testing.  Small sensor systems (eg: accelerometers) can be purchased.  Mounting hardware can be constructed.

Expected Technical Background: Experience with mechatronic sensors (eg: accelerometers / gyros) and/or Android programming would be an asset, but not necessary.

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42. Wheelchair Safety Avatar (Mitchell)

Ian Mitchell, UBC Department of Computer Science  

Background: As part of the AGE-WELL Network Center of Excellence (agewell-nce.ca), our lab is working with engineers, computer scientists and experts in mobility assistive technology from across Canada to design an intelligent wheelchair (WC) for cognitively impaired older adults.  One of the key challenges with this population is the user interface: How can users be informed of potential dangers near the WC without using a bulky and complex video screen?

Objectives & Scope: Students would design a small robot to sit on or near the WC handrest which could implement up to four functions to provide information to WC users.  First, it should be able to play back pre-recorded voice messages for aural feedback.  Second, it should contain one or more multicolour LEDs for visual feedback. Third, it should be able to vibrate for haptic feedback.  Fourth, it should have some form of appendage with which to point in a horizontal direction, but which can be hidden when not pointing.  For now, the robot would be controlled from a laptop (either wired or wireless connection).

Design & Analysis: Students will design / source hardware and software as necessary.  Key design criteria are cost, size, robustness and functionality.

Resources available: An Arduino starter kit is available, but other single board computers (SBCs) such as raspberry pi or beagleboard, could be purchased instead.  Some robot hardware can be purchased (eg: speakers, LEDs, vibrators, motors).

Expected Technical Background: Experience with digital electronics. Experience with SBCs would be an asset, but not necessary.

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43. Design methodology for silicon photonics (Chrostowski)

Lukas Chrostowski, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering  

In collaboration with Lumerical and Mentor Graphics

Silicon photonics technology is rapidly advancing whereby it is now possible to integrated tens to thousands of optical components in a photonic integrated circuit (PIC).   A design flow, similar to what has been done in electronics, is required for sophisticated PIC design.  In partnership with Mentor Graphics (a leading Electronic Design Automation, EDA, vendor) and Lumerical Solutions (a leading nanophotonic and PIC circuit design vendor, in Vancouver), we are developing such a design flow which includes schematic capture, compact models for photonic components, circuit modelling capability, schematic-driven mask layout and verification for manufacturability and circuit functionality.  

Students involved in this project will work closely with the two companies to improve upon the design capabilities for real-world photonic circuits.  Furthermore, students will contribute to the co-design methodology for electronic-photonic circuit co-design.

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44. [ & ] Silicon photonics component models for advanced optical communication systems (Chrostowski)  

Lukas Chrostowski, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering  [ & claimed by 479 group, Sept 10 ]

In this project, students will conduct experiments and data analysis, perform numerical simulations using commercial photonic design tools, and build compact photonic component models.  These models will be used to used to develop large-scale silicon photonic optical communication switch systems by our industrial collaborator.  The components being pursued include suspended optical waveguides for nano-opto mechanical switches, high efficiency thermal tuners, optical interfaces between silicon photonic chips and optical fibres, and on-chip detectors.

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45. [ & ] FPGA-based Control System for Cold Atom Experiments (Madison Yu)

Prof. Kirk Madison, Koko Yu, Quantum Gas Lab, UBC Physics and Astronomy [ & claimed by 479 group, Sept 14 ]

Project Objectives, Background and Scope    

At the Quantum Degenerate Gas (QDG) lab, we study quantum few and many-body systems by creating and probing ultra cold atom with lasers.

A laser-cooled cloud of lithium atoms (1 billion atoms at 500 micro-kelvin)

To accomplish these intricate experiments, we rely on precise control of the lasers and DC electric and magnetic fields with accurate timing. The control of these quantities is via digital and analog outputs that are programmed through a parallel digital bus. This is a fairly standard solution in the AMO community. Up to now, we have used a commercial digital output board to control the communication bus.  The high cost of this commercial solution and our wish to expand our experimental control has motivated us to work on an FPGA based solution.

Design and Analysis, Resources available and Expected Technical Background

Current state of the project: What needs to be worked on. Where we want to be.

We have prototyped the FPGA controller and proved the viability of the project. You will have access to the FPGA development board and a bus driver that interfaces the controller with all the analog and digital outputs.

The Altera® DE2 Development and Education board

Your team will be in charge of redesigning the architecture of the memory interfaces inside the FPGA (The Altera® DE2 Development and Education board). Because we would like to update our experiment at least every 1us, the target transfer speed of the system needs to be on the order of 30 Mbyte/s. This is a reasonable yet challenging target that requires careful digital design.

What you will get out of it.

This is a perfect project for a software/electrionics-oriented group of students that has keen interest in the design of FPGA based systems. Over the course of this project, you will learn about the advantages and shortcomings of different types of memory, the basic building blocks of a micro-controller and more.

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group

4-month group is preferred.

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46. An improved atomic reference for frequency stabilization of lasers (Madison)

Prof. Kirk Madison, Quantum Gas Lab, UBC Physics and Astronomy

Project Objectives, Background and Scope:

including the laser as the "plant", a controller (typical a PID servo), and a frequency reference for a stationary atom to measure deviations of the laser frequency from the resonance.  The objective of this project is to design, build and characterize an atomic frequency reference and to realize a frequency discriminator with this reference using the so-called Pound–Drever–Hall (PDH) technique (originally introduced in the context of stabilizing a laser to a cavity).

A laser-cooled cloud of lithium atoms (1 billion atoms at 500 micro-kelvin)

Design and Analysis :

The deliverables of this project are two fully characterized and functional atomic references with laser locking performance data and a comparison with our existing system.  The project thus has three major components with associated work:

0) Benchmark measurements of our existing reference : The signal-to-noise and locking performance achieved with the existing atomic frequency reference presently used in the lab will be characterized by measuring the frequency discrimination signal and extracting the slope of the corresponding error signal around the zero crossing (in Volts / MHz) and measuring the RMS electronic noise of this signal.  These measurements will represent the minimum acceptable specifications for the new reference.

1) The new atomic frequency reference will be built and characterized.  Some work on this has already been done in a previous year by an EngPhys group.  This reference will be comprised of an atomic vapor cell, optics, and a photodetector.  The setup will involve using the Doppler-free saturated absorption spectra of Rb.

Layout of proposed saturated absorption spectroscopy setup – which uses an intensity modulated saturating beam, Pound–Drever–Hall modulation of the probe beam and double demodulation.

2) Benchmark measurements of new reference : As before, the signal-to-noise of this reference will be measured and compared with that found in step (0).  The two new references will then be used to simultaneously lock two lasers to provide a measurement of their relative linewidth and compared with that found in step (0).

Resources available :

All optics and electronics required for this project will be made available by sponsor.

Expected Technical Background :

Experience with electronics is key.

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group

None

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47. [ & ] Further Developments in Advanced Battery Management Systems for High Power Lithium Ion Battery Packs (Electra Motor Corp)

Lorne Gettel, Electra Motor Corporation  [ & clamied by 479/480 group, Sept 10]

Project Objectives:  Electra Motor Corporation is in the business of designing and manufacturing high power lithium ion battery packs for transportation and stationary applications.  Over the past year Electra has been developing its next generation advanced battery management system (BMS).  We have demonstrated laboratory proof of concept for both the new hardware and software for the BMS.  The results have been most encouraging, and Electra is now in a pre-commercialization development stage for this product.  We have completed the design of the PCB (printed circuit board) for this new BMS, and plan to develop this into a fully operational pre-production prototype.  

The objective of this project will be the development of a prototype that can be thoroughly tested in the Electra laboratory, and then will be followed by assembly of test units that will be supplied to selected customers.  This project will involve considerable electronic, mechanical system design and software development by the project team.  Electra staff would plan to work closely with the student project team on a hands-on basis.  

While much of the initial hardware and software design has been completed, there is still considerable work required to develop this into a functional prototype.  In addition Electra will work  with the student team to add and implement new algorithms to improve the accuracy of our state of charge (SOC) calculations.  Electra would also like to continue  development work for a high current cell balancing system that would rapidly equalize the SOC of all the cells in a battery pack..  For this additional electronic system, there is both significant hardware and software tasks to be completed.

The commercialization of this next generation BMS technology is most important to Electra as it would be included in all our lithium ion battery systems that we supply to our customers.

Design and Analysis:  The project team, working with Electra staff, will be involved in the electronic design of the pre-production BMS.  They will also be directly involved in software development, including complex decision making algorithms between information derived from the software dominated control system, and a specially developed electronic redundancy system.  Electra is examining more complex mathematical techniques to improve the accuracy of our SOC algorithms.  The student project team would work with Electra on development of these mathematical techniques.

Resources Available:  Electra has a well equipped laboratory where the prototype system can be developed.  The lab includes all required test rigs to allow the BMS and high power lithium ion battery packs to be tested.  We would make all these resources available to the student project team, and they would be able to work on the project at the Electra lab, as well as work in the Engineering Physics lab.

Expected Technical Background:  The technical background for this project includes a fairly broad range of skills.  The project team as a group will require a working knowledge of the following:

·         software development using C and C++

·         32 bit ARM based micro-controllers

·         analog and digital circuit design and testing

·         techniques to minimize EMI (electro magnetic interference)

·         advanced mathematical techniques

·         mechanical design for electronic systems

Preference for Project Duration:  Electra would prefer a 4 month project duration, however we would be open to an 8 month project as well

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48. Design and development of ultrashort intense pulsed nozzles for AMO physics and chemistry  (Momose)

Takamasa Momose, UBC Chemistry & UBC Physics and Astronomy

Project Objectives, Background and Scope:  

At CRUCS (Centre for Research at Ultra-Cold Systems), we have developed a pulsed nozzle to create a ultra-short intense atomic and/or molecular beam in vacuum.  The pulsed nozzle consists of  a pin-hole (~ 100 um), a plunger, and a solenoid coil.  The solenoid coil provides a high magnetic field (~ 1 T)  for a short time (10 – 50 usec) to activate the plunger and send atomic and/or molecular gases into vacuum. In this project, we will modify the design of the nozzle to improve its performance to generate shorter and more intense molecular beams while at the same time reducing the power consumption.

Above:  A picture of CRUCS nozzle.

Design and Analysis:

First,re-design the nozzle in order to provide a stronger force to the plunger than the present model. Simulation of magnetic field is essential. Once the design is fixed, construct a prototype nozzle and test its performance.  All of these fall into the engineering and physics areas.

Resources available:

The design and prototype work requires basic machining and electric circuit assembly, designing mechanical parts with SolidWorks, and computer simulation.

Expected Technical Background:

Required skills include basic machining, computer drawing, computer simulation and electric circuit design.

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group:

There is no preference from our side. The project needs to be done in a timely manner and a functional prototype to be finished by April 2016.

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49. [ & ] Carbon nanotube growth using chemical vapour deposition (Nojeh)

Alireza Nojeh, http://nanostructure.ece.ubc.ca/, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering  [ ? currently under discussion with 479 group, Sept 10 ]   [claimed by 479 group, Sept 16th ]

Photo of the CVD system (left), photo of a carbon nanotube forest (middle), and scanning electron micrograph and transmission electron micrograph of the nanotubes (right) grown with the system

Background

We have built a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) system for the growth of carbon nanotubes. The system is capable of growing arrays of aligned carbon nanotubes (also known as carbon nanotube forests), where the lengths of individual nanotubes is several hundreds of micrometers and even millimeters. The system consists of a tube furnace where growth gases (argon, hydrogen and a hydrocarbon such as ethylene) are heated to hundreds of degrees. Nanotube growth can happen inside the hot zone of the furnace (hot-wall CVD) or on a substrate heater downstream from the furnace's hot region (cold-wall CVD).

Objectives, scope, design and analysis

The overarching goal of this project is to improve the growth process and its repeatability. In particular, nanotube growth takes place on a substrate (which contains the growth catalyst), placed on a sample holder. This is the case in both hot-wall and cold-wall CVD. This project thus consists of the following steps and objectives:

• Simulating, using a computational fluid dynamics software (CFD), the gas flow pattern in the system and around the sample, under various growth conditions;
• Analyzing the results and finding an optimal design for the sample holders (for both hot-wall and cold-wall cases) in order to optimize the delivery of the hydrocarbons to the sample during growth;
• Building the above-designed sample holders. In the case of hot-wall growth, this is a "passive" sample holder, and the concerns are purely related to the geometry of the holder and its placement within the furnace. In the case of cold-wall growth, the sample holder is "active, in that it also requires heating capability, which can be achieved via different means (resistive heating, inductive heating, etc). The heater must be capable of reaching up to 1,000 C;
• Implementing a temperature measurement system for the heater;
• Integrating the sample holders and heating system into the CVD system and testing;
• Performing a number of nanotube growth CVD runs to characterize the operation of the system.

Resources available

Access to the CFD software, CVD system and any major components required will be provided.

Expected Technical Background

Knowledge of fluid dynamics, mechanical design, electrical design, prototyping/machine shop work, instrumentation/interfacing with a computer (for example through MATLAB or LabView), will be needed. It is OK for the candidates not to have all of the above skills; however, a willingness to work hard and learn as needed will be required. Guidance and assistance with nanotube growth and characterization of the grown samples will be provided.

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group

Both 4-month and 8-month options are possible.

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50. Three Projects from Océ (Océ)

Isaac Leung, Océ-Canada

Océ is a division of Canon which makes very large flatbed inkjet printers.   Our customers are responsible for all sorts of posters & displays that you commonly see. (e.g. banners for the Superbowl, the Olympics in Vancouver, 7-11, London Drugs, Save-on-Foods, etc).

Project A - Inkjet Printhead Controller

Develop a system to control a piezoelectric printhead so that various lab bench experiments pertaining to the printhead can be performed. There are several aspects to this project ranging from software to firmware and electronics.

1)    Software application : Desktop application that will interface to electronics that drive the printhead. The software should be capable of specifying simple jetting patterns (e.g. every 3rd nozzle between nozzle number 14 and nozzle number 200) as well as jetting patterns from arbitrary bitmap pattern. There must be facility to control the firmware and optionally control the DC power supplies & ink / coolant system.

2)    Firmware / FPGA : A direct interface between the software and the printhead itself. One possible strategy is to utilize an FPGA to directly control the signals on the printhead.

3)    DC/DC power supply design : Design simple DC power supplies to convert a single fixed DC source to the various voltage levels required by the printhead.

4)    Ink & coolant supply : A system which will heat the ink to a specified temperature and provide ink to the printhead as required.

Items 3 & 4 could be optional. We can provide FPGA development kits if required or it may be useful for the Project Lab to procure its own inexpensive FPGA or microcontroller development kits which could be later used on other projects.

Project B - Automated nozzle failure detection

Develop system that can automatically detect nozzle failures during printing. This will likely be a software/image processing task. Existing printer system is capable of printing a nozzle check pattern at the edge of every printed image during each print pass. Analyzing this pattern manually is very time consuming and error prone. We wish to have a system which is capable of automatically analyzing these nozzle checks to determine:

·       Which nozzle fails?

·       When does the failure occur?

·       Does the failure ever self-recover?

The challenge here is to be able to take in a relatively sizeable image and be able to process it accurately in a reasonable amount of time. Image sizes can be up to ~ 20 cm x 120 cm in size which needs to be scanned in at 1200 DPI or better so initial data sizes could be easily several GB. One possible solution is to cut up each image to manageable sizes for processing. We can provide desktop scanners or a very large format scanner capable of scanning images of 44" width and “infinite” length.

Project C - Multi-sensor data acquisition system

For product development or service & support, it is often useful to record information about various aspects of a printer system. These can range from basic measurements such as temperature to vibration, humidity and others. Since the printers involve moving components, it is not always feasible to wire up sensors to a desktop computer data acquisition system. It is also not feasible for service technicians to carry expensive or complicated equipment out in the field. We can assume that a typical service technician will have a smartphone and possibly a tablet or laptop available. Some potential approaches

·       Low-cost, standalone data acquisition system that can send logged data wirelessly (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or NFC) back to a mobile device. This may require custom electronics as the data acquisition system has to be inexpensive enough to be installed inside every printer. For example it could be a small MCU/FPGA board which presents a web page which displays various sensor values.

·       Develop a smartphone app and a "dongle" which can interface to various sensors that can be installed in every printer. With this approach, the electronics can be of higher cost as it does not have to be in every printer, only the low cost sensors.

We can provide development kits which are capable of wireless operation or it may be useful for the Project Lab to procure its own which could be used on future projects as well. We also have a selection of sensors which can be tested with.

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51. Proximity sensing in a magnetically-coupled wireless power transfer system  (ELIX Wireless)

Brice Jamieson, ELIX Wireless

[ # CROSS-POSTING    This project is being cross-posted to UBC MECH or EECE Capstone roject Courses, and may only be available after ECE/MECH selection.  This likely limits to only the 8-month 459 students. ]  [ Project is still available, not chosen for other capstone programs ]

Project Background:

ELIX’s wireless power technology uses permanent magnets to transfer power across a gap.  To start the transfer, the transmitter base station must first detect the presence of a receiver and then determine if it is correctly aligned.  The method currently used to determine the presence of the permanent magnet in the receiver requires specific calibration between the individual transmitters and receivers and does not report directional alignment of the receiver to show if it is in the correct place for charging.

A more desirable system, however, is one that can detect the presence of a receiver, without needing any special calibration between transmitter and receiver and without relying on the intensity or shape of the magnetic field produced by either of the transmitter or receiver.  The receiver should also be able to transmit some small amount of data about itself and receive instructions, yet be almost entirely electrically passive.

Left:   E1K Wireless Charging System

Right:  Industrial Transport application of the charging system (UBC Building Operations)

Project Objectives:

Design a detector system that can identify if there is a receiver present within 15 cm in the area surrounding the detector, with the constraint that the receiver side must not require a power source to operate.  This system must be tolerant to (or make use of) large, low-frequency AC magnetic fields.  It should also detect the position of a receiver along one axis, so that the transmitter will only start if the receiver is in the correct location, and the distance of the receiver from the detector.  If possible, it should report that position to the receiver as the receiver moves into position (e.g. from a distance greater than 15 cm, ideally > 1 m) so that the operator can make adjustments to the receiver position.

The receiver should be able to transfer a small amount of data to the transmitter to identify itself and describe some of its operation parameters during the identification process, before power transfer can begin in full.  This should also be done either passively or in a self-powered manner (e.g. rechargeable battery with a long lifespan (minimum 5 years)).

Project Deliverables:

-       Analysis of various methods to detect a receiver in the presence of a static magnetic field and evaluation of these methods

-       A functional prototype of the selected detector system which can reliably indicate the presence of a receiver and send a signal to a microcontroller.

-       A receiver system which can identify itself to a detector and receive information about its location with respect to the detector

Resources Available: 

Materials for the functional prototype will be provided (subject to limits), as well as access to wireless power systems for test and development.  Consultation with ELIX staff will be available, as well as some on-site testing.

 Expected Technical Background:

Familiarity with analog and digital circuits, prior experience with Arduino microcontrollers is an asset, programming and software design experience

4-month or 8-month Preference:   8-month preferred.  

Why you want to pick this project:

Think about those Neodymium “supermagnets” you see everywhere.

Now imagine one of those the size of a 2 L coke bottle.  It weighs about 20 kg.

Now take that magnet and spin it at 8,000 RPM.

At ELIX, we call that a normal work day.

Then we take that system and solve fun problems with it.  Like what happens when you try to spin eight of them at the same time.

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52. Thin Film Thermoelectric Tester (Sielmann)

Christoph Sielmann, Walus Lab, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering

Project Objectives, Background and Scope 

This project expands on an existing rough design intended to permit the thermoelectric characterization of UBC-grown thin films.  Thermoelectric materials convert a temperature gradient directly to electrical power and are essential in the future as replacements for steam-based energy conversion in some applications.  Current thermoelectric materials are very low efficiency, and there are many opportunities to find new nanostructured materials that perform well in specific applications.

The test apparatus will be used as part of my PhD work to characterize aluminum-doped, zinc oxide thin films electrochemically grown in the lab.  The material parameters that need to be measured are electrical resistance, thermal conductance, and the Seebeck coefficient (ΔV/ΔT).  The thermoelectric tester will wedge the thin film between two electrodes, apply a thermal gradient, and concurrently measure all three parameters as a function of temperature and temperature gradient.

There are several challenges in the project, including high precision electrical resistance measurement, mitigating thermal loss due to radiation, convection, and conduction, maintaining consistent stress on the film, and operating over a wide temperature range.

Design and Analysis

This is a perfect project for Engineering Physics as it incorporates a broad range of engineering practices and physics principles.  Electrical, mechanical, materials, and even civil engineering skills will be required for designing the electrode assembly.  The assembly needs to conduct as little thermal power as possible while maintaining a consistent and uniform pressure on the thin film.  The project also involves a LabView project (already complete), SourceMeter instrumentation, power supply, and a custom I2C-->Ethernet converter, among other electronic devices and interfaces.

Physics principles will also be necessary.  Black body radiation from the surrounding cooling system can cause a net thermal flux between the “outside world” and electrode assembly, interfering with temperature measurements.  The apparatus must also operate in a vacuum at low temperatures to minimize thermal interference due to convection.  Black body radiation shielding will need to be designed, and additional calibration equations may need to be determined depending on the effectiveness of the shielding.

 Resources available 

The existing apparatus is based on the following pieces of equipment, all available in Walus Lab in the Lower Mall Research Station:

1.         Freeze dryer (provides cooling and vacuum chamber)

2.         SourceMeter (provides electrical measurements)

3.         DC power supply (current source for thin film heating element)

4.         Custom Ethernet/I2C Internet

5.         GPIB/Ethernet Interface

6.         Existing electrode assembly (requires redesign)

7.         Existing LabView project

Student will have access to Walus Lab, an electrical engineering MiNa (microsystems and nanotechnology) lab to work on the Thermoelectric Tester, as well as Christoph Sielmann, lab manager and Ph.D. candidate.

Expected Technical Background

Students will need to develop a clear understanding of black body radiation, thermal conductance, and thermoelectric materials characterization (direct and Harman methods).  Some fabrication experience would be an asset, as would LabView and electronic characterization instrumentation experience.  Students who wish to work on their own will need to complete a UBC RMS chemical lab safety course.

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group

Preference is for a 4-month group, although an 8-month is acceptable.

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53. Vibration-reduced, continuous motion holographic diffuser for next generation laser projectors in cinemas  (MTT Innovation)

Johannes Minor, MTT Innovation Inc.  [ ? under discussion with 479 group Sept 11  ]    Project still available

Click to view recent presentation at SIGGRAPH 2015   - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkwemTY-XiY 

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54. Project from NZ Technologies (NZTech)

Pranav Saxena, Anshul Porwal, Nima Ziraknejad, NZ Technologies

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55. Development and implementation of advanced control algorithm for structural engineering testing  (Yang)

Tony Yang, SmartStructures Lab, UBC Civil Engineering

Background

Research in Structural, Control and Earthquake Engineering. UBC Smart Structure Research Laboratory is one of the premier research laboratory that is dedicated to develop advanced software and hardware to control the laboratory machines. Multiple state-of-the-art technologies (such as advanced numerical modeling, system ID techniques, nonlinear control algorithms, and hybrid simulation) have been developed to regulate large scale laboratory facilities.

In order to test the large scaled specimens, hydraulic pumps and actuators will be utilized. However, nonlinearity and uncertainty in the hydraulic system pose many difficulties to accurately control the large scale machines. Students from Engineering Physics will have opportunities to collaborate with structural and control engineers to develop and implement advanced control algorithms at the state-of-the-art laboratories.  

Project Objectives

The project will focus on the development and implementation of advanced control algorithms for large scale structural engineering experimental testing. The students will be working in world class structural engineering laboratory to develop sensing and control technologies and apply them to large scale structural engineering experimental testing.

Scope of Work

Students are welcome to come out with their scope of work based on the discussion with project supervisor. The following scope of work is only served as recommendation.

• Develop advanced System Identification (ID) tools (both software and hardware) for the hydraulic actuators;
• Develop advanced numerical models for the hydraulic system and actuators;
• Develop and implement advanced control algorithm (such as sliding mode control, loop shaping control, H-infinity control, etc.) at the state-of-the-art structural laboratory;
• Develop user friendly graphical user interface for the controllers;
• Write up detailed project report.

Design and Analysis

Students will get hand-on experience in the design, development, and implementation of control algorithms. Several software including MATLAB Simulink and Labview will be used for design and analysis purposes. Students will also program their own controllers in MATLAB and C++ environment and they will be provided opportunities to use the large-scaled testing facility to test their controllers.

Resources Available

Both undergraduate and graduate structural laboratories will be available to the students who participated in this projects. There are 40 actuators can be used for the project based on the schedule. Some of the available actuators are shown in Figure 1. Hydraulic manifold and pump are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1. Static (left) and dynamic actuators (right)

Figure 2. Hydraulic manifold (left) and pump (right)

Expected Technical Background

Students need to have strong background in control engineering. The students are preferred to have programing experience in MATLAB, C++ and/or other programing scale.  

Preference

4-month or 8-month group

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56. [ ? ] Long Range Submersible Glider, Hardware and Software (V12 Innovations MSR)

Doug McLeod, Adrien Emery  [ ? under discussion with 459 group ]

NB:   This project is available for one 479 and one 459 group simultaneously.

Two thirds of the earth’s surface is covered in water and the depths of the ocean are some of the least explored and least understood places on earth. The marine and underwater world have long been expensive and unpredictable places to operate and collect in data. V12 is developing a solution for this; MSR Glider is a low cost, low risk alternative to ships and traditional methods of data gathering. The MSR Glider is an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) that is optimized for long duration mission for both research and industrial applications. Through the use a variable buoyancy engine, the MSR Sub glide up and down the water column while moving forward in a sawtooth pattern.

The MSR glider can be used to gather real time data on marine structures such as offshore wind farms giving insight into real world conditions. The capability of the MSR Glider to gather data can help scientists tackle some of the world's most pressing issues.Changing water temperatures throughout the water column are key to understanding the world’s changing climate, this data is currently both expensive in time and money to collect. For marine biologist the MSR Gliders endurance and low noise propulsion enable them to do long term monitoring of marine ecosystems and sound pollution.

The AUV’s main source of propulsion is a change in buoyancy which is provided by a buoyancy engine.

Brief Project Description

The goal of this project is to design, build and test the controls and instrumentation for the AUV. Control software will be run on a RaspberryPi and Arduino. The control scheme will be based on a combination of GPS navigation above the water and dead reckoning using an AHRS when underwater. The AUV will need to be able to send and receive updates from a remote web server. This will allow for remote monitoring and the ability to push new commands and waypoints.

Data will be collected on all sensors/actuators to verify their effectiveness and power consumption in different operating conditions. Specifically the dead reckoning system will need thorough investigation to determine the maximum length the AUV can remain underwater before coming up for a GPS signal.  The electronics layout will be constrained to fit into the current dimension of the AUV. This will enable easy integration into the V12 teams prototypes for further use and development.

Expected Outcomes

The expected outcome of this project is a control system that integrates with all sensors/actuators and can be integrated into the current AUV for testing purposes.

Key milestones for the envisioned project are:

• MIntegration with all sensors/actuators
• Autonomous algorithm using GPS
• Ability to send/receive updates from remote web service (web service built by V12)
• Integration into the MSR Glider Prototype

Technical Skills Required (or similar):

• Python/
• C++
• Soldering
• Electrical
• board prototyping/design
• Data analysis

Resources Available from the Client

The project team will have an initial budget of $500 allocated to them. Apart from that V12 has access to various manufacturing methods such as laser and waterjet cutters, and 3d printing which V12 can help the project team access. The project team will be assisted in finding other outside manufacturing help if required and funded or partially funded upon approval. V12 may be able to support the project team in any testing or field testing they decide to engage in. The V12 team members will be available for technical support and guidance throughout the project.

The project team will have the ability to join V12 in their testing of current prototypes and may have the ability to integrate their project into the full system for testing if appropriate.

Customer Requirements

Further Reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwater_glider 

http://www.princeton.edu/~naomi/theses/jggraver-thesis-4-11-05.pdf 

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57. [ & ] CO2 powered water-fed ice-pellet gun (Chang)

Ernie Chang,MD PhD, Victoria BC  [ & claimed by 459 group ]

Project Objectives: The challenge is to utilize the temperature drop when gas expands to cool a droplet of water to shoot out as an ice pellet. The final solution needs to include the design for the water-feed, expansion chamber, and measurements of pellet size, % of crystallization, muzzle velocity, duration of CO2 release and expected pressure parameters, and flight distance to 50% drop in height.

Design and Analysis: There are substantial physics challenges. What rate of temperature drop is produced over what time release in a typical BB-gun CO2 cylinder? How can this cooling be applied to what volume of water droplet assuming room temperature of 20deg C, in a short enough period of time that residual gas and pressure will act as a propellant? If the pellet undergoes compression, there will be a heating effect...are two chambers needed? Will freezing the pellet occur with spherical expansion or with cylindrical expansion along the longitudinal axis? If spherical, is there danger of an explosion of the barrel? There is a lot of mechanical design needed, and trial and error needs to be informed by design parameters, only obtainable by analysis.

Resources Available: UBC is expected to make design tools and machining and analysis equipment available. Students will have to get their own materials.

Expected Technical Background:  Thermodynamics, materials, CAD tools, strobe camera measurement system.

Four months should be sufficient.

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58. Development of a Directional Angle and Load Measurement System for Helicopter Side-pulling Device (Emergco)

Colin O’Neill, Emergco

Project Objectives, Background and Scope

Emergco is a company founded in 1994 that specializes in helicopter external load equipment for rescue, utilities construction, and general cargo work.  We are a small manufacturer located in North Vancouver that designs and manufactures both hardware and soft goods to aerospace standards.

Emergco is in the process of certifying a helicopter accessory to be used in power transmission line construction called the “Mack-Pull”, which is a device that allows for conductor to be strung between towers via attachment to an anchor on the side of the helicopter.  See pictures:

The “Mack-Pull” unit is limited by how much force can be applied to the unit dependent on the pull direction, as the force is transmitted to the helicopter airframe mounting points in varying amounts by pull direction. Currently adherence to limits is done by planning pull lengths and directions with enough margin for safety.

We would like to enhance the Mack-Pull design and pilot situational awareness by adding a means of measuring pull angle and tension in real-time, and transmitting it wirelessly to a cockpit display unit which would display the current pull angle and tension in relation to the limits in an intuitive display. The strain gauge (force indicator) and an angular indicator with output to a single gauge or monitor would show the indicated angle and the maximum allowable force at the established angle of pull.

Design & Analysis:

Team would design a means of obtaining the above measurements that would be a modular addition to the current Mack-Pull design under certification, as well as the associated system for transmitting and displaying the information to the pilot.  Analysis areas would be in keeping with standard aerospace practices including design margins, failure modes, test plan development, etc.  Team would also need their design to account for dynamic loads experienced during helicopter side-pulling operations.

Resources Available

Emergco will provide supervisory guidance during the project to answer any questions the team might have with respect to the Mack Pull design and constuction.  Solidworks and/or CAD models may be provided, as well as access to the Mack-Pull design team. This guidance would be provided in the form of email or telephone calls to answer questions, and team meetings that would include a member of Emergco management.

Should the project advance beyond a conceptual design we would also provide the necessary hardware to build a prototype.

Group Preference:

This would be suitable for a 4 or 8 month group depending on the final scope agreed upon.

Expected Technical Background:

-       Experience/interest in aerospace manufacturing & design

-       Experience with microcontrollers, sensors, load cells etc.

-       Experience with Solidworks/CAD programs

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59. Development of a Sensor-Equipped Helicopter Longline & Flight Dynamics Model (Emergco)

Colin O’Neill, Emergco

Project Objectives, Background and Scope

Emergco is a company founded in 1994 that specializes in helicopter external load equipment for rescue, utilities construction, and general cargo work.  We are a small manufacturer located in North Vancouver that designs and manufactures both hardware and soft goods to aerospace standards.

One of our product types is a helicopter “longline” – a specialized rope assembly used to transport cargo, equipment, or rescue personnel suspended beneath the helicopter.  These ropes are built with the latest in synthetic fibre, and are available in a number of configurations with electrical wire, protective covers, etc., and are in common use with many thousands of helicopters around the world.

To date, the helicopter longline has been a low-tech piece of equipment. We would like to explore the incorporation of technology into the design and operational use of the longline.  A first step to accomplishing this would be to develop a thorough, data-driven understanding of the dynamics of a helicopter longline assembly in flight.

The flight dynamics of a synthetic longline affect such factors as aircraft safety (longline being forced by air resistance into helicopter tail rotor) as well as the accuracy and effectiveness of load placement (pendulum effect must be nulled by pilot over desired pickup/drop spots).

If the dynamics of the line were able to be understood, modeled, and processed in real-time based on factors such as line length, cross-section, load weight, aircraft speed, etc, then we would be able to optimize designs to minimize unwanted characteristics and develop systems to aid the pilot with load placement, etc.  This proposal is for the development of a longline with integrated sensors to gather data and develop a model of how a longline behaves during operations.

Design & Analysis:

Students would design a working prototype longline with integrated sensors that is able to collect data to accurately model the behavior of the line under varying conditions.  The prototype should be able to collect rich positional/rate data at multiple points along the line, in relation to the fixed attachment point on the helicopter. The design should also be rugged enough to handle operational testing conditions (MIL-STD810 preferred), able to draw power from the helicopter’s onboard 28 VDC electrical system and/or an integrated battery, and be of compact weight and bulk.

Following successful design and lab testing of a prototype, Emergco will arrange to have the line flown in real-world conditions to acquire data for subsequent analysis and modeling of flight dynamics.

Resources Available

Emergco will provide supervisory guidance during the project to answer any questions the team might have with respect to existing technology and usage and to provide relevant operational insight.  This guidance would be provided in the form of email or telephone calls to answer questions, and team meetings that would include a member of Emergco management.

We will also provide the basic longline and protective cover necessary for an operational prototype build following successful completion of earlier milestones, as well as arrange for operational testing on a helicopter for validation of the project.  Custom fabrication of line assembly available.

Costs associated with electronic / sensor hardware purchase may also be covered by Emergco subject to prior approval.

Group Preference:

We would prefer an 8 month group to allow ample time to complete the integration, operational data collection, and analysis; however scope could be adjusted to suit 4 month group.

Example Milestones:

·     Definition of model parameters

·     Definition of data collection requirements for model

·     Selection of appropriate sensors

·     Integration of sensors in lab environment

·     Testing of integrated sensors in simulated lab environment

·     Integration of package with operational prototype longline

·     Lab testing of fully-integrated prototype

·     Field Testing / Data Acquisition on helicopter

·     Analysis of data / development of model

Expected Technical Background:

-       Experience/interest in aerospace manufacturing & design

-       Experience with microcontrollers, sensors, etc., and associated software

-       Integration of technology with textiles

-       Dynamic modelling

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60. Gas cell for laser experiments on cold molecules (Milner)

Valery Milner, UBC Physics and Astronomy

Project description: An existing gas chamber from our lab is shown on the left picture. So far, it allowed us to carry out laser experiments in room-temperature gases, e.g. nitrogen and oxygen. The idea is to build a setup, which would provide the capability of cooling the gas down to the liquid-nitrogen temperature. A sketch of the proposed design is shown in the right picture. Red labels indicate new parts that will have to be designed and constructed. The performance of the cell will be tested first with a thermocouple (by students) and later with laser spectroscopy (students will participate in the experiment performed by a senior group member).

Follow-up notes from Dr. Milner:  

“... our laser system (known as “an optical centrifuge”) is very unique, and the experiments we carry out with it on so-called “molecular super-rotors” are at the cutting edge of molecular science. Attached are two examples published last year. The problem is that at room temperature, the percentage of super-rotors is very small. By lowering the gas temperature, we hope to increase the amount of these exotic molecular objects in our experiments.”

References:    SuperRotors (PhysRevLett 2014)

Decoherence (PhysRefLett 2014)

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61. Design and evaluation of a two dimensional drive for a force feedback mouse  (Salcudean)

Tim Salcudean, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering

Project Objectives, Background and Scope

The objective of the project is to design a simple magnetic coupling drive for a force feedback mouse. Old mechanical mice had a rubber-coated metal ball that was pushed against two orthogonal shafts with encoders, reading the x and y mouse displacements as the ball was pushed around and rolled on the table. In this project, your job is to replace the passive encoder shafts with active, magnetically coupled shafts, driven by small motors. A prototype should be designed and built and controlled to simulate simple planar mechanisms such as a linear constraint, button pushes, attraction towards and icon. While the idea of a haptically augmented GUI is not new, the proposed implementation has a number of advantages (it can be a relative, not absolute device, can be picked up and repositioned on the table).

Design and Analysis

You will need to test basic concepts, produce a design, find appropriate motors, and confirm the achievable forces and accelerations

Resources available

Access to laboratory resources, funding for equipment purchases, guidance for design.

Expected Technical Background

Basic electronics and programming.

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group

Probably 4 months to build and characterize the hardware prototype. At that point a decision can be made if it is worth spending the time on integrating the device into existing software or writing new software.

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62. Projects from Spire Aerobotics (Spire)

Patrick Crawford, Spire Aerobotics

Video footage from recent trip by Spire Aerobotics to the Arctic:

        Link to video

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63. Room Temperature and Equipment Monitoring of Laboratories (Jones Madison)

David Jones, Kirk Madison, UBC Physics and Astronomy

Project Objectives:

Develop a remote web-based environmental (temperature and humidity) monitoring system to track the conditions in our laboratories. Additional monitoring of laboratory equipment including laser systems (and their response to changing conditions) would be a plus.  We have a current prototype sensor that employs a Raspberry Pi but we are open to other hardware choices

Specific requirements

·      All measurements time-stamped and room stamped

·      Online viewable live temperature trends with dynamic zooming similar to this web app for google finance

·      Ability to monitor several rooms (sensors) from one webpage

·      Ability to download selected data directly from webpage

·      We are flexible as to the choice of coding language/protocol, but ideally the web server polling the sensors will be Linux based.

Resources Available: All necessary materials will be provided.

Expected Technical Background: nothing special

4 or 8-month Project:  likely best suited for 479 (4-month)

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64. Feasibility study of an airbag system to protect the elderly during falls  (Mirabbasi Salcudean Oxland)

Shahriar Mirabbasi,Tim Salcudean UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering  /  Thomas Oxland, UBC Mechanical Engineering / ICOORD

Project Objectives, Background and Scope

The objective of the project is to determine if a low-cost system of miniaturized airbags can be used to protect a senior during a fall, with the primary goal of protecting the wearer’s hips, and mainly for seniors at higher risk of falls, e.g., those suffering of Parkinson’s. Such a system would have an impending fall detector based on sensors and a deployment system based on multiple airbags.

Design and Analysis

You will need to obtain and test models for falls, select appropriate sensors and cold gas inflators, and make design recommendation(s).

Resources available

Guidance for kinematic and dynamic modelling, access to laboratory resources, funding for approved component purchases (if needed).

Expected Technical Background

Basic electronics, programming, interest and ability in dynamics.

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group

An 8-month group is more suitable for this project.

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65. A Low-Cost Satellite Terminal for Measuring Ka-Band Propagation to Low Earth Orbit using the CASSIOPE Satellite  (Michelson)

David Michelson, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering

Although Ka-band links to communication satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO) have been used for many years, their use in communicating with communication and remote sensing satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) is still emerging. Of particular interest to designers is characterization of the rate of fading, i.e., the so-called fade slope, which is accentuated on links to satellites to LEO by the rapid manner in which the Earth-space path sweeps through rain cells in the vicinity of the Earth station as the satellite passes across the sky. Fade slopes steepen as the orbital altitude of the satellite decreases and as the intensity of individual rain cells increases. The result has important implications for the design of the power control loops and other mitigation strategies used to mitigate rain fading on such links. Only a few satellites in LEO carry Ka-band propagation beacons or receivers suitable for use in propagation studies and, for various reasons, relatively little measurement data to support design of such links is available.

The launch of the CASSIOPE satellite on 29 September 2013 with its Ka-band Cascade communications transponder has provided propagation researchers with another opportunity to characterize Ka-band propagation on Earth-LEO links. However, the relatively complex nature of the uplink and downlink beacons employed by the Ka-band transponder make design of a downlink propagation receiving terminal a somewhat complex undertaking. In response, we propose development of an uplink terminal that takes maximum advantage of onboard satellite systems to simplify the design and reduce costs substantially. Success implementation of our approach and testing in collaboration with MDA will allow us to verify previous simulation-based work that predicts that fade slope on Ka-band links to LEO are up to several times higher than fade slope on links to GEO.            

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66. A Testbed for Autonomous, Connected and Electric Vehicles at UBC (Michelson)

David Michelson, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Government of Canada has recently funded development and implementation the AURORA Connected Vehicle Technology Testbed at the University of British Columbia. The facility has four main components: a software development lab, a component test lab, a network management centre and a roadside testbed.  In August 2015, Transport Canada gave permission to develop a revised vision for the roadside testbed that deemphasized DSRC technology and placed greater emphasis on the needs of autonomous, connected and vehicle testing. The new roadside testbed has been named ACEville in a nod to the mCity facility at the University of Michigan.

The heart of the roadside testbed are the pole mounted roadside units that will contain the cameras, sensors, software defined radio, traffic signal controller interface unit and backhaul radio gear. The goal of this project is to complete the specification and implementation of the communications and sensor suite that will be deployed at each roadside location and develop the suite of command and control software that experimenters will use to access the sensors during the course of their research. The final installation and testing of the roadside units will be conducted in collaboration with UBC Project Services and UBC Campus + Community Planning.

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67. Control and Automation of an Ultra High Vacuum Oxide Molecular Beam Epitaxy Thin Film Growth Chamber using LabView (ARPES  Lab)

Pinder Dosanjh, Andrea Damascelli,  UBC PHAS ARPES Lab / Quantum Materials

 We are re-building a small molecular beam epitaxy thin film fabrication system, designed to be mobile, for the growth of complex oxide thin films. This system is now operational but requires automation and control of the various subsystems. The engineering team is tasked with controlling three growth sources, RHEED, thickness monitor, pyrometer, shutter control, and heating system. The end goal for the project is to grow a thin film of Bismuth to a pre-set thickness, 100-500Å, using LabView.

 Figure 1 Oxide MBE system being baked at 120C.                     Figure 2 Rack with control electronics

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68. Continued Development of a UHV Room Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) for the Surface Characterization of Thin Films and Single Crystals (Superconductivty Lab)

Pinder Dosanjh, Doug Bonn, UBC PHAS / High Temperature Superconductivity Lab

We are developing a state-of-the-art STM facility for the characterization and study of, among other materials, complex oxide structures. To complement this facility, a room temperature characterization tool with near atomic resolution is required, to probe the surface quality of the oxide thin films grown in our ultra-high-vacuum, thin-film deposition chamber. Last year, a 2 person team successfully designed and built the support structure for the main vacuum chamber and designed and built a magnet vibration damping system for the main body of the STM.

This year we would like to continue with the development of this UHV STM instrument by wiring up the main STM piezo motors and scanning tube, and then evaluating the performance of the instrument as an in-air STM.

The end goal for the project is to be able to image and characterize the surface quality of a thin film grown in house, to near atomic resolution.

Figure 1 UBC Room Temperature STM – image of the main chamber and vibration isolation legs.

Figure 2 Magnetic Damping Stage for STM Body.

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69. Drone-based elevation mapping   (3vGeomatics)

Parwant Ghuman, 3vGeomatics

Figure 1 High-resolution Digital Elevation Model of the Las Vegas strip derived using LiDAR imaging.

 Project Objectives, Background and Scope: A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the Earth is useful for applications such as flight planning or hazard mapping.  Global worldwide DEMs with low spatial detail are freely available, but high-resolution DEMs over specific sites must be acquired using expensive techniques such as LiDAR or Pictometry, both of which use low-flying airplanes for imaging.  Drones offer the possibility to generate similar quality DEMs more cheaply.

Photogrammetry is a technique for estimating the 3D coordinates of points on an object by using measurements derived from two or more photographic images taken from different positions (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photogrammetry).  3vG is interested in combining this technique with drone-based aerial photos to generate an accurate high-resolution DEM of a small area such as the UBC Campus.

Design and Analysis: This is a challenging systems engineering project with several modules that are described below.  Prior to commencing development, students must develop detailed specifications and interfaces for each module.

1. Hardware: A drone mounted with a digital camera and GPS is required to collect accurately geo-referenced photos from different aerial perspectives.  Students will research the pros and cons of the hardware available in the market to choose technically suitable and cost-effective options, followed by hardware assembly and testing.  The hardware system must support the requisite camera perspectives for Imaging, and geo-referencing accuracy for Processing.
2. Imaging: Students will first research the imaging configurations used in operational airborne photogrammetric applications.  These will be used to design different flight paths and camera angles (oblique, overhead, etc.) to analyze the impact on the quality and redundancy of the captured photographs.
3. Processing:  Photogrammetry matches common features in multiple images and then triangulates from known geo-coordinates to solve for the 3D position of each feature.  Off-the-shelf photogrammetric software is available, but must be properly interfaced with Imaging and associated metadata to optimize results.  Some iteration will be necessary as processing nuances may require imaging differently or more redundantly.
4. Quality Control:  DEMs of the same area generated from successive flights will be differenced to measure the relative error.  Coarse external data such as building heights should be sourced by students for measuring absolute error.

Resources available:  3vG will support reasonable equipment costs beyond the academic budget available to students.  3vG staff will meet periodically with students to discuss progress and issues. 3vG will try to facilitate contact with domain experts such as Dr. Matt Nolan, founder of http://fairbanksfodar.com/.

Expected Technical Background: Students with an interest in aviation, imaging, and systems engineering are suitable for this project.  The ideal team would have a mix of hardware- and software-inclined students.

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group: No strong preference beyond the discretion of the Engineering Physics lab director.

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70. Autonomous Marine Obstacle Detection System  (UBC Sailbot)

UBC Sailbot

The UBC Sailbot team’s current mission is to send a fully autonomous sail boat across the Atlantic Ocean. To achieve this goal, the boat needs to successfully navigate from Newfoundland to Ireland, avoiding ships and floating objects (icebergs, logs, etc). So far, the main impediment to most attempts by other teams has been obstacles crossing their path and sinking their boat.

This year we will be subjecting our 5.5-meter boat to rigorous on-water testing, to be ready to attempt the crossing in August 2016. Our boat is currently equipped with a prototype obstacle detection system that uses thermal infrared vision to avoid these situations. However, there remains much work to be done in polishing this system and making it more robust to the adverse conditions it will face on the high seas. To this end, three project choices have been described below.

Previous capstone participants have played an essential role in the development of the current prototype obstacle avoidance system, and have participated in on-the-water field work that has included a trip to the west coast of Vancouver Island. If successful, this project could pave the way for a world record attempt in autonomous ocean crossing!

For more information, please contact software@ubcsailbot.org

Project A. Parallelization of computer vision code for Raspberry Pi

This project is recommended for 1-2 students with an interest in embedded programming.

● Study different hardware/software solutions for binding OpenCV code to GPU. There are two main choices for how to proceed on this:

o Using the GPU on the Raspberry Pi 2

o (more ambitious) Using a separate GPU and connect it to the Raspberry Pi 2, evaluating for ease of programming, power budget, and gains from parallelization (e.g. maximal image resolution)

● Implement a standalone application that runs basic OpenCV image processing from a Raspberry Pi 2 on a connected GPU

● Work with the Obstacle Avoidance sub-team to integrate parallelization via GPU bindings into the core obstacle avoidance framework

Project B. Design and build a sea-ready visible-light camera system for obstacle detection

This project is recommended for a team of 2-3 students, including at least one student with experience in software development and one student with experience in 3D modeling.

● Source a power-efficient, medium-resolution water-proof visible-light camera, connect to the Raspberry Pi, and build a simple C++ API to gather images from it

● Integrate into a physical test rig alongside thermal IR camera

o May be sufficient to integrate into the existing rig that already houses a thermal camera; in this case, communicate with the Obstacle Avoidance sub-team

● Collect field data of marine obstacles that combines visible-light and thermal IR images

● Research and design an algorithm that makes use of both thermal and visible-light images for obstacle detection

● Work with the Obstacle Avoidance sub-team to integrate the API calls into the existing obstacle avoidance framework

● Design and build a waterproof enclosure to house the visible-light / thermal IR camera duo

         o Collaborate with the Mechanical sub-team so that the design of the enclosure can be informed by its position on the boat.

Project C. Design and build a self-cleaning window system for long-term ocean use

This project is recommended for 2-3 students who have experience with 3D modeling and mechanical engineering.

Background: Long maritime voyages result in salt build-up or biofouling (build-up of marine micro-organisms) on exposed surfaces. We want to design our camera aperture windows in such a way as to mitigate this accumulation.

● Quantify the effect of salt-build-up and biofouling on glass-like materials under variousconditions.

o Source ~40-mm-diameter, 3 to 5-mm thick, circular pieces of glass that have properties similar to germanium (similar smoothness – we have Germanium windows coated with Diamond Like Carbon [DLC] – and Knoop hardness of ~780 kg/mm 2 )

o Design an experiment that places them under conditions similar to three weeks of sailing in the open waters of the North Atlantic Ocean

● Design a system that mitigates biofouling and salt build-up on the exterior surfaces of small (~ 4 cm diameter) pieces of glass. Characteristics of this system:

o non-abrasive: if possible, the method should not scratch surface coatings (such as anti-reflective coatings) off the glass

o IR-transparent: any treatment of the window should not affect its IR-transparency (e.g. in the case of Germanium, which is used for our thermal IR cameras – if a

hydrophobic coating is involved, verify that it is IR-transparent)

o low-power: power requirements of the solution should fit within the power budget of our boat’s power system

● Communicate with the Obstacle Avoidance and Mechanical Engineering sub-teams about structural and design requirements of the system

o Physically robust, durable, reliable

o water-proof

o light weight

● Communicate with the Electrical Engineering sub-team about the power requirements of this system

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71. Assorted projects (Zender)

B. Zender, UBC EngPhys Project Lab

These include a selection of projects from a variety of external project sponsors, contact B. Zender for more info:

• Superfly Whistler Ziplines Traffic Control
• CMBC Trolley Bus Power Line Autoconnect
• Dewatering Device for Aquaponics System
• Testing Station for Polyurethane Wheels

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72. [ & ] iFarm -Tomato and Good Bug Dispenser (EIS)

Saber Miresmailli, EIS Solutions / Crop-Sense  [ & Project 1 claimed by 459 group ]

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73. [ & ] Village Server and Bio-Defence Launcher (EIS)

Saber Miresmailli, EIS Solutions / Crop-Sense    [ & project 1 claimed by 459 group ]

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74. Ultrasound Time Series, a new imaging technique for cancer imaging (Abolmaesumi)

Prof. Purang Abolmaesumi, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering

Project Objectives, Background and Scope:

This project proposes a significant contribution to early diagnosis of prostate cancer based of ultrasound time series technology. It initiates the development of a biomedical device, in collaboration with Philips Healthcare, to detect and localize prostate cancer in ultrasound data. The objective is to answer the outstanding question regarding the physical phenomenon governing ultrasound time series interaction with tissue through detailed simulation and measurement. We will create a platform that involves a machine learning framework, the analysis of time series data, and the latest advancements in US technology enabled by Philips imaging platforms, to display a likelihood map of the cancer concurrently with ultrasound images, in real time.

Design and Analysis:

This project requires a high level of engineering design and quantitative analysis in developing a practical cancer imaging system. Students will learn the analysis of ultrasound data, and will use latest ultrasound simulation and measurements techniques to understand the physical nature of ultrasound interaction with tissue during time series acquisition.

Expected Technical Background:

Excellent mathematics and physics background; Knowledge of MATLAB programming is necessary and knowledge of C++ programming would be ideal; Knowledge of ultrasound imaging physics is a plus. You may refer to the following paper for further understanding of our initial clinical results:

F. Imani et al., “Augmenting MRI–transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy with temporal ultrasound data: a clinical feasibility study,” IJCARS 2015.

Preference is for 8-month group.

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75. ROV (Dennison)

Glen Dennison, Underwater Council of BC

Introduction:

Studying deep water glass sponges in Howe Sound in conjunction with Dr Jeff Marliave of the Vancouver Aquarium we are in need of a ROV system for deep water work on sponge bioherms located on sea mounts in Howe Sound. Using pressure compensating system the team will design and build a full ROV using low cost components (no bilge pump thrusters).

Specifications

• Depth rating 2000 feet (pressure compensated housing).
• Wire tether; Single cable coaxial RG59 or similar
• Signals

• NTSC video 400 line minimum horizontal resolution
• Digital control signals for pan and tilt
• Power feed down the cable 400 watts
• Signals transmitted top side; video, NMEA format depth, temperature, heading
• Signals transmitted bottom side; RF modulated motor controls, pan & tilt for cameras

• Video Port: Domed observation port

Knowledge Needed:

• Electronics; analog, digital, RF
• Programming in C or assembler code
• Physics; gas laws, coax cable transmission theory
• Machining
• Pressure Seal technology

Budget: $300 + sponsor supplies

Hardware Supplied:

Camera, cable, pressure sensors, brushed DC motors & controls, power switching modules, Leds, lasers, seals, some

enclosures hardware (to be reviewed with design team).

Results:

Team to demonstrate a working ROV.

Left:  Motor Controller                    Right:   RF Receiver

Left:   ROV Body                                Right:   Thrusters (x3)

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76. Biomedical Raman Spectrometer (Zeng BCCRC)

 Professor Haishan Zeng, BC Cancer Research Centre

Project Objectives, Background and Scope

Raman spectroscopy is a noninvasive optical technique that measures the vibrational modes of molecules, and has been investigated for a number of cancer diagnoses, such as skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, cervical cancer, oral cancer, breast cancer etc. Our recent study demonstrated that rapid Raman spectroscopy could be used for skin cancer and lung cancer diagnosis with very high diagnostic accuracy. This project is aimed at implementing an automated Raman spectrometer system for biomedical applications, including both hardware integration and software programming.

Tasks

An automated modern Raman spectrometer is expected to be built based on multichannel CCD cameras. The tasks include assembly and alignment of the system  as well as wavelength and intensity calibration of the system. The students are also expected to develop a software program to control the system, either in Labview or C++, to quantify a spectrum, to automatically remove the fluorescence background, to process the spectrum, to display the spectrum and to save the results into the PC computer. Storage of the spectrum in a centralized location through either wireless network or Ethernet is an asset.

Resources available 

-       Spectrograph

-       Lasers

-       CCD camera

-       Labview drivers

-       Optical fibers

-       Calibration and intensity reference lamps

Expected Technical Background

Previous experience in optics, electronics, mechanical design, and software programming using either Labview or C++ is highly recommended.

The students will learn how to build, control and align a Raman spectrometer, and how to process a biomedical Raman spectrum. The students will also gain experience in Raman spectroscopy in biomedical applications such as breath analysis for lung cancer detection.

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77. Caulk-line Pool Scrubbing Robot for Municipal Pool (Vancouver Facilities Operations)

Ian Harvey, Facilities Operations, City of Vancouver

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78. Projects to come

We will continue to post incoming projects through the end of the second week of classes.

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