Below are the projects from 2012/2013.  

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 2013/2014 project listings will be posted approximately the week before classes begin on Tues Sept 3rd.

UBC ENGINEERING PHYSICS PROJECT LAB

AVAILABLE PROJECTS – 2012 / 2013

Jump to:

a.  Instructions

b.  Update History

c.  List of Projects

d.  Full Writeups

d.  Full Writeups

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1. [ % ] Optical fiber polishing station with real-time microscopic inspection capability (Jones)

David Jones, UBC Physics and Astronomy  [ % on hold by sponsor, Sept 2 ] 

Project Objectives: 

For this project you will upgrade an existing (and operational) optical fiber polishing machine to enable real-time video inspection of optical fiber polishing with the capability of polishing optical fibers of varying outer diameters and various angles (0-10 degrees).

Design and Analysis: 

Jigs will need to be designed and manufactured to hold the optical fiber and the video camera/imaging optics while properly interfacing with the polisher. These jigs need to have a hardened design to withstand use/abuse and the imaging system will need to be water tight.

Resources Available:  

Fiber polisher (similar to this unit: http://tinyurl.com/9adbmsc ), video cameras, polishing materials, optical fibers, etc.

Expected Technical Background:

Mechanical design, basic electronics.

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2. Solar Blind Extreme Ultraviolet (XUV) Detectors (Jones)

David Jones, UBC Physics and Astronomy

Project Objectives:

For this project you will construct and test a solar blind XUV detector. In the XUV spectral region there are very few suitable photo-detectors and for XUV spectroscopy experiments in my lab we need XUV detectors that are not sensitive to visible light.

Design and Analysis: 

The proposed detectors will be plastic scintillators which absorb the XUV photons and then re-emit visible photons which can be detected with conventional photo detectors. To make the detectors insensitive to visible light (or solar blind), a thin (100 nm thick) layer of Al will be deposited on the scintillator surface in the AMPEL cleanroom. The plastic scintillators will be fabricated starting from the recipe published here (URL: http://www.phas.ubc.ca/~djjones/4tmp/McKinsey_NIM1997.pdf) . Various formulations of the scintillator film and Al filters thickness will be constructed. After the fabrication the various  detectors’ performance will be evaluated using our XUV laser and tested for solar blindness.

Resources Available: 

All necessary materials and clean room facilities (spin coater, substrates, chemical components, etc); XUV laser for evalutation

Expected Technical Background:

Careful laboratory practices.

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3. [ & ] Magnetic Resonance Imaging Field Stabilizer (Michal)

Carl Michal, UBC Physics and Astronomy   [ & claimed by 479 group, 7 Sept ]

A major revision of the 1st year Physics 102 labs is refocusing the labs around Magnetic Resonance Imaging (the project summary is posed on the UBC TEF funding website)   The first group of students ran through the session this summer in the 3rd floor of the Hebb labs, which gave students the chance to use the earth’s magnetic field in conjunction with wire-wound coils and arduino-based controllers to generate images of phantom samples.  A description of the physical setup of the earth magnetic field NMR devices is online.  

The baseline magnetic field and noise generated within the building caused problems during the experiments and requires active compensation.  A complete functional system to stabilize the magnetic field over a large volume is required for the room, which will contain multiple magnetic resonance imaging systems during the lab.  The project will involve the characterization of field fluctuations followed by the design and construction of compensation coils, likely requiring iron cores. Finally, a real-time measurement and control system is required to stabilize the magnetic field in real time.

This project will require proficiency in electronics, E+M theory, microcontroller programming, and PID control theory.

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4. Circular Saw Vibration Frequency and Mode Shape Indicator (Schajer)

Gary Schajer, UBC Mechanical Engineering - Renewable Resources Lab

A laboratory device has been constructed for identifying the natural frequencies and vibration mode shapes of a circular saw.  So far, the mechanical construction has been completed.  Still needed are the electronic instrumentation and the computer control, data acquisition, analysis and results display.  Then fine tuning and measurement development are required to produce a reliable and smoothly operating system.  

For reference:   “Practical Measurement of Circular Saw Vibration Mode Shapes” (Schajer, Ekevad, Grönlund)

This project would be appropriate within one-term for an experienced team including members who are skillful in electronics, computer data acquisition and analysis (C language desired, not Labview or Matlab).

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5. Accurate drug dosing in children (AnserminoDumontLarson)

Mark Ansermino (Director of Pediatric Anesthesia Research, British Columbia's Children's Hospital)

Charles Larson (Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UBC / Director, Centre for International Child Health)

Guy Dumont (UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering)

(_Project Lab - Additional Info_) 

The Electrical & Computer Engineering for Medicine (ECEM) research cluster and the Centre for International Child Health at British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital would like to partner with the UBC Engineering Physics Project Lab to develop and evaluate an innovative, low cost and robust method to guide drug dosing in children in remote locations.

The weight is currently the most widely used method to estimate drug dosing in children. In low resource settings scales to measure weight are not routinely available, are not mobile (for mobile healthcare workers), and are not robust in these environments (pilfering and damage are common).

We are looking to develop a simple, yet novel method (e.g. based on a photographic image of the subject) to estimate drug dose requirements that can be implemented on a smartphone. The challenge in this project would be to scale the image or other measurement method to accurately reflect the drug distribution and clearance. The goal would be to estimate the appropriate weight band.

The solution will be evaluated in a group of children at BC Children’s Hospital. This technology would have worldwide application for drug administration in children have a major impact on the 10 million children who die globally every year from diseases that can easily be cured with the correct dose of medication.

Figure 1: How much drug?

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6. Five projects from Zaber   (Zaber Technologies)

Andrew Lau, Zaber Technologies   [ &  Project # 2 claimed by 479 group.   4 other projects avaialble.   Sept 11.  ]  [ & Projects 1. 2 and 4 now claimed.  Projects 3 and 5 available, 21 Sept.  Projects 2 ]

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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7. [ & ] Pan & Tilt Drop Camera (Dennison/HarveyClark)

Glen Dennison, Electronics Technologist, TRIUMF / Chris Harvey-Clark, Director of Animal Care, UBC   [ & claimed by 479 group, 7 Sept ]

A previous group worked on the pan/tilt drop camera system.   Several items remain to be completed:

• Pan & Tilt controls
• Laser power supplies and laser mounting
• Assembly and Testing of the actual system.

Left: CCTV 400-line resolution video camera

Center:  Example of drop camera and lighting

Right:  Camera and tether line reel with an RF slip ring assembly

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 pointable video camera systems for deep video work on sponge bioherms located on sea mounts in Howe Sound.

Sponsor: Glen Dennison Electronics Technologist, Triumf, Dr. Chris Harvey Clark Director of Animal Care UBC

Specifications

• Working depth; 300Meters
• Light source; LED 800 lumens or higher
• Power; Battery lithium rechargeable
• Size; must be movable by one crew person
• Pressure Housing Material; Al
• Video Port: Domed observation port
• Wire tether; Single cable coaxial
• Signals; NTSC video 400 line minimum horizontal resolutionDigital control signals for pan and tilt
•                   Power can be local battery or feed down the cable         

Knowledge & Skills Needed:

• Electronics; analog & digital
• Physics gas laws
• Machining
• Pressure Seal technology

Budget: $200 + sponsor supplies

Hardware Supplied:

• Camera, Leds, Battery, Lasers, Cable, some electronic components

Results:

• Deep water video footage; the team will be taken out into the Sound for test runs on their system with test drops on glass sponge beds.

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8. Bidirectional Single Cable Power and Signal to ROV (Dennison/HarveyClark)

Glen Dennison, Electronics Technologist, TRIUMF / Chris Harvey-Clark, Director of Animal Care, UBC

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 cable systems for deep water work on sponge bioherms located on sea mounts in Howe Sound.

Specifications

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 minimum

                  Signals transmitted top side; video, NMEA format depth, temperature, heading

                  Signals transmitted bottom side; RF modulated motor controls, pan & tilt for cameras

Knowledge Needed:

Electronics; analog, digital, RF, some medium voltage DC work to 400VDC

Programming in C or assembler code

Physics; coax cable transmission theory

Budget: $100 + sponsor supplies

Hardware Supplied:

Camera, Cable, pressure sensors, brushed DC motor controls, power switching modules.

Results:

Team to demonstrate in the lab power transfer through 1000 ft of cable at the same time video and control signals are bidirectional transmitted.

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9. [ & ] ROV (Dennison/HarveyClark)

Glen Dennison, Electronics Technologist, TRIUMF / Chris Harvey-Clark, Director of Animal Care, UBC  [ & claimed by 459 group, 21 Sept ]

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.

Sponsor: Glen Dennison Electronics Technologist, Triumf, Dr. Chris Harvey Clark Director of Animal Care UBC

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

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.

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10. Inkjet micropatterning process for nanostructured field emission displays (Wang/Walus)

Lisheng Wang / Konrad Walus, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering

One-dimensional nanomaterials, e.g. zinc oxide nanowires and carbon nanotubes, are capable of effectively emitting electrons induced by an electrostatic field. Inkjet micropattering, on the other hand, provides a very versatile and low cost capability for rapid prototyping and microfabrication. We are looking for students to help us develop inkjet-printable field emission displays based on 1D nanomaterials.

For this project, the student(s) will:

1. Select and prepare appropriate inks for a printable field emission display.

2. Fabricate the circuits and patterns required by the device on different substrates using inkjet printing;

3. Collaborate with other group members working on 1D nanomaterial fabrication;

4. Assemble, test, and characterize the device.

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11. Acoustic Imaging  (Waltham)

Chris Waltham , UBC Physics and Astronomy

Imaging sound is a rapidly developing technology for analyzing vibrational and environmental noise, made possible by the exponentiating processing capability of affordable computers. With Murray Hodgson in Mech and previous ENPH students, we have built and deployed two microphone arrays, one hemispherical and one circular. The first is being used for structural and environmental noise and the second by myself for analyzing the radiation from musical instruments. The work is being done in CEME’s excellent anechoic chamber. The analysis tools for imaging are still being developed; they vary in sophistication from simple beam-forming to the computing-intensive DAMAS-C (see reference). I plan to use them in continuing studies of the viola and Chinese string instruments. However, the applications of this emerging technology are very wide.

Guitar at 450 Hz. Red and blue represent sound sources of opposite phases.

Reference

Thomas F. Brooks and William M. Humphreys, Jr., “Extension of DAMAS Phased Array Processing for Spatial Coherence Determination (DAMAS-C)” http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20060020679_2006055268.pdf

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12. [ & ] Field Test and Modify Plumbing Endoscope for Seawater Deployment (MarliaveVanAqua)

Dr. Jeff Marliave, Vancouver Aquarium  [ &  claimed by 479 group, 11 Sept ]

Objectives & Scope

A standard plumbers endoscope kit with viewing screen will be deployed by SCUBA divers from the Vancouver Aquarium in crevices in shoreline rockpiles, using a SubCom system for communication between the deploying diver and the surface tender (including the UBC students), to obtain sub-terranean images of organisms living deep in rock piles.  The UBC students will attempt to design a flexible arm for inserting the endoscope around corners in crevices that are large enough for entry of rockfish (several centimeters width).  The goal is to be able to insert a camera as deep underground (underwater) as possible.  Note, however, that this will be in shallow water, so that no effort will be made in this preliminary project to improve the depth resistance of the camera/fibre optic unit.

Design and Analysis

The endoscope design will be standard equipment.  The diving communication equipment is standard gear provided by the Aquarium divers.

Resources Available  

Vancouver Aquarium will obtain the endoscope kit and will p;rovide divers and their communication equipment, as well as the tender boat and crew.  The UBC students must take part in the field testing and then invent some means for enabling a diver, under surface instruction from video observers, to bend the camera cable around corners and insert the probe further into non-linear crevices.

Technical Background:  

Student must be a swimmer with no discomfort regarding open water boating in Howe Sound.  Outdoor field testing required.

Can be completed in 4-month group.

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13. Development of an electric bike mapping, performance analysis, and visualization program (GRIN Technologies)

Justin Lemire-Elmore, GRIN Technologies

Background:  

Grin technologies has been in the business of designing and manufacturing parts for electric bikes and other personal EV's. One of our primary items, the Cycle Analyst, records and logs all the useful statistics of a vehicle during the course of a trip, including speed, voltage, current, human power, along with GPS coordinate data. While this device has been successful and well received by the ebike community, it has not been exploited to near full potential from a user software perspective.

Project Summary:

The purpose of this project is to write a software analysis program that can process these log files and present the trip information visually inside google earth, as well as compute interesting trip statistics (such as Wh/km energy consumption) from the data. For instance, we would expect to generate a KMZ file that one could open in GE which would allow you to visualize any number of variables (speed, watts, amps etc.) as used over the course of the trip as a 3-D bar graph super-imposed on the route taken. Hovering or clicking the mouse on a certain point would list all the vehicle stats at that time:

With all the data points for the consumed electrical power, pack voltage % grade, speed, etc. it would also be possible to compute or at least estimate other statistics, like the internal resistance of the battery pack, the effective air drag coefficient of the vehicle, the relationship between the grade of incline and vehicle power consumption etc. and present this as a set of summary statics.  The resulting data amassed over multiple trips and riding conditions could later be very useful for accurately predicting how much battery energy would be needed to travel specified routes.

Resources Provided: 

The group taking on this project would be provided with the parts (hub motor, battery, controller, and Cycle Analyst) for building their own ebike from which to gather large quantities of log file data. However, the bulk of the project work is software related, so we expect this to be most suitable for a team with a programming interest and background.  Ideally we will be aiming for the final software to be accessible as a web-app and possibly as an android smart phone application, so skills in those to areas could be a plus.

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14. Building acoustical-environment monitoring system (Hodgson)

Murray Hodgson, UBC Mechanical Engineering / Acoustics and Noise Research Group

It is increasingly common for buildings -- for example, sustainably-designed ('green') buildings -- to include monitoring systems, to continuously measure aspects (light, heat, airflow, air quality) of the building's performance.  For example, the new UBC Centre for Interactive Research in Sustainability has an extensive Honeywell monitoring system. However, the acoustical conditions in the building are never monitored.

A recent EngPhys project made a first attempt at developing a cost-effective acoustical-environment monitoring system, and built and tested a basic prototype with about 80% functionality for use in a single room. The system not only monitors not only noise levels, but also the time response of rooms.  This is done by continuously radiating high-order pseudo-random noise signals at low levels, and continuously calculating impulse responses by Hadamard Transform.  From the impulse response, reverberation times can be continuously determined; from these, measured noise levels and assumed speech levels, the acoustical conditions for speech could be continuously calculated.  The system was designed to introduce pseudo-random noise into a building in a way which not only is not detrimental, but is beneficial, to the occupants by using it as the source signal in a sound-masking system, to improve speech privacy in quiet buildings.

This follow-on project will refine the system to implement full functionality, and optimize and test it more exhaustively, working towards the creation of a prototype for installation in the UBC CIRS building.

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15. [ & ] Robotic Origami (Olson)

James Olson, UBC Mechanical Engineering / Director, Pulp and Paper Center    [ & claimed by 479 group, 7 Sept ]

Objective:  Design inexpensive movable, autonomous origami shapes  using a variety of “paper-based” and non-paper based technologies as a demonstration / test bed for the new generation of paper based technologies.  

To be successful the robot would have to have the following requirements:

1.       Be decorative, artistic and generally appealing to the eye

2.       Sense the environment (either light, heat, galvanic response, etc ..)  

3.       Move in response to the Sensing.  Wings beat faster, scurries away, etc.

4.       Largely printed on conventional paper (paper can be coated)

5.       Self contained.

6.       Inexpensive and have the ability to be mass produced.

Approach and techniques:  In recent years there have been a large number of low-cost, paper-based technologies that have been developed to make low-cost devices.  These technologies include:

• Printable electronics directly onto paper as a substrate (examples, RFID tags,  etc.)

• Example, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925400502001703

• Printable paper based sensors.    
• Printable Li-Ion batteries that can be incorporated into paper
• Smart materials such as shape memory alloy actuators for movement (wing flapping, leg motion).

•  http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=00012085
• Or http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-10/robotic-venus-flytraps-could-trap-bugs-and-eat-them-fuel

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16. Design and construction of an instrument for 2D conductivity mapping of nanocomposite film (Linklater)

Ron Linklater / Boris Stoeber, UBC Microsystems and Nanotechnogy (MiNa) Group

Objectives, Background and Scope

The goal of this project is to map the conductivity of composite film or sheet (e.g. 5cm square). In order to do this, students will design and build a novel instrument. The instrument will need to fix the sample such that it is under slight tension, inject current from point to point on the sample perimeter and measure the voltage response also along the perimeter. While sample loading will be manual, the measurement and data collection should be fully computer controlled. Computer code will need to be written to perform the data analysis. Using the technique of electrical impedance tomography a conductivity map can be produced from the current-voltage data sets.

The nanocomposites consist of a rubber matrix material into which conductive, nano-sized particles are added. Electrical conductivity is achieved when the conductive particles form a connected network inside the rubber matrix. The conductivity can be tuned according to the fraction of conductive particle added.

My PhD research is focused on using such nanocomposites for strain sensing. As the nanocomposite is strained in tension the conductive network is destroyed, increasing the electrical resistance. As the nanocomposite relaxes the network is reformed and the resistance decreases again. However the conductivity is highly dependent on processing and homogeneity is crucial.

I am in need of a system to measure the resistivity (or conductivity) of a large sheet (e.g. 5x5cm) of the nanocomposites to evaluate processing conditions and for potential 2D sensing applications.

Design and Analysis

This project is design intensive. Creating an experimental instrument involves blending multiple disciplines including mechanical, electrical and computer engineering. Each aspect may begin independently however the final design will be fully integrated.

The ultimate goal is conductivity mapping of a conductive sheet (e.g. 2-10cm square, 0.1-5mm thick) made of a rubber based nanocomposite. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) can be used to create such a map while only measuring contact points on the edges of the sheet. Students will need an understanding of the EIT technique before the design can begin in earnest.

The students will need to design for several measurement parameters such as spatial resolution, conductivity resolution, physical sample size, sampling time, computational costs, etc and the tradeoffs involved therein.

Resources Available

All nanocomposite samples will be provided. The students will not be expected to fabricate these in the lab.

Background literature on EIT will be provided as a starting point.

Expected Technical Background

It is the expected the students will have some experience in the following areas:

1.           Technical computing for both instrument control and data collection and processing.M

2.           Electronic circuitry design, analysis, component selection and final assembly.

3.           Mechanical design and assembly.

4.            

Some experience with the following software applications (or similar) is also recommended:

1.           MatLab – data analysis and/or instrument control and/or data collection

2.           NI LabVIEW – instrument control and data collection

3.           NI MultiSim – electronic design and testing

4.           Solidworks – mechanical design

Length Preference

Either four or eight month durations can be accommodated. For the four month duration the goal will be a fully designed system and a working prototype.

It is hoped that students undertaking an eight month project can characterize the conductivity homogeneity of nanocomposite films produced in the lab. Sensing with alternating current is a possible extension for the eight month project.

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17. [ & ] Automation of a Molecular Beam Epitaxy Chamber (Pennec)

Yan Pennec, UBC Physics and Astronomy - Scanning Tunneling Microscopy    [ & claimed by ENPH 459 group ]

MBE allows ultimate control in the growth of novel quantum materials with literally atomic precision. In this project your task will be to participate in the assembly and commissioning of our custom designed system dedicated to oxide. At this stage, the ultra high vacuum chamber, evaporation sources and the robotics of the system have been finalized and purchased. However an important development in automation is still required. Our MBE consists of six evaporation sources allowing up to six different chemical elements to be evaporated. A LabView program need to be implemented to control the actuation of the shutters required to obtain a sequential growth. The programming also needs to be interfaced with pneumatic drivers to realize the actuation of the shutters. Across this project the student will get familiar with techniques in Computer Assisted Design, ultra-high vacuum, epitaxial growth, computer instrumentation, and basics of condensed matter physics.

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18. milliKelvin temperature and sub-microvolt low noise electronics (Pennec)

Yan Pennec, UBC Physics and Astronomy - Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

We are installing our Scanning Tunneling Microscope into a new 30mK dilution refrigerator.  In order to ensure that the electronic temperature of our sample is the same as our cooling apparatus, the wiring connected to it must not bring any electrical noise. In practice the rms noise root at full bandwidth (0-50GHz) need to be below 1 microvolt. In order to succeed at this challenging task, filters need to be implemented at both room temperature and at the cryo stage. Great care is required to avoid ground loops or any cross talks between the many electronic devices used to operate an STM in parallel with a dilution refrigerator. Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy of Type I superconductors will be used as the ultimate benchmark thermometer. Across this project the student will get familiar with cryogenics, ultra-high-vacuum, electronics filtering, high frequency transmission lines and basics of condensed matter physics.

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19. Detailing of a high attenuation Gimbal vibration isolator for an He3/He4 pumping line (Pennec)

Yan Pennec, UBC Physics and Astronomy - Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Vibration isolation is a key requirement for achieving atomic resolution in scanning tunneling microscopy. Among the many sources of mechanical disturbances one is the line connecting our dilution refrigerator supporting the microscope to the gas handling system where a six stage mechanical roots pump a mixture of Helium gas. In order to decouple the vibration from the pump to the microscope we wish to insert two high attenuation Gimbal isolator. Your work will be to turn our current concept rendered under SolidWorks into the final component. This work will span the entire development process from the detailing of the mechanic, drafting of the parts, sourcing of the components, assembly and testing.  Across this project the students will get familiar with vibration analysis, Computer Assisted Design, Professional communication with external companies.

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20. Remote Data Logger (Madison)

Dr. Kirk Madison, UBC Physics and Astronomy

We are in great need of a device (based on an Arduino or other microprocessor) that can sample at least one (ideally multiple) analog voltage inputs and deliver the time stream to a remote computer via the local network (ethernet).  Such a device will allow us to monitor various conditions for our experimental apparatus (ambient temperature, servo lock outputs, etc...) and greatly improve our ability to diagnose problems and improve allow for changes that improve its long term stability.  This device will also enable other data taking modalities. The sample rate and dynamic range are still to be determined.  One of the most important aspects of this project will be to design a high impendance input (possibly optically isolated) for providing a sensor with negligible effect on the device being monitored.

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21. Ground Loop Tester (Madison)

Dr. Kirk Madison, UBC Physics and Astronomy

For sensitive detection of small electrical signals, minimizing electronic noise is critical.  Electronic noise can arise from a variety of sources and mechanisms, and one of the most common sources is from a so-called "ground loop" where the grounding line for a measurement device is connected to the ground of the signal source via multiple paths that together complete a loop.  In this configuration, fluctuating magnetic fields penetrating this loop can induce current flow in the loop and cause the grounds of the source and detection circuitry to fluctuate with respect to each other.  This fluctuation then constitutes electric noise that can obscure the signal.  This project then involves the design and construction of a simple, low-cost system for rapid identification of the cables causing ground loops in complex instrumentation configuration. The system will consist of an exciter module that generates a 100 kHz ground loop current and a detector module that determines which cable conducts this test current. Both the exciter and detector will be magnetically coupled to the ground circuit so there is no physical contact to the instrumentation system under test.  This project will closely follow the work described here: Review of Scientific Instruments 78, 065104 (2007).

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22. Remote Computer Control System (Madison)

Dr. Kirk Madison, UBC Physics and Astronomy

In our lab, we perform experiments with laser cooled atomic gases.  Our apparatuses are controlled using analog and digital output boards as well as direct digital synthesizers programmed over a specialized parallel bus line consisting of 8 address lines and 16 data lines.  This bus is presently derived using a National Instruments digital output card that has an on-board buffer and external clock that together provides a way to "clock out" instructions at very well defined and controlled instances of time.  This paradigm is very good when command latencies are not tolerable but it has certain limitations. The proposed project would be to create an asynchronus bus driver based on a Raspberry Pi or equivalent processor that receives instructions over the ethernet and dumps them on the bus.  This would allow us to control the experiment in an asynchronus way which would improve its flexibility for diagnosis and other applications where timing is not critical.

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23. Redesign for commercialization of driver electronics for Piezoelectric Nano-positioners (Macleod)

Ben Macleod, UBC Engineering Physics

(_Project Lab - Additional Info_) 

Overview:

The UBC physics department Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) group has previously developed a electronic module for generating the high-speed (500 MV/S) , high-voltage (250V), high-current (1.5 A) waveform necessary for actuating the nano-positioning stage of one of our microscopes. This project requires a complete redesign of this crude but functional first prototype with the ultimate goal of manufacturing several units of a commercial-quality version of the module.

The motivation for this project is twofold. First, the STM group could use an additional 1-2 of these modules and would like to see several improvements made on the existing design. Physical prototypes built during the course of this project will be used by the STM group as a key part of the electronics for a $1 million+ physics experiment currently under construction in UBC’s AMPEL building. Second, numerous research groups worldwide currently rely on home-built electronics for this particular application (control of microscope nano-positioning stages). A high-quality, cost effective design *might* be able to access this highly niche market.

The major work and most technically challenging part of the project will be to redesign the circuit to improve its performance. Specifically, ringing and crosstalk issues that affect the current design need to be resolved. Additionally, a number of more general and esthetic improvements to the design need to be made: A micro-controller needs to incorporated into the design to provide integrated control logic, additional circuit design refinements are needed, proper displays and controls need to be added to the panel and the entire device needs to be packaged in a properly grounded, well laid-out housing. See the list of specific tasks for more details.

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24. Mobile Phone Dive Enclosure & Communication System(Forsyth)

Brett Forsyth, Vancouver Film School   (http://blog.thestem.ca)

Overview

This project aims to revolutionize the dive computer industry by replacing multiple specialized and expensive devices with a low cost enclosure that would allow a smart phone to take their place. Mobile phones are now very capable computers, cameras and video recorders. For a new diver to gain this functionality currently requires thousands of dollars

of specialized equipment and housings. The goal of this project is to create a low cost housing that allows people to leverage their existing mobile phone/device to provide all of this functionality in a single package.

The enclosure will need to allow for a camera port that can accommodate multiple screw on or clip on lenses, external lighting systems and depth/air pressure sensors. The housing should also allow for the bolding on of a grip that can accommodate external lighting (ex http://www.digitaldiver.net/lib_docs/loc_line_arm.pdf). The enclosure would contain a system such as Arduino to process the data coming in (depth, pressure, communication and physical inputs) and pass it to the mobile device using the headphone jack likely using FSK style communication (http://sree.cc/electronics/arduinoas-an-fsk-modem,http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1274970878). The rationale here is to make it universal and also avoid proprietary licensing fees on connectors. The housing also needs to have physical input(s) to allow for control on the software being run on the device. The mobile device software is not a part of this project.

A secondary goal, and harder technically, is to incorporate an underwater communication system within the housing. At its most basic level this system would show distance and direction to other divers using the same system within a 50m radius. However, this system would ideally provide the distance/direction information and also share date amongst units so that all systems could see depth, air pressure and messages for everyone in the group.

Companies that do this sort of thing (large and costly):

http://www.dspcomm.com/

http://www.aquatecgroup.com/index.php/products/aquamodem

Some papers on low cost low power underwater modems:

http://wuwnet.engr.uconn.edu/papers/p079-wills.pdf

http://cseweb.ucsd.edu/~b1benson/publications/oceans10.pdf

Some interesting links

http://www.januswiki.org/tiki-index.php

http://www.ll.mit.edu/HPEC/agendas/proc09/Day1/PA14_Ozog_abstract.pdf

Requirements

• Depth sensor

• Air Pressure sensor (a hose from the tank could be attached)

• Housing capable of being submerged to 150m (see gopro housing for a great example of a foolproof housing)

• Physical input(s)

Mobile Device Dive Enclosure & Communication System

• Different camera port options to allow for different lens sizes

• Ability to attach a grip and lighting accessory

• Embedded system software providing data i/o through FSK

• Internal power source to run the embedded system

Optional Functionality

• Distance and direction sensing of others using the system

• Underwater acoustic modem functionality

Resources

I can provide an Arduino with a working FSK setup and potentially an iOS app to show data.

My preference is to work with with a group for 8 months.

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25. Transport Box Service Station  (Frogbox)

 Doug Burgoyne, Frogbox

(_Project Lab - Additional Info_) 

FROGBOX is a Vancouver based startup that provides customers in 19  regions across North America (up from just 3 regions one year ago) with a moving box solution that is more convenient, affordable and eco-friendly than traditional moving supplies.  Entrepreneur Magazine listed them as one of the 10 Hot Startups for 2010 (only Canadian company on the list) and the company appeared on a successful $200k funding round on CBC’s Dragon’s Den in January 2011.   FROGBOX’s goal is to redefine the moving supply business in North America and make ‘FROGBOX’ the generic term for reusable moving box

This project will expose student to a relevant engineering problem and also to how design can influence business.  The Founders of FROGBOX are both accessible to the students to share experience.   One of the Founders is a Queens Engineer/Harvard MBA.

At present, all boxes used by customers are hand-serviced by Frogbox staff - typically, this includes a wipe-down with armor-all or similar cleaner for cleaning (and anti-static protection), removal of dust and residues on the inside and outside of the boxes, and ensuring that the general outside appearance of the boxes  meets clients expectations.  Because of the size, shape and stacking of the boxes, it is highly tedious and repetitive work to work through stacks of boxes consistently and efficiently.  Each franchise has 1500 - 2000 boxes, normally stored in nested stacks of 30, adding to the difficulty in unstacking, servicing, and re-stacking.

Frogbox is looking to develop a “Transport Box Service Station”, ideally a custom-designed trailer or rack capable of allowing the user to clean and service their fleet of boxes more efficiently.   The initial idea was to have a portable rack able to handle ~10 boxes, with the user able to easily access the inside and outside, top and bottom of the boxes for servicing, with a wash/dry mechanism built in as part of the system.   Teams are free to be creative about the final mechanism, and introduce varying levels of automation/assistance with the system, keeping in mind a balance between ease of use and environmental impact (energy/solvents/noise).  

Other design considerations for the Transport Box Service Station include:

1. Transportation and storage - how much space does the trailer/rack need?  can it be easily moved and collapsed so it stays out of the way, or easily transported from franchise to franchise?
2. Environmental impact  - can the system minimize the use of solvents and cleaners?  Can the system minimize the amount of energy / electricity used to service each box?
3. Ease of unstacking/stacking boxes - can the system make it easier to stack and unstack the nested boxes?  

A successful prototype will be evaluated by the company and tested at the company headquarters here in Vancouver, where teams will be able to obtain full stacks of boxes to test their Service Station.

The project will be cross-posted to the Mechanical Engineering 45x Capstone Design Project Course, and may have multiple student groups working on the project.

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26. [ & ] Electronic Photonic Integrated Circuits (EPIC) (Chrostowski)

Lukas Chrostowski, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering   [ & claimed by 479 group, 7 Sept ]

This project is related to silicon photonics and silicon-on-insulator (SOI) nano-fabrication technology. Silicon photonics is a hot topic in optical communications and optoelectronics, with a huge investment from electronics industry for removing the bottleneck in electrical communications:

The compatibility with silicon CMOS technologies makes SOI a very promising candidate for the future integration of photonics and electronics on a common silicon platform. During past four years, a trans-Canadian graduate course in silicon nanophotonics fabrication has been successfully developed at UBC (http://www.mina.ubc.ca/eece584):

Many students have published their projects in journal papers and presented them at international conferences.

Fig. 1. SOI chips from the silicon nanophotonics fabrication course.

In the previous projects in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, the Engineering Physics students developed a ring-resonator measurement system and a chip-to-chip coupling system. Their reports can be found here:  

1. LIMITATIONS OF DATA TRANSFER RATE ACROSS SOI RACETRACK RESONATORS (Sterling, Russell, 2009) »

1. "Photonic Chip-to-Chip Couplers" (Chen, Du, 2010)  »

For the upcoming projects, the students will have access to more advanced technologies in the context of Electronic Photonic Integrated Circuits (EPIC). The goal is to characterize active and passive silicon photonics devices and sub-systems, including optical modulators, wavelength-division multiplexers and de-multiplexers, and optical detectors. As an example, Fig. 2 shows a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of a microring optical resonator. The students will be involved in system construction and measurement for novel designs. A setup from previous project is shown in Fig. 3. The students would also model the system using numerical or analytical method with commercial software packages and compare their experimental results with theory. Finally, the results should be written in a manuscript for journal and/or conference publication.

Fig. 2. SEM image of a microring optical-resonator reflector using a waveguide crossing.

Fig. 3. Experimental setup for silicon photonic circuits

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27. Long range RF Inventory system (BlackMcLeanWang)

Morgan Mclean, Marianne Black, Calder Wang  (Engphys alumni)

Project summary:

Inventory tracking and stocking control is one of the most time consuming and inefficient tasks in the retail management and usually is the bottleneck for small businesses. The goal for this project is to prototype the hardware and software for a new inventory tracking system using a specific long range RF technology.  (note:  the students worked on the first iteration of this project as their ENPH 479 project in 2011/2012 and were co-winners of the Roy Nodwell Prize).  

Students with strong electrical prototyping skills are preferred for this project.

For more information please contact Dr. Jon Nakane for a detailed explanation of the project if interested.

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28. MAGIC / Human Communication Technologies Lab  

Dr. 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://www.magic.ubc.ca/496/pmwiki/ 

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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29. Nanoparticle flow in microfluidics channels (Bazargan)

Vahid Bazargan / Boris Stoeber, UBC Microsystems and Nanotechnolgy Group

·  Project Objectives, Background and Scope

The main goal of the project is to model the behaviour of small nano-particles in a fluid flow. We specifically look at the effect of the shape and size of the nano-particles when they are transported by a pre-defined micro-flow’s velocity field. The model is verified by experiments.

The information of this will be used in the design of the new strain gauge using nano-technology to achieve sensors with higher gauge factor and sensitivity. This will be achieved through structured deposition of carbon nano-tubes from a suspension after evaporation. The behaviour of the carbon nano-tubes (of different size, and concentration) as a result of the flow induced by evaporation will dictate their deposition pattern.

·  Design and Analysis

The project consists of two parts: theory and experiments. Theory includes using the best algorithm and techniques to describe this flow (Molecular dynamic, Brownian dynamic or other methods). The program code receives a velocity field vectors for a confined space and will study the behavior of the suspensions in the flow. At the first phase, we only look at the motion of nano-particle and study the effect of size and shape on the deposition site of the particle. At the second phase, we include more particles in the flow, and consider the forces of the particles on each other. This will enable us to predict the effect of the concentration of the particles in the solution for low concentrations. For the experiment, since observing the nano-particles during the evaporation-induced flow is not optically feasible, we plan to use larger particles (around 1µm in diameter) to show the phenomena, with the assumption that these particles will have little effect on the flow field. The deposition pattern of nano-particles after the evaporation will be observed through an optical profiler and high resolution SEM.

·  Resources available

For the simulation, a cluster of 152 processors will be used to perform the calculation. To perform the experiments, students will have an access to the Laboratory for Microfluidics and Nanoflow Research (LaMiNaR) (with access to the inverted and confocal microscope, high speed camera, particle image velocimetry setup).

·  Expected Technical Background

A background in fluid dynamics and knowledge of one programming language (preferably C) is required. The student group will receive the required training on the experimental equipment.

·  Preference for 4-month or 8-month group

8-month project

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30. [ & ] Drawbot - modifications to portable 2D drawing mechanism (Royer)

Dan Royer, Marginally Clever Systems   [ & claimed by 459 group, 21 Sept ]

I sell the Drawbot kit, a drawing robot using two stepper motors, microcontroller and pen holder mechanism to draw complex patterns on an almost-vertical surface (see videos of the system in action here):

Currently the system has a fixed holder with only 1 pen in the system.    The system needs a better pen holder - an ideal holder would be 3d printable with an open source design, hold a variety of pens, work on a perfectly vertical surface, support "lifting" and "lowering" the pen, have maximum drawing fidelity, and work with an automatic pen changer.

A secondary project is to make the automatic pen changer based on the current technology in the kit.

I have two working drawbots that I could lend for the duration of the study.

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31. Life Support Systems for AquaVan (VancouverAquarium)

Jonathan Hultquist, Vancouver Aquarium

(_Project Lab - Additional Info_) 

The Vancouver Aquarium AquaVan  services BC and Western Canada with award-winning aquatic programs, featuring live animals, props and activities.  The AquaVan . The current AquaVan has been in serivce for ~2 years, and moved away from the previous diesel generator system in service for 16 years.  

Due to the travel schedule for the AquaVan, there are only certain periods in the fall and winter for teams to examine and monitor the vehicle.  Student groups taking on this project should plan on being in the Lower Mainland for the majority of these times.  The approximate schedule for the AquaVan is online.  

Some time may also be available during the Lower mainland trips.

For the complete description of the project, go to the password-protected writeup:   ProjectLab2012 - additional contents »

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32. [ & ] Quantum Materials Lab - Research Topics  (Damascelli)

Andrea Damascelli, UBC Physics and Astronomy  [ & claimed by 459 group, 21 Sept ]

Several projects will be available within the Quantum Materials Lab led by Andrea Damascelli in AMPEL. These range from the study of the electronic properties of quantum materials — such as high-temperature superconductors, novel magnets, and topological insulators — to the design, development, and commissioning of highly-advanced instrumentation for high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy.

An overview of the lab activities can be found at the APRES website

For further information, contact Andrea Damascelli at: damascelli@physics.ubc.ca

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33. Tracking Wandering Residents (HaroPark)

Haro Park Centre

(_Project Lab - Additional Info_) 

Haro Park Centre is an accredited, non-profit Campus of Care located in downtown Vancouver (close to Robson and Bute).

A number of residents in the facility are at risk to leave the building, and potentially wander through the neighborhood and beyond unattended.  In order to prevent this, a security system has been installed in the center based on the WatchMate Wander Prevention system, which uses  Watchlet Plus tags worn on the wrist.   Residents who attempt to pass through the front door of the building will trigger an alarm, and the door is electromagnetically locked from the inside, preventing them from leaving the building.   However, the system doesn’t always work as desired - the door does not lock if it is already being held open by another person, and the entrance has a double-door arrangement which still allows people to bypass the system.  

Haro Park is looking for solutions in improving the existing system for operating the door, and for locating residents who have made it through the system and are in the local neighborhood.  In addition, a system for tracking residents outside the building could be used to allow greater freedom and independence to these residents, allowing them to go outside the building but still being monitored by staff members.  

A final solution to the system might include:

1. a wireless localizing system which making use of the existing Watchlet Plus tags. (these are low-power FM transmitters.  Although it is possible to generate some proximity measurements using FM signals, it doesn’t provide relative positioning info)
2. a GPS tracker could be used in conjunction with the existing wristbands to locate residents outdoors, in order to have both the door-locking and outdoor tracking features  (most likely solution.  Commercial units used to be large, but tend to be getting smaller over time. Existing systems can have high monthly fees, and some require SIM cards)
3. a new solution which attempts to solve the problem.

The existing security system is unlikely to be replaced in the immediate future, so any solution will likely use the existing Watchlet Plus tags to trigger the system and indicate people leaving the facility. The current Watchlet Plus tags last for 3-5 years, and cost $150 each.

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34. 3d GPS tracks (Scheuing)

Ruth Scheuing,Capilano University  www.ruthscheuing.com

Project Objectives, Background and Scope:

I have worked with GPS tracks as a visual artists that I recreated them in various 2d formats, as prints, computer assisted sewing and weavings and a web project Digital Threads, organized by the Textile Museum of Canada http://www.digitalthreads.ca/

I would now like to create 3d models with 3d printing technology, which if successful I would like to include with my 2d work, in a group exhibition in January 2013 at the Richmond Art Gallery as well as a project in Australia next June and possible other exhibitions. I have been tracking all my daily trips for 4-5 years now and have all the elevation data for all of them.

In addition I would also be interested in creating 3d computer animated images.

This GPS work has been exhibited with a conceptual premise of documenting the ‘everyday’ that creates patterns with variations and also plays with this ubiquitous technology, that started as highly secret.

Design and Analysis

This work will have visual criteria and scientific principles of mapping; choosing appropriate proportions, scale (mapping ratio) use of various materials + colours and ways of installing things. It would be interesting to explore a variety of scales possible.

Resources available

I have all the data to create the GPS tracks; I use Mac GPS-Pro to do my current work in 2D on the computer (Mac). I have previously created models with Google Sketch-up, both for a 3d print and some computer animation and have an upgraded education version that allows various outputs.

Preference for 4-month                                

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35.  Engineering Metal Nanoparticles to Control the Optical Emission Properties of Quantum Oscillators (YoungBizzotto)

Jeff Young/Physics and Astronomy, Dan Bizzotto/Chemistry

Fluorescent molecules and semiconductor “quantum dots” emit light at discrete wavelengths associated with the transition of electrons between two well-defined quantum mechanical states.  These “two level systems”, or quantum oscillators, have a variety of applications, fluorescent markers in biology, and conduits of quantum information in physics being just two examples.  It is fairly well known, theoretically, that the optical properties of these molecules/quantum dots can be dramatically altered when they come within a few nanometres of nanometre sized metallic objects (spheres, prisms, cylinders etc.).  Ways of experimentally attaching the emitters to the metal nanoparticles at well-defined locations, and with well-defined separations, are under development, as are more elaborate theories that aim to quantify the nature of their interaction, and how this new system might be exploited.

This project will involve chemical synthesis and optical spectroscopy of Au nanorods decorated with fluorescent molecules and/or semiconductor quantum dots.

The optical spectroscopy will involve both absorption and fluorescence, using continuous wave and possibly pulsed laser sources, in the visible part of the spectrum.  The objective is to quantify the differences in the optical response of isolated metal nanoparticles and fluorescent molecules/quantum dots, versus when they are attached to one another.  Some electron microscopy characterization will also be required.

The synthesis is based on the known growth mechanism of Au nanorod, which is directed by the preferential adsorption of organic molecules onto the various crystal faces of the growing Au nanocrystal. Strong adsorption onto the 100 or 110 faces of Au will limit growth in these planes. Growth on the 111 plane will proceed more quickly, resulting in a nanorod that has predominantly 111 faces on the ends, with 110 or 100 as the structure of the sides of the rod. This difference in the adsorption onto different faces of gold should also be useful for the attachment of fluorescent molecules to specific regions of the nanorod. Using gold-thiol self-assembly techniques, the surfaces of the nanorod can be modified to different extents depending on the nature of the alkyl-thiol molecule used, and the conditions under which the surface modification process is carried out. In this project, we will explore the modification of these nanorods so as to specifically modify the ends of the rods with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) that contains a fluorescent moiety. The use of a competetive adsorption, or thiol replacement strategy will be the principal methodology used to affect the surface modification.

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36. [ & ] Embedding Optical Oxygen Sensors in Microfluidic Channels (Cheung)

Karen Cheung, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering  [ & claimed by an ECE group, 12 Sept]

Our group is working on integrating optical oxygen sensors, which consist of thin oxygen-sensitive films, on the bottom of microfluidic channels and then using these sensors for cell culture studies in our laboratory.  Optical oxygen sensors operate on the principle of reversible quenching of luminescence, modulating the luminescence intensity and excited-state lifetime of indicator molecules.  These sensors can be easily integrated into micro-scale environments because they do not consume oxygen during sensing, and only require an optical connection between sensor and detector.   To calibrate the sensors, fluids of known dissolved oxygen concentration must be supplied to the sensors and the sensors’ luminescence intensity or lifetime measured using a fluorescence microscope.

The first part of this project involves the design and integration of a dissolved oxygen control system to calibrate the optical oxygen sensors.  The concentration of dissolved oxygen will be controlled by bubbling a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen into water, and using a commercially available dissolved oxygen sensor to read out the dissolved oxygen level just before the fluid reaches the microfluidic chip.

The second part of the project involves the automation of the microscope imaging system with which to test the sensors and examine the cells under test.  We already have software (in C#) to control the motion of the microscope’s automated stage in order to image multiple areas of the sample in an automated fashion.  Because the continuous illumination of the system can cause damage to the cells under test and photobleaching of the sensors, we need to integrate computer-controlled shutters into the optical path of the microscope so that the sample can be illuminated only while images are being acquired.  Additionally, it is often beneficial to take many high-resolution (high magnification) images of the sample at different locations and stitch them together such that the whole sample is visible.  As such, the project will also involve implementing image stitching functionality into the software, using simple image processing to align the images to be stitched.

Some work has already been completed on implementing a bang-bang controller to control mass flow controllers for the oxygen and nitrogen gases, and this work has already been integrated into the microscope stage controller software.  A mechanical shutter system has also been designed for the system but not yet fabricated.  This project will involve understanding and evaluating this preliminary work as well as building upon it to implement a robust, easy-to use system.

For this project the students will:

Literature:

1.    Do a literature research to understand the underlying principle of optical oxygen detectors.

2.    Study automated control systems and gas control systems to determine the best type of controller for the system.

Hardware:

3.    Understand the current manual bubbler and microfluidic setup.

4.    Design the flow control system and integrate it with the feedback from the dissolved oxygen sensor, finding appropriate mass flow or flow rate controllers.

5.    Understand and build upon existing electronic circuits for signal amplification/conditioning.

6.    Evaluate the existing shutter design, modify it as necessary, and implement it.

7.    Test the shutter system as well as the flow control system.

Software:

8.    Review existing software to interface with the camera, shutter, and stage control.

9.    Modify the existing stage control user interface to tune feedback controller and to specify desired single or time-varying oxygen levels.

10.  Modify the existing stage control software to integrate the shutter control.  Integrate this software with the flow control software such that measurements can be taken at defined oxygen levels and sample positions.

11.  Modify the existing stage control software to support image stitching (taking many images at different locations in a sample, aligning them using image processing, and stitching them together into a large image).

Integration

12.  Integrate the system with the microscope and package the hardware components of the system (shutters, microcontrollers) so that they will be robust to dust and accidental liquid splashes and will not interfere with normal operation of the microscope.

13.  Integrate the flow control system and microscope interface with the optical oxygen sensors, test the system, and determine the range of oxygen levels obtainable with the system.

Strong preference for a 4-month (479) group.

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37. [ & ] Prototype Handheld Temporal Speckle Probe for Skin Detection (TchvialevaLee)

Dr. Lioudmila Tchvialeva, Dr. Tim Lee, UBC Dermatology and Skin Research Department  [ & claimed by 459 group, 21 Sept ]

Background:

The objective of the proposal is to build up a device prototype for in-vivo optical detection of the differences in surface and subcutaneous skin tissue.  We achieve this goal by obtaining and analyzing laser reflectance interference images, the so-called speckle patterns.  There are many applications for such a device in skin science and dermatology - in particular, we are interested in using the speckle device for cutaneous malignant melanoma automatic diagnosis.

Methods of separating the surface and subsurface signals have been proposed and developed, based on the well-known fact that unscattered (surface reflection) circular polarized light undergoes a mirror reflection and emerges with its helicity reversed whereas weakly scattered light (subsurface scattering) maintains its original of polarization state.

A prototype device was fabricated by an APSC 459 group several years ago using a combination of area-scan cameras, lasers, and polarizing filters to generate spatial information on speckle pattern formation.   In this new system, the same co-polarized and cross-polarized filters will be used, but now the area-scan cameras will be replaced with sensitive photodiodes in order to examine the temporal variation in the speckle formation which changes due to the underlying blood and fluid flow in the surface.  A review of laser speckle techniques, including temporal laser speckle measurments, provides some background on the subject.

A schematic of the system is shown below.

Below is a short list of the expected tasks for this project:

Optics - assist in the selection of the photodiodes and appropriate illumination and signal delivery fibers (the diode laser and polarizers will likely be provided to the group)

Analysis – investigate the quality and resulting signals produced by the photodiodes on a variety of calibration and test surfaces.   Adjust electronics and optics component selection based on results to optimize performance and minimize overall costs of the unit.   Testing setup will likely make use of Labview software and National Instruments data acquisition hardware.

Design and Fabrication – select an appropriate microcontroller / power system / display for a prototype handheld unit.  Fabricate device, provide quantitative assessment of the performance of the unit versus the previous analysis, and present final unit to project sponsors.

Preference for an 8-month project group (due to sponsor availability in Sept), although highly motivated 4-month groups may be considered.

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38. [ & ] Development of a Novel Nerve Refraction modality to facilitate Electrosurgical en[ & ] Development of a Novel Nerve Refraction modality to facilitate Electrosurgical endoluminal Bladder/Prostate Surgery (Nguan)doluminal Bladder/Prostate Surgery (Nguan)

Christopher Nguan MD FRCSC  - Assistant Professor, Dept of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver General Hospital / Director, STELLAR facility  [ & claimed by 459 group, 21 Sept ]

Introduction    

Transurethral surgery (TUR) remains the standard for diagnosis, treatment and ongoing surveillance of the bladder for bladder cancer.  As bladder cancer represents a field defect, tumors can arise from any location of the lining of the bladder wall.  Unfortunately, the bladder is a central pelvic organ and when distended, as in TUR surgery, will contact many adjacent pelvic organ structures including the nerves innervating the muscles of the leg as they exit the pelvis.  Resection of lesions over these nerves will result in the direct stimulation of those nerves, and result in the activation of the distal muscle causing contraction, disruption of the operating surgeon, and increasing the potential for bladder perforation.  In the setting of bladder cancer, this is highly undesirable is it allows for bladder cancer cells to potentially spread outside the bladder.

Much is now known about nerve physiology, and the formation of an action potential, the transmission of nerve impulse and characteristics of the neuron transmitting these signals.  It is known that nerves typically have a refractory time following transmission of an electrical impulse, and that no stimulation of the nerve will result in distal transmission during this time.

Modern day electrosurgical units (ESU) used in surgery are complex machines and vary current power, waveform and frequency in order to achieve desired coagulation and cutting properties.  I propose the development of a novel ESU algorithm leveraging characteristic nerve properties such that the ESU itself induces nerve refractory state while cutting or coagulation objectives to be met close to the nerve itself; prototypic operation: transurethral bladder tumor resection (TURBT).

Click the above image to view online demo from mcgill re: refractory period quantification:   [ http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/physio/vlab/cap/refract.htm ]

Project Description    

Development of a novel electrical dispersion algorithm for inducing nerve refractory state while cutting or coagulating.

Expected Outcomes    

Development of  prototypic profiles for integration with current ESUs.

Resources Available    

1. expert MIS surgeon mentor and departmental resources
2. large animal facility for preclinical trials
3. small animal facility for preclinical trials
4. basic science laboratory resources
5. financial assistance
6. opportunity for operating room / clinical experience for data gathering
7. research ESU available for testing

Customer Requirements    

Development of  prototypic profiles for integration with research ESU for preclinical trials.

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39. Addressable Induction Seeds (Nguan)

Christopher Nguan MD FRCSC  - Assistant Professor, Dept of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver General Hospital / Director, STELLAR facility

Introduction  

The world of surgery continues to progress towards less and less invasive options to the point where needle based image guided surgery will be the norm in the not too distant future.

An example of one challenge is the delivery of a therapy to a specific three dimensional coordinate accurately in repeatable fashion.   However, if an inert fiducial is left at the target site, then this can mark the site accurately between therapeutic sessions.

Project Description    

Development of a system in which multiple inert “seeds” could be implanted into an organ, and then each seed separately addressed and induction coil “induced” to produce a thermal response.

Expected Outcomes    

Concept, Research and development of putative system and prototype generation for preclinical studies.

Resources Available    

-expert MIS surgeon mentor and departmental resources

-large animal facility for preclinical trials

-small animal facility for preclinical trials

-basic science laboratory resources

-financial assistance

-opportunity for operating room / clinical experience for data gathering

Customer Requirements    

End of year prototype and report.

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40. Development of a System for Assisting Visualization and Tracking of Urinary Stones for Targetting during Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (Nguan)

Christopher Nguan MD FRCSC  - Assistant Professor, Dept of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver General Hospital / Director, STELLAR facility

Introduction    

Physicians often utilize imaging modalities such as x-ray to visualize structures within the body either for diagnosis or for targeted therapy.  In the operating room, we utilize realtime fluoroscopy (x-ray) to imaging moving parts of the body, results of therapy or to image the dynamic processing of administered agents such as radiocontrast dye.

It is often necessary to image and treat structures which are of low contrast relative to surrounding tissues.  However, with detailed knowledge and experience of regional anatomy of the genitourinary system, Urologists are able to locate and treat lesions effectively even with relatively poor assistance from realtime imaging.  Even with the most experienced surgeon however, and even more so with those of lesser experience, there comes a time when imaging is critical to the success of the procedure and optimization of the acquired image is required.

Project Description    

We propose a project that will require students to acquire a realtime datastream from a C-arm, angio suite or other source of realtime fluoroscopic data, process the image with the intent on isolating and highlighting the target of choice in either a semi-autonomous or fully autonomous mode, and tracking it over time in an environment with poor imaging conditions (poor contrast, overlying structures, movement of other structures during imaging, poor penetration overall of Xray, etc).  The prototype procedure to be used is extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) where we utilize realtime fluoro and a shockhead to fragment stones between the kidney and the bladder in a minimally invasive fashion.

Expected Outcomes    

Hardware / software and interfaces to result in a demonstration of efficacy versus manual visualization and targeting.

Resources Available    

1. expert MIS surgeon mentor and departmental resources
2. large animal facility for preclinical trials
3. small animal facility for preclinical trials
4. basic science laboratory resources
5. financial assistance
6. opportunity for operating room / clinical experience for data gathering
7. opportunity to experience the Acute Stone Center and lithotripter unit in operation at VGH
8. resources of a full basic science endourology lab with artificial and human stones

Customer Requirements    

Prototype system demonstration.

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41. Development of a surgical suction catheter (Nguan)

Christopher Nguan MD FRCSC  - Assistant Professor, Dept of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver General Hospital / Director, STELLAR facility

• development of a surgical suction catheter which improves on current design 
• utilizes a flexible length multi fenestrated, positionable catheter which can be positioned in the most dependent portion of the wound or operative site and connected to continuous suction or a suction control unit.
• combined with the suction control unit, the system will allow for suction of fluids continuously thus providing an improved visualization of the wound throughout the case and leaving the operating surgeon and assistant to use both hands for the operation rather than occupy one or both hands with suction tasks.
• the device can detect when the fenstrations are complete blocked with tissue and vary the suction power such that the tissue will relax around the catheter and fluid suction can resume despite this.  
• also, system will not allow suction to occur such that high frequency squealing will be incurred during suction; a surgical annoyance
• the system will automatically determine the optimal suction power such that dry wounds will require little suction, while wet wounds will drive maximal power, switching on the fly
• the system can also be integrated with cautery such that ESU smoke can be sucked out
• multiple catheters in multiple configurations can be used simultaneously to provide the best visualization of the wound
• can also be used during MIS surgery and will be sensitive to the pneumoperitoneum; will also suck continuously the intracorporeal smoke and filter it

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42. [ & ] Hydraulic power pack CONTROL system for giant robot (Tippett)

Jon Tippett, - Prosthesis: The Anti-Robot.   [ & claimed by 459 group, 21 Sept ]

Introduction  

Prosthesis is a 2-story tall, 3000kg, 4-legged wearable walking machine being built by independent artist and engineer, Jonathan Tippett, (co-creator of the Mondo Spider), a team of skilled volunteers and the support of the eatART Foundation.A 2:3 scale prototype leg, called The Alpha Leg has already been built. check out this video of it in operation. Notice that the machine is controlled by an exo-skeletal interface on the pilots arm and is entirely dependant on operator skill to perform. The full machine will have a full body exo-skeletal interface, making the worlds first sports robot.  Prosthesis is part of a larger plan to spawn an entire new league of high-performance racing robots.

Project Description    

The Alpha Leg runs off of hydraulic power but the current power pack uses a 17kW gas engine. It is noisy, polluting and cannot be run indoors. A sophisticated DC electric power pack is being built and it needs a control system. This is no ordinary hydraulic power pack however. It will be based on the latest Raspberry PI micro controller in order to support a touch screen interface, enhanced sensory feedback, muti-pump control, swipe card activation and network connectivity.

Expected Outcomes    

Fully functional, reliable ~20kW zero emissions, super deluxe hydraulic power plant the likes of which no one has ever seen. A chance to contribute the the worlds largest and fastest walking machine.

Resources Available    

-a giant, 1000kg, robotic leg

-fully tooled metal fabrication laboratory (eatART lab on GNWC) for testing

-high pressure hydraulics, high voltage battery pack and high powered motors and pump system will be designed and built in parallel by another team.

-a pool of engineers and programmers who have already built electric vehicles and other giant robots to guide and mentor.

-funding is in place for the entire system

Customer Requirements    

End of year prototype and report.

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43. 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.

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44. QR / AR code detection from video (Miller)

Dr. Gregor Miller, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering

Project Objectives, Background and Scope

We are developing OpenVL, a large scale high-level abstraction for computer vision in order to provide mainstream developers with easy access to sophisticated computer vision methods. As part of this, we are developing real-world applications which can be created using the OpenVL abstraction layer. The main goal of this project is to create an algorithm to detect QR codes (aka 2D barcodes, Quick Response codes) or AR tiles (Augmented Reality planar targets) in images, and integrate parts of the solution into OpenVL.

Design and Analysis

The project consists of three parts:

1) Find an existing method to detect QR/AR codes, or write your own based on existing work (research articles, OpenCV, etc.)

2) Identify main components of the detection method, and establish which parts can be replaced by OpenVL functionality. If needed, add functionality to OpenVL to facilitate this.

3) Build real-world real-time application to detect QR/AR codes on a desktop/laptop computer.

Resources Available:

We have a large codebase of vision algorithms encapsulated by the OpenVL abstraction; we can also provide desktop computers and lab space if needed. We also have access to many different kinds of cameras, and mobile devices.

Expected Technical Background

A background in programming is essential, preferably in C++. Some background in image processing or image analysis would be helpful, but not required.

Preference for 4-month Group (479)

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45. Eye Tracking Technologies Development and Prototyping for Safe Motor Vehicle Operation (SafeEyeSystems)

Mark Salopek, Safe Eyes Systems

(_Project Lab - Additional Info_) 

Project Objectives, Background and Scope         

The expectation is the presentation of a prototype showing the integration of an Android Tablet equipped with eye tracking technologies, cameras, etc. for the safe operation of motor vehicles. Alternatively, the prototype could integrate a generic rear view mirror found in a typical automobile with optic or IR camera and processing systems to monitor, record, and deliver driver alerts.

The prototype should show the potential for automatic and continuous eye tracking in various lighting conditions (daytime, nighttime), different drivers, driving situations and conditions (small, large, tall drivers, male/female, etc.) and provide signals and cues to the operator that safety procedures are being observed or reacted to or trigger alerts to dangerous behviour, i.e. eye fatigue, drowsiness, head jerking, etc.

The prototype would be used to compare and test alternative eye tracking technologies and prototypes.

Design and Analysis

1. Development of rudimentary eye tracking tools using the Android platform;
2. Integration of various systems, Android platform, IR camera, standard camera:
3. Development of rudimentary alert systems

Resources available

Students should have access to current Android tablets equipped with front and rear facing cameras. Alternatively, access to IR cameras will be necessary if the integration will entail utilization of off-the-shelf automobile rear view mirror.

Access to public domain eye tracking technology for testing purposes or development of simplified eye tracking functionality with existing tools.

Expected Technical Background

Students preferably should have familiarity with the Android operating system and programming for the Android platform. In addition, students should have the capacity to integrate hardware devices to attain functionality as well as database management skills to record user actions.

Experience in interface design would also be helpful

The preference is for an 8 month group (459).

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46. [ & ] Variable-Blend Biodiesel Dispenser (Deppe)

John Deppe, UBC CHBE Sustainability Club   [ & claimed by 479 group, 11 Sept]

UBC has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. Funded by AMS Sustainability, CHBE Sustainability Club's Biodiesel Project (http://blogs.ubc.ca/sustainabilityclub/) seeks to assist UBC in reaching this pledge by displacing diesel fuel zero net-emission biodiesel.  We make biodiesel from campus food services' waste vegetable oil, helping UBC become Waste Free (http://sustain.ubc.ca/campus-initiatives/recycling-waste/waste-free-ubc-committee).

Figure:  The exisitng single-blended setup.    Other photos of the setup in CHBE can be found here:   http://blogs.ubc.ca/sustainabilityclub/2012/07/06/wrestling-barrels/

Currently, we blend 25% biodiesel with 75% petrodiesel in a single barrel, and dispense with a simple biodiesel-compatible pump. We would like to replace our current, very simple, fuel dispenser with one that blends on demand to the customer's specification (range may go from 5% to 100%).  Such an upgrade will help expand our customer base and simplify our operations. Many other universities and biodiesel enthusiasts will be interested in an economical and succesful blend-on-demand design.

A successful design project will provide a dispensing solution that to blend and dispense biodiesel and petrodiesel to a customer's desired volumetric percentage, while providing records of dispensing for billing purposes. We want you to build us a gas station.

Resources Available

Plan to apply to the AMS Sustainability Fund for project funding, with our assistance. In the past, they have been eager to support projects under our aegis. Additional funding may be available from other sustainability-oriented sources. UBC SEEDS will be interested in providing additional support and putting the project in their registry.

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47. [ & ] Measurement tool for Drip Chambers in Anesthesiology (Merchant)

Richard Merchant, MD FRCPC, Anesthesiology, Royal Columbian Hospital.  [ & claimed by 479 group, 10 Sept ]

There is a need for a system to counting drips passing by a drip chamber and calculating the rate at which the volume is passing by.  The drips are in general 10 drops/ml, 15 drops/ml, or 60 drops/ml (so one needs to be able to choose drip size) and of variable rate.   The device I imagined would clip to the chamber, somehow detect drops, and display on a simple display the volume in litres/hr.  Optimally it is a self contained unit powered by a AA battery or similar.  “

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48. Development of a Pressure and Liquid Sensitive Ear Clamp (Hafeli)

Urs Hafeli, UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences

Introduction:

The analysis of drugs in a patient is normally done by taking a blood sample and then analyzing it in the next hospital. Wouldn’t it be convenient to instead just clamp a device onto a patient’s ear which then displays after a short time a number that corresponds to the drug concentration?

Objective:

To design a device that clamps onto the ear of a rabbit, can be adjusted in pressure, and measures the pressure at which it is pressed onto the ear in digital format. Furthermore, a sensor must be added which gives an optical/auditory alarm once tissue liquid is detected.

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49. Projects at the UBC Farm (UBCFarm)

Veronik Campbell,  Academic Coordinator, Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm

Background:

The UBC Farm/Centre for Sustainable Food Systems is a 24 hectare teaching, research, and demonstration farm located on the UBC Vancouver campus.

There are four distinct categories needing improvement at the farm:

(1) Labour intensive processes: tools, manual processes, ergonomics, mechanization, automation, record keeping,

(2) Environmental elements requiring manipulation, control and monitoring: soil, water, heat, light,

(3) Production volume and quality: seeds and seedling planting process, thinning, weeds, pests, disease, harvest, processing, packaging, storage, and

(4) Organization and management: planning, monitoring, recording, data management.

The UBC Farm has suggested that students interested in doing projects with the farm to visit the site, meet with staff members and graduate students, and evaluate evaluate one of the four components above and create a tool/project for improvement.   An example of two potential project topics:

• A hop dehydrator. The UBC Farm has recently began a pretty important organic hop production. The goal is to grow, dry, and sell the hops to homebrewers and ideally to local microbrewery with the hope that one day, we will have a UBC Farm beer. Drying hops is a complex process, where temperature need to be controlled in a specific manner but also complex because the quantity of hops we must dry is enormous and our space resources minimal.  (From Emily Carmichael, perennial plant coordinator)
• Seeding Warming System.  Developing a way of effectively using heat generated by active compost to warm seedlings on a seedling start table. Our thoughts have been to use water tubes to transfer the warmed water from the compost to the table. This is an old idea that requires much refinement.

It is recommended that projects with the farm be limited to 8-month students (459) who are also available in the Sept-Dec term to physically visit the UBC Farm for on-site meetings and project discussion.

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50. 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.  

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51. [ & ] Manipulator Arm System for Characterizing Large-Area Photosensors  (Tanaka)

Hirohisa Tanaka, UBC Physics and Astronomy    [ & claimed by 479 group, 7 Sept ]

Project Objectives, Background and Scope

Super-Kamiokande (and its proposed successor, Hyper-Kamiokande) is a large water Cherenkov detector situated in a mine in the Japanese Alps to detect the neutrinos from the sun, the atmosphere, and an accelerator complex on the eastern coast of Japan. The detector consists of over eleven thousand 20 inch photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) (the largest of its kind) set on the periphery of a 30 kilotonne volume of water to look for Cherenkov radiation emitted from charge particles produced in neutrino interactions. A detailed characterization of the performance of these PMTs is needed to understand the overall performance of the detector.

To this end, a large 3D manipulator system is being constructed at TRIUMF to study these properties of the PMTs. The system consists of a large vessel of water in which to place a PMT in an optical environment that matches the Super-Kamiokande environment, two manipulator arms to position a light source and detector at any position and direction within the vessel, and shielding to reduce magnetic fields from the Earth and the TRIUMF cyclotron, which affect the performance of the PMT.

The proposed project is to develop the control system for the manipulator arm, which are effected via a set of motors controlled by a commercial motor control board. In addition to building a user interface to allow basic positioning and rotation control of the arms, the system should also check and warn against commands that may result in the collision between the arms or with the PMT or vessel. Feedback and correction mechanisms are also needed to ensure that the manipulator actually reaches the requested configuration. Finally, a calibration sequence to verify the accuracy of the overall position and rotation is needed.

The goal of the project is to conduct a magnetic field survey within the vessel using the manipulator and control system with a Hall probe mounted on the manipulator. Read-out and data acquisition for the probe also needs to be developed.

Design and Analysis

The basic mechanical design and assembly of the manipulator arm is in place. We hope to achieve better than 1 mm precision in positioning the arms and better than 1 degree precision in the two rotation planes.

Resources available

The project will take place at TRIUMF, where there are extensive resources for hardware development (tools, materials, machining, electronics, etc.) as well as technical support for software and controls development. Budget for incidental costs (wiring, miscellaneous parts, etc.) exists. More substantial redesign of the system can also be considered if it can be demonstrated to substantially improve performance.

Expected Technical Background

Strong programming skills in C and C++, along with experience with basic electronics and circuitry are necessary. Background and experience in robotics, remote manipulation of mechanical systems, etc. is helpful. There is the option to develop a Labview-based user interface, in which case Labview experience would obviously be useful.

Preference for 4-month or 8-month group

A 4-month group is preferred, though 8-month is also possible with some discussion and redefinition of the project goals.

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52. [ & ] Four Projects from Titanoboa (Titanoboa)

Charlie Brinson,Titanoboa Project   [ & Project #1 claimed by 459 group, 21 Sept.  Others are free ]

Background

Titanoboa is a 35 ft long electro-mechanical serpent built as an independent project in 2011 by a crew of engineers, artists, students and fabricators led by Charlie Brinson, co-creator of the Mondo Spider and supported by eatART. It is powered by lithium polymer batteries, electric motors, hydraulics, and Arduino microcontrollers all mounted on a custom welded aluminum spine. While 35ft of the full 50ft frame is complete and basic slithering motion has been achieved, there is much work still to be done to help Titanoboa be all that it can be. The machine has only ever been run at 25-40% power and has yet to complete side-winding motion. Help our team unleash Titanoboa’s full potential!

Resources Available

1. Giant snake for testing upgrades.
2. Access to the eatART lab with electronics, metal working, and general fabrication tools.
3. Team of engineers, designers and fabricators with detailed knowledge of how the full scale Titanoboa was built, the physics of snake motion and empirical data gathered so far from machine operation.
4. Some key pieces of hardware such as Arduinos, android devices, general metal fabrication tools.

Project 1:   Design and building of a scale model robotic snake of Titanoboa to enable easy study of the larger machine operation.

Objectives / Description

1. Must be as similar to the 20 vertebrae, machine as possible. A list will be provided to prioritize which aspects are essential to reproduce and which are not as important.
2. The robot will be used immediately to perform experiments and learn more about snake motion dynamics. The full machine weights ~500kg and needs a large open area for testing. It would therefore be very beneficial to have a scale model to easily perform various tests with.
3. Based on design of large Titanoboa, students will have to show quantitative design of mini-boa vertebrae and components to ensure proper performance and then build / assemble them.

Expected Technical Background

1. Excellent knowledge of robots and hands on building experience. Ideally solidworks design skills.
2. Experience working with arduino microcontrollers.
3. Solid knowledge of physics necessary to understand the basic biomechanics of snake locomotion.

Preference for 4-month

Project 2:  Quantitative analysis and modeling of Titanoboa system efficiency, controls, and user interface to optimize machine operation.

Objectives / Description

1. Analyze Titanoboa propulsion system to determine how to most effectively control the snake to achieve greatest efficiency of motion.
2. Take in to account component specs and factors such as electric motor and pump efficiency, hydraulic pressure required for propulsion, easiest potential measurement points.
3. Work with design team to determine operational requirements based on experience so far.
4. Make suggestions for or adaptations to the control interface based on conclusions of analysis.
5. Help implement suggested upgrades and control strategies to enable Titanoboa to become faster, more efficient and capable of tackling more varied terrain.
6. This work will greatly help the Titanoboa team move the machine into the next phase of trying to perform different modes of propulsion and tackle variable terrain.
7. Students will need to perform analysis on the system involving multiple disciplines from software, electronics, power electrical, hydraulics, and mechanics of motion.
8. Students will need to perform calculations and model the system using a variety of inputs including component specs, empirical data, observed trends, past results from physics simulation models used for design calculations, and in some cases educated assumptions.

Expected Technical Background

1. Good basic knowledge of power electronics and electric motors, hydraulics.
2. Experience working with arduino microcontrollers.
3. Solid knowledge of physics necessary to understand the basic biomechanics of snake locomotion.
4. Ideally some work with matlab.

Project 3. Creation of a Virtual Simulator to run Arduino code and model the physical mechanics of the snake, preferably in C/C++, using openGL utilities and be cross platform compatible.

Objectives / Description

1. Build a testing simulator to run our Arduino code to model the snake motion, without needing the full snake machine.
2. Build simulator to represent as closely as possible the real snake and give as much information as possible having to wake up the Beast.
3. This simulator will greatly speed up the development of code to control Titanoboa and provide one of the key tools necessary to realize the potential for alternative gaits, and all terrain operation.
4. The full machine weights ~500kg and needs a large open area for testing. It would therefore be very beneficial to have a virtual simulator to run Arduino code enabling software development independent of full machine tests.
5. Students will have to learn about how the machine is constructed and the control architecture and develop a way to simulate interaction with the real machine.

Expected Technical Background

1. Work with Arduino, C/C++, processing,

Preference for 4-month

Project 4:   Develop an Android application to wirelessly communicate with the Titanoboa to perform diagnostics, display real time 3D visualizations, and control the snake.

Objectives / Description

1. A data viewing application will enable us to more easily gather information on the fly during testing. Touchscreen capability will allow us to easily adapt functionality of controls based on various requirements.
2. Based partly on prior work, build android application for getting diagnostic information and to execute control of Titanoboa from a tablet or smart phone via wifi.
3. Using values from Titanoboa’s onboard instrumentation, display operation information and calculated  values like efficiencies and power consumptions.
4. Enable control of Titanoboa via this application

Expected Technical Background

1. Work with Arduino, C/C++, android development and wifi communication.

Preference for 4-month

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53. [ & ] Three projects from MistyWest (MistyWest)

MistyWest   [ & Project 1  claimed by 459 group, 21 Sept ]

MistyWest is an innovative engineering consulting company based out of Vancouver, Canada with very strong Engphys Representation in its founders and employees.  MistyWest specializes in the research and design of sustainable energy and transport products, solutions and policies.

Project 1. Smart Water Saver

Project Objectives

To develop a system for modifying the schedule and flow output of automatic garden watering systems based on rain fall data and for user feedback of water saved. With the support of MistyWest, this project will involve the conceptual design, prototype development, and testing of the water system attachment. The prototype should be designed to attach to any standard garden tap or watering system.

Expected Outcome

Protoype design may include (but not limited to);

1. Device for collecting and measuring rain water
2. Processing unit for calculating desired watering flow-rate and schedule
3. Electronic control valve
4. Sustainable power management (solar or flow powered)
5. Web-based GUI for viewing data/managing schedule

Project 2. Deployable Solar Bike Trailer

Project Objective

To develop a simple deployable solar assembly with power inverter and battery conditioning system. The assembly is to be mounted to a bike trailer and have the ability to collapse and stow for delivery by bike.

Expected Outcome

Prototype design may include (but not limited to);

1. Simple mechanical deployment or assembly for solar array
2. Battery charge conditioning system (monitor battery condition and include programmed charge conditioning cycles)
3. Display battery capacity, condition, and power up-time (based on draw from electronics currently plugged in)

Project 3. Energy Monitoring Power Socket

Project Objectives

To develop a solution for wireless energy monitoring and remote control of AC power sockets. This project will replace an existing AC power socket with a smart socket that has the ability to monitor the power usage from individual receptacles and allow the user to remotely disconnect power from a unique receptacle. Power management should be available remotely via web app.

Expected Outcome

Prototype design may include (but not limited to);

1. Wireless protocol for communicating each receptacle to a central hub
2. Electro-mechanical method for remotely disconnecting power at the receptacle
3. Web based solution for viewing and interacting with the smart socket

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54. [ % ] Two projects from Precision NanoSystems (PrecisionNanoSystems)

Precision NanoSystems  [ %  full project descriptions 4 Sept ]

Project 1:   Tablet based user interface nanoparticle formulation

Precision NanoSystems is an early stage spin out from the Cullis lab at UBC. We are currently developing an automated system for next generation nanoparticles.

We are currently looking into improvements to the user interface of our instrumentation. One option we are considering is to use a commercial tablet, probably an android model, as a controller for our instrument. Your task would be to:

• Design and implement prototype electronics to allow our instrument to interface with a tablet  
• Design and implement a prototype user interface and obtain feedback from users

1. Applicable skills:

• User interface design
• Software design

• Digital electronics
• Experience with stepper motors & drivers
• PCB design

Project 2  -  Instrumentation for Large Scale Nanoparticle Formulation

Precision NanoSystems is an early stage spin out from the Cullis lab at UBC. We are currently developing an automated system for formulating next generation nanoparticles that can be used to treat a number of significant medical conditions.

As our research partners develop new formulations using our technology, the need will arise to be able to produce particles with the same characteristics at larger scales as they had at bechtop scales. Our current benchtop systems use a single microfluidic mixer which will need to be parallelized to achieve larger scales. This will have to be matched with a higher capacity pumping system and other instrumentation. The specifics of the project could be tailored to match the interest and strengths of the group. A few possible tasks for the project group are:

• Design and build a prototype, high precision, continuous flow pumping system using a set of reciprocating syringe pumps
• Fabricate and test parallelized microfluidic devices
• Design and build other instrumentation and automation such as reagent loading, outlet switching and cleaning

2. Applicable skills:

• General aptitude in mechatronics and familiarity in the machine shop
• Basic understanding of fluid mechanics
• Programming of instrumentation
• Interest in micro and nanotechnology

         A single mixer microfluidic chip                             An OEM syringe pump

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55. Weight and heart rate monitor  (Isbasescu)

Miti Isbasescu

Background

Long duration trends in both heart rate and weight of individuals are good indicators of potential heart failure conditions. A short visit to the doctor cannot reveal such long term patterns. Additionally the fact that current monitoring devices require the active participation of the person being monitored (i.e. most heart rate monitors require the user to place a monitoring device either on their chest or wrist) does not help either. The overhead of attaching a device to one's body often results in the person skipping measurements and stopping acquiring data in the long term altogether. This project's proposed device is meant to be an inconspicuous, passive weight and heart rate monitor which would address both of these issues of long term monitoring and unobtrusive data measurements. One possible use case scenario would be to have one of these devices placed in front of the bathroom sink. When a user uses the sink (i.e. during their morning or evening bathroom activities) the device would record their weight and heart rate data and store it. As an extension project would be adding functionality to this device to transfer the measured data over WiFi to a server and analyse and display observed trends.

For this project both weight and heart rate measurements are done by use of an electronic scale. The more difficult heart rate "weight" measurement technique takes advantage of the transfer of vertical momentum the blood pumped during one heart contraction imparts on the human body. The topology of the aorta (the blood vessel that carries blood out of the heart) consists of an ascending segment, a tight 180 degree turn and a descending segment. As blood leaves the left ventricle it is ejected upwards into the aorta which results in a downward force on the heart which should be measured as an "increase in the weight" of the individual. As the blood flows around the 180 degree aortic arch its flow is redirected downwards which results in an upward force on the body of the individual which should then be measurable as a "decrease in the weight" of the individual.

Papers which have similar implementations:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20526027 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22318479 

Project Objectives

The outcome of the project is a proof-of-concept scale that can measure both weight and heart rate of average individuals (not too heavy, not too light, not too tall nor too short, varying widths are acceptable).

Design, analysis and expected technical background

The main difficulty of the project is creating a weight scale with adequate dynamic range, resolution and bandwidth to acquire the variations in the weight of an individual resulting from blood flow out of the heart.

Developers would have a strong interest in programming micro-controllers (LabView might also do the trick for the initial prototyping), analog signal conditioning (electronics design), DSP, and a pinch of mechanical design.

Resources available

No lab facilities - other than the ones in the Eng-Phys project lab - can be provided. Design advice is available if needed.

Duration

The project is conducive to a 4 month endeavour for the proof-of-concept phase. And an 8 month duration if integration of WiFi and long term trend analysis functionality is added.

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56. Starter System and Controller for Inverter-Generator (Zender)

Bernhard Zender, UBC Engineering Physics

Background:

Modern portable generators are relatively silent, powered by four-stroke engines that operate at variable speeds to adjust to different loads. Inverters are used to generate a sinusoidal output with appropriate voltage and a constant frequency. However, these generators are manually started and stopped, and often idle in between load demands, wasting fuel.

Expected Outcome:

For this project, the task is to convert an inverter-generator from a recoil-start system to electric start, using the internal generator in reverse, and add a controller for operation with an external battery. Power circuitry to drive the generator as starter motor will be designed and built. The Arduino-based controller will allow the end user to set basic parameters.

Resources Available:

Inverter-Generator with schematics, external battery, Arduino.

This project is available for 479 students only.

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57. Hand-Held Battery Powered Spot Welder (Zender)

Bernhard Zender, UBC Engineering Physics

Background:

Resistive spot welding is an easy and convenient way to join steel sheet metal parts. Basic spot welders consist of a transformer to reduce voltage and increase current to levels best for the task. A timer allows the user to set the duration of the welding pulse, which gives some control over the quality of the weld. Welders like this are cheap, but usually bulky and not at all flexible or even portable.

Battery technology in recent years has seen massive improvements in capacity, power and cycle life. A high-performance battery as used in RC helicopters weighing less than 300 grams can output currents of hundreds of amps without getting damaged.

Expected Outcome:

Design, build and test the power circuitry to reliably control short pulses of high current. Build a hand-held unit that contains battery, controller, and electrodes. It should be easy to use and have build-in safeguards to avoid current overload or user mistakes. A battery monitor will tell the user when the battery needs charging.

Resources Available:

Lithium polymer battery rated for 850 amps, Arduino, copper electrodes, 8 AWG wire.

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58. Five Projects from UBC Sailbot  (UBCSailbot)

UBC Sailbot Team.   [ %  added Sept 4th ]

Introduction:

In June of 2012 the International Robotic Sailing Championship was held at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club here in Vancouver, BC. Our UBC Engineering Team, UBC SailBot, won this event with a record-setting 47 out of 50 points. With US Naval Academy having won this event 3 years in a row, it was especially sweet for the UBC SailBot team to win the event in Canadian water. Based on our experience in 2012 we have identified a number of engineering projects that need to be successfully executed by our team in order to ensure the Championship win in 2013.

The competition involves the design and construction of high tech 2 Metre long robotic sailing craft which is autonomously controlled by a sophisticated onboard navigation and control system. The design, construction and code development for this control system is a major part of the challenge.  GPS navigation and other onboard sensors provide input to an onboard microprocessor which outputs control signals to sail control and steering servos. Performance of the autonomously controlled craft is monitored on a shore based laptop which receives real time performance data via a 900 MHz telemetry transceiver system.

Project 1  -  Design and build a high efficiency keel foil for use in Robotic Sailing competition  (project description PDF)

Designing the keel foil shape and structure for a robotic sailboat is an extremely complex structural and hydrodynamic challenge. The foil has a span of more than 1.25 M and features a 10 Kg Lead bulb on its lower end. The chord length at the top is roughly 65mm and 33 mm at the bottom. The target foil thickness is 7-10% top and bottom. It is desirable to make the foil as light as possible (target weight 2.4 kg) but it is inevitable that the stresses in the foil will be close to their limits and a careful FEA analysis will be essential. Materials chosen may include metal (e.g.: 17-4 PH stainless steel) or high modulus unidirectional carbon fiber. The design challenge is to keep the foil sectional area low to minimize hydrodynamic drag while keeping the structure within allowable fiber stress and limiting the tip deflection to 50mm+/- as the boat heels to 30 degrees under sail.

Torsional stability is also an issue since rotational oscillations in the keel bulb are very detrimental to performance. Finally, the design produced must be capable of being built in a practical and cost effective manner. – Overall, a deceptively simple but very complex challenge: A 4 foot long wing, 1 1⁄2” wide and 3/16” thick at the tip with a 25 pound lead bulb attached pounding through 3 foot high seas at a 30 degree heel angle ---.

Project 2  - Design and build a sensor system that will determine which tack a boat is on in Robotic Sailing competition (project description PDF)

This project idea consists of designing and building a system for detecting what tack the sailbot is on, either by means of mechanical methods, electrical methods, or a combination of the two. By having a system like this implemented in the sailbot we will be able to sail much more effective by having a frame of reference for the programming to base the next logical step on.

Project 3  -  Analyze and design an overall power system for onboard use in Robotic Sailing competition (project description PDF)

To improve the longevity of the sailbot in long-distance sailing we need to create a more energy- effective electronics system. This could also include having some sort of onboard power generation by for example solar power.

Project 4  -  Design and produce a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for laptop display of telemetry data for use in Robotic Sailing competition (project description PDF)

An effective Graphical User Interface for the UBC Engineering team’s autonomous sailbot will allow much more effective data transfer between the boat and the shore based laptop. Data transmission to the sailbot during competition is forbidden by the rules but before starting each race many programmed variables affecting performance are optimized and sent from the shore to the boat. During competition the shore side team can monitor performance of the boat and its equipment by following a large number of read outs from the data stream sent via the 900 MHz telemetry system. The GUI will display GPS data regarding position speed and heading, sail and rudder position information and wind direction data. The input pages of the GUI will allow GPS waypoints to be set, sailing course headings to be selected and sail trim options for existing wind speed conditions to be made. A well designed GUI will allow the UBC sailbot team to make the quick and accurate decisions called for in order to capture the 2013 International Robotic Sailing Championship.

Project 5  -  Design and build an Obstacle Avoidance system for use in robotic sailboat.   (project description PDF)

Looking towards the future of the sailbot competition we believe that designing and building an obstacle avoidance system, small enough to fit discreetly on the 2 meter sailbot, is key to the next generation autonomous sailboats and other marine vessels.

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59. [ & ]Photoacoustic Tissue Imaging  (Tang)

Dr. Shuo Tang, Electrical and Computer Engineering  [ %  added Sept 4th ]    [ & claimed by 479 group, 7 Sept ]

Photoacoustic imaging is an emerging field which can perform non-invasive, functional imaging for up to several centimeters in live tissues. In photoacoustic imaging, high energy laser pulses are delivered to tissues. Upon absorbing the laser pulses, ultrasound waves are generated due to localized heating and thermal expansion. An ultrasound detector array collects the ultrasound waves. 2D or 3D images can be reconstructed based on beam scanning and detection of the time-of-flight of the ultrasound waves. Photoacoustic imaging can be used in combination with ultrasound imaging, where ultrasound will provide structural imaging and photoacoustic will provide functional imaging of the distribution of total hemoglobin and blood oxygenation. The application areas include cancer detection and brain study.

The aim of this project is to develop a photoacoustic imaging system and image reconstruction algorithms. Students will become familiar with pulsed lasers, ultrasound equipment, data acquisition, image reconstruction, and tissue imaging.

A previous Engphys project group from 2010/11 worked with Dr. Tang in this area, you can review their project report here to review the relevant background and type of info related to the project..

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60. Microsoft Kinect: detecting obstacles in a wide field of view  (Mitchell)

61. Microsoft Kinect: mounting calibration  (Mitchell)

Ian Mitchell, UBC Department of Computer Science   [ %  added Sept 4th ]

Independent mobility is a key factor in quality of life, and powered wheelchairs (PWC) offer mobility to persons with significant physical impairments.  However, because of the damage these large, heavy machines can cause, persons with even mild cognitive or sensory impairments are often not allowed to use them.  Intelligent robotic automobiles are already being tested on urban streets, but a major challenge in transitioning this technology to a PWC is the high cost of sensor systems.  Fortunately, there is the Microsoft Kinect: an inexpensive, image-based sensor system originally designed for video games.  These two projects involve finding, modifying and/or writing software to enable the use of the Kinect for tasks important to constructing an intelligent PWC.

Project #1: Detecting obstacles in a wide field of view

OBJECTIVES & SCOPE:

In a previous Eng Phys project, students developed software which detects nearby obstacles (eg: anything that is not the floor) using the Kinect.  The goal of this project is to extend the previous results into a wider field of view by using multiple Kinect cameras appropriately mounted on the PWC and appropriately synchronized.  Mounting and synchronization are important because the Kinect uses an active infrared pattern generator as part of its depth mapping system, and it is possible that having multiple cameras pointed at the same space will cause interference.  Furthermore, the Kinect is unable to detect obstacles that are too close to the camera.

The robotics community has embraced the Kinect sensor, and consequently there is extensive software already available for it.  In particular, for this project students will use ROS (www.ros.org), an open-source robotics software platform / operating system which provides drivers and many packages for dealing with data from the Kinect.

RESOURCES:

We have one Kinect dedicated to the project, and can easily get additional cameras for testing once a prototype system is in place.  We have an instrumented, computer controlled PWC with mounting hardware for the Kinect.  We have a report and software from last year's project team.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND:

Experience with C++ is necessary to work with ROS.  Some basic linear algebra, probability and statistics is used in some of the existing floor detection algorithms.  Using the Kinect through ROS is straightforward.  Students can expect to learn how to use ROS and some state estimation algorithms from computer vision, robotics and control during the project.

Project #2: Mounting Calibration

OBJECTIVES & SCOPE:

The cloud of 3D points that the Kinect sensor uses to describe what it sees in the environment is measured relative to the sensor.  In order to achieve safe and free motion in the presence of the obstacles, it is important to know where those obstacles are with respect to the PWC; therefore, it is important to determine the transformation between the Kinect's coordinate system and the PWC's.  Physically measuring this relationship is time-consuming, prone to error, and likely impossible for typical PWC users, so we would like to determine it using only information from the Kinect and other PWC sensors in a manner that could be regularly repeated.  The most likely approach would be to move the PWC in some simple fashion and compare this motion with the motion visible to the Kinect.

RESOURCES:

We have a Kinect.  We have an instrumented, computer controlled PWC with mounting hardware for the Kinect on which to test the system.  There are several packages in ROS for determining motion of the Kinect, motion of the PWC, and coordinate transformations.  We have a report on some preliminary work that was done this past summer by an Eng Phys coop summer student.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND:

Experience with C++ is necessary to work with ROS.  Likely algorithms will require some knowledge of linear algebra and elementary statistics.  Using the Kinect through ROS is straightforward.  Students can expect to learn how to use ROS and some state estimation algorithms from computer vision, robotics and control during the project.

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62. [ & ]  Video Recording of Wheelchair Training Sessions on an Android Tablet (Mitchell)

Ian Mitchell, UBC Department of Computer Science   [ %  added Sept 4th ]  [ & claimed by 479 group, 12 Sept ]

OBJECTIVES & SCOPE:

Many users of manual wheelchairs (MWC) receive little or no training in how to best use their devices.  The Wheelchair Skills Program (WSP) has proven to be an effective intervention for improving MWC mobility across a variety of ages, diagnoses and settings; however, it currently requires 5-15 hours of training with a therapist at a rehab center.  Our team is currently developing a training program designed for delivery on the new generation of tablet computers.  The idea is that by following directions provided by the tablet, MWC users and their caregivers can independently learn, practice, and progress through a training regime designed by a remote therapist, and while they practice the tablet will collect information about the quantity and quality of the training sessions so that the therapist can monitor and adjust the regime.

Our prototype app is lacking one key feature: a method for taking video recordings of the training session.  What we need is some kind of inexpensive remote camera which can connect wirelessly to the tablet, can be started and stopped from the tablet, and can store video files on the tablet (for later transmission to the therapist).  It is expected that most of these features are available in commercial products; they just need to be integrated into our tablet prototype.

RESOURCES:

We have a Motorola Xoom tablet with 802.11 and bluetooth wireless connectivity.  We have funds to purchase a camera once a suitable product is identified.  We have a report detailing some preliminary attempts by a summer student to accomplish this task.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND:

Android tablets are programmed in Java.  Familiarity with mobile computing platforms and/or digital wireless video would be useful but not necessary.  Students can expect to learn elementary Android programming.

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63. Web-based Citation Comparison of Scientific Computing Research Articles (Mitchell)

Ian Mitchell, UBC Department of Computer Science   [ %  added Sept 4th ]

Computer programs are increasingly used to process large amounts of raw data in complex ways in modern scientific research.  Unfortunately, a number of high profile incidents has made it increasingly clear that results stemming from such processing is often not as repeatable as might be desired.  One prominent recent example was the "ClimateGate" scandal that arose in late 2009 when a server the Climate Research Unit at East Anglia University was hacked and thousands of emails and files were publically leaked.  While many review committees have subsequently found no evidence of scientific misconduct, it did become clear that the researchers were sometimes unable to locate or recreate analyses from previously published papers (see "harry_read_me.txt").

Reproducible research is a movement to try to correct this problem in the computational and data sciences.  The idea is that a publication in these fields is merely an advertisement for the actual scientific contribution: the code and/or data.  Consequently, this code and/or data must be made available in addition to the traditional publication.

While reproducible research has considerable support from many groups within the computational and data sciences, a concern that is often raised is that reproducibility requires extra effort from the researcher, effort that is wasted in a community that values grants and publications above all else.  The goal of this project is to attempt to quantify whether reproducible publications are worth additional effort, at least in the field of numerical computing.

OBJECTIVES & SCOPE:

Researchers in scientific computing have several top tier journals which have been publishing articles for many decades.  One of these journals has had a special category of papers which required submission of the code associated with the research.  We would like to compare the citation count for articles in this category with the counts for other articles from the same journal as well as contemporary articles from other journals.  Citation count -- the number of subsequent papers that cite the paper in question -- is an commonly used measure of the impact of a research publication.

Article metadata (eg: title, authors, publication date, etc) and citation counts are available from a variety of websites.  The challenge in this project is to write programs capable of locating and extracting this information into a simple database for further analysis.

RESOURCES:

UBC students have access to all of the relevant websites through the UBC library system.  The programming and analysis should not require anything more than a standard laptop / desktop.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND:

Experience with web programming, or a willingness to learn.

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64. [ & ] Trans-perineal prostate biopsy system  (Salcudean)

Dr. Tim Salcudean, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering [ % added Sept 5 ]   [ & claimed by 459 group, 21 Sept ]

Prostate cancer is diagnosed when the biopsy results confirm the presence of cancerous cells. Prostate cancer biopsy involves collecting tissue cores from the prostate using a needle under trans-rectal ultrasound guidance. The goal of the physician who performs the biopsy is to provide a systematic sampling of the prostate, as cancer can appear anywhere in the prostate.

Prostate biopsy is carried out under trans-rectal ultrasound. The tissue samples are also collected trans-rectally, by using biopsy needles that are aligned with the ultrasound transducer.  We would like to make the biopsy more accurate and less prone to infection by using biopsy needles inserted transperineally.  Such an approach would require that the biopsy needle be inserted in an arbitrary manner relative to the ultrasound transducer (the transducer and needle are no longer aligned).  We are looking for a solution that provides accurate tracking of the biopsy needle relative to the ultrasound transducer, and this solution may require the design or use of a small lockable sensorized arm.

Trans-perineal biopsy may also require a biopsy “gun” (an instrument that propels the needle to the target) that has a larger range than available on the market.  Upon completion of the project, we expect a working prototype that will be evaluated using prostate tissue phantoms.

We will provide the equipment for this project (ultrasound machine, transducers, transducer holders, fixtures, optical/magnetic trackers), access to image processing software and funding for components and machining.

The proposed approach to this problem can take many forms. The group will be involved in the design decisions from the beginning, and will have the opportunity to discuss in detail the clinical needs with the physicians in our clinical supervisory team.

There will be a supervisory committee including Profs Salcudean and Rohling and medical experts, Dr. Morris from the BC Cancer Agency and Drs. Nguan and Machan from the UBC hospital.

Preference for 8-month project students (459)

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65. An elasticity mapping system for the carotid artery (Salcudean)

Dr. Tim Salcudean, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering [ % added Sept 5 ]

Non-invasive carotid artery examination based on ultrasound imaging can be carried out to identify patients who are at greater risk of stroke. Such screening involves the mapping of the carotid from the clavicle to the jaw with B-mode and Doppler ultrasound.  Vessel narrowing, abnormal flow, and the presence of plaque in the carotid walls are some of the signs that the physicians are looking for.

We are interested in developing a non-invasive tool for producing accurate elasticity maps of the carotid in an effort to identify plaque. This tool will involve the accurate measurement of carotid vessels thickness through the cardiac cycle. To scan the carotid artery, a simple mechanical motion stage will be build to move the ultrasound transducer. While more general robotic solutions have been proposed in the past, we are looking at a simple and cost effective solution. The goal is to obtain a three dimensional map of elasticity or other related mechanical parameter that can be correlated to disease.  The project involves electromechanical design, signal processing of the acquired ultrasound images, and the development of a user interface for the scan.

Upon completion, we expect a working prototype that will be evaluated for repeatability in healthy volunteers.

We will provide the equipment needed for this project (ultrasound machine, transducers), access to needed ultrasound image processing software, funding for components and machining needed, and supervision.

The proposed approach to this problem can take many forms. The group will be involved in the design decisions from the beginning, and will have the opportunity to discuss in detail the clinical needs with the physician in the supervisory team, Dr. Machan.

Supervisory team:
Professors Tim Salcudean, ECE, Professor Robert Rohling, ECE and Mech, Dr. Lindsay Machan, Radiology, UBC.

Preference for 8-month project students (459)

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66. Calibration of electromagnetic sensors to be used in image-guided surgery  (Salcudean)

Dr. Tim Salcudean, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering  [ % added Sept 5 ]

Electromagnetic sensors such as those from Ascension or NDI are small devices that use magnetic fields for 6DOF position and orientation sensing. There has been an increased activity related to these devices since they have been miniaturized to fit into needles, ultrasound transducers, and small instruments.

However, such electromagnetic trackers are greatly influenced by the presence of metallic objects, such as, for example, the large surgery tables where they might be used.

The project consist of using an optical tracker or a camera tracker to calibrate an electromagnetic sensor, by moving the objects in the field of view of the optical tracker.

Students are required to program in C++ and design and build small fixtures for a usable calibration system. The approach used will be from published literature, but new creative approaches are also encouraged. The calibration accuracy will be tested in the operating room, with various conditions such as the use of a surgical robot (da Vinci) in the proximity of the sensor. You will learn about electromagnetic sensors (Ascension types invented at UBC, BTW!), optical trackers and image guided medical interventions.

Preference for 8-month project students (459)

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67. Tool for Measuring Breathing Cycle During Radiation Therapy (BCCA)

Brad Gill, BC Cancer Agency / Dr. Tim Salcudean, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering [ % added Sept 5 ]

Body motion associated with breathing is problematic for the delivery of precision radiotherapy of some cancers.  Including this motion into a treatment plan involves the real-time measurement of a subject's breathing cycle.  A prototype device has shown that measurement of the breath cycle can be accomplished using a speaker and microphone placed on the body.  The proposed project would be to improve this device's signal processing, and develop a user interface that would facilitate further study of this technique.

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68. Skin Contour Correction During CT Scans (BCCA)

Brad Gill, BC Cancer Agency / Dr. Tim Salcudean, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering [ % added Sept 5 ]

Computed Tomography (CT) scanning is extensively used in radiation therapy to provide virtual versions of patients that can be used to design custom radiation treatments.   Of particular importance to treatment planning is the skin surface.  Problems for planning occur when the scanned patient's surface extends outside of the CT scanner's range.  Motion Capture technology based on a hand-held probe and a room-based camera system could be used to correct missing skin contours prior to radiation therapy planning.  This project would involve the creation of a user interface to allow surface contour correction for a set of medical images taken of a phantom.  A system for triggering the collection of a surface point based on the probe's position in real time will also need to be devised.

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69. Design for Manufacture:  2000+ amplfiers for Chime Experiment (Halpern)

Mark Halpern, UBC Physics and Astronomy  [ % added Sept  7 ]

Chime, the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment, is a proposed novel radio telescope designed to map the expansion history of the universe over the redshift range 2:5  z  0:7.   The proposed telescope installation will be big - five 100m-long cylinders, each 20m in diameter, and each with 500 discrete antennaes which require a separate amplifier circuit, a total of 2000 (and some spare) amplifier circuits to be manufactured for the project.

Figure:   Prototype amplifier circuit inside of RF-shielded box.

Making one prototype amplfier is easy, with current costs in the range of $100 per box ( $18 for each connector, $15 for each filter, $40 for the machinist to make the box ), meaning total costs are on the order of a quarter million dollars for all amplfiier circuits for Chime.    The design challenge for the team is to review all components of the circuit and reduce costs for final manufacturing while still meeting the required performance specifications for RF shielding, connector quality, reliability, and time of manufacture.  

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70. Experiments in social signal processing (Leung)

Dr. Cyril Leung, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering  [ % added Sept  10 ]

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 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.

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71. Methods for Monitoring of Human Movement (Leung)

Dr. Cyril Leung, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering  [ % added Sept  10 ]

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.

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72. Energy conservation and management tools for the home (Leung)

Dr. Cyril Leung, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering  [ % added Sept  10 ]

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.

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73. An Electronic White Cane for the Visually Impaired (Leung)

Dr. Cyril Leung, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering  [ % added Sept  10 ]

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 :

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

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74. Error Control Coding for Flash Memory (Leung)

Dr. Cyril Leung, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering  [ % added Sept  10 ]

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, ..."

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75. Three Projects from UBC ERacing Team (ERacing)

UBC Electric Racing Team  [ % added Sept  11 ]

ERacing is a student team started by the Eng Phys department with the goal of developing a purely electric competitive race car. We are starting with an open-wheeled formula ford chassis and will be competing in autocross events locally over the coming year. We plan to eventually expand to national and international events and other formats of racing. Our project space is in the new Engineering Design Center, and we have PAF funding to develop the car. We are sponsoring the following projects:

Project 1   Weatherproof enclosure:

The car contains batteries, an electric motor, motor controller, relay and cabling, all of which need to be protected from rain and dirt ingress, largely as a result of tire spray. The electronic components are mounted behind the driver and require a means of weatherproofing; however, the motor in particular requires air cooling. An additional consideration is that the batteries may release enough hydrogen to build up pressure inside a sealed enclosure, so this project seeks to design a system of weatherproofing which allows for optimal air currents to flow through.

Project 2    Active camber:

We eventually would like to adapt the car’s suspension system to accommodate several active elements, including active camber. The central idea would be to create a scaled-down prototype of a system capable of tilting the car’s wheels during cornering to maximize the contact patch and normal force between tire and road.

Project 3    Shift by wire:

We would eventually like to convert the car’s transmission into a servo-actuated system that would shift gears quickly, efficiently and with minimal driver effort. This project would require eventual interfacing with our existing transmission, but could be prototyped in the lab.

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76. 3D Imaging Transducer for Prostate Biopsy Procedures  (Salcudean)

Dr. Tim Salcudean, UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering  [ % added Sept 12 ]

Prostate cancer is diagnosed when the biopsy results confirm the presence of cancerous cells. Prostate cancer biopsy involves collecting tissue cores from the prostate using a needle under trans-rectal ultrasound guidance. The goal of the physician who performs the biopsy is to provide a systematic sampling of the prostate, as cancer can appear anywhere in the prostate. Prostate biopsy is carried out under trans-rectal ultrasound. The tissue samples are also collected trans-rectally, by using biopsy needles that are aligned with the ultrasound transducer.

In this project, we would like to improve the imaging of the prostate and render it as a volume using a 3D "end-firing" prostate biopsy transducer. The transducer has a convex imaging array that acquires a planar sector image. The imaging array is swept by a stepper motor. Ultrasound echos are essentially collected in a spherical coordinate system. In the project, you will (i) port software from another convex 3D transducer to the prostate-specific one in order to allow it to not only take conventional images but also produce images of tissue stiffness, (ii) design a user interface that renders the volume imaged so that planning of the systematic biopsy becomes easier.

We will provide the equipment for this project (ultrasound machine, 3D prostate biopsy transducer, access to 3D printing), and access to image processing software that has already been developed in our group.

The group will be involved in the design decisions from the beginning, and will have the opportunity to discuss in detail the clinical needs with the physicians in our clinical supervisory team.

There will be a supervisory committee including Profs Salcudean and Rohling and medical experts, Drs. Machan and Chang from VGH.

Preference for 8-month project students.

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77. A device for guiding laparoscopic surgeries in the vicinity of the ureter (NguanMacleod)

Christopher Nguan MD FRCSC  - Assistant Professor, Dept of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver General Hospital / Director, STELLAR facility

Ben Macleod, UBC Engineering Physics.

The ureter is a small, delicate, compliant tube which carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder

Various types of surgery take place in the vicinity of the ureter.  A key task for surgeons during these procedures is to locate the ureter so it can be avoided as they cut through tissue to the target area of the surgery.  The location of the ureter must be monitored throughout the entire procedure to ensure that it is not accidentally damaged by maneuvers such as incisions and electro-cauterizations; Damaging the ureter can lead to severe complications.  

Unfortunately, due to its small size, softness and indistinctive appearance, the ureter can be very difficult for surgeons to locate (and avoid).

During conventional (open) surgical procedures, finding and monitoring the location of the ureter can be facilitated by putting a moderately stiff plastic catheter inside the ureter – this makes it easier for the surgeon to find by feeling for the stiffness of the catheter with his fingers.  Unfortunately, this technique is of no help in laparoscopic procedures (keyhole surgeries) where the surgeon has no haptic feedback (sense of touch) because the surgery is performed exclusively with long-handled tools. .  As a result, accidental damage to the ureters is a relatively common complication from various laparoscopic surgeries.  

A device to help surgeons find and monitor the location of the ureter could be of great help in reducing the occurrence of damage to the ureter during laparoscopic surgeries.

The goal of this project would be to develop a such a device

The proposed approach is to develop a miniature (10mm max. diameter) metal detector (or an array of metal detectors) which could integrated with a surgical tool (such as a scalpel) to give information about the distance and direction of a metal wire relative to the tool.  The metal wire would go inside the ureter and the metal detectors on the tool would continually feed the surgeon information about the distance and direction from his tool to the ureter, helping the surgeon to avoid accidentally damaging (ex: by cutting) the ureter with his tool      

Basically this would involve adapting a sensor like this one - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfLKrq-K4xs – to the present application by miniaturizing it and possibly using multiple sensors in an array to gain directional sensing ability.

Ambitious quantitative targets for the performance of Ambitious quantitative targets for the performance of the device would be 1mm proximity sensing resolution out to a range of   >20mm and 10 deg.  

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78. Novel Smart Footwear Technology with Instrumentation (Plantiga)

Quinn Sandler, Plantiga   [ % added to list 14 Sept]

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79. Qualification Test Jig for Mid-Watery Buoyancy Can (OceanWorks)

David Lo, Engineering Manager, Oceanworks International Corp.   [% added to the list 19 Sept]

Introduction

Oceanworks is developing a hotstab for mid-water buoyancy can application. A test jig is required to be developed to support qualification tests.

Description

The project will involve the design and construction of a test jig to test the rotate and insert/retract function of the hotstab under pressure. Reporting of torque, insertion force and extraction force will be a requirement. Automation of the test functions is desired to support endurance testing.

Output

Design report and complete design drawings. Construction of a prototype test jig and a final test report.

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80. [ & ]  An Arduino Uno32-based Lock-In Amplifier (FolkMichal)

Joshua Folk and Carl Michal, UBC Physics and Astronomy.    [ % added to list 19  Sept]   [ & claimed by ENPH 459 group]

Lock-in amplifiers are one of the most important instruments for science, as they allow small signals of interest to be separated out of a large noise background.  Commercial lock-in amplifiers are typically large and complex boxes, and very expensive ($5000-$10000) as a result.  Interestingly, a fully-functional lock-in amplifier can be made out of standard computer components (a simple processor, an op-amp-based amplifier, and a sound card), for one or two orders of magnitude less money than would be required to purchase the         commercial instrument.  For this project, we start with code that is 80% written to turn an Uno32 microprocessor kit into a lock-in amplifier.  Your team's job will be to turn this into a tool that is useful for "real" experiments, including the addition of a front end, desktop computer interface, signal processing, etc.  The deliverable would be a product with a final cost on the order of $100, complete testing of your instrument, and publication of the design.

End of Project List.