41X Projects - Winter 2019

Summary:
BioAlign would like to introduce the exoskeletal, postural-correction system, known as W-Exo. The inspiration for this design is to improve the quality of life of the children with cerebral palsy who use the device and their associated caregivers and community. A predominant issue in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy is their tendency to w-sit. The w-sitting posture refers to simultaneous flexion and internal rotation of the hips and the external rotation of the knee. The device aims to reduce the prevalence of w-sitting by restricting the associated movements through the use of an exoskeletal device. The most significant impact that this device will have on its user is an increase in core strength which leads to improved mobility and a more normal gait pattern. The objective of this device is to reduce or eliminate the w-sitting posture during use. The scope of this design is limited to pediatric individuals with cerebral palsy between the ages of two and four years old. Subsequently, constraints and criteria regarding the design solution are thoroughly defined and quantified through the use of a Quality Function Deployment analysis. The steps taken throughout the design process are outlined in a design approach, which leads to the formulation of conceptual designs. The conceptual designs took inspiration from a brainstorming tool known as a morphological matrix. The design components of the waist belt, knee mechanism, and hip mechanism were ranked in decision matrices. A thorough sensitivity analysis was completed to ensure the results of the decision matrices were valid. The preliminary design, which constitutes of highest ranking and feasible component combinations, utilizes a waist belt, a modified CXD joint hip mechanism, and a pulley system mounted to a knee brace as a knee mechanism. Anticipated challenges regarding Research Ethics Board approval and optimization of criteria are addressed.

Summary:
The goal of this project was to design, prototype, and test a vibration generating device as a research tool for investigating the effects of local vibration therapy on bone growth. Several studies have demonstrated that targeted vibrational therapies have the potential to increase bone growth rates in osteoporotic patients and/or patients with non-union bone fractures. This is achieved by straining the bone, thereby simulating normal loading which can be especially helpful for patients with reduced mobility due to injury or declining health. Since this research is still in its infancy, the parameters that result in optimal bone growth have not been defined and no such device is approved for medical use in North America.

This tool will enable researchers to investigate the conditions that result in optimal bone deposition by quantifying the strain at different vibrational frequencies. Three strain gauges were used to measure the strain at critical locations on the femoral head and neck at frequencies from 0 through 36 Hz. Lab testing was performed on a pig femur with surrounding tissue and skin intact and vibration applied at the skin surface. The device succeeded in inducing strain up to 82µm/m at the femoral neck, greater than the 70µm/m shown in studies to increase bone growth rate. future research, this tool has the potential to test the effects of varying the distance from femoral head, stroke length, vibrational magnitude, and application location.

Summary:
Food allergies are a serious health issue that affect many people worldwide. Severe allergic reaction can be fatal; thus, it is important for those with food allergies to know if there is any amount of allergen present in their food. Currently, there are a few methods to detect certain allergens in food samples including Nima and Peanut ELISA Kit. Although these methods are helpful, they have their disadvantages, including not being reusable, portable or convenient for the common person. 

The team, E4 aims to create a prototype to serve as a proof of concept for a handheld, reusable, simple to use device that can detect the peanut protein Ara h1 in a food sample using ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV Vis). Through previous studies it was determined that the protein Ara h1 has the absorbance level of 405nm. With this knowledge, the team tested several food items, both with and without peanuts, including peanut butter and hot chocolate mix. Each food sample was tested in incremental concentrations and compared when mixed with distilled water. For the proof of concept, tests were conducted on the available UV Vis machine in Thornbrough 2133, as well as with a built prototype to confirm the absorbance level. 

Several designs for the device were considered, and the decision to use a sensor and chemical reading was made. The final, completed device would be shaped like a pen, with a compartment for a food sample and a digital output screen. The testing mechanism will use a battery, light source, photomultiplier tube module, and computer, controlled by a button on the outside of the device. The casing will be made from high-density polyethylene and borosilicate glass. This non functional prototype that will be available on Design Day.

Summary:
Our project involves creating a drone and using a wireless sensor network for 3d localization and control. The ultimate objective is to allow for arbitrary masses to be suspended from the drone without making it uncontrollable. For localization, we are using a Bluetooth based triangulation solution. For drone control, we are using a Raspberry Pi connected to the drone's flight control board and a gyroscope and an ultrasonic for heading and height verification. Control outputs are being determined by a two level cascaded fuzzy logic approach.

Summary:
Hobby grade RC jet with an on board computer to enable partial or full automation of the system. Jet is modified for vertical take off and equipped with several environmental sensors and a camera so that aerial images can be captured.

Summary:
Efficient energy storage is crucial to the commercialization of renewable energy. We developed a redox flow battery using hydrogen peroxide and Aluminum 6061. Using an ion-exchange membrane, we have been able to test the efficiency of a small scale cell, made without scarce resources such as vanadium. The success of this prototype provide some insight into the scalability and feasibility of similar systems.

Summary:
The aim of this project is to attempt to reduce power in keyword spotting applications. This was accomplished by taking a multi-stage approach. Our design consists of three stages, threshold detection, pitch detection, and keyword spotting. Each subsequent stage requires more computationally intensive operations that will consume more power. This multi-stage approach ideally will reduce power consumption by isolating power intensive functions and only performing them when necessary.

Summary:
The delivery of pesticides to crops is crucial to increase their yield and longevity. The most popular methods of pesticide delivery are backpack sprayers or tractor sprayers. These methods are either too tedious or costly and there lies a problem.

An answer to this pesticide delivery problem seems to lie in the emerging trend of the use of aerial technology. There is one solution that currently exists in the markets which fixes the issues with conventional pesticide delivery via a drone, but it is uniquely designed for large sizes farms, hence the high price tag associated with it.

There is a need for a design solution that isn’t as costly but just as effective, in order to make it easily accessible for the owners of small to medium sized farms.

Our team addressed this issue with the design and creation of a VTOL (vertical take off and landing) vehicle which can dispense up to 2000ml of pesticide. The design can be split into 3 categories; mechanical and power systems design, controls systems design and the pesticide tank design. 

The mechanical and power systems design focuses on optimizing both the thrust generation and thrust-to-weight ratio of the vehicle. This consisted of researching and creating the optimal inlet design as well as designing the body of the vehicle to be as light as possible. 

The controls systems design focuses on stability of the vehicle in flight. This consisted of an iterative PID tuning process to determine the optimal values for stable flight. 

The pesticide tank design had to addresses the issue of fluid sloshing mid-flight as well as methods of determining fluid level within the tank. The optimal baffle design was determined through research papers and various sensors were investigated to determine the most feasible for this design. 

The final design was put through various methods of testing to ensure the objectives of the project were met, to the best our ability.

Summary:
Our project is about creating a system to determine and maintain the optimal operating temperature of a hydrogen fuel cell. We have also incorporated thermoelectric generators to absorb some of the waste heat produced by the cell and turn it into useful energy. In order to control the system, we used a Raspberry Pi and an Arduino mega that communicate using serial communication interfacing. The Arduino is used to read the voltages produced by the fuel cell and the thermoelectric generators using voltage divider circuits. The Raspberry Pi reads this data along with the temperature of the cell and determines what temperature produces the most heat. From there, the Raspberry Pi controls the fan to raise or lower the temperature as needed. Lastly, the Pi plots the data in “real time” on the LCD display mounted on the structure.

Summary:
The polyethylene component is very difficult to locate using the typical radiographic imaging methods. The purpose of this project is to develop a proof of concept that will demonstrate how an instrumented implant can detect the movement of the polyethylene component without using expensive medical imaging systems. The project involves the designing, testing and validating a novel prototype of a knee implant that will allow for the early detection of the disengagement of the polyethylene insert due to wear, which results in the failure of the implant. In addition, to validate the design, a preliminary design experiment was created, and testing was conducted using an AMTI Force and Motion Joint Simulator at a lab in London, ON. As there is very little data concerning the movement and orientation of the polyethylene component, the ultimate goal of the experiment is to assist clinicians and researchers in beginning to understand the movements of the components of the knee implant within the joint capsule.

Summary:
To maintain a consistently air-conditioned room at a temperature set point appropriate for continuous human occupancy, our team designed a thermoelectric based air conditioner. The thermoelectric air conditioner design was selected due to the numerous benefits the thermoelectric technology provides over the conventional refrigerant based air conditioner. The benefits of a thermoelectric air conditioner include the compact size which makes it less intrusive on the limited space in an office, the reduced noise due to the absence of a compressor, and the reduced vibration – also due to the absence of a compressor. Additionally, the objectives of the project to provide maximum cooling effect while minimizing size, power consumption, and cost. The system requirements include the working fluid being safe for handling and eco-friendly. The working fluid must also have a low freezing point, high boiling point, and low heat capacity. The system must use a thermoelectric chiller (Peltier Tiles) to cool the working fluid in the system. Lastly the system must use an air to liquid heat exchanger to support the TEC.

Summary:
Our project is a drop tower impact tester that was developed for testing auxetic materials which have applications in protection equipment in sports helmets to reduce the occurrence of concussions. Currently, the University of Guelph does not have an impact tester, and existing impact testers on the market are too expensive and too advanced. We have designed and developed an impact tester that will measure the absorption energy of the test specimen when a drop platen weighing 20kg is released from a known height. From this, the impact properties of the material can be determined and therefore it can be determined if the auxetic material has higher absorption properties than conventional protective equipment.

Summary:
The Autonomous Solar Tracking Umbrella is a unique redesign of the simple patio umbrella that utilizes solar tracking technology and photovoltaic panels in an effort to reduce ultraviolet radiation exposure. Using the energy harnessed by the PV panels, the umbrella can tilt in the direction of the sun’s position to maximize the area of shade and energy generation.

In a world that has an increasing need for energy, the Autonomous Solar Tracking Umbrella will find a home in the hands of any environmentally conscious consumer.

Summary:
Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is a by-product of the traditional brewing process that is produced in large quantities. Unfortunately, it has very few commercial applications and is typically sold for little to no profit to nearby farmers as an alternative option to conventional animal feed. Beta-glucan, a natural fiber, is linked to several health benefits and is currently available as a supplement to aid in reducing cholesterol and blood-sugar levels. The design team attempted to extract beta-glucan from barley BSG, which has the potential to be incorporated into food products as a health food additive. 

Four extraction methods (acidic, alkaline, enzymatic and water) were selected from literature and assessed to determine the most suitable process for this application. Based on the selected evaluation criteria, the acidic extraction method was regarded as the least favorable process; for this reason, only physical experiments for the analysis of the water extraction, alkaline extraction and enzymatic extraction methods were conducted at bench-scale. Based on the selected criteria, the alkaline method was chosen to be the best method for this application.

For the established design to be considered successful, beta-glucan must be extracted from BSG. To reduce product yield uncertainties, alternative beta-glucan testing methods should be considered. A theoretical process scale-up has been designed to utilize BSG from a local brewery as its input material for the alkaline extraction process.

Summary:
Autonomous driving is projected to be a $557 billion industry by 2026. It promises to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle related deaths by way of intelligent real-time object avoidance and path planning algorithms. In order to facilitate the rapid research and development of such algorithms, this project seeks to provide researchers with a cost effective, scalable, and rapidly deployable test environment so that these autonomous algorithms can be thoroughly tested and verified before being deployed as part of a larger autonomous package. Our demonstration of such an environment involves three identical omni-directional vehicles which make use of a combination of networked and real-time sensing methods to avoid colliding with their environment and the other vehicles. The vehicles do not receive commands via a central planning authority, but rather communicate with each other over Bluetooth Low Energy in order to coordinate traffic at the intersection. The vehicles also make use of ultrasonic range finders to avoid objects in their immediate path and use colour sensors to follow the lines on the track as they traverse the environment. Each vehicle has its own unique path to follow, and thus must make real-time decisions in order to both avoid collisions, and to stay on track.

Summary:
This project focused on the design and fabrication of a carbon fibre rim for the FSAE team at the University of Guelph. It began with tire and vehicle analysis to determine suitable loading criteria upon which to base rim design. Force analyses using ANSYS to determine the stiffness of the previous aluminum rims were also completed. An ANSYS analysis of composite carbon fibre rims was performed in order to estimate the number and placement of layers of carbon fibre weave. This design matched the stiffness of the original aluminum rims while minimizing the amount of carbon fibre used in order to reduce weight. 

To manufacture the molds, blocks of aluminum were machined manually to provide attachment points between plates. Following this, the molds were machined using a CNC to ensure the highest degree of accuracy was achieved. The mold was made up of four stacked pieces and four additional pieces which were added to the sides. The four main pieces that made up the mold were designed so that they may be machined separately, fastened together for molding, then disassembled to remove cured parts easily.

Once the molds were completed, prototyping of the carbon fibre rim was carried out. The rims were manufactured by hand, laying carbon fibre weave onto the molds and using a vacuum bag to apply pressure and set the laminated layers. 

Throughout the prototyping process, small test parts were made in order to determine the actual physical properties of all parts manufactured by the team. ANSYS models of the carbon fibre rims were then updated using averaged measurements of ultimate tensile strength, density, and layer thickness for the carbon fibre parts.

Summary:
A device has been designed to aid in the rehabilitation of chondromalacia patella. This condition is a wearing of the cartilage behind the knee cap which causes pain in everyday activities. This project targets the knee joint of patients suffering from Chondromalacia Patellae, and specifically individuals being treated by physiotherapists or clinicians for this condition. The device has been designed to measure movements up to a certain angle and muscle activation ratio, using appropriate sensors, allowing for more specific treatment and further prevention of the condition. Research has been completed to determine appropriate muscles to measure as well as harmful ranges of motion. The muscles identified for proper patellar tracking are both the vastus medialis and the vastus lateralis and these are the muscles being targeted with this device. The device consists of surface EMG’s, a flex sensor as well as a feedback device to notify the user when 60 degrees of flexion is reached, in conjunction with abnormal muscle ratios of the vastus lateralis and the vastus medialis. The patient is provided with real time feedback while the data is simultaneously being stored on the SD card housed within the microcontroller. This data will provide trained health professionals with information on patients everyday activities thus aiding in the tracking of the rehabilitation process. A functioning prototype has been developed and tested to validate design requirements.

Summary:
Object manipulation is important in children’s development in that it allows them to develop an understanding of their environment. Those suffering from congenital amputation or other disabilities regarding appendage development are unable to interact with objects, including recreational devices. Therefore, the goal of this project is to design a product that can be used with fewer restrictions and higher-level of interactivity which can provide children with appendage development using a device to assist them in their developmental stages. Using a sleeve with an accelerometer module attached to it, that can be worn on either arm or leg to create gestures, it will be able to control a WALL-E robot toy. This toy will be marketed towards children with congenital and limb amputations. When designing the WALL-E robot toy, it will be successful if it is safe to use, comply with the toy regulations and be interactive and should be reliable, affordable, light-weight, easy to use and as interactive as possible.

Summary:
Steel decking is a commonly used roofing technique on industrial buildings, commercial buildings and large warehouses. The current process for steel decking consists of rooftop welders individually placing steel decking on top of the structural steel roofing in the desired location. The rooftop welders must proceed to bend over at the waist to perform each weld for roughly a second before moving their materials to the next location and completing this process over again. The stress of constantly working in a bent over position has long and short term effects. The current process for rooftop welding is not ergonomic and could cause the worker’s significant injury if not changed.

The purpose of this design is to create a mechanism that will allow rooftop welders to complete their job in a more efficient and ergonomic manner. This machine must be portable/light enough so the workers can get it on the roof, be able to move along the steel roofing easily, allow efficient electrode replacement and be affordable. Similarly the machine must consist of a design that allows the user to move the electrode mechanically in two planes of motion ensuring the electrode can be lined up properly and the weld can be completed successfully. Several Ontario Health and Safety Acts and Welding Codes must be followed to ensure all laws are followed and our design will be safe to use in the field.

The design selected consists of a gantry mounted on a frame, connected to an Arduino and motors that will be controlled by a joystick. An electrode holder will be secured to the bottom of the gantry, so that as the table is moved in the Y direction, the electrode holder will go up and down. With leaving extra room around the electrode holder the operator can easily insert and replace electrodes as required. After the machine is placed in the correct location the joystick will be used to align the electrode in the X direction and then used to push the electrode holder down and up to complete the weld.

Summary:
The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) requires a flood control solution for the Westside Marsh in Port Darlington. There are approximately 40 lakefront homes along Cedar Crest Beach Road, which is situated between Lake Ontario and the Westside Marsh. In 1998, Blue Circle Cement expanded their quarry operations into 40% of the marsh area, significantly reducing the storage capacity of this provincially significant wetland. The existing overflow channel fails to release excess water from the marsh during storm events and the natural barrier beach outlet often requires manual breakage. As a result, Cedar Crest Beach Road frequently overtops with water from the marsh. During the spring of 2017, many of the homes experienced significant flooding, septic fouling, and well water contamination. 

The objective of this project was to design a structure that controls flooding from the Westside Marsh and prevents overtopping of Cedar Crest Beach Road during various design storms. Several design alternatives were considered but the final solution involved the design of a new grass-lined overflow channel with a concrete weir structure. With data provided by CLOCA, HEC-RAS (1D) was used to model the site of interest and compare the effectiveness of the proposed final design to that of the existing channel and barrier beach. 

Results showed that the final design would prevent overtopping during a 10-year storm compared to just a 2-year storm with the existing outlets. Also, with the proposed channel and weir, only a few low sections in the road would overtop during a 100-year storm whereas a 10-year storm currently causes complete overtopping. Raising the road by less than 0.5 m in these low sections and implementing wetland restoration strategies in the marsh could significantly aid the final design.

Summary:
As the population ages, an increased number of individuals become dependant on assistive mobility devices, such as canes or walkers. Unfortunately, these devices have also been associated as one of the root causes of many fall incidents in the elderly population. Of these
devices, rolling walkers or rollators (i.e. four-wheeled walkers) result in more falls than other devices such as a cane. One reason why rollators may result in more falls is that they rely on the user to utilize the brakes to stop their mobility. Rollator users typically comprise of elderly population, who have decreased memory and dexterity and rely on these devices for mobility. This team has decided to utilize their skills and knowledge to develop a design solution for this issue.

In order to reduce the risk of falls associated with rollators, the Group decided to reduce the reliance on the user. This was completed by designing a solution that will be able to stop the walker without the user doing it themselves. It is important not to remove the reliance from the user entirely, as this would result in user becoming dependant on the system resulting in a great liability on the designers. It is also nearly impossible to design a system that would be entirely compatible for each individual user to be dependant on. The hope for this design is to reduce the number of falls associated with rollators experienced by older citizens. The societal impact of this design will improve the quality of life for those in the elderly population that rely on mobility devices and peace of mind for their family members. In addition, the goal of this project is to help open the conversation surrounding ageism and the stigma that surrounds mobility issues and other disabilities. This project does not have major impacts to the environment aside from the production of the braking system which would involve a battery and other electrical components. As long as the battery and other electronic waste is disposed of properly, heavy metals and other chemicals will not leach into natural resources, and impacts to the environment will be minimal. Last, this project will have huge economic impacts to both the public health care system, as well as to the user and their family. If the design and system is successful in reducing the number of falls in the elderly community, this will result in lower medical resources required and reduce medical fees paid by the individual and/or their family.

There are numerous assistive mobility devices in the market today; however, only a few of them could utilize an automated braking system. The Group has limited the scope to only include rollators, as they are one of the most commonly utilized devices by elderly people and already include their own braking system which can be incorporated into the design. Any other assistive mobility device will be outside the scope of this project; however, it may be explored as future expansion work at a later time. The Group designed an automated braking system for a rollator. The brakes are triggered using sensors which detect the distance of the user’s body from the rollator, as well as touch on the rollator handles. Other elements for detecting user presence are outside of this project’s scope, as it will add too much complexity and increase the cost of the project, thus lowering its feasibility. An accelerometer was added to engage the brakes to stop the walker if it is travelling of a speed deemed dangerous for an elderly person. The objective of this project is to simply create a system which will reduce the reliance on the user to stop the device on their own. It is not intended to replace the user’s conscience and own decisions to brake. 

A simple prototype was created for this project. Not all elements were included in the prototype. Elements were placed on a priority list given the time and resources available. The sensors that were included in descending priority were: distance, touch, and acceleration. The
system was implemented in one single device, and a universally adaptable system will be outside of the scope of the project. Though an adaptable system would greatly improve the marketability of the design, it complicates the components and circuitry required and incurs a significant amount of other design considerations. The prototype device was not intended to be used as an assistive mobility device, as it was not be tested to conform to ISO or health and safety regulations/standards.

For the purposes of the final Design IV course, the proposed walker solution was in terms of a supplementary braking system on walkers intended for elderly persons, those at least 65 years of age or older. This analysis was for a rollator style walker. While this does not cover the entirety of the issue of falling whilst using a walker, the primary focus remains the safety of the elderly who require walking aid devices.

Summary:
A user-friendly and cost effective dental scanner capable of generating 3D models for dental labs to manufacture orthodontic devices.

Summary:
200 Beverley Street is a 5.2 hectare brownfield in Guelph, Ontario. Brownfields are defined as properties that are vacant or underutilized but have been impacted negatively by the previous uses of the site. The redevelopment of brownfields is important as it can lead to significant economic, environmental and social benefits in the area where the brownfield is located.

Summary:
The practice of aquaponics, specifically that of fish farming, is becoming increasingly important in the agricultural industry, as roughly 50% of fish populations available for consumption have been depleted. In open-net fish farming, fecal matter from thousands of enclosed fish, along with unconsumed feed and aqua-chemicals, can be released into the surrounding environment and accumulate on the seabed. As these ponds are continuously flushed with the surrounding water, the accumulated matter is discharged immediately into the surrounding bodies of water. The discharge of this water can alter the chemical make-up and biological diversity of the bed and neighbouring water bodies. This is very common with regards to salmon farming in British Columbia, Canada. The significant environmental, economic, and social problems associated with open-net fish farming present a necessity for a design that mitigates these effects, while still allowing the fish farming industry to function. AquaTech Solutions has developed a design consisting of a closed net pen with continuous saltwater intake, and a wastewater outlet leading to floating onsite treatment. The pens will be secured to a barge that will facilitate the connection between the pen itself and the treatment stages. This will allow for detachment from the treatment structure in case of maintenance or emergency. The onsite treatment will be facilitated by a floating production system. The combination of a drum filter, ozonation chamber, biofilter, and air stripping chamber not only treat the concerning contaminants; nitrogen, suspended solids and pathogens, they provide multi-stage treatment that is designed to have contingency within treatment. The interaction between subsequent treatment processes results in an effective system that requires less units, ultimately reducing the amount of extensive offshore infrastructure.

Summary:
Percutaneous Radiological Gastrostomy (PRG) is a procedure to insert an enteral feeding tube (through abdomen into stomach) in patients having chronic issues swallowing, often head and neck cancer patients. The radiological procedure is easier and safer than alternative procedures, however, post procedural complications with the tubes used in this procedure are higher. This is the justification of the project, to design a tube that is easy to insert as PRG tubes are, without the associated higher complication rates. This project was provided by Inventorr M.D. and St. Michael’s Hospital; surgeons Dr. Joao Rezende-Neto and Dr. Ori Rotstein who have an idea to solve this problem. Together, this 41X group and I.M.D team members have created a prototype to solve this problem. It is the wishes of I.M.D and S.M.H. to keep the design solution private.

Summary:
Textile industry generates large quantities of azo dye-containing wastewater, which is becoming one of the major sources of water pollution. The effluent from textile industry are difficult to treat by conventional biological process since the most azo dyes are non-biodegradable and are toxic to the microorganisms. In order to meet increasingly strict environmental standards, a cost effective and novel treatment process that is competitive with existing biological and chemical treatment alternatives must be designed.

The scope of the project is to produce a prototype unit for wastewater treatment in textile industries in the city of Guelph. The goal of this design project is to reduce chemical oxygen demand (COD) and remove the colour of industrial wastewater through electrochemical oxidation to improve the water quality in Guelph.

To ensure a successful system, several constraints and criteria were identified for the design. Constraints must abide by meeting the water quality standards in Ontario and industrial equipment safety standards in Canada. The criteria focus on minimizing energy costs and footprint. Ease of maintenance and operation as well as maximizing effluent water quality. 

The project should address the already identified issues with electrochemical oxidation system designed to treat textile wastewater. Schedule and budget to be completed throughout the process are managed through charts and tables to maximize the time given to the team. 

The electro-oxidation process for treatment of industrial wastewater will be designed by a team of young, motivated individuals with the passion and enthusiasm for technology. With the expertise in environmental, the team has the potential and skills, and are ready to design the system.

Summary:
The design of this climate control unit utilizes the Peltier Effect to provide heating and cooling to an interior space. Thermoelectric modules, heat sinks, and fans are used to control the temperature using forced convection. When the thermoelectric modules are given power, the ceramic plates shift their external temperatures to opposite extremes with one side dropping in temperature, and the other side rising in temperature. When the polarity of the modules are flipped, the temperature of the ceramic plates switch allowing the opposite cooling/heating effect to occur. The results of the tests conducted were that the unit is able to heat and cool a 64 cubic foot testing enclosure at a rate of 6.2C and 1.7C/ hour, respectively.

Summary:
The SwiftServe is an automated drink machine designed to assist the bartender in preparing mixed drinks, increasing the time efficiency behind the bar and accuracy at which the shots are poured. The target efficiency for the swift serve is to increase efficiency by at least 50%, while eliminating over pours and reducing the spillage by 90%. Drinks are made by using a series of pumps and valves to deliver the liquid and a belt driven gantry to move between the cups. Combining programming logic with float sensors and rangefinders, the system is able to determine which cups are empty as well as alert the bartender to when the bottles require changing. The SwiftServe was designed to provide little interaction from the bartender and is deigned to fit into the natural flow behind the bar. With the implementation of the SwiftServe, participating bars will see an increase in revenue and efficiency.

Summary:
Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFOs) are supportive braces used to help improve position and motion of individuals with weakened lower limbs or irregular gait patterns. AFOs can range in size, shape, and material depending on the person they are designed for. With the rise of different manufacturing techniques, it is essential to compare the quality and efficiency of the various materials and methods. However, due to the lack of automated testing available for AFOs, Certified Orthotists and researchers must rely on clinical trials or manual testing. Clinical trials are ethically problematic and manual testing is time-consuming and expensive for companies. Automated testing solutions for AFOs are currently not commercially available and existing methods are intended for research purposes solely, which are not practical within clinical settings. Boundless Biomechanical Bracing Inc. is a custom orthotics company that strives to deliver the highest quality products to their clients. They perform regular testing to ensure that their orthotic devices adhere to excellent standards. Boundless are faced with the difficulty of performing quality testing on different AFOs. To assist with this lack of testing issue, the proposed solution is an automated, adjustable, and dynamic testing jig, called the Ankle Foot Orthotic Testing jig (AFOOT). The AFOOT is designed to assist Boundless with testing and comparing the quality and effectiveness of their custom-made AFOs. The jig will allow for an automated and user-friendly testing of orthotics whilst simulating a human gait cycle of ±20°. Along with the pneumatic components, a potentiometer is installed to allow for varying speeds. Thus, the AFOOT will assist Boundless in producing higher quality products faster through comparing different materials and manufacturing methods of AFOs. The AFOOT will also be used as an educational learning tool at George Brown College for future Certified Orthotists.

Summary:
Precision sampling and nutrient dispensing control system that will show as a proof of concept for the Ontario Agriculture College.

System is using an ion-selective electrode (Fluoride) to showcase the ability to automatically test and dispense nutrients in order to maintain control point. 

The system uses solenoid valves, pumps and an Arduino to adjust nutrient, pump samples to the testing chamber and rinse the electrode.

Summary:

High runoff volumes due to urbanization of the West Morrison Creek Watershed have led to severely erosive conditions within the West Morrison Creek. Specifically, Sheridan College’s Trafalgar Campus located in Oakville, Ontario, discharges large volumes of runoff to this watercourse as a result of insufficient stormwater management practices implemented within the Campus. The erosive nature of the Creek has led to the destruction of aquatic habitat, undercutting of banks and destruction of small walking paths and pedestrian bridges. Without mitigation, adjacent landowners will become at risk of losing tableland and the Creek and McCraney Valley Trail network will become unsafe for recreational purposes. In addition, the eastern tributary of the West Morrison Creek currently suffers from poor grading which has not only led to flooding issues, but has also promoted the growth of Invasive Phragmites, leading to subsequent depletion of native vegetation. The eastern tributary traverses through the centre of the Campus, thus reducing the overall aesthetics of this high traffic area. 

The primary objective of this stormwater retrofit is to prevent further exacerbation of erosion within the West Morrison Creek by implementing stormwater control measures throughout the Campus. Additional objectives include a restoration of the eastern tributary which will improve Campus aesthetics, eliminate invasive species and provide better containment of flows. To achieve the objectives of the design, low impact development (LID) techniques were designed and implemented to reduce runoff frequencies and durations, as well as maximize evaporation and groundwater recharge volumes. To prevent on-site flooding and standing water, as well as control the Invasive Phragmites, a channel restoration design and invasive species management plan were generated. 

PCSWMM modelling software was utilized to design the stormwater management techniques as well as interpret water balance quantities. The Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program Treatment Train Tool was used to evaluate the pollutant removal efficiencies of the design. Relevant standards from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, as well as the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority were utilized when generating the criteria and constraints of the design. 

The overall retrofit not only achieved water balance requirements, but reduced the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Total Phosphorous (TP) pollutant loads by 83% and 21%, respectively. The total capital cost of the retrofit was approximated to be $8.2 million, with a total operation and maintenance cost of $1.36 million over a 25-year period.

Summary:
In the Fall 2018 semester a 41X group began converting a 1960's Instron tensile testing machine into a plastic injection molding machine. Our group has since taken over the project and has brought it to completion. We are responsible for designing and building a mold elevator, a plunger attachment, the safety enclosure, programming the PLC, re-wiring, creating a cable harness, and re-painting. Currently, the machine is fully functional and capable of melting and injecting plastic into molds.

Summary:
Integrating a heat exchanger designed with phase change material with an evacuated tube solar collector. The system is meant to extend the usefulness of a solar collector into the night by means of storing latent heat in paraffin wax. The objective of this is to provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional ways of heating water.

Summary:
This project entails the design of a sensing system used to detect vehicle hydroplaning, also known as aquaplaning, that can be used to notify a driver, or the processing unit of an autonomous vehicle. The system intends to increase vehicle safety by ensure that vehicle operators are aware when hydroplaning occurs, reducing injuries related to driving in inclement weather.

Summary:
The goal of the design team was to create a device that can plant trees efficiently and more easily than the manual tools currently being used. The Drill Dragon is a revolutionary tree planting device that is a mobile earth auger powered by a 2.9 HP, 4-stroke internal combustion engine than enables holes to be dug at a faster rate and reduces strain put on the operator's body by eliminating repetitive motions required with planting techniques used today. The scope of this project is to design and build a machine that can dig consistent holes to plant various tree seedlings to improve the time efficiency of tree planting operations. There are several constraints and criteria associated with the proposed design. It was determined that the design had to be light weight to ensure mobility in all kinds of terrain and that it had to be relatively simplistic in design to reduce possibility of failure throughout the lifetime of the product. Additionally, some constraints of the design require it to be safe for users and bystanders to prevent potential injury. It was required that the design digs holes that are 3-5 inches deep so the seedlings could be planted properly, and that the device reduced overall time it takes to dig a hole and plant the tree.

Summary:
This project examined the current process associated with Plant Oil Extraction, specifically with the extraction of cannabinoids from cannabis plants. Under the guidance of Dr. Santos the process was examined with a focus on process intensification, identifying novel new technologies and techniques that could drastically improve the process. The base process to be examined was Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE). 

The process was split into two sections, extraction and winterization (purification). Extraction using SFE dealt with improving extraction of compounds from the plant materials using SC-CO2, technologies and techniques considered included ultrasonic stimulation, microwave emission, CO2 film membrane capture, and co-solvent addition. Winterization is the process relating to purifying extract so only targeted compounds remain. Potential technologies and techniques explored included spinning disk reactors, rising film evaporators, and vacuum distillation. A new intensified process was proposed, one which incorporated ultrasonic stimulation, and another which replaced rotary evaporators with a rising film evaporator for solvent recovery. These changes are calculated to increase extraction efficiency by 67% and winterization by 250%.

Summary:
The team was tasked by a Phd. student (Elyse Hill, Adaptive Control Theory & Aerospace Systems) to design and build a functioning CubeSat (miniature satellite) apparatus with 3DoF attitude control capability. Concurrent to this, the team designed and implemented test bed incorporating a semi-hemispherical air bearing to mimic the friction-less environment of space.

Summary:
Magnetorheological (MR) fluid is an intelligent fluid that demonstrates varying levels of viscosity depending on the intensity of an applied magnetic field. We have created a proof-of-concept demonstration system that showcases haptic feedback by changing MR fluid viscosity with respect to the varying magnetic field strength of an electromagnet. The demonstration system is designed to highlight the advantages of MR fluid as a smarter, more adaptable alternative to traditional hydraulics.

Summary:
Our team, named Sequest Squared, has completed a design project utilizing carbon mineralization to design a carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) system for a desalination plant. Carbon mineralization is a process which uses minerals, such as Ca+ or Mg+, to react with CO2 to make a stable product, sequestering the CO2. Our constraints and criteria for the design project included: creating a functional model using Aspen Plus V10, reducing economic, social and environmental impacts, maximizing the capture of CO2, creating a reusable and marketable by-product and minimizing capital and operational costs. The Aspen Plus V10 final model removes 84.5% of the captured CO2, and creates 6,700 kg of CaCO3 and 1,000 kg of MgCO3 per hour. It was designed for a capacity of 5,825 kg CO2 per hour, which was based on the average total emissions from a desalination plant. An economic analysis was also completed using Aspen Plus V10, which suggested a capital cost of $33 million and an operational cost of $59 million per year. The by-products of CaCO3 and MgCO3 resulted in a profit of $7.5 million annually. Using these values it was calculated that the model costs $1.24 per kg of CO2. In our presentation we will be discussing future recommendations for the continued research and design development using this form of CCS. We are excited to discuss the details of our design with you on Thursday!

Summary:
Utilizing a thermodynamic cycle, water generation is achieved through the condensation of humid air extracted by an evaporator coil. The water is filtered and fed to a reservoir to provide long distance freight operators with a source of drinking water while on the job. This water generation unit will be installed on the roof of a trucks cabin and is compatible with all common tractor trucks.

Summary:
This project uses and builds upon opensource Eulerian Magnification software. It captures video, magnifies motion, and detects filtered motion. The detected motion is used to extract respiratory rate for use in a monitoring system. This is a proof of concept for use of the software in a baby monitoring system.

Summary:

The purpose of this project is to research and test materials for the application of a new technology that may be implemented in agricultural watersheds to reduce the of phosphorus. Excess levels of phosphorus have caused algal blooms to appear in Lake Erie and in the Great Lakes watershed. This problem has resurfaced with the introduction of invasive species that circulate phosphorus within these lakes and watersheds. There is a current need for new technology that is able to target phosphorus hotspots within the Great Lakes watersheds and remove excess phosphorus. 

Our project entails and provides results of the research and testing done on gypsum, egg shells and snail shells and evaluates that materials for the purpose of phosphate adsorption. Testing evaluations led to the material selection of gypsum as it has a removal efficiency of 40% using between 0.05 g to 0.1 g.

Summary:
One of the largest problems that impacts the food process industry is trying to ensure the consistent quality of the processed products. This is especially problematic for the development of ready to eat chicken products such as frozen chicken wings, since the defects in the product are exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to detect with the human eye, especially if the product is moving past on a conveyor system at high speed. The most common issues that occur in ready to eat chicken products are exposed bone, feathers that were missed during the plucking stage, and wingtips. Currently, the only way to ensure quality of the chicken product is to meticulously examine each wing by hand and then remove the defective products from the production line. However, as was previously mentioned, it is very difficult for factory workers to identify the defects and, needing to examine and remove each of the products by hand causes the production process to slow considerably. Since it is slow to examine and remove defective products, it risks compromising production quotas. 

To address this issue, we plan to design a control system that will allow the accurate and efficient identification of product defects, which will then automatically remove defective products from the production line. This will ensure the quality of the product while also allowing the factories to meet production quotas. The basis of our design will be to use thermal imaging cameras which will observe each product as it travels down the conveyor and identify if the chicken product has feathers, exposed bones, or wingtips remaining and will then send a signal for a mechanical removal device to remove the chicken from production. The thermal imaging camera will be able to identify the presence or absence of these defects because they will have a different emissivity value than the chicken itself, and thus any areas that have a noticeably different emissivity will be automatically flagged and the piece removed. The system will also help ensure the quality of the product after cooking and freezing as the surface temperature of each product will be analyzed and if a product does not meet regulation standards, it will be removed. Eliminating the human interaction with the product and instead utilizing the automatic detection and removal system will also help ensure that the ready to eat food product is not contaminated by human contact. 

For this project, we plan to work alongside the Grand River Foods plant in Cambridge Ontario, where we will implement and test our design to ensure effectiveness. We hope that the system we develop will assist in the plant operations as a reliable, accurate, and efficient quality assurance system.

Summary:
In today’s world, electrical energy is both an important commodity in North America and Europe and a fleeting resource in many parts of continents such as Africa, South America, and Asia. As the world becomes more globally integrated through technology, the need for reliable means of energy generation will increase. In order to satisfy both demographics, individuals must be armed with the ability to produce their own electricity that can be used for various scenarios. 

We have developed an insole, compatible with various types of footwear, that is made of a combination of piezoelectric and triboelectric components. The piezoelectric technology used is a PVDF film sheet coated in Silver while the triboelectric generators are made of ITO coated PET and Kapton tape.

Summary:
The basis of our design project was to investigate potential alternative approaches to the treatment of waste cooking oil (WCO) for the purpose of sale and future processing into biofuel. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential design alternatives, and an optimal design process was chosen based on decision matrices. The three primary categories of treatment technology tested include: membrane filtration, media filtration, and emulsification. WCO was simulated in lab, and refinement technologies were tested in two phases. Industry samples were then used to verify the results. Lab-scale experiments demonstrated that oil-water emulsification provides the best refinement of WCOs for biodiesel production. The preliminary proposed design consists of a stainless-steel double walled tank with heat exchanger for outdoor applications and an optional 2mm stainless steel membrane filter for removing particulate loading. The optimal operating parameters are as follows:

Oil/Water Ratio: 20:1
Mixing Speed: 1100 rpm
Mixing Time: ~30mins
Settling Time: 6hrs
Mixture Temperature: 25-35 C

Next steps involve testing the effects of adding binding agents (gypsum, clay) to destabilize emulsion and improve settling characteristics. Further study could quantify Free Fatty Avid (FFA) and water content of oil to evaluate refinement capabilities.

Summary:
Scapular winging restricts shoulder range of motion and prevents individuals from performing activities of daily living. Bracing is a conservative treatment which prevents winging by holding the scapula stationary against the ribcage. By keeping the scapula stationary, existing braces restrict shoulder movement and the ability to perform activities of daily living. The objective of this project is to design and build a prototype of a custom brace that supports the scapula throughout shoulder flexion and allows for a greater shoulder range of motion than that of existing braces. The proposed solution uses two pads that sit directly on the scapula ("inner pads"), a plate that is offset from the user's back ("outer plate"), and articulating pieces that connect the inner pads to the outer plate. Tracks modeled from the user's scapular movement throughout shoulder flexion are engraved in the anterior surface of the outer plate, which allows for scapular support throughout shoulder flexion. The outer plate is secured to the body via straps across the chest and along the sternum. Testing and a qualitative review on the brace's comfort has been completed by an individual living without scapular winging.

Summary:
In this century alone, humankind will be facing the challenge of freshwater availability along with sufficient freshwater quality and quantity. To combat this ongoing issue, an atmospheric water harvesting system will be created to generate freshwater that is harvested from the air. This will be achieved through applying the principles of condensation with the use of thermoelectric modules.

The general concept of an atmospheric water harvesting device is derived from the simpler invention of a dehumidifier, by the basis of cooling air below its dew point temperature. The differentiating factor for this project is the fact that common dehumidifiers uses a series of a condensers and evaporators with refrigerant to condense the water vapor from the air. While our Atmospheric Water Harvesting System uses thermoelectric modules. Furthermore, a series of controls regulates the fins temperatures so that they are consistently between the dew point and 0 degrees Celsius to avoid freezing. After dew point is reached, water begins to form on the fins. It then drips down and is collected into a water filtration device to provide clean drinking water.

A prototype has been assembled and tested in a variety of climates. Through these tests a peak performance of 25 ml/hour was achieved. This performance will differ greatly based on the climate. In areas with a higher humidity and temperature the designs efficiency will increase respectively.

Summary:
Current testing methods for blood-born bacterial infections are slow, expensive, and prone to error. This causes overuse of antibiotics in clinical institutions. The Bacterial Microbalance allows medical personnel to diagnose blood-born infection quickly, allowing for early treatment before sepsis develops. The prototyped system uses pig immunoglobulin G and corresponding goat anti-pig immunoglobulin G antibody to represent the bacteria-antibody pairings that would be used in practice. Microbeads are coated with antibodies, and when put into a solution containing their antigen the antibody-bead complexes bind with the antigen. While the solution is on a quartz crystal measuring frequency, the bound beads are drawn away using a magnet, and the frequency change is noted. This allows the device to determine whether the antigen is present in the solution, which indicates a positive bacteria test.

Summary:
Our design consists of a moving target aimed at helping hockey players train without the requirement of a partner, at a high level of skill. The design uses two motors to move the target along two axis to position it at any location in the net. The system will detect when the target is hit and keep track of the players results to help them train more effectively, by placing the target in the player's less successful shooting locations.

Summary:
A fully self-sufficient, off-grid water harvesting system. 

The project uses solar power to charge a battery, which then powers a piezoelectric peltier cold plate, a heat sink, a temperature and humidity sensor, a temperature controller, and an arduino micro-controller. 

The temperature and humidity sensor records values for the ambient air, and then the micro-controller calculates the dew point, which is then displayed on the screen of the temperature sensor. This dew point value is then input by the user into the temperature controller, using the built in controls. This temperature controller has a probe connected to an aluminum plate, which is connected to the cold side of the peltier plate. The controller will direct power to the peltier cold plate, cooling the aluminum plate until it is below the dew point of the ambient air. The temperature controller will then cut power to the plate, intermittently turning back on to keep the plate below the dew point of the ambient air. The heat sink will release warm air from the plate, while simultaneously creating a continuous flow of air around the device. Moisture in this air will then continuously condense and collect on the plate, running off along groves in the plate into a water collection reservoir.

This project is intended for use in regions/countries that don't have widespread access to clean water supply, but do have relatively high average temperature and humidity. From our research, we found there are approximately 83-87 countries which fit these criteria.

Summary:
The Vulcanado is a state of the art centrifugal casting machine which uses centrifugal force to force molten aluminum into the extremities of detailed molds for a high-quality cast. Spin casting allows for increased mold complexity due to the centrifugal force, allowing the molten casting compound to be pushed to the outermost extremities of the mold. The form factor generally results in molds having multiple repeating cavities around a two-part cylindrical disk mold. Typically, these molds are made from vulcanized rubber, which due to its own melting point, restricts the casting compound to low-melting point materials. 

There are a small number of companies selling complete spin casting units, however, all are limited to cylindrical molds. While this is a non-issue if the caster desires many of the same part, the process becomes very inefficient and wasteful if only a small number are needed. The Vulcanado will solve this problem by having modular cavity capability. This way each part can be individually placed on the spin table allowing for any combination of parts. 

Furthermore, if the user would like to produce castings with a material of superior physical properties, they would be forced to use a different casting medium. The Vulcanado will expand the number of available casting compounds by making the molds out of steel. These molds will be suitable for high melting temperature materials like aluminum. The Vulcanado also uses a vacuum pump to remove oxygen from the mould before pouring the aluminum, which will reduce the impurities in the final product.

Summary:
As the rate of CO2 emissions continue to rise, the urgency to develop a solution that is economically beneficial and humanly feasible is gaining attention from all over the world. The proposed solution that is outlined takes carbon dioxide from large industrial point sources and uses it to cure alkaline substances. In this project, steelmaking slags and mineral tailings will be converted via accelerated carbonation into practical building materials. The building materials to be produced for infrastructure focus on mortar and paint. These two materials are staples in the infrastructure field and thus by producing them in a way which benefits the environment, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced can be greatly decreased. This solution has the potential to provide great economic benefit in addition to promoting a cleaner environment.

The proposed design for the production of paint will utilize a multi-step process by first extracting calcium from the acquired slag followed by a purification process to remove impurities in the solution. Following this will be the carbonation of the slag solution. Once these processes are complete, the production of paint can be manufactured. The proposed design for the production of mortar will be similar following the same calcium extraction process, this time from acquired mining tailings, leading to a purification process once more. Additionally, the carbonation of the solution will be necessary in order to incubate in the CO2 incubator. Once incubation is complete, mortar can also be produced by replacing aggregate granules in mortar mix with the new filtrate and combining with other necessary reactants.

This solution values the importance of maintaining equivalent properties with existing products on the market such as strength, durability, and longevity. In addition, this solution introduces new technology such as CO2 capture which has the ability to alter the negative environmental drawbacks of infrastructure material production, is carbon neutral, and could potentially create an entirely new economic market.

Summary:
Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right that a great deal of people is not privileged to, majority of South Asian and Sub-Saharan countries lack access to adequate quantities of water for human and environmental use.

The problem being addressed is water scarcity in Douala, Cameroon.

The objective of Make Dew is to design a device capable of harvesting moisture from the atmosphere in humid climates into potable drinking water to meet the requirement of an individual. The device will consist of Peltier tiles that cause a cooling effect on a surface area designed to maximize condensation. Heat sinks will be implemented to prevent Peltier tiles from overheating and sensors will be embedded with an Arduino to measure environmental variables such as temperature and humidity.

Summary:
In a contact sport, the risk for serious injury will always be prevalent, there is no way to outright avoid this issue. However, reducing this risk is always possible and the most effective way to do this is by protecting the head. In American football, the most critical piece of safety equipment is the helmet. Therefore, the objective is to introduce auxetic geometries in sports safety wear, and take advantage of its revolutionary mechanical properties for impact load resistance, especially for helmet applications. For instance, by using auxetics as an interior safety padding in football helmets we can reduce the impact force on the head, which will reduce the risks of getting a concussion or a brain injury due to numerous impacts during the contact sport. The investigation on auxetic structures was done using comprehensive research papers. The auxetic structures were modelled and 3D printed using SolidWorks and finite element analysis was done using ANSYS Static Structural and Explicit Dynamics. In order to save time and resources, the top two performing geometries were taken to the next step, with the physical dynamic drop test. The top two performing structures are the arrowhead and the bowtie structure. These two structures hold the majority of the project research and are the group intent to replace the current leading concussion preventive helmet as stated by the NFL.

Summary:
Most modern air conditioners utilize four key components, a compressor, condenser, evaporator and expansion valve. These vapor compression cycles require a working fluid which is harmful to the environment during disposal. For environments of high vibration or where mechanical mechanisms are hard to replace, solid state designs are needed. In addition, unlike most air conditioners, these systems have the ability to work as a heater or cooler. This design is significantly cheaper than existing designs by approximately 50%. It also utilizes a unique internal heat sink design to maximize heat transfer when there is adequate airflow.

Solid state heater/coolers utilize Thermoelectric coolers (TEC) which act as a heat pump to transfer heat from one side to another. Thermoelectric coolers require a DC voltage to transfer heat and are most efficient at low voltages. For this reason our design uses 30 TEC operating at 5V rather than have less modules running at a higher voltage to produce the same power output. The TEC’s were tested at 5V and were consistently producing a temperature difference of 25⁰C. When integrated in our design the temperature difference measured on the heat sinks was 10 ⁰C. Future considerations for the design would include less thermal resistance between the heat sinks and TEC modules via improved thermal paste. Furthermore, more powerful fans are needed as our fans do not have adequate airflow over the internal heatsink to cool air. Finally our project has significant weight which could be reduced in future by having more compact design.

Summary:
Air conditioners that are installed in the campervan industry are expensive, inefficient, and push the limits of legal road clearance. There is a growing market of young campervan enthusiasts who are looking for an air conditioner with easy off-grid access. 

Summary:
The scope of this project was to create a 3D printed soft gripping mechanism that utilizes an auxetic mesh. The soft gripper is pneumatically actuated and has an adjustable mounting system. An auxetic metamaterial retracts in all directions into itself under a compressive force, which is opposite to a normal material. The reason for this phenomena is that an auxetic metamaterial features a negative Poisson ratio. By using the auxetic mesh, this soft robotic gripper is more suitable to grip complex, fragile, and asymmetrical objects. Possible applications for the soft robotic gripper are in packaging or sorting facilities. Also, since the soft gripper decreases the impact felt by an object when the gripper is applied, it could be used in food processing facilities to sort objects that are susceptible to bruising or breaking.

Summary:
Currently, an ever-increased effort into the employment of clean energy sources has become important for the sustainability of human life. Renewable energy sources, such as solar generation, have existed for decades; but the native rectangular planar design has remained predominately unchanged since its first creation. The project and study at hand is to improve the design of a solar panel, to ultimately increase the performance efficiency. The advancements that will be made will come in the form of altering the physical structure from rectangular to cylindrical and introducing an inner core of Phase Change Material. These modifications will address the 3 shortcomings associated with traditional rectangular solar cells that are: an efficiency loss for every degree increase of the operating temperature, additional auxiliary power systems required for maximizing direct radiance through solar tracking, and shading obstructions that greatly negate power generation.

Through changing the physical design of the solar panel away from the classical rectangular construction, a cylindrical tube design will allow for a performance increase. The cylindrical shape has the capability to collect both irradiation incident to its curvature as well as irradiation that deflects from its surroundings (the roof below) for a higher power output. With the introduction of Phase Change Material, focus is put on the thermal efficiency of the solar panel. Absorbing and transferring the heat from the surface of the solar cells to the core will provide a passive cooling system, increasing the performance efficiency of the solar panel. A performance study of the angle of incidence on both solar panels and a thermal efficiency study of the PCM inside the cylindrical cell will be presented on Design Day 2019 to support the observed discoveries.

Summary:
The Tethered and Navigated Air Blimp (TANAB) is a microclimate monitoring system and environmental data collection device currently being developed by the Atmospheric Innovations Research group at the University of Guelph. The most current iteration of the TANAB attempts to address concerns with the previous prototype's ability to function at low temperatures, weight, and physical robustness. The group presents a completely redesigned TANAB which includes an internal thermal management system, increased organizational capacity, and increased flight performance through weight reduction.

Summary:
Neurological damage and diseases impact up to one billion people worldwide, where many people impacted are a subject of missed or delayed diagnosis. Neurological damage in the central nervous system (CNS) can impact every part of the body since the brain is responsible for controlling all neural activity. According to the U.S. Preventative Task Force database, no recommendations currently exist for neurological health screening during physical examinations, which is a major problem as it indicates that neurological health of a patient is not commonly prioritized.

The final design is broken down into three phases: pressure sensing, nerve conduction study, and GUI software. The first phase of the design encompasses pressure mapping of a patient in the supine position through a pressure mat embedded with piezoresistive pressure transducers. The second phase of the design is responsible for implementing nerve stimulation and monitoring techniques required to screen for a patient’s neural health. The final section of this design is the software architecture implementation. The design of the GUI interface suited for medical applications is critical for deployment and end user acceptance.

The scope of our prototype addresses the first phase of the final design.

Summary:
Our group has developed a wound monitoring device called the infection monitoring bandage (IMB). This device aims to help clinicians identify the early signs of infection in post-operative patients. The IMB is composed of two sections: a sensing suite and a processing suite.The sensing suite is incorporated with the wound dressing and will be disposed of after use,this incorporates a temperature sensor and a pH sensor. The processing suite will be physically connected to the sensing suite and includes a PCB with a microcontroller with bluetooth capabilities for processing and sending to a smartphone. A mobile application has been made for this project that receives the data sent by the processing suite and displays the relevant information to a patient or medical professional to inform their decision for the correct course of action

Summary:
The lumbar puncture procedure is a common procedure used for the diagnosis of various neurological conditions, such as meningitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis. At this point in time, the process remains fairly complicated, with many steps and requiring at least two people to administer the test. The main component of the procedure consists of a large atraumatic needle being inserted in the lumbar spine of the patient, until the subarachnoid space is reached. At this point, cerebrospinal fluid can be collected through the needle, and the intracranial pressure can be measured using a manometer. The fluid is then collected with a separate vial held under the end of the needle. 
The lumbar puncture device aims to assist the practitioner in knowing when the subarachnoid space has been reached by the tip of the needle, eliminate the use of a manometer for the pressure measurement, and integrate the collection process into the device. The two primary problems being addressed in this design are the low success rates of lumbar puncture procedures, as well as low efficiency. Through solving these two problems, the lumbar puncture device will allow for better diagnoses of neurological conditions, as well as enhanced patient comfort throughout the procedure. These two problems will be addressed through three perspectives: (1) effective detection of when the subarachnoid space has been reached by the needle tip, (2) improved method of intracranial pressure measurement, and (3) easing the collection process for the practitioner. Combining these three perspectives will allow for less experienced practitioners to successfully complete the procedure, ensuring that the subarachnoid space is not surpassed by the needle, and allowing the procedure to be administered by only one practitioner.

Summary:
In the food industry, produce can be fragile with irregular geometries. Traditional robotic grippers provide a lot of force and are inefficient at manipulating small to medium sized objects. Due to unpredictable variations in size, shape and hardness of produce, packaging has traditionally been done by hand and although effective, the process is time consuming and costly. With improvements to current flexible gripper designs, grasping irregular shaped semi-rigid objects could be completed more efficiently by a robot. 

The object of our project is to design and build a multi-modal flexible robotic gripper. “Flexible” and “multi-modal” are the two keywords the gripper is solely designed after. Multi-modal means that the robotic hand has multiple systems controlling the opening and closing of the fingers. This allows the gripper to have a wide range of applications using its two different grasps; pneumatics for the compliant grasp, and a linear actuator for the power grasp. 

The power grasping solid silicone fingers made of Smooth-Sil 940 have cross-hatched struts to give a soft and deformable grip which bends around objects instead of crushing them. The compliant fingers are made of Dragon skin 10, a much softer silicone that is designed to curl when the hollow chambers are filled with air. 

Due to the unique geometries of the fingers, 3D printing and injection molding techniques were utilized for the manufacturing process. Single and two-pieced molds were created in SolidWorks for the linear and pneumatic actuated fingers respectively.