Project Goal: To design and build a system for high throughput drug screening of agents capable of limiting shear-mediated cell (platelet) activation. The heart of the system is a “multiwell plate unit,” with contained means for exposing fluid and cells within each well to defined shear stress. The shear mechanisms to be considered in design include: 1. magnetically activatable beads 2. focused ultrasound or 3. vibration/acoustics, all inducing defined, predictable shear stress to fluid contained in each well. The utility and value of this system will be to systematically, in large scale, uniformly shear-activate platelets placed in each well, either with or without test compounds. The system will be utilized for screening of new agents able to limit shear-mediated platelet activation. The multiwell plate unit, once shear studies are complete, will be “run” in a multiwell plate reader for readout. The system will interface with a multiwell dispenser for compound loading. The system wil have an output data collection and display module for recording and displaying +compound hits from the plate reader output.

Project Background/Scope: Thrombosis or “blood clot formation” is a major limitation of implantable cardiovascular therapeutic devices (CTDs) such as ventricular assist devices (VADs), prosthetic heart valves and stents. Thrombosis is also an issue and complication for patients having implanted shunts and fistulas as occurs in renal failure for those on dialysis. Central to blood clot formation is the platelet. Platelets become activated in passing through CTDs via exposure to excessive shear forces imparted to flowing blood through the fluid paths of these devices. To limit clot formation, currently patients are prescribed a range of anti-platelet drugs aimed at limiting platelet activation. In recent years the Slepian lab has been repeatedly demonstrated that no current anti-platelet drugs in routine clinical use block shear-mediated platelet activation! – these drugs were developed for biochemical activation means, not mechanical means as occurs with shear! As such a major gap in clinical therapy for patients implanted with CTDs are effective drugs able to limit the activation of platelets due to shear, rather than biochemical stimulation. Developing a system and tool as outlined here will jumpstart and accelerate new drug discovery via high-throughput screening.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) is looking to build a software tool using model based interconnected elements that can then be exported to multiple formats.

When initially designing a vehicle Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) rack, our Electrical Engineers (EEs) typically must create drawings, then map those drawings to tables within a Technical Interface Document (TID), and then software engineers must take the TID and replicate the interconnections within a configuration file. With all these hand-offs, we typically run into inconsistencies between each step that are not found until later in vehicle development, which is undesirable.
The idea of this project is to create model-based interconnect tool that defines inputs, outputs, and other special properties of a component. The tool can then export the interconnected model into a minimum of these two views:
• Electrical drawing diagram showing the interconnected components with proper labeling.
• TID table generation

If time allows, then a bonus would be able to generate components of the config file.

Each model would be of a single component found within a EGSE rack such as a power supply, PC, and discrete I/Os.

This tool will allow a single source of truth which defines each of the outputs needed for a launch vehicle for the EGSE and its configuration between components.

Design Component:
• Develop a comprehensive plan for the smart energy grid system design.
• Determine various power generation sources, including renewable options (e.g., solar, wind, hydro) and traditional sources.
• Select appropriate energy storage technologies based on capacity, efficiency, and cost considerations.
• Design the distribution network, including lines, transformers, and substations, to efficiently connect power generation sources and consumers.

Simulation Component:
• Utilize simulation software (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, or PSCAD) to create a virtual model of the smart energy grid system.
• Configure simulation parameters, including power generation, energy storage, distribution components, and load models.
• Define control strategies and algorithms to optimize energy distribution, achieve load balancing, and enable demand response.
• Run simulations to evaluate the system's performance under various scenarios and conditions.
• Simulation should output data for individual customers which includes information like their real time energy cost and what generation method they are currently using.
• Configure simulation to have an interactive method so that during presentation, parameters can be changed to affect the system.

Evaluation and Conclusions:
• Evaluate the performance and efficiency of the simulated smart energy grid system.
• Discuss the advantages, challenges, and potential impacts of implementing smart energy grid technology.
• Propose possible improvements or modifications to enhance the system's performance.

Requirements: In the present project “paper microfluidics” will be utilized to design a system for rapid detection point-of-care detection and serial follow-up of recognized inflammatory markers in GCF, the system integrating a cell phone for data capture, analysis, quantitation, readout and telemetry. This project will build on the significant work of last year’s team, which will jumpstart this project. This information is available for the new team.

As such requirements include: 1. A paper microfluidic wick system will be designed to accurately and rapidly collect GCF rather than ordinary saliva. 2. Embedded in the paper microfluidic element will be an ELISA system to allow reaction and detection of specific inflammatory markers including β-glucuronidase (βG), MMP-8, MMP-9, IL-6, IL-1β and Cystatin. 3. The system will be designed with a colorimetric readout suitable for cell phone imaging. 4. A program/app will be developed for image/data recording and relative intensity detection under uniform lighting (or with an intensity reference). 5. The program/app will have a user-friendly readout/graphic user interface which will allow data display and serial plotting of data. 6. The system will allow for data telemetry for health provider access and integration in the electronic health record (EHR).

Project Background/Scope: Inflammation is a central driver of chronic disease affecting the kidney and heart. Inflammation typically drives acceleration of vascular disease – notably atherosclerosis, leading to a decline in blood perfusion of these vital organ. In addition, inflammation can directly affect cell and tissue function in these organs directly. In recent years increasing efforts have been focused on identifying sites and causes of inflammation in the body that can drive accelerated Kidney and Heart Disease.

It has been increasingly recognized recently that inflammation in the mouth, specifically periodontal inflammation – involving the specialized tissues that surround and support the teeth, is a potent site of inflammation with spillover effects accelerating disease in the body. Specific associations between periodontal inflammation and the progression of kidney and heart disease have been noted. In the periodontal space inflammation leads to the release of a range of inflammatory proteins – e.g. β-glucuronidase (βG), MMP-8, MMP-9, IL-6, IL-1β and Cystatin, which are detectable in a fluid termed the “gingivocrevicular fluid (GCF),” which is released and seeps into the “periodontal pocket,” - the area at the base of the tooth. Despite these new findings the ability to accurately measure periodontal inflammation, i.e. the release of these biomarkers in GCF, particularly via a means that can be readily performed rapidly at home does not exist.

Requirements: 1. Phosphorus Detection - Develop a system to capture images of food and fluid and estimate phosphorus content based on food volume or weight. 2. Develop a lookup table - i.e. a smart evolving reference engine of phosphorus content based on active learning from the web. 3. Probe - In parallel design and build a probe that can be directly placed into food or fluid to measure phosphors content (in mg. or meq/unit weight). 4. GUI/App - Develop a graphic user interface to have easy readout of both estimated P content as well as measured content. Will also keep a log of total P intake per day and have readout. 5. Will be able to telemeter info to health providers
Skills Necessary:, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Programming, Machine Learning, AI

Project Background/Scope: Phosphorus is an essential element vital for bone mineralization and health, cell membrane function, energy transport and delivery, and DNA and RNA structure – pretty much every human physiologic function!! The Kidney is the critical organ involved in regulating phosphorus levels in the body. Unfortunately, as patients develop progressive kidney disease – i.e. chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), their ability to regulate phosphorus levels in the body is progressively and dramatically reduced. These patients run the risk of developing significant phosphorus excess which can lead to muscle cramps or spasms, numbness and tingling around the mouth, bone and joint pain, bone fragility/weakness, skin rashes, and in severe excess altered mental status, delirium, seizures, coma and death.

The primary source of phosphorus in the body stems from ingested intake. Foods rich in phosphorus include those with high protein content, diary products with a higher level of phosphates/gram of protein, as well as many additives commonly added to baked goods and processed foods. The level of phosphorus in the blood needs to maintained between 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL. For patients with CKD and ESRD determining the intake of phosphorus is vital. Unfortunately, today this is only guessed at by understanding food content from charts and other references. A means of rapidly and accurately estimating phosphorus content from food and fluid, as well as a device to rapidly directly measure phosphorus will be of great value for chronic kidney disease patients enhancing quality of life and ensuring their safety!

Important Facts: Chronic kidney disease causes more deaths than breast cancer or prostate cancer in the U.S. It is the under-recognized public health crisis. Kidney disease affects an estimated 37 million people in the U.S. (15% of the adult population; more than 1 in 7 adults). Approximately 90% of those with kidney disease don't know they have it! 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. (approximately 80 million) is at risk for kidney disease. Kidney disease is more common in women (14%) than men (12%). But for every 2 women who develop end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), 3 men's kidneys fail. Kidney disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S. and sadly is on the rise. A healthy adult can safely consume up to 4,000 mg/day of phosphorus though practically should aim to consume between 800 mg and 1,200 mg of phosphorus daily. People with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease, defined as kidney function (i.e. glomerular filtration rate, or "GFR") below 45 mL/min (normal is 100 to 120 mL/min), should consume < 800 mg of phosphorus per day.

Original and still active requirements:
The device shall be able to travel across the flat ground, like a paved road
The main source of propulsion shall come from the physical power of the person who is riding the device
The device shall utilize rowing mechanics in order to generate propulsion
The device shall be able to accommodate a person who weighs up to 300 lbs
The device shall be able to accommodate a person who is between 5’0” and 6’6”
The device shall be designed with energy efficiency considerations (aerodynamics, friction, weight)
The device shall be able to withstand the normal wear and tear that a bicycle would experience
The device shall move in the direction that the rider is facing
The device shall be able to turn without the rider needing to pause their rowing motion
The device shall have a braking system
The device shall be able to be maintained and serviced similar to a bicycle

New requirements and goals:
The device shall weigh less than 45 lbs (lower is better)
The device shall be quiet (no chain clanking or other annoying sounds)
The device shall be manufacturable - off the shelf, or easily machined parts that can be assembled in <30 min. Parts should also number <100 (included attachment parts, like bolts and screws).
The device shall be portable (can be put into a state that it easily fits inside a car or on a bike rack).
The device shall have a closed loop or other improved power transfer mechanism, not the current open loop chain.
The device shall have a similar safety profile to a standard bicycle (this includes - visibility, stability, reliability, …)

This project will require Capstone team use of the UofA 3D metal printing laboratory and the UofA Aerolab Educational Wind Tunnel facility, including access to the high pressure air supply in the wind tunnel facility.
The team must have access to Computer Aided Design (CAD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software.
Weekly (virtual) team meetings.

Investigate how the unpolarized light propagates inside the polarization maintaining (PM) optical fiber and design the fiber delivery system using unpolarized incoming light and PM fiber to make sure the light properties meeting the required specifications.

**This sponsor will not be at Open House. If you would like to interview for this project, please schedule a time here - https://tinyurl.com/ASML24034OpenHouse23**

Mastercam and A+ will be integral softwares to success on this project. Professor Shafae has licenses that the team can leverage. Training can be provided.
Preliminary design: Define the type of repair, coolant to be used, parameter set to run, wire or powder, the material to be used, etc.
Midpoint detailed design: TBD
Final design: TBD
Deliverables for inspection of the final repairs:
- Strength of the repair
- Dimensional fidelity of the repaired component
- Detection of defects in the repair

Ventana Medical Systems, a Roche company, develops and manufactures various automated instruments, which are used worldwide to diagnose a variety of disease states, primarily cancer. Tissue blocks are patient biopsies embedded in wax and mounted in a specialized container. These blocks, created early in the workflow, are an essential part of the Pathology lab process.

Sorting, loading, and transporting these tissue blocks for downstream processing is time-consuming. Histotechs have expressed a desire to be able to drop tissue blocks off at an instrument so that it can sort them and store the blocks until they are ready to be processed at other stations. An automated input module to orient and store tissue blocks can free up histotechs for more technical work that delivers higher patient value.

The goal for this project is to design an instrument module that allows a user to drop off tissue blocks into the module’s input “drop bin” in any orientation. The system will then orient the tissue blocks in a consistent manner and place the blocks into a small output queue. This module will be a sub-module used on an existing larger instrument. The module will have I/O and power connections consistent with other modules used on the larger instrument (specifications and components for these provided by Ventana). The module will also have a compatible mounting interface with the parent system (specifications also provided by Ventana)..

The final deliverable is a working prototype which must meet predetermined customer requirements and a report must be generated to document how the design meets (or does not meet) the specified requirements in the attached SOW (statement of work).