Overview
Aerospace industry employs sensitive and expensive instrumentation and radars for sensing, navigation and tracking on all forms of aircraft. This equipment is protected by special Radomes of various polymers, composites, ceramics and alloys to protect sensitive instrumentation from impingement from precipitation, insects and airborne foul at a variety of speeds from low speed to Mach 1+.

Need Statement:
The development and customization of these radomes requires special testing to qualify the durability and survivability of the different materials and shape configurations. There needs to be a test method of creating a controlled impingement event that can be used to validate the radomes designs for their specific applications.

Solution:
Review test need specifications and develop a test method approach. Develop a modular, configurable, and programmable test apparatus that will enable the controlled impingement (kinematic characteristics) of a unique plastic bead (weight, strength), at a specific speed (low speed 200kts to medium speed 800kts) against representative radomes samples. This system will need to be able to measure the bead physical characteristics prior, measure the velocity of the beads just prior to impact, and provide a method of inspection or assessment for survivability scoring.

We seek to inspire the next generation of engineers by creating an open-source basketball shooting robot. This robot will serve to inspire curiosity and engage middle & high school students potentially interested in the STEM field.

Design a wind tunnel to evaluate airflow over different airfoil and nose cone designs. The wind tunnel will be designed to visually display and record the airflow, this data will be used determine the efficiency of different geometries and drive design improvements. The wind tunnel will allow for various speed inputs to evaluate the test object at different stages of flight. In addition, the test chamber will include mounting support to adjust the angle of the test object.

The purpose of this project to develop a satellite-based communication and control system for a swarm or fleet of autonomous water/ocean drones known as “Aquabots.” The chosen method for communication with a master vessel will be via satellite, this will be required to be reliable and cost effective, in particular with regard to data transfer.

Specifications – two-way satellite communications with lead vessel, command data transmission, acquired data transmission, error and diagnostic transmission, distress transmission. System to have low power consumption 1ah @ 12v. System to have recording and display capabilities.

Requirements: (1) Research into types of robotic inter-communication systems available. (2) Identify how these systems can be adopted or improved (3) Identify low-cost sensing/communication systems for collision avoidance (4) Demonstrate system operation through prototyping and testing of an existing Aquabot prototype

Background, Rationale and Project Scope:
The health of the ocean is critical for overall earth and human health. Of concern is the increasing stress being placed on the world’s oceans, and for that matter other bodies of water including lakes and rivers. Increasing pollution from runoff and population growth; the increased release/dumping of pollutants, petrochemicals and garbage; lack of recyclability of plastics with generation of dispersed microplastics; and the list goes on - all are collectively and exponentially affecting ocean/water health. The relentless increase of ocean waste is at risk for impacting the health not only of the oceans but also those organisms who rely directly or indirectly on the sea. Climate change, as well, is a further stressor leading to an increase in sea level, a decrease in salinity, regional oxygen depletion and alteration of sea life - from the microscopic on up.

AquaBot drones are being developed to monitor the state of the oceans, obtain regional samples (salinity, pH, Temp) and recover plastic and other contaminating materials from the oceans. To increase the efficiency of these devices it is intended that they will operate in a swarm or fleet mode. To work in this manner individual drones need to be able to communicate with each other and take directions from a central command control. The vessels (drones) should use an Automated Identification System protocol (AIS) to transmit their position and be able to monitor each other’s position. Key control parameters are collision avoidance, search pattern adherence, vessel integrity/health, sensor data communication, error reporting, diagnostics and maintenance reporting.

This project will develop a “Smart Room” for patient examination able to capture much of this lost information. The project will benefit from and build upon work done by a Sr. Design team in ‘22-‘23. A kit will be designed that is portable, able to be placed in any given space utilized for patient examination. The kit will consist of: 1. Cameras (2-4) for image and motion capture; 2. microphones (2-4) for sound capture; 3. a handheld microphone for close patient examination (e.g. convertible or integrated with a stethoscope); 4. a handheld camera for close examination; and 5. a handheld microscope for extreme close-up image capture. Central to the kit will be an interface able to input all of these sources, and a computer system with large graphic display able to portray all inputs. The sophistication of the system will be in developed algorithms - i.e. in the systems’ ability to measure specific parameters from the input captured signals and display the processed time-synched information. Parameters to be measured include: accurate dimensions of a body part, accurate movement analysis (the system will incorporate MOCA - a system recently developed allowing image and motion quantitation (see Applied Sciences, 12(12), 6173. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12126173; sounds – including speech, breathing, heart sounds, AV graft/fistula sounds – analyzing them as to frequency, amplitude, pitch, phase and other subtle metadata including HNR (harmonic to noise ratio), NHR (noise to harmonic ratio), energy entropy (EE), short time energy (STE), zero crossing rate (ZCR), spectral roll off (SR), spectral centroid (SC) and spectral flux (SF) to estimate stress related acoustic high level features such as jitter and shimmer. Patient vital signs and weight will also be measured and inputted. Processed data needs to be able to be displayed as well as be compressed and stored in a fashion that may be incorporated in the electronic health record for ready serial access and display of evolving trends

The long-term goal and hope here it that from additional patient quantitative data gathered by the wired room, that new “digital biomarkers” may emerge stemming from serial evaluation of parameters measured over time. These new biomarkers will ultimately enhance the precision of clinical care.

Project Background/Scope: The role of the health care encounter – whether it be at the medical office, clinic, hospital, home or field is critical in obtaining relevant information to guide and direct the delivery and accuracy of care. Studies have demonstrated that more than 70% of diagnoses and advancement of care emanates from the physician or health worker carefully questioning and observing the patient. Sadly, patient encounters today have become shorter as to time spent, with the physician often hampered in examination focus by requirements of electronic health record (HER) data entry and use of a computer. Studies have also shown that many correct diagnoses are made by the doctor using information, such as: what and in what way the patient speaks, how the patient looks and acts, how the patient behaves, how the patient sits, how the patient walks, how the patient smells, and other information gained by focused attentive one–on–one patient encounters and consultations. In routine doctor-patient interactions today much of this information is not recorded and is lost.

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.