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).

Create a remote identification broadcast module that will be outfitted to a drone, enabling the drone to be detected by others with a receiver. Students will design and build a Bluetooth transmitter module using FAA guidelines and commercial Bluetooth specifications. The remote ID module will be capable of transmitting:
• the serial number of the broadcast module assigned by the producer.
• the latitude, longitude, geometric altitude, and velocity of the UA.
• the latitude, longitude, and geometric altitude of the UA takeoff location.
• a time mark.

The device shall produce folded kimwipes at a minimum rate of 100 per hour.
Final folded kimwipes shall be strictly less than the width of a glass specimen slide.
The final product should meet one of three tiers of automation, and documentation shall indicate the tier of automation and justification:
- High automation (preferred)
- Conditional automation
- Partial automation
The final product shall be designed with Portability in mind as a key
“-ility”.
The final product shall demonstrate a failure rate of less than 10%.
The final product shall be safe for use by manufacturing personnel (Refer to IEC 61010-1 Protection Against Mechanical HAZARDS as a guideline).

In partnership with R3 Aerospace, Nobel Works is building the U.S.’ first sounding rocket powered by a rotating detonation engine (RDE). RDEs are a new type of engine that supersonically combusts a combination of fuel and oxidizer. RDEs have higher efficiency than conventional combustion engines and in a more compact form factor, making them ideal for aerospace applications. This student group will aid Nobel and R3, specifically focusing on necessary subcomponent design, including ignition devices, fuel and oxidizer systems, engine components, avionics, recovery, and launch infrastructure systems. The team will assist in all testing and launch activities.