Tag Archives: engineering

WHAT WERE THE RESULTS OF THE FIELD TESTING PARTNERSHIPS WITH ENVIRONMENT CANADA THE ENGINEERING FIRM AND THE VINEYARD

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The Ecosystem Conservation Technologies company partnered with Environment Canada to conduct field tests of their experimental eco-friendly pest control systems at several national park sites across the country. The goal of the testing was to evaluate the systems’ effectiveness at naturally managing pest populations in ecologically sensitive environments. Environment Canada scientists and park rangers monitored test sites over two growing seasons, collecting data on pest numbers, biodiversity indicators, and any potential unintended environmental impacts.

The initial results were promising. At sites where the control systems, which utilized sustainable pest-repelling scents and natural predators, were deployed as directed, researchers observed statistically significant reductions in key pest insects and mites compared to control sites that did not receive treatments. Species diversity of natural enemies like predatory insects remained stable or increased at treated sites. No harmful effects on non-target species like pollinators or beneficial insects were detected. Though more long-term monitoring is needed, the testing suggested the systems can achieve pest control goals while avoiding damaging side effects.

Encouraged by these early successes, Ecosystem Conservation Technologies then partnered with a large environmental engineering firm to conduct larger-scale field tests on private working lands. The engineering firm recruited several wheat and grape growers who were interested in more sustainable approaches to integrate the control systems into their typical pest management programs. Engineers helped with customized system installation and monitoring plans for each unique farm operation.

One of the partnering farms was a 600-acre premium vineyard and winery located in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. Known for producing high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, the vineyard’s profitability depended on high-yield, high-quality grape harvests each year. Like many vineyards, they had battled fungal diseases, insects, and birds that threatened the vines and grapes. After years of relying heavily on synthetic fungicides and insecticides, the owner wanted to transition to less hazardous solutions.

Over the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons, Ecosystem Conservation Technologies worked with the vineyard and engineering firm to deploy their pest control systems across 150 acres of the most sensitive Pinot Noir blocks. Real-time environmental sensors and weather stations were integrated into the systems to automatically adjust emission rates based on local pest pressure and conditions. The vineyard’s agronomists continued their normal scouting activities and also collected samples for analysis.

Comparing the test blocks to historical data and untreated control blocks, researchers found statistically significant 25-30% reductions in key grape diseases like powdery mildew during critical pre-harvest periods. Importantly, the quality parameters for the harvested Pinot Noir grapes like Brix levels, pH, and rot were all within or above the vineyard’s high standards. Growers also reported needing to spray approved organic fungicides 1-2 fewer times compared to previous years. Bird exclusion techniques integrated with the systems helped reduce some bird damage issues as well.

According to the final crop reports, system-treated blocks contributed to larger harvest yields that were higher in both tonnage and quality than previous years. The vineyard owner was so pleased that they decided to expand usage of the Ecosystem Conservation Technologies systems across their entire estate. They recognized it as a step forward in their sustainability journey that protected both the sensitive environment and their economic livelihoods. The engineering firm concluded the field testing validated the potential for these systems to deliver solid pest control in real-world agricultural applications while lowering dependence on synthetic chemicals.

The multi-year field testing partnerships generated very promising results that showed Ecosystem Conservation Technologies’ novel eco-friendly pest control systems can effectively manage important crop pests naturally. With further refinement based on ongoing research, systems like these offer hope for growing practices that safeguard both environmental and agricultural sustainability into the future. The successful testing helped move the systems closer to full commercialization and widespread adoption by farmers and land managers nationwide.

CAN YOU PROVIDE MORE EXAMPLES OF REAL WORLD BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING CAPSTONE PROJECTS

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Development of an Upper Extremity Exoskeleton to Aid in Rehabilitation:

A team of students designed and built a robotic exoskeleton device to be worn over the arm and hand to assist in rehabilitation therapy for patients recovering from injuries such as strokes. The exoskeleton contained sensors to monitor the patient’s movements and provided assisted motions to help them regain range of motion and motor control abilities in a safe manner. It could be adjusted for different therapy exercises and tracked progress over time. The students had to research rehabilitation needs, design the mechanical components, implement control systems using motors and software, perform safety and usability testing, and develop manufacturing and assembly plans to demonstrate a potentially commercializable medical device.

Embedded Monitoring System for Neonatal Care:

Another group of students developed a non-invasive embedded monitoring system for use in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to continuously track vital signs of premature infants without needing frequent disruptions to attach wired sensors. They designed wearable multi-sensor modules containing temperature, heart rate, respiration rate and oxygen saturation sensors that wirelessly transmitted data to a central station. Software was programmed to sound alarms for any unstable readings. Prototypes were tested on newborn infant simulators and feedback was gathered from NICU nurses. Regulations for medical devices were researched to outline pathways for FDA approval.

3D Printed Implants for Craniofacial Reconstruction:

In this project, biomedical engineering students partnered with facial trauma surgeons to address the need for custom implants used in complex craniofacial reconstruction surgeries. They developed a workflow using computer aided design (CAD) software and 3D printing technology to create patient-specific implants based on CT scans. Material properties of polymers and metals were analyzed to select appropriate biomaterials. Surgical planning, sterile manufacturing and regulatory issues were considered. Working prototypes of mandible, orbital and calvaria implants were fabricated and their precision-fit was verified. Collaboration continued with surgeons to refine the process and pursue clinical studies.

Biosensor for Detecting Bed sores:

Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are a serious medical complication for patients confined to beds for extended periods. A team of students designed a flexible biosensor system that could be integrated into beds and mattresses to noninvasively monitor pressures at multiple surface points on a patient’s body in real-time. Different sensor technologies were tested and a capacitive sensor array was selected for its conformability. A microcontroller collected pressure maps which were analyzed using algorithms to detect pressures exceeding tolerance limits that pose risk of sores. Notifications were sent to caregivers’ mobile devices. Clinical feedback helped refine sensor placement and data visualization.

MRI-Compatible Robotic Biopsy Device:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides excellent soft tissue contrast for diagnosing cancers, but current biopsy procedures require removing the patient from the scanner for needle placement. A group of students sought to address this limitation by designing a robotic biopsy device that could accurately insert biopsy needles under MRI guidance without interfering with the scanner’s magnet. They integrated non-ferrous actuators, piezoelectric motors and plastic gears into an MRI-safe mechanical design. Image processing and robot kinematics were used to precisely register needle positions from MRI images. Rigorous testing was performed to ensure no artifacts or distortions in images. Collaboration continued with radiologists to define clinical workflows and identify any remaining technical hurdles prior to pursuing FDA clearance.

This covers a sampling of some ambitious biomedical engineering capstone projects undertaken by students that involved developing real medical devices, technologies and solutions to address diverse clinical needs. The projects required integrating knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, materials selection, engineering design, manufacturing, regulations, and collaborating with medical experts. The level of innovation demonstrated in developing functional prototypes that advanced healthcare reflects the interdisciplinary training biomedical engineers receive to apply engineering principles for improving human health.

CAN YOU PROVIDE EXAMPLES OF CAPSTONE PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF ENGINEERING

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Civil Engineering Capstone Projects:

Design and construct a footbridge: Students design all structural elements of a footbridge that meets safety standards and aesthetics requirements. They produce plans and specifications, cost estimates, and a construction management plan. Construction involves steel beam fabrication, concrete work, railings etc.

Develop a stormwater management plan: Working with a local municipality, students analyze stormwater runoff patterns and issues in a neighborhood. They develop a plan to redirect flows, add retention basins, underground storage, and rain gardens to reduce flooding and improve water quality. It involves hydrologic modeling, civil design, neighborhood outreach.

Plan and design a multi-use development: Students work with a local developer to plan and design all civil site elements for a mixed-use development with residential, commercial, and public space areas. The project includes road networks, parking, utilities layout, grading & drainage, lighting, landscaping plans and more.

Conduct a traffic impact study: Students perform traffic counts and analyses at an intersection or road segment experiencing congestion issues. They develop recommendations such as signal timing changes, turn lanes, road widening etc. to mitigate traffic impacts of a new development. Alternatives are evaluated and a preferred plan selected.

Mechanical Engineering Capstone Projects:

Design and build a Baja car: Students design, fabricate and test a small off-road vehicle optimized for performance and durability. It involves the application of mechanics, dynamics, materials selection, manufacturing processes, and project management. Components include frames, suspensions, engines/transmissions, controls and other systems.

Develop an assistive device: Students work with an organization that helps people with disabilities to design, build and test a prototype assistive device. Examples include wheelchairs, prosthetics, adaptive sports equipment, rehabilitation devices etc. It involves kinematics, dynamics, ergonomics, electronics, and human factors considerations.

Design and build an UAV: Students work in teams to design, build and test an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) for a specified purpose such as cargo delivery, precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection etc. Projects require applications of aerodynamics, structures, controls, sensors, autopilot programming, and FAA drone regulations.

Improve manufacturing process: Students partner with a company and analyze an issue in their production process such as excessive scrap rates, quality concerns or inefficient operations. Students develop and test solutions involving tool/die redesign, automation, robotics, lean techniques or other methods and measure impacts on key metrics.

Electrical & Computer Engineering Capstone Projects:

Develop an embedded system: Students design and build an electronic/embedded system to automate a process or prototype a new product. Examples include autonomous robots, home automation systems, data acquisition devices, electrical controls for machine tools etc. It involves microcontrollers, sensors, actuators, circuit design, programming, and prototype construction.

Design telecommunications system: For example, students plan and prototype a private radio network for first responder use or design and implement a fiber optics network on campus. Projects require topics like broadband technologies, networking protocols, antenna design, distributed computing, and project planning skills.

Develop an assistive technology device: Students work with partners to design innovative assistive devices leveraging technologies like computer vision, natural language processing, robotics and more to help people with disabilities. Examples include smart walkers, environmental controls through IoT, language translation devices etc.

Create VR/AR/Haptics application: Students prototype immersive experiences applying virtual/augmented/mixed reality and haptic technologies to areas like surgical simulation, industrial training, cultural heritage, scientific visualization and more. Projects combine programming, electronics, computer graphics and human-computer interaction.

Engineering capstone projects provide authentic, meaningful learning experiences that require integrating knowledge and skills from multiple courses to address real-world challenges through collaborative, multifaceted projects. By working directly with industry, non-profits or community partners, students gain valuable experience that bridges the academic-professional divide and prepares them for future success.

HOW ARE COMPUTER ENGINEERING CAPSTONE PROJECTS TYPICALLY GRADED

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Capstone projects in computer engineering are generally the culminating experience for students near the end of their degree program. The goal of the capstone project is to allow students to showcase the knowledge and skills they have gained throughout their coursework by developing a significant software or hardware project from start to finish. Given the complex and open-ended nature of capstone projects, grading them typically involves a comprehensive process that takes multiple factors into consideration.

One of the primary components of the grading criteria is technical merit. Professors and industry reviewers will evaluate the project based on the technical challenges involved and how well the students were able to overcome them. They look at the scope of the problem being addressed, the technical approaches and solutions implemented, the choice and use of tools/technologies, optimizations employed, and overall quality of the implementation from an engineering perspective. Capstone projects that push technical boundaries or demonstrate advanced problem-solving receive higher scores in this area.

Another major consideration is the design and development process. Evaluators review students’ documentation of project planning, architecture and system design, requirements analysis, project management, version control practices, testing procedures, and the maturity of the implemented solution. Well-structured and thoroughly planned and executed development cycles with proper documentation yield higher marks. Attention to best practices, modularity, and sustainable designs is favored.

Presentation skills are also commonly part of the grading rubric. Students are assessed on their oral presentation of the project and the quality of any demo provided. Presentations are judged based on clear communication of goals, methodology, results, lessons learned, and question handling. Visual presentation materials like posters or slides should be well-organized and professionally delivered.

Written reports or documentation represent another substantial factor. Comprehensive final reports or theses capturing all aspects of the work – from initial problem definition to deployment – are critically reviewed. Strong writing skills, adhering to specified formatting, thorough explanation of technical details, and appropriate referencing of related work are expected.

Functionality and effectiveness are also significant grading metrics. Reviewers test how completely the delivered system satisfies specified requirements and intended purpose. They evaluate real-world utility, performance, validation via testing, accuracy, robustness, usability, and any benchmarking or quantitative analysis provided. Fully implemented core capabilities receive more favorable treatment than partial solutions.

Some programs may allocate grading points towards project management skills. Things like scheduling/timelines, division of roles/responsibilities, version control practices, agile/iterative development, risk assessment/mitigation planning, and consideration of ethics, safety, security or other non-technical factors are inspected. Demonstrated leadership or group collaboration abilities may also influence scores.

Feedback on potential for future work or commercial viability may be collected from reviewers as well, though it typically carries less direct weight. As capstone experiences aim to culminate students’ studies, long-term maintainability, expandability, research potential, intellectual property matters and entrepreneurial appeal may still reflect positively on effort and outcomes.

The assessment is usually made by a committee consisting of faculty advisors as well as practitioners from industry who serve as external reviewers. Their scoring rubrics, along with any mandatory requirements, determine allocation of points across the assessment factors. Final letter grades are ultimately assigned by taking a holistic view of the quantitative and qualitative feedback captured. With complexity and ambiguity inherent to open-ended engineering challenges, human judgment also plays an indispensable role in fair evaluation of capstone achievement.

Computer engineering capstone projects are graded in a comprehensive manner that considers technical implementation, process, presentation, documentation, functionality, management skills, and overall attainment of learning goals – all as assessed by expert faculty and industry reviewers. The mix of objective metrics and subjective human appraisal allows for a nuanced assessment befitting the creative, real-world problem-solving nature of the capstone experience.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF CAPSTONE PROJECTS IN SPECIFIC FIELDS LIKE ENGINEERING OR BUSINESS?

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Engineering Capstone Projects:

Mechanical Engineering: Design and build a prototype of a robotic arm – Students would have to learn mechanical design principles, apply physics concepts like torque and forces, design electrical circuits to control motors, and write code for the robotic arm functionality. They would produce technical documentation, conduct stress analysis, and demonstrate a working prototype.

Civil Engineering: Design and simulate a long span bridge structure – Students research different bridge types, select a design, conduct load and stress analysis using structural engineering software, optimize the design, produce construction plans, and present the virtual bridge model. Factors like material selection, sustainment of loads, minimizing costs are considered.

Electrical Engineering: Develop an IoT-based home automation system – Students develop circuits with sensors and microcontrollers, write code to detect triggers like motion/sound and automate functions like switching lights/appliances. They design apps for remote monitoring/control over wifi/bluetooth. Areas like embedded systems, device networking, and user interface design are applied.

Computer Engineering: Build an artificial intelligence chatbot – Students research natural language processing techniques, train machine learning models on conversation datasets, and develop a conversational agent that can understand commands and answer questions on chosen topics. Evaluation metrics consider accuracy, response relevance and coherency of replies.

Business Capstone Projects:

Management: Launch a startup business plan – Students ideate a product/service idea, conduct market research to validate customer needs, analyze competition, and develop a comprehensive 1-2 year startup business plan covering all functional areas. Financial projections, funding strategies, scalability plans and risk assessments are key components.

Marketing: Develop an integrated marketing campaign – Students select a brand, identify target segments, and plan a holistic 12 month campaign strategy across different channels like print, digital, events. Tactics may comprise branding, advertising, public relations, influencer marketing, promotions etc. Campaign effectiveness metrics are proposed.

Finance: Simulate investment portfolio and wealth management strategies – Students research asset classes, develop customized model portfolios using stocks, bonds, funds, allocate proportions to maximize returns for different risk profiles. Financial analysis tools, fundamental analysis, economic factors and portfolio rebalancing rules over time are applied.

Human Resource Management: Create an employee training and development program – Students identify competency gaps for selected jobs, design modular training content mapped to job roles using various tools, propose methods for ongoing skills assessments and professional growth opportunities. Implementation plan, schedules and feedback processes are outlined.

Healthcare Administration Capstone Projects:

Healthcare Management: Plan a hospital or clinic facility expansion – Starting with current capacity constraints, strategic objectives and demand forecasts, students develop blueprints of expanded infrastructure, estimate costs, propose financing options, and create project schedules and risk mitigation strategies for building, certifications and operations.

Public Health: Conduct a community health needs assessment and develop intervention strategies – Students define target communities, research their demographics, design health surveys, conduct primary data collection, analyze key health issues, rank needs by severity and economic impact. Evidence-based pilot programs addressing priority issues like access, chronic diseases, awareness etc are proposed.

Healthcare Informatics: Build an electronic health records system – Students research data privacy regulations, design secure database architecture and interface templates for various entities. Programmers implement modules for patient registration, provider and staff access, billing/payments, scheduling, medical charts, prescription management, analytics and reporting. Usability is emphasized.

This covers detailed examples of the types of extensive, real-world capstone projects implemented across different disciplines like engineering, business and healthcare to fulfill degree requirements. Capstones allow students to synthesize and apply skills/concepts gained, work on open-ended problems, and produce impactful outcomes assessed via demonstratable final deliverables, technical evaluation and oral defenses.