Sustainable Flow Chemistry System

Flow chemistry systems provide a safer and more efficient means to conduct chemical reactions that traditional laboratory methods. Commercial flow systems are prohibitively expensive, so, many low cost, DIY flow systems have been developed. This project focuses on improving existing DIY flow systems to enhance functionality and usability.

Triton Solar Car Front Suspension System

Solar Cars are designed to be extremely aerodynamic and lightweight as possible, to maximize efficiency using available energy from the sun. As the Solar Car is a road vehicle that will be run on freeways, it must be able to withstand loads from uneven road conditions, while protecting the driver and the car. The suspension systems designed in this project must meet these requirements, and additional objectives were considered to optimize performance.

Optimization of COVID-19 Testing Workflow

This project provided two solutions for automating the decapping of COVID-19 sample test tubes in UC San Diego's EXCITE Lab. The goal of the project was to increase overall testing throughput by decreasing decapping time and circumventing limitations on certain equipment.

Aerial Wildland Firefighting Foam Delivery Chute

An expandable and contractible chute based on the origami of Kresling folding pattern. To be used as a conical guide for fire retardant foam in the form of bubbles that help suffocate and cool wildland forest fires. This design iteration potentially allows for a revolutionary system to deploy its suppressant effectively from the bottom of a specifically outfitted helicopter to the ground below.

Precious Plastic

The Precious Plastic team is working on improving the user experience of machinery to be used in an upcoming plastic makerspace. These machines will help the local community repurpose their plastic waste into new plastic products. The WI21 team was able to implement several components into a plastic injection machine for this makerspace and suggest future improvements to be worked on. With all the added components, the machine session time was reduced by an average of 43% so far.

Endotracheal Tube Support System

The purpose of the endotracheal tube support system is to reduce the pressure placed on the posterior larynx by the endotracheal tube during the length of the intubation period. Our team developed a sleek, strong, and durable clip which, once applied, guides the endotracheal tube to bend away from the posterior larynx therefore decreasing the chance of the patient’s voice box being permanently injured while intubated.

Dermal Cooling Vest

Improper thermoregulation can be seen in field workers who perform physical activity in hot and/or humid environments. Medical patients can also experience it as a symptom or side effect of the treatment of certain diseases. In these cases, cooling vests can be used to remove excess heat from the skin which assists in thermoregulation. Our sponsor, Dr. José R. Suárez, proposes a novel cooling vest that utilizes thermoelectric cooling devices (Peltier devices).

Low Cost Microsurgical Training Instrument

Low Cost Microvascular Training Clamp, a realistic training alternative to surgical grade clamps. Hoping to improve healthcare curriculum and ultimately, patient outcomes.

Variable Stiffness Prosthetic Limb

Prosthetics can be uncomfortable especially as the residual limb, or leg, can change volume by up to 10% throughout the day. As a result, up to 20% of patients don't use their prosthesis. Therefore, this project implements soft robotic jamming structures to sensitive areas in the prosthesis socket which can control the pressure at those areas as the limb moves and changes volume, improving comfort.

COHU Test-Fixture

Adjustable Head Mount for Augmented Reality Facial Motion Tracking System

Augmented Reality is used for face-to-face conversations with another digitally projected person in a shared virtual space. A crucial element for this experience is the ability to digitize the users’ facial expressions and body motions authentically. The Augmented Reality Head Mount serves as a self-contained, wearable system for facial and body tracking. It consists of two cameras, IMUs, a battery and a StereoPi attached to a Microsoft HoloLens 2 main frame using 3D-printed component mounts.

Tongue Touch Mouse & Keyboard

The Tongue Touch Mouse and Keyboard device was designed with 5 tongue-responsive capacitive touch sensors to provide computer accessibility for our client, Stacy Bibb, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy Spastic Quadriplegia. The main objective of the project was creating a comfortable, reliable, and reusable headset for Stacy’s use.

Endoscopic Tissue Stapler

An specialized tissue stapler designed to close hard-to-reach wounds in the throat region following endoscopic procedures by deploying stainless steel staples similar to traditional skin staplers. Accompanying the stapler are a staple die for stamping the specialized staples, a staple cartridge for sanitary and efficient loading, and a staple removal tip allowing for easy staple extraction once the wound has healed.