This project involved chemically stabilizing samples of field collected clay soil to provide recommendations on the best engineering practices to enhance the performance of highway subbases for durable pavement. We stabilized the soil using the admixture lime to examine which percent of lime by dry weight enhances the clay's natural performance most effectively. After stabilizing the samples, we began the testing process to identify which sample was most resistant to primary and secondary consolidation settlements. The sample with the least amount of settlement would indicate the ideal stabilizer combination.

We ran a series of tests including the Sieve Analysis Test, Atterberg Limits Test, Compaction Tests, and finally the Primary and Secondary Consolidation Test. Each test was  performed up to three times to obtain proper statistical data. We tested the soil through wet and dry cycles to mimic the wet and dry seasons through the year in our area. A flawed subbase can lead to drastic primary and secondary consolidation settlement of the soil resulting in damages, roadway failure, and possible casualty. As engineers, it is imperative to uphold proper ASCE standards for health and safety of the general public. 

This project tests the performance of a pavement mixture that has been modified by replacing 10 percent of the asphalt binder with low-density polyethylene sourced from trash bags. The mix was designed in an effort to divert plastic from the landfill and reduce asphalt industry dependency on petroleum. The results of sieve analysis, Superpave Gyratory Compactor, Indirect Tensile Asphalt Cracking Test (IDEAL-CT), and leaching tests indicate whether or not this pavement mix is a feasible alternative to traditional mixes. In the sieve analysis stage, 16 percent of the aggregate used was reclaimed asphalt pavement, furthering this project's goals to promote sustainability.

The plastic modified samples required more than double the gyrations to reach the same height as the control sample in the Superpave Gyratory Compactor test, indicating our mix has sub-optimal workability. IDEAL-CT results of the plastic modified mix compared to Department of Transportation standards will determine whether our mix has sufficient cracking resistance. The spectrophotometry results of the leaching test will determine whether the added plastic will contribute to microplastic contamination of our waterways. Based on these results, this mix design needs to be further modified before the project can move on to the on-road testing phase.

The objective of this project is to determine the effectiveness of IFWS2 (inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulphide) particle-based lubricants in metalworking applications, such as lathe cutting, tapping, machining, etc. While lubricants are already being widely used in metalworking fields, in the form of water and oil-based lubricants, current solutions contain a certain level of compromise when it comes to their usability. Current lubricants are a mixture of water and oil, or other petroleum derivatives. By adjusting the ratio of water to oil, optimization of either cooling or reduction of friction can be achieved. By using IFWS2 particle-based lubricants, which are entirely water based, the level of compromise is not only reduced, but entirely overstepped, as these nano-particle-based lubricants are optimized for a larger variety of uses and conditions, which can prove to be more cost effective. Furthermore, not only is this compromise of cooling and lubricity mitigated, but these lubricants boast a variety of other traits, allowing it to be capable of completely phasing out traditional lubricants in fields that extend far past simple metalworking procedures. With the research and data collection from this project, a better understanding of the benefits of IFWS2 lubricants can be documented and further expanded upon.  

Senior Design Team 5 is competing in the 2023 ASHRAE Design Competition. This project consists of comparing hand calculations powered by a spread sheet and the load software TRANE TRACE 3D Plus. The calculations performed are to determine the heating and cooling load of a building. The building type and location as specified by ASHRAE is a laboratory facility located in Cairo, Egypt. ASHRAE provided specific weather data to be incorporated. The hand calculations utilize conduction time series (CTS) and radiant time series (RTS) to find the peak cooling load of the building. Conduction time series and radiant time series are applied to each element of the building from construction to internal heat gains.

The TRANE TRACE 3D Plus software allows the laboratory facility in Cairo, Egypt to be modeled in 3D. Once the building is modeled the software then calculates the heating and cooling loads for the peak hours. The focus of the project is the comparison between the hand calculations and the TRACE 3D Plus results. The comparison allows the software to be validated and confidence in the software results can be achieved.

The Drop Weight Impact Testing Machine’s objective is to adapt and advance the inherited test frame to include key functions for quality control and data acquisition. The inherited hatch release system was redesigned to be a magnetic locking system with the pulley system preserved to allow for height adjustments. This team’s design has a linear projectile that drops from freefall and is guided by rails. The control box provides an accurate release time for the triggered data collection. The solenoid functions link the rod and apparatus frame by electronically releasing the rod for impact. Three interchangeable impactors interconnect to the calibrated loadcell and impact rod.

The test frame was expanded as to include a catch container that meets ASTM standard testing parameters. Point tracking is implemented by MATLAB where real velocity is attainable for analysis. Camera analysis is also integrated into the interface of the project. Manufacturing these designed components creates the ability to test polymers under various real-life impact loading under low-velocity conditions with the completed apparatus. This device is meant for advancing materials testing capabilities at Temple University for education and the advancement of material science research. 

Solar Decathlon Challenge provides an opportunity to study about energy and heat and cold load calculations in order to use them in practical projects which increase energy efficiency of a structure that makes the future houses more economical such as a residential house or building. This research also helps our planet to become clean without needing  to burn fossil fuels and reduces the greenhouse gasses  and global warming risk. In fact, this is training in the clean energy industry.

Specifically, students are prepared to be the next generation of high performance, renewable energy building designers. The second purpose is to educate not just the students, but the world about how harmful our infrastructure can be. Meanwhile the challenge pushes us to be creative and fabricate new designs, devices, or methods to decrease the output of carbon emissions.  This project opens a new door toward having high performance and net zero energy building which encourages all participants to think beyond a building and look at other environmental issues induced by carbon emissions.

Hydrogen fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert the stored chemical energy of hydrogen to electricity and heat. Hybridized hydrogen fuel cell systems consist of batteries that can store this power. Currently, prognostic models for hydrogen fuel cells are still being developed and will be essential for further fuel cell development. Our team is sponsored by Plug Power, a leading hydrogen fuel cell technology company. The initial goal of this project was to create a prognostic model for Plug Power’s hybridized hydrogen fuel cell systems, to predict purge valve failure for their field units.

This project primarily started out as an equation-driven model based on regression and statistical analysis. Because of the constraints of the operational units provided, our project’s approach changed to a machine-learning analysis in collaboration with a Graduate Student. The neural networks would then analyze the data based on parameters set through graphical and performance analysis by the team. The data was manually filtered in terms of system operation states, variable selection, and sequential data and then integrated into the neural network. Our team’s final project developed to create an automated model to filter out these parameters which decreased the time to filter data while decreasing error.  

This photo is the application interface that we created that allows building operators to easily view their BAS data in various ways/over different time spans

 The concept of the Robotic Lawnmower is based on using intelligent technology to turn a remote-controlled lawnmower into an autonomous machine.  Making the Robotic Lawnmower autonomous will make landscaping efficient and less of a chore while allowing consumers more free time to pursue other goals. 
The Robotic Lawnmower is currently remote controlled and Team 9 has been given the task of initiating  the process of making it autonomous. 

Our solution was to implement a Pixhawk Cube for Global Positioning System(GPS) to assist the Robotic Lawnmower in navigating area that needs landscaping and to set boundaries​ using a LiDAR sensor. The last step of our project is to turn this project into simpler steps that high school students can follow since this product will be a STEM kit. 
For our results we will be measuring at what height the grass is being cut, how obstacles are avoided and at what distance the obstacle needs to be for the lawnmower to stop and trigger our safety feature. We will also be measuring how long of a distance and time the batteries on our robot will last. 

We propose an open-source, cost-efficient thermal laser plantar test as an alternative system for to the standardized Hargreaves Test as a method for Hyperalgesia Spinal Cord Injury Modelling. The apparatus will be used to assist researchers in observing if there is a decrease in latency within reflex responses of medium sized animals (cats) with a spinal cord injury.

The proposed solution uses a 1400nm laser to project through an acrylic lens and stimulate deep neurons within the test animal’s paw to stimulate the reflex. The animal lays upon the system with their back paw over the lens while the operator of the system uses a GUI controlled RPi 3B+ to interact with the photodiode and laser circuit lying under the lens to stimulate the reflex, record the change in time, and automatically compute analysis that is imported/exported to an excel database. Each animal is divided into groups given various neurotrophins to observe their effects on the reflex. Decreases in latency could conclude the effects of which neurotophins lead to hyperalgesia (an increase in sensitivity to pain), which may be a source of chronic pain within individuals who suffer from spinal cord injuries. 

There are about 300,000 visually impaired people in Pennsylvania; visually impaired people are often reliant on public transportation for their daily routine. However, using public transportation can be a challenge for them because it can be difficult to find the correct bus and get off at the right stop. Team 11’s proposed solution to this problem is a cane-attachable Raspberry Pi computer with a camera connected to it. The computer will be able to detect a SEPTA bus and, through vibration motors, alert the user when their bus is arriving. Team 11 decided to make the product cane-attachable because a white cane is a common assistive instrument for the blind.

The algorithm the team developed to detect buses has an average precision of 0.52 and an average recall of 0.69. Precision and recall are performance metrics; precision refers to how often objects the camera recognizes as buses are actually buses. A good precision value should be at least 0.7 so the algorithm still needs improvement in this regard. Recall refers to how often the algorithm recognizes buses when they appear on camera. A good recall value should be at least 0.5 so the algorithm is doing well in this regard.  

Our project is Dynamic Perturbation, which is defined as disturbances that affect the dynamics of a person or animal. Dynamic perturbations are a form of training that allows us to measure unexpected reactions caused by outside forces that act on animals or humans. However, in order to prevent the effects animals and humans generate forces that correct the perturbance which helps keeps them stabilized. It is extremely difficult to test perturbation most specifically for humans as this could lead to extreme injuries or even death. Therefore, animal studies regarding perturbation have allowed us to correlate the data we have received to humans. The project will focus on assessing the gait mechanics of a rodent as it runs across a rod as different perturbations take place. The studies and test runs we have completed can help us accurately predict changes in balance and understand gait mechanics better so that this can be applied to rehab intervention for individuals at increased risk of falling. 

During aging, wound healing or disease such as fibrosis and cancer metastasis, the extracellular matrix (ECM) becomes stiffer. This changes all aspects of cell behaviors, including proliferation, migration, and communication. In order to better understand how the ECM works in normal versus tumor infected conditions, the team decided to build a chamber that cross links collagen and riboflavin using 365nm UV light in a spatial manner to create a more heterogeneous and realistic microenvironment.

The collagen will be crosslinked in a MatTek dish while maintaining a pH range of 6.7-7.1 and a temperature between 32-37℃. The ideal collagen stiffness should be between about 4-10 kPa to mimic a tumor site and less than 1000 Pa to mimic a normal tissue. To quantify the solution, the Bose Electroforce will be used to measure the stiffness of the collagen after it is crosslinked. To properly create a spatial resolved stiffness matrix, the team will be testing the cross-linking chamber with different designs to prove the spatial resolution and then conducting image analysis. 

Representative model of NIRF marker for kinematic tracking

The sponsor has a condition known as Dropped Head Syndrome as a result of chemotherapy. Due to this condition, the muscles in the back of their neck no longer function, requiring an external device to hold their head up. The sponsor currently uses a brace, however this brace collapses over time, is uncomfortable, and doesn’t allow full range of motion. The brace also makes it uncomfortable for the sponsor to eat and hold conversation.  

The team decided to make the brace out of nylon with padding on it to address the collapse and the comfort issues the sponsor has with their current brace. The chin piece was designed to be adjustable so the sponsor can have multiple viewing angles. They will be able to see upward, straight ahead, and down at their feet. A head strap is also included in this brace to lift the chin off the chin rest as the sponsor eats or talks. To test the device, the team has completed several SolidWorks tests and physical tests. These in including force, drop, and thermal testing to ensure the brace will not deform or damage while the sponsor wears it. 

The project involves designing and testing a bio-inspired needle for soft tissue insertion to reduce damage to surrounding tissue and increase targeting accuracy.  Our needle resembles a scorpion telson with a curvature of 36.87º. A Three-Dimensional printed bio-inspired and control needle was inserted  into a custom brain phantom tissue composed of polyvinyl chloride and plastic softener.  A linear actuator rail with a force sensor and needle attached moves in the z-direction towards the gel to obtain insertion force and speed data (4.5mm/s, 15mm/s, 30mm/s). A stereotactic microscope, camera, and ImageJ software was used to analyze insertion damage and path of deflection.

Results indicate faster insertion speeds had greater force values, but less deflection for both needles. The scorpion-inspired needle displayed less deflection for faster and medium speeds but more deflection for slower speeds. The average insertion force for the designed needle for each speed setting (slow, medium, fast) was 4.47N, 7.74N, and 7.85N and for the control 5.27N, 7.20N, 9.38N. Tissue damage was less at every insertion speed for the scorpion-inspired needle, making it less invasive than our control. Our study shows that applying  bio-inspired needle designs insertions into soft tissues reduces insertion force, tissue damage, and needle deflection.  

Plants need a light-dark cycle to develop properly. LED lighting is the most efficient, effective, and environmentally friendly way to grow plants indoors, offering low energy usage, regulated heat, and color optimization among other options. Although virtually any light will stimulate the growing process, not all artificial lights will provide the best conditions for growth. Some may run too hot, while others lack the spectrum of light for optimal growth. 

Many clip-on grow lights can be found in abundance online. They are cheaply made, have horrible lighting, do not look appealing, and do not stand out from one another. Our team was tasked with creating a new and improved design that can be differentiated from others. This project required designing an aesthetically pleasing clip-on grow light for small desk and shelf plants. It had to clip to a variety of surfaces while minimizing its overall profile and meeting various performance expectations in its environment. This prototype must be unique and should be able to connect to an app. After designing and testing, the end goal of this project is to fabricate a fully functional prototype. 

This project aims to synergistically merge HVAC and Solar Systems creating a combined system which improves the efficiency of each member. This is accomplished by physically connecting the two systems via a duct which is mounted beneath the PV panels, running directly to the intake of an HVAC system. The increased air flow beneath the panels will result in the transfer of energy from the panel to the passing air; resulting in both a cooling effect for the PV panel, and a reduction of heat energy required from the HVAC system.

The efficacy of this combination is tested via scale models of both PV and HVAC systems, as well as the space which they must condition. Currently data analysis is on hold due to construction issues and weather (testing conditions) but testing will be underway shortly. The analysis of this data will be crucial in determining if this system is both profitable to future users and helpful in lowering usage of carbon intensive energy sources.