Engineering Undergraduate Theses
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Browsing Engineering Undergraduate Theses by Subject "Biosystems Engineering"
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- ItemOpen AccessAn Assistive Smart Mirror for Daily Living(2023-04-13) Modrcin, Dora; Yin, Hester; Reimer, Sydni; Du, Yuyao; Jacobson, NatashaIndividuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) experience challenges completing hygienic tasks independently due to short-term memory loss and difficulties sequencing tasks together. A caregiver can help by providing reminders and cueing. However, dependency on a caretaker decreases independence which may impact self-confidence. This smart bathroom mirror, shown in Figure 1, may help individuals with MCI to complete hygienic tasks, supporting independent living. The focus tasks are brushing teeth, flossing teeth, washing face, washing hands, applying deodorant, and brushing hair. The smart mirror reminds the users of their daily hygiene tasks and will proceed with step-by-step cueing when the user activates a task using the keypad. The smart mirror incorporates a custom-built hardwood frame containing a panel of smart mirror glass and a Dell 27" 2722 monitor. A PIR motion sensor, a 9-button keypad, and a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ connect to the monitor. The material of the back panel is Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) which is secured using screws, allowing access to the internal electronics when needed. Brackets with screws fasten the smart mirror to the wall. The languages used to program the smart mirror are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. There were eight tests; of particular interest are the internal heat and humidity tests that ensure the smart mirror's internal temperature remains below 40 °C and relative humidity (RH) does not exceed 30%. The design team also tested the functionality of the smart mirror to confirm that smart mirror technology could effectively cue hygiene tasks. The main recommendation is for testing to occur with individuals who live with MCI to conclude the effectiveness of a smart mirror in increasing the independence of this population. In addition, recommendations to improve the physical build and software are made.
- ItemOpen AccessDesign of a Compostable Menstrual Pad: Fluid acquisition layer and absorbent core(2023-04-13) Dewar-Norosky, Marika; Wyllie-Runner, Janel; Duguay, Noah; Pries, Matthew; McRae, Caven; Jacobson, NatashaThe build-up of non-biodegradable waste is an ever-growing issue in modern society. In one lifetime, a person can produce up to 300 lb of plastic waste by using disposable menstrual products (Labine, 2021). Major manufacturers of menstrual pads make their products out of mostly non-biodegradable materials that end up in landfills. The non-biodegradable components can take up to 800 years to decompose (Pebery et al. 2019). Aruna Revolution is a company that is working towards creating a compostable menstrual pad to provide a solution to the waste contribution of menstrual products. The intended outcome of this project was to create two layers of a compostable menstrual pad, the fluid acquisition layer and the absorbent core that meets current comfort and performance expectations from users. The project’s scope was to research and develop a nonwoven textile for use as the topmost fluid acquisition layer of a menstrual pad and a layer that will serve as the absorbent core, using cattail fibres. The use of cattails is shown to be sustainable, and they are known to be readily available in North America. An experimental plan was created to develop wet-laid nonwoven prototypes with varying leaf and seed fibre ratios to determine the influence of each type of fibre on how the sample interacts with synthetic menstrual fluid. Additionally, fibre samples were sent to Aruna Revolution, in partnership with Southeast Nonwovens to develop various samples using a hydroentanglement method. The test results showed that a nonwoven material created with a hydroentanglement process using 95% seed fibres and 5% hemp fibres is suitable for the fluid acquisition layer. Additionally, a nonwoven material created using 100% leaf fibres with a wetlaid nonwoven method is suitable for the absorbent core. Several test methods were used to verify that the final design met design constraints. Fluid property tests such as the fluid acquisition test and rewet test were completed on the fluid acquisition layer and absorbency tests were completed on the absorbent core. Additional tests were completed such as anti-microbial test, allergen test, durability test and stiffness test to understand how the samples will interact with the user. All test results were promising for the final design and both menstrual pad layers met the design constraints.
- ItemOpen AccessDevelopment of a New Product Using Fibres from Recycled Tires(2023-04-13) Yim, Caitlyn; Nwadike, Chiamake; Lanoway, Dryden; Baig, Shehroze; Seniuk-Cicek, Jillian; White, James; Jacobson, NatashaReliable Tire Recycling (RTR) tasked Team 2 to develop a recycling method for a synthetic fibre by-product produced by their tire recycling process. This by-product is made from a heterogenous mixture of short fibres such as polyester and nylon and contains significant amounts of impurities like dirt and crumb rubber. RTR expressed interest in using the by-product to create a new parking curb that would supersede their current model. They requested that the new design be light enough for a single person to carry, be able to withstand all-year Winnipeg weather, and can hold up during interactions with vehicles (i.e., collisions, rollovers, etc.). Team 2 proposed a new parking curb that incorporates the fibre by-product into RTR’s existing rubber mixture, paired with a redesigned form that meets the specified design objectives. The redesign includes underside cavities as well as reduced length for weight and material reduction. The proposed curb would be composed of 22% fibre by-product by mass, which was mixed directly into the rest of the ingredients (70% crumb rubber, 7.5% hydraulic binder, 0.5% water) to create test specimens for material evaluation. The mixture was formed by compressing it with 1700 psi of pressure and baking it at 100 °C. Other compositions were tested as well, including a control composition, 5% fibre by-product, 12% fibre by-product, RTR’s existing curb and two existing market options. The density of each test specimen was calculated first, and that density was used to determine the weight a proposed curb would be if it was made using each composition. All compositions containing fibre would result in a curb weight under the 35 lb design objective. The test specimens were evaluated by uniaxially compressing them according to ASTM standards. This test showed that the addition of fibre by-product, as well as applying higher pressure in the material creation process made the material deform less under load. All specimens containing fibre deformed less than 50% under the design load of 100 psi, passing the design objective. All specimens were then subjected to thermal testing, where they were exposed to extreme hot and cold temperatures (+75 °C and -80 °C respectively). After exposure, each was inspected for deformation and then hit with a metal rod at 21.7 km/hr to evaluate how it responded to impact force. All specimens passed, as none degraded noticeably post temperature exposure and all withstood the impact. A digital curb was then constructed using the 22% fibre by-product mixture, which was then subjected to 100 psi of pressure on the top face. The digital curb deformed a maximum of 8%, passing the deformation design objective. After analyzing the test results Team 2 recommended that RTR make several changes to their current mode of production. It was recommended that RTR increase the pressure used to manufacture curbs and begin introducing the fibre by-product into their curb mixture, starting with 22% replacement of crumb rubber for increased strength and reduced waste to landfill. It was also recommended that RTR adopt a curb design similar to the one proposed by Team 2 for weight, material, and cost savings.
- ItemOpen AccessGen1000 Chamber Sound Reduction(2023-04-13) Rodriguez, Julissa; Tran, Alex; Vasin, Karina; Whyte, Cam; Jacobson, NatashaConviron’s GEN1000 chamber is one of their best-selling plant growth chambers, used by growers, researchers, and students all over the world. These growth chambers are currently producing 60 dBA (A-weighted decibel) of noise, which can be irritating for users that have these chambers in their labs or classrooms. The goal of the student team is to decrease these sound levels to 50 dBA. The chamber must be modified in a way that does not hinder the growth of the plants inside, while maintaining the manufacturing cost of the chamber. Additionally, the team must stay within the project budget of $5000 CAD NRE (Non-Recurring Engineering) cost. The primary element of sound production was identified as the condenser fans in the machine compartment of the chamber. The team researched existing methods of sound dampening and presented these to Conviron. Further research was requested on three of these ideas and was later narrowed down to two due to the feasibility of the solutions in terms of manufacturability and function. The two methods of sound reduction chosen included insulating all surfaces in the machine compartment with sound insulation foam and acoustic louvers to replace the ventilation holes in the back panel of the compartment. A preliminary sound test was conducted which resulted in a baseline average of 62 dBA. A preliminary machine compartment temperature test was also conducted which resulted in a maximum baseline temperature of 35.7⁰C. The machine compartment was then insulated with acoustic insulation foam on all the metal surfaces. Three prototype back panels were made to replace the original panel. The first panel (“Handmade”) was made in the University of Manitoba shop using box brakes and hand tools. The second panel (“Manufactured”) was made with Malach, a metal and machining company. The final panel (“3D Printer”) was made using a PLA (Polylactic acid) filament and a 3D printer, to mimic the shape of an industry standard acoustic louver. These panels were then installed and tested along with the insulation for sound and temperature for 1.5 hours. The Handmade, Manufactured, and 3D Printed panels emitted an average of 60.7, 60.5, and 59.7 dBA, respectively. The recommendation chosen by the team was to insulate the machine compartment and to redesign the back panel using the Manufactured panel design. This recommendation was chosen for its effectiveness in dampening sound and high frequencies, the manufacturability, and its relatively affordable price. The final recommendation came out to $291.74 for two rolls of acoustic insulation foam ($114.37) and for the manufactured panel ($63).
- ItemOpen AccessVidir Vertical Solutions Vertical Farm(2023-04-13) Alcock, Allison; Lytwinuk, Josh; Klimchuk_Kevin; Seale, Patrick; Jacobson, NatashaVidir Vertical Solutions is a company that specializes in designing and producing vertical carousel shelving systems. They are hoping to produce a vertical farming system that will be adapted from their existing carousel design. Team 4 has been tasked with continuing development of a solution for conversion of an existing product from work conducted by a biosystems capstone group from 2021-22. The previous team confirmed the effectiveness of utilizing hydroponic growth systems with intermittent watering for use in a static system, and through discussions with the client during the fall 2022 school term Team 4 have been tasked with developing a full-scale single shelf unit which could be used as a test rig for lighting configuration and timing of a watering system. Team 4’s solution (Figure 1) to this problem consists of a modified shelf unit based on an existing shelf unit from Vidir systems, mounted on a stand unit over a static basin, in which the nutrient solution is pumped into to water plants in cups mounted in the shelf. Watering is accomplished by raising and lowering the basin water level to the height of shelf unit simulating a watering cycle in a full system. Lighting for the plants was accomplished by three led panels, with a control section mounted in a top-down position, and two mounted in a side position, with alternating on periods which simulate the movement of the shelf around the carousel unit. Testing was done with the shelf divided in two halves with one half being used as a control for effects of lighting position, with the LED panel mounted in the top position. The other side was lit by side mounted panels, and the effects of external light were eliminated by black-out fabric. From testing it was determined that the effects of side lighting negatively affected the plants, with leaves of the lettuce looking less full than that of top lighting. The intermittent watering schedule had no effect on either the control or test crop, which falls in line with the findings of the previous capstone team’s work. Team 4 would recommend that further research be conducted on the effects of lighting angle for side mounted lighting on plants, automation of the pumping system with regards to water levels and testing of the system within a full-scale system.
- ItemOpen AccessWin-Shield Medical Devices' Capstone Project Report(2023-04-13) Chingwena, Ashley; Shahriar, Ishrak; Staples, Sam; Ndhlovu, Simon; Jacobson, NatashaThis project creates a multipurpose device that protects healthcare workers from liquids and flying fragments, providing whole user safety. Existing face shields are uncomfortable and fail to protect the entire cranium from bodily fluids, while disposable ones are not environmentally or economically viable. The device developed is adjustable, comfortable, reusable, and easy to use, withstanding necessary cleaning processes. It also allows the use of head-mounted tools and devices. The proposed solution is called the Flip Shield. It includes a head shield, face shield, and hinge mechanism designed to protect against bodily fluid sprays, particularly from coughing and sneezing. The head shield has a slightly enlarged brim, protrusions on either side for the hinge, and can act as a platform for accessory devices. The face shield is designed to mate with the brim of the head shield, a remodelled face shield, and protrusions on either side for the hinge. The hinge mechanism is comprised of two curved hinge slides and two attachment pieces. The attachment pieces move inside the hinge slide, this ensures the head and face shield remain connected while allowing the face shield to move up freely. A prototype was 3D printed using polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) filaments, but production-grade parts will be constructed using polycarbonate and expensive, high-quality, water-cooled tool steel injection molds. The Flip Shield was evaluated based on the set-out verification/validation criteria, cleaning test methodology, and evaluation results, including an easy-to-use design, a locking hinge, reusability, simple assembly and disassembly, the time it takes to put the device on, and weight. Cleaning methodology was also tested, including disinfectant wipes and bleach solution method. Durability methodology was evaluated by performing the durability test, which aimed to evaluate the resilience of the hinge mechanism during everyday usage. The assembly and disassembly test were conducted to assess the duration and ease of each process. Both disinfectant wipes and bleach solution were found to be effective cleaning methods. Assembly took 1 minute and 10 seconds, disassembly took 32 seconds, and the durability test revealed that the PLA material used for the hinge mechanism caused the device to fail after approximately 100 cycles. The attachment method, material selection, and hinge channel design of the face shield can be improved to enhance its functionality and user-friendliness. Using a stronger material for better attachment and manufacturing through injection molding can result in a higher-grade and longer-lasting design. The cleaning method can be improved by combining the bleach solution and disinfectant wipes. Improving the push button design and modifying the finger tabs for better ergonomics can also enhance the design. A clear and transparent pet sheet with no ripples is crucial for clear vision, and a short user manual with engravings on the design body can guide users for easy installation of the hinge pieces. The attachment method, material selection, and hinge channel design of the face shield can be improved to enhance its functionality and user-friendliness. Using a stronger material for better attachment and manufacturing through injection molding can result in a higher-grade and longer-lasting design. The cleaning method can be improved by combining the bleach solution and disinfectant wipes. Improving the push button design and modifying the finger tabs for better ergonomics can also enhance the design. A clear and transparent pet sheet with no ripples is crucial for clear vision, and a short user manual with engravings on the design body can guide users for easy installation of the hinge pieces. The final design solution for the face shield project satisfies all the requirements, including creating an adjustable and comfortable shield, providing space for device mounting, making it reusable, and adhesive-free for easy cleaning and maintenance. The shield is made from durable and high-quality materials, making it cost-effective and eco-friendly. The final design solution is a reliable and effective tool suitable for various users.