Capstone Design Program: Electrical and Computer Engineering

Remote Car Controller

Steve Yu — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:22:23 PST

Nobody has tried to provide a technological solution that will allow a person to use their cell phone to start their vehicle anywhere. We want to provide the user the ability to carry fewer devices without losing functionality of the included devices.

Remote Controlled Stroller

Theresa Mahoney — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:22:23 PST

Our capstone design idea is to build an intelligent remote controlled electrically powered stroller that will require no direct physical interaction with the user. The stroller will provide an unprecedented level of safety and convenience to both the operator and the passenger.

Portable gas analyzer

Neil Gupta — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:22:22 PST

In today's world, there is a need for a versatile system that can analyze potentially dangerous gaseous compounds. Our design project is a novel approach to solving this issue. We set out to create a low-power, portable system that would implement a solid state design and RF technology. By using electronics typically found in cell phones, we ensured that our design would require less than 10 watts of power, thus fulfilling the low power requirement. These cell phone components also allow our design to be portable, as the complete system weighs only 5 pounds. The implementation of a solid state...

MRI/MEG Compatible Grip Force Dynamometer for Stroke Patients

Eric Krejci — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:22:21 PST

There is currently a need for a device to allow researchers at the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging to better understand the brain activity related to improving motor functions in stroke patients. In previous experiments they have been comparing brain functions of healthy subjects to those of stroke patients during MRI and MEG scans while the subjects have been performing a series of hand motor functions. These experiments have been helping them to understand how the kinematics of motor task performance affects brain activity. Our capstone design project involved the design of an MRI and MEG compatible hand tracking device...

ISDU : Integrated Smoke Detector Unit For Commercial Microwave Ovens

Cory Lloyd — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:22:20 PST

We suggest that smoke detection devices be integrated into range ovens and microwaves, the leading causes of domestic structure fires. There have been various detectors made for microwave ovens, but none have been implemented to detect smoke. Our design will work on the principles that when smoke is detected during microwave operation, the device will temporarily disable microwave operation and let the user know that the food has begun to smoke or even burn. The product, Integrated Smoke Detection Unit (ISDU) for commercial microwave ovens, will work in the following way. The presence of particulate during cooking will trigger our...

Intelli-Fridge : Final Report

James Foulis — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:22:19 PST

Inventory management is a term that has long since been used in industrial settings. In its simplest form, it is a process of materials control whereby goods can be tracked in terms of location and quantity. Warehouses commonly deal with large amounts of materials that are of a varying nature, and strict records must be kept in some sort of database to ensure on-time and accurate shipment. For years, this process was done by hand, whereby items would be periodically counted and records would be updated, but in 1969, a new technology was introduced that would change inventory management forever,...

Implementation of RFID Payment for Parking Meters

Matt Dickman — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:22:18 PST

On the first day that our capstone group was placed together, we discussed many possible projects to undertake. After brainstorming and deliberating we concluded that our project will be one that is simplistic in nature as well as logical to its environment. To be successful in the completion of our project we would all have to be highly motivated and have a basic understanding of the underlying problem. This motivation came from our past experiences and the knowledge that comes with those experiences. During our team meetings, our group realized that we had similar issues with commuting into and around...

Health C2UBE : Physical Therapy Cadence Compliance for UBE Device

Daniela Falcone — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:22:17 PST

Amputees and patients with myelopathy have difficulties with the accessibility of health care facilities for physical therapy. Patients are prescribed exercise regimens to do within their own home, usually with an Upper Body Ergometer (UBE) to assist in their rehabilitation. Statistically, disabled patients have lower heart rate variability (HRV) and tracking such measures is imperative due to the fact that measurement of said data is a strong indicator of cardiovascular health. The UBE is a common cycling exercise machine made for amputee patients or those with myelopathy. Therapists complain of patients not following their prescribed home workout regimes and of...

FASTPASS

Alex Diaz — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:22:16 PST

According to the BADTransit report, although the vast majority of trains are on time, more than 14,400 subway riders a day are inconvenienced by a delay or a mechanical problem that forces them off broken trains. With these predicaments, purchasing a fare to travel should be unnecessary worry. In the current transportation system in order for commuters to use the subway, users are made to purchase their Charlie Tickets from a machine. During rush hour, thousands of commuters take the subway. This sudden overflow of users can cause a huge congestion in the system. The last thing commuters would like...

EEG Brain-Computer Interface Project

Patrick Cunningham — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:22:15 PST

The Brain Computer Interface (BCI) capstone project is a system involving an Electroencephalograph (EEG) connected to a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that sends a signal to a relay to power any simple electronic device (light bulbs, etc.). Our design involves using an EEG to sense electronic signals from differential electrode pairs on the frontal cortex (the forehead). An electrical signal from the brain will trigger a voltage spike which will be sent from the EEG channel to an ADC. The received voltage level is then checked by the DSP's flash memory program and, when a signal is detected, the DSP...

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Capstone Presentation Event

Northeastern University - Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:22:15 PST