UT Tyler Capstone Projects from Tyler and HEC ( 2020 - 2021)

EE Capstone Projects for the Academic Year 2020 - 2021

• Project Title: An IoT-based Healthcare System for monitoring Preterm Infants
  
  Team Members:  Cristian Cardenas, Jessica Stokes, and Elliott Winsted
  
  Faculty Advisors:  Dr. Prabha Sundaravadivel, and Dr. Premananda Indic.
  
  Campus: Tyler
  
  Abstract: This project addresses the problem of the current wired solutions for monitoring preterm infant’s health in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) wards across the globe. In this project, readily available components sourced online were assembled and programmed to replace wired sensors with wireless sensors that can collect and transmit data of the infant’s vital signs (Heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, respiration rate, and skin temperature) to the Cloud. The benefit of using this product is the increased interaction between the infant and its caretaker(s) leading to future health benefits.
  
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• Project Title: Wireless Power Transfer Desktop
  
  Team Members:  Miguel Gutierrez, Armando Ocampo, Jesus Zavala, and Karan Venaik
  
  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jounsup Park
  
  Campus: Tyler
  
  Abstract: In today's technological era, wireless power transfer (WPT) solutions are highly prevalent, with new electronic devices such as smartphones and wearable devices incorporating a wireless charging solution such as the Qi standard. A widely faced issue is when multiple receivers are placed in tandem and coupled simultaneously to the transmitter – one of the receivers produces a “shielding effect” which prevents the other receiver from receiving power from the transmitter. The design solution uses a frequency-hopping system in which the transmitter frequency and the resonant frequency of the transmitter coil are switched to deliver power sequentially to two different loads. The system has a singular transmission coil supplying a minimum of 10W to each of the two independent receiver coils. The WPT system includes safeguards against over-current due to no-load condition.
  
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• Project Title: IoT Speed Monitoring System
  
  Team Members:  Zeeshan Ahmed, Luis Ferretiz, and Lorenzo Luna
  
  Faculty Advisor:  Dr. Prabha Sundaravadivel
  
  Campus: Tyler
  
  Abstract: This project consists of basic elements in circuitry that combine to form a powerful device that can catch drivers that are unsafe on campus roads. There have been several issues where students walking have been hit by inattentively driven vehicles. The proposed solution would be to contact city officials and install speed detecting X-Band Radars and project the speed of an oncoming vehicle to an LCD display so that drivers are aware of their speed.
  
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• Project Title: Subsea Data Logger
  
  Team Members:  Rogelio Briones, Christina McMonagle, Michael Salinas, Robert Taylore, and Konstantin Zyuzkevich
  
  Sponsor: ABCO Subsea
  
  Advisors: Mr. Andy Boyd (Technical Advisor), and Dr. Yasser Mahgoub (Faculty Advisor)
  
  Campus: Houston
  
  Abstract: The Subsea Data Logger allows the measurement of pressure from multiple hydraulic lines and records the data electronically on its memory. The data is then transferred to a computational device for analysis. Traditionally, this process would require removing the data logger from the field, delivering it to the sea surface to be opened, and then have the data extracted via a cable. The following design allows data to be transferred to a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) via optical channels while installed in the field, without a need for disconnection and delivery to the sea surface.
  
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• Project Title: Wireless Charger
  
  Team Members:  Flory, Franca, Franulovic, Gibbon, and Sosa.
  
  Sponsor: Indus Instruments
  
  Advisors:  Dr. Sridhar Madala (Technical Advisor), and Dr. Yasser Mahgoub (Faculty Advisor)
  
  Campus: Houston
  
  Abstract: The team has designed and is prototyping a managed, 30 watt wireless resonant charger for use with lithium-ion battery packs. It shall be a versatile solution to the problem of powering autonomous mobile devices fitted with moderately sized battery packs of approximately four to six 18650 cells configured for 7.4 to 14.7 volts nominal output. With an estimated cost around $300, it fills a gap between inexpensive inductive chargers in the 5 watt range and custom 90 watt robotic power systems that have an entry level price of $2000.
  
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• Project Title: Advance Fire Rescue Mobile Robot
  
  Team Members:  Nathaniel Ocanas, Fabrice Nanda, My Dang, and Troy Peters
  
  Faculty Advisor:  Dr. Ali Ghorshi
  
  Campus: Houston
  
  Abstract: The Advance Fire Rescue Mobile Robot (AFRMR) is a lightweight, rugged robotic system that assists rescue teams in identifying humans and animals in fires from long range. With relatively low cost and easy deployment, the system is composed of a controller, “mobility system,” “computer vision system,” and communications. Together, these systems allow a rescue team to remotely search through multiple terrains and high temperatures without putting another person in a dangerous fire situation. With the controller, the user can control the robot’s mobility, read ambient temperatures, and give visual/sensor data of the surrounding area.
  
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• Project Title: Smart Solar System
  
  Team Members:  Nicholas Janek, Julio Lujan, Joel Perez, Lamar Macias Sanchez, and Philip Wiggins
  
  Faculty Advisor:  Dr. Yasser Mahgoub
  
  Campus: Houston
  
  Abstract: The Smart Solar System is an economical and simple method of maximizing solar energy collected from a solar panel/array. The problem solar systems owners face with cheaper charge controllers is low efficiency. Pairing the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method with solar tracking can further increase the amount of sunlight exposure a panel/array receives throughout the day. With GPS, the azimuth and elevation angles can be determined at any location. The data obtained is processed and used to control the position of the solar system. Using electronic tracking in conjunction with physical tracking is an effective way of increasing the system’s efficiency. In addition, the data processed by the microcontroller will be stored and transmitted wirelessly to Bluetooth enabled devices to monitor the conditions of the system.
  
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• Project Title: IEEE 4 Bus Power Grid Lab Simulator and Trainer
  
  Team Members:  Thomas Cavender, Austin Esmeria, Robert Holloway, Martin Komm, and Nathan Kracko.
  
  Faculty Advisor:  Dr. Yasser Mahgoub
  
  Campus: Houston
  
  Abstract: Developing a clear picture and understanding of how power distribution on a city-wide scale is difficult for many electrical engineering students to understand. Large universities have the funds to afford purchasing expensive simulators such as the Tecquipment PSL-30, or the Power Hardware in the Loop, which enable their students to gain a much better understanding of these power grids. With that in mind, the purpose of this design is to allow a small university or team to build a simulator that is incredibly inexpensive and easy to replicate, while still allowing students to gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of power systems.
  
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• Project Title: Mesh Network Pilot
  
  Team Members:  Amber King, Jimmy Lazo, Lider Lopez, and Israel Covarrubias.
  
  Sponsor: Harris County Public Library and West Houston Institute
  
  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jounsup Park
  
  Campus: Houston
  
  Abstract: The Mesh Network Pilot is an easily constructed and implemented network solution to the widespread lack of internet coverage. The Network Pilot is composed of a high gain 5GHz antenna with a built-in router that handles the mesh network topologies. Bypassing current mesh network limitations, the Network Pilot will create mesh network clusters locally and connect them over 6 km away to other clusters and to the main node. The built-in mesh network routing will be handled automatically by the internal router. The directly conical horn antenna allows the use of a higher gain that is the limiting factor of omnidirectional antennas.
  
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• Project Title: Circadian Light Control System
  
  Team Members:  Shohreh Abdeinzadeh, Zoe Diehl, Joseph Garcia, Paula Valeria Palana, and Aaron Woodard
  Sponsor: Reynolds Services, Inc.
  Faculty Advisor: Kazi Rashed
  Campus: Houston
  
  Abstract: Lumio Relaxio, our advanced lighting control system, was designed and built to help regulate circadian rhythms of astronauts working on the International Space Station (ISS). In space, the lack of a true diurnal cycle of sunlight is one of the main causes of sleep disorders among the crew aboard ISS. To help regulate the circadian rhythm of its users, our light control system uses light to encourage or inhibit the production of melatonin during the day by changing the lux and color temperature settings of the light throughout a 24-hour cycle.
  
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• Project Title: Sweat Sensor
  
  Team Members:  Zeeshan Shaikh, Miguel Gomez, Luis Trevino, Amstrong Otieno, and Claude Larrieux
  
  Faculty Advisor:  Dr. Shawana Tabassum
  
  Campus: Houston
  
  Abstract: The existing tests for diagnosing bacterial/viral infections are invasive, uncomfortable, and take time to yield their results, thereby introducing fatal delays in diagnosis and preventive steps needed to effectively manage infectious diseases. To address these issues, we propose to develop a wearable sensor that will detect the presence of prokaryotic pathogens through human sweat. The sensor will monitor the concentrations of four different biomarkers relevant to viral/bacterial infection in real time. Future endeavors will also include establishing a prognostic platform using the data generated by the sensor. It will enable early detection of viral/bacterial infection prior to symptom onset and real-time monitoring during the course of the infection, which will help guide the treatment.
  
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