48440 research outputs found
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INCLUSIVE PLAY: DESIGNING ACCESSIBLE ACTIVITIES AND OUTDOOR SPACES
No full textThe goals of this project were to improve the accessibility and usability of the outdoor space at ΣΦΑ, and to design and implement engaging and accessible activities for disabled individuals attending the center. Staff and volunteer interviews and structured observations of participants identified needs, interests, and concerns. Based on the findings, outdoor improvements such as repainting, weeding, and adding additional features were made. Workshops were developed to accommodate varying abilities, focusing on sensory, cognitive, and physical engagement. Post-implementation feedback from staff informed refinements and future recommendations. Resulting recommendations included additional outdoor repairs and features, integration of workshops, and accessibility improvements
A System for Watering and Autonomously Monitoring Plants
No full textTo alleviate the challenges of plant care, the Great Roboticz Ladiez’ Plant Watering Robot (GRL PWR) team developed SWAMP, a mobile robotic System for Watering and Autonomously Monitoring Plants. SWAMP replicates the plant care a human provides with minimal user input and allows plant owners the freedom to keep their plants anywhere in their homes. From stakeholder analysis, the team categorized the main functionalities required to meet user needs into Customizing Plant Care, Accessing Plants, Assessing Plant Condition, Providing Water, and System Monitoring. The user can input unique watering instructions and plant characteristics. The robot uses a differential drive to autonomously navigate and localize within its environment while safely avoiding obstacles. The robot has an articulated arm to reach plants up to 24-inches off the ground and set back no more than 2.5-inches from the edge of the surface. These design choices allow SWAMP to accurately meet the watering needs of each plant, reducing the time commitment required from plant owners. GRL PWR will demonstrate the system in the WPI Gordon Library, providing a real-world environment to assess SWAMP’s ability to map its surroundings, navigate around obstacles, and accurately deliver water to plants
DESIGNING ACCESSIBLE DIGITAL PATHWAYS FOR ALL
No full textThe goal of this project was to improve the accessibility and visibility of Accessible Limitless Living’s website. To achieve this goal, a new website was developed by first reviewing ALL’s website for content and digital accessibility features, identifying areas for improvement and documenting new website features to be added. Subsequently, a new website with these improvements was created that meets WCAG AAA digital accessibility standards and best practices for non-profit websites. A user guide was created for ALL staff to routinely update and manage the website, ensuring it stays current. Recommendations included regular website updates, adding interactive content, and enhancing ALL’s social media presence
Design of a Getter-Based System for Reducing Absorbed Interstitial Elements in Metal Feedstock Powder During Heat Treatment
No full textAdditive manufacturing processes, such as cold spray deposition, offer near-net shape production of metal parts while creating little material waste. While doing so, metal cold spray feedstock powders benefit from annealing to enhance ductility, strengthening interlayer cohesion and increasing printed part strength. Absorption of oxygen, nitrogen, or hydrogen through interstitial diffusion during this process can lead to undesirable brittle materials, but a heat-treating environment with minimal oxygen is difficult to maintain with vacuum pumps or inert gas alone. Instead, the project team designed a reactive titanium foam getter system to sacrificially absorb oxygen during heat treatment and tested its effectiveness by treating two common copper and copper-nickel powders manufactured for cold spray. The getter system effectively minimized oxygen absorption in the copper and copper-nickel powders and removed nearly all moisture from the samples, successfully controlling interstitial diffusion in the feedstock. Future work may evaluate the effects of processing on cold sprayed parts and explore using this getter system to treat other powder feedstock materials
Assessing Copper Toxicity Removal Through DNA Nucleic Acid Aptamers
No full textCopper (Cu) is a heavy metal that is required in humans to carry out cellular functions. While a necessity, if copper levels are too high or too low, humans can develop Menkes or Wilson’s Disease which negatively impacts (however not limited to) the nervous system, kidneys, and liver. An aptamer is a single-stranded RNA or DNA sequence that can be designed such that it binds to specific molecules, including heavy metals. Before being examined as a method of treatment for copper toxicity, aptamers first started with as a method of biosensing. In this project, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) were used to test copper toxicity removal using aptamers through a brood size and drop cast assays. From previous MQPs, the copper concentration was determined based on a 50% decrease in brood size. The results of this project showed that the copper-binding aptamer Cu_A2 has some restorative properties on both the wild type N2 strain and the VC672 copper transport mutant strain. While some evidence shows that Cu_A2 could be used as a possible therapeutic, more trials would have to be conducted to determine the effectiveness of copper toxicity recover
Predicting Schizophrenia Diagnoses Using Various Machine Learning Methods
No full textSchizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that affects around 24 million people worldwide. Despite research into how schizophrenia manifests itself in structural and functional abnormalities in the brain, the specificity and diagnostic value of the illness using structural medical imaging has not yet been established. In this study, Random Forest, Linear Discriminant Analysis, Support Vector Machine and Logistic Regression models were used to identify volume differences in 100 different brain structures between control and patient groups in the COBRE dataset, after the dataset was preprocessed using FastSurfer, an imaging processing pipeline. The results showed that when no additional modifications were made to the data, none of the models reached 70% accuracy. These results showed overfitting on the models but could also mean that there is not much anatomically different between the patient and control groups, the models were predicting side effects of having schizophrenia, or that important indicators for schizophrenia are left out such as biochemical differences
Developing a New Platform for Records Management at the Postal Museum
No full textIn collaboration with The Postal Museum (TPM) in London, this project aimed to develop a new structured system for managing digital records using Microsoft 365. Historically, TPM utilised shared drives that evolved over time without the benefit of modern standards for preservation, security, and legal compliance. To address this, we examined legal requirements, evaluated Microsoft 365 capabilities, interviewed 14 staff members (including six department heads), and designed an improved SharePoint and Teams structure. In addition to technical solutions, we created comprehensive training materials to support long-term adoption. We are hopeful that this new system will empower TPM to manage its records more efficiently, ensure compliance, and build a sustainable foundation for future growth
Equivalent Resistances in Finite and Infinite Dual Graphs
No full textThe tools of topological graph theory offer insight into the analysis of resistor networks induced by planar graphs and their duals. A study of self-dual maps in particular and their associated resistor networks demonstrates the inherent connection between graph theory and electrical network analysis. In this paper, we define the resistor networks induced by planar graphs, analyze their equivalent resistance properties, and explore self-duality in relation to electrical networks. Finally, we consider the extension of a result concerning the equivalent resistances of finite dual graphs to the infinite case
Oxidative Promotion of Polypropylene Decomposition Under Hydrothermal Conditions
No full textWaste plastic may be recycled chemically by hydrothermal liquefaction, which converts plastics into fuel at energy-dense high temperature and pressure conditions. Xu et al., 2025 claimed to achieve a high conversion of polypropylene (PP) at mild conditions, adding hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an oxidative promoter. These findings were applied to more realistic plastic forms. Experiments were conducted with either polyethylene (PE) or PP at a range of temperatures and reaction times. The highest conversion was reached at 450°C. Including H2O2 increased the conversion at all temperatures besides 450°C. The highest yields were found at 160°C and 450°C. Carboxylic acid was detected at 160°C and 400°C, indicating that depolymerization took place. H2O2 increased depolymerization in PE and PP, particularly at lower temperatures. H2O2 may have acted as a free radical initiator and promoted scission. The results of this study were not comparable to those reported in Xu et al., 2025
Design of a Molten Salt Magnesium Air Battery for Shipping and Other Applications
No full textThe MQP explores the development of a high-energy-density magnesium-air battery as a sustainable energy source for maritime shipping. The project's objective is to provide a viable alternative to conventional marine fuels, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting global decarbonization efforts. To achieve this, a full-scale battery system was designed using CAD modeling to better understand the physical configuration, integration challenges, and component layout. Cost estimation and modeling were performed to evaluate the economic viability of scaling the battery for practical use. Additionally, experimental testing was designed and executed to optimize key variables affecting battery efficiency and performance. This research provides insight into the potential of Magnesium-air battery in the maritime sector, highlighting both technical challenges and commercial opportunities. By addressing recyclability and cost-effectiveness, the project contributes to the advancement of clean energy solutions for the shipping industry