APPLIED ENGINEERING PRESENTER ABSTRACTS
APPLIED ENGINEERING PRESENTER ABSTRACTS
Granada Hills Charter High School
deMETER: Multi-Chamber Nutritional Analysis Device
deMETER is a multi-chamber pen that determines the total carbohydrate, protein, fat, and calorie content in a dish. Being aware of these nutrients provides an extensive quantity of benefits in our daily lives. Knowing the number of carbs in a meal helps diabetics easily manage their blood sugar, which allows for a longer lifespan, improved quality of life, and lessens the chance for complications such as eye and heart disease. deMETER also helps to combat increased fat intake, a substantial contributor to obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and gallbladder disease. The ability for users to understand the protein levels in their sustenance appeals to a health and fitness demographic by allowing users to properly establish a bulking diet that equips them with the awareness to reach their goals with ease. Knowing the number of calories in a dish also paves the way to easy weight loss or gain. The first chamber will be filled with the sample, closed, then finely emulsified. The carbs chamber utilizes the Phenol-Sulfuric acid method, color marking sugars and then measuring absorbance. Similarly, the protein chamber uses the Bradford method, which utilizes a Bradford reagent. The fats chamber utilizes a microfluidics chip that measures color change based on exposure to a paper with solvents. The techniques were heavily researched and were chosen due to efficiency. Through the utilization of food science, chemical engineering, as well as computer science, the deMETER project makes living a fulfilling life unburdened by health troubles a right enjoyed by everyone.
Archer School for Girls
Ther-me: An on the go heating and cooling body wrap
This project will help athletes and people experiencing body pain who don’t have rehab devices that are easily accessible when they are on the go. The general question this project is aiming to answer is, how can thermal rehab body braces be created to provide more convenience and accessibility for the user? Many people live extremely busy lives, but don't have the proper tools to care for their body. Many past and current rehab devices are not built for people with busy lives who have little time to take care of their bodies at home. Most products today are either uncomfortable to wear anywhere, or can not be powered or used with resources like a microwave or refrigerator to apply heat/cool to the device. These tools need to be further developed so that they can be used at any time or place, which will allow people to prioritize their body health while still being able to do what they normally do throughout the day. Through the use of gels and plastic tubing, the device will be able to pump water throughout the wrap to either heat/cool the device. Water will move from a water bottle into the wrap. The actual brace will be created through methods of stitching to sew the piece together so it is comfortable and flexible for the user. Finally, the device will be structured like a wrap so that it can be used for any body part that is experiencing pain or discomfort.
Archer School for Girls
Dismantling Dysfunctions in Delivery for Deaf Mothers
The goal of this project is to address the issue of poor birth outcomes in deaf mothers by creating an assistive listening device. Research has shown that deaf mothers are more likely to experience adverse health outcomes such as preeclampsia, diabetes, low birth weight, preterm birth, and low one and five minute apgar scores. Although biological and communication factors may contribute to these disparities, communication barriers between deaf patients and doctors are a major concern.
Currently, there are no devices on the market specifically designed to help deaf women communicate with their doctors during childbirth. However, augmentative and alternative communication devices (AACs) are available to assist with communication in general. These devices typically involve a physical button or icon on a screen that the user can press to communicate with a hearing person. Keyboards, touch screens, and limited speech may also be used to communicate desired words. Some devices employ a text display, and spelling and word prediction software can make it easier and faster to enter information.
To address this gap, this project proposes creating an app-based device that will allow doctors to communicate childbirth-related information to deaf mothers in real-time. This approach is more versatile, accessible, and affordable than a physical device. Moreover, it can be paired with other innovative technologies that support people with varying physical abilities.
Overall, the project aims to answer the following questions: How can a device be engineered to aid deaf women giving birth? How might this device reduce adverse health outcomes for mothers and children? How can doctors communicate information to their deaf patients more efficiently? Finally, how can this device improve upon the current system of supporting deaf women during childbirth?
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
Direct detection of REM sleep using low-cost cameras: The ZZZleep Mask
Students need adequate sleep in order to maintain their highest academic potential. Inadequate sleep, specifically Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, can result in focus loss and inattention, which can be detrimental to brain development and function in adolescents. A sleep mask (The ZZZleep Mask) has been developed to directly track REM sleep cycles using an infrared-sensitive camera and integrated tracking software. The ZZZleep Mask system can successfully collect data and detect eye motion.
Archer School for Girls
Overdose Prevention Pill Bottle
Since the 90s, there has been an exponential increase in drug overdoses, both intentional and unintentional, due to the opioid epidemic. As deadly as many of these drugs can be, much good has come out of certain substances; however, this is only when prescribed and taken responsibly. Due to the addictiveness of certain drugs or simply mistaking the dosage, it is not always possible for patients to take them responsibly. Through bluetooth, coding, mechanical engineering, and a bit of 3D printing, I plan to create a device that will only allow the user to receive the prescribed dosage at the correct time to avoid both intentional and unintentional abuse. This device will present in the form of a typical medication bottle only, be made of durable aluminum, and contain mechanics inside. When it is a respectable time for the user to take their medication, the user will be able to press a button on the side of the bottle, dispensing the prescribed dosage. Once the user has received their medication, the bottle will no longer allow the user the press the button again and successfully receive more medication.
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
Development of blink rate detecting glasses for student attention monitoring (SAM-EE: Student Attention Monitoring for Educational Enhancement
Lack of attention, often exacerbated for students diagnosed with ADHD, can lead to students falling behind in class and achieving less than what they are capable of. To help students become aware of their attention patterns in particular classes and receive personalized coping strategies, a wearable device (the SAM-EE: Student Attention Monitoring for Educational Enhancement) has been developed to measure blink rates. The device consists of a pair of glasses with an attached camera which displays a graph of blink rates via a web application. The SAM-EE system can accurately report differing blink rates that correlate with attentiveness. This prototype serves as a discreet method for supplying students, counselors, and teachers with information about classroom inattention which can help optimize students’ learning experiences.
Archer School for Girls
Cage that Coral! - A dome-shaped cage that shields coral from destructive trawling nets
Coral reefs support 25% of marine species, provide food for millions of people, and shelter coastlines from storms and erosion–and they are disappearing from our oceans at alarming rates from rising levels of ocean acidity, current fishing practices, and more. Trawling, a fishing practice where large, weighted nets are dragged across the ocean floor to catch fish, destroys up to 90% of the coral colonies it disturbs–more than any other fishing practice on the West Coast. Some coral conservationists have begun to combat coral losses by reseeding corals in the ocean by hand, but this process cannot restore corals destroyed by trawling since it generally occurs at depths unreachable by divers. Since corals are so crucial to the health of our ecosystem, and current coral restoration methods cannot combat destruction caused by deep-sea trawling, it is crucial that there is a method that can protect them from these nets. The EMT and concrete cage I created aims to combat coral losses at low depths as well as protect the coral from further damage by trawling nets after they are established.
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
Using Natural Language Processing to Optimize Behavioral Data Analysis in Special Education
Special education teachers track the behavior of their students as part of Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavioral Intervention Planning, with the goal of creating personalized strategies to mitigate student oppositional behavior. Current written methods of tracking can be time-consuming, costly, and difficult to analyze. A natural language processing algorithm, which uses topic modeling and sentiment analysis, has been developed and demonstrates the ability to process text inputs of recorded behavioral logs, identify the key topics surrounding oppositional behavior, and assign a positive, negative, or neutral sentiment to the topic. The prototype software capability is key for future detection of underlying patterns in large amounts of data recorded over time.
The Archer School for Girls
Hydra: An Automatic Sprinkler System With Infrared Ember-Tracking and Companion Mobile Application for Remote Management
We are developing an automatic sprinkler system that uses infrared cameras to detect and extinguish approaching embers and any resulting hot spots. In the summer of 2020, 2 million acres were burned by wildfires, threatening the lives and homes of thousands. Our school was forced to evacuate due to wildfires twice while the homes of our friends and families were threatened. While searching for ways to help, we found that more than 90% of homes lost to wildfires were ignited by embers, some of which traveled miles ahead of the main fire. Our sensor-targeted system, named Hydra, will conserve water for firefighters by only turning on when necessary, aiming directly at embers and hotspots, and utilizing water from alternative sources like a tank or pool when available. Our companion mobile app will allow homeowners to see their system status (allowing them peace of mind when they must evacuate), view official fire updates, and forward real-time sensor information to the fire department to help them locate hot spots. This year, we have been working on Hydra in five student-led teams. Our app team is completing the app’s interface and connecting it to Hydra, our programming motion team has improved the ember-tracking code, our engineering team has leak-proofed the plumbing, our CAD team has designed an outer shell and base for Hydra, and our communications team has worked on filing provisional patent documents.
Archer School for Girls
Restore Relaxation: Pulse Based Haptic Feedback Bracelet to Resolve Panic Attacks
This project develops a new and discreet way to minimize the time spent in a panic attack using haptic feedback and a heart rate monitor. While experiencing a panic attack, many people struggle to calm down and don’t have the ability to remove themselves from whatever situation is creating stress. Additionally, many people with anxiety require the assistance of other people to help them relax during and immediately after a panic attack. The ability to calm down using this device could eliminate many stressors of being alone and avoid drawing attention to any panic attack. Two of the most common side effects of panic attacks are difficulty breathing and increased heart rate. As such, this device utilizes a heart rate monitor and creates small steps for the user to realistically and naturally lower their breathing rather than shooting for an even more overwhelming target breath rate. The action of lowering the user’s breath rate subsequently lowers their heart rate allowing it to return to a resting state, ending the panic attack. Finally, this device interacts with the user through haptic feedback creating a simple and effective way to discreetly calm down from a panic attack while in public. While this device has not been completely developed, a prototype exists which can measure heart rate and provide many different forms of haptic feedback based on the user’s heart rate. Once this device passes the prototyping stage, it will easily be manufactured to prioritize discretion for the wearer.
Archer School for Girls
The Electric PropulsionJet: Motorized Surfboard Fin Attachment
The Electric PropulsionJet is an attachment that replaces fins on a long surfboard to assist individuals who face physical challenges in surfing. Through this attachment, a user has the ability to turn a standard board into one that allows them to comfortably and safely ride waves with the help of an electrically generated thrust. The majority of longboards have removable fins, which is where the user can put the motorized system. The system will intake water and then release it to propel the board. The system can be employed for paddling out, catching the waves, and everything in between. A system that can produce enough thrust to propel a rider down and up waves will act as the propulsion, which is protected by a 3D-printed case. A battery-powered wristband will then trigger the thrust. Several electric surfboards in the market are sold at high prices and require experience; however, the PropulsionJet seeks to address this problem by being affordable and accessible to a broader range of customers. A significant advantage of this product is that consumers who previously owned a board are only buying the motor attachment, which provides a more sustainable and convenient option.
Archer School for Girls
The BikeSaver: Vision-Based Bike Safety Car Attachment Device that Detects Cyclists in Blind Spot
Year after year, the number of cyclists hit by cars increases, and cyclists remain at risk on the road. Like everyone else, bikers are trying to get to their destinations safely, and they shouldn’t have to be afraid of getting hit by drivers. However, one can’t blame bikers for their caution as cyclists continue to be struck. Whether it’s because not all cars have blind spot detection technology, urban cities contain far too many visual stimuli, or drivers are not paying attention, the outcome remains the same. The current blind spot detection systems we see in cars today are unable to prevent bike accidents and keep cyclists safe on the road. These systems use methods such as radar or ultrasonic sensors, and they can’t detect bikes or their riders; therefore, I am developing a vision-based system instead. I will be training a model that can detect bikes from camera images and/or footage. My device will be an attachment for a car side mirror and will detect when a bike is in a driver's blind spot and alert the driver of its presence. It will alert the driver through a LED light and a speaker for a visual and audio signal. My project can potentially prevent future accidents, decrease any prevalent biking insecurity in cyclists, and overall make the road a safer place.
Archer School for Girls
Water Bottle Cap Tracking Hydration Levels and Supplying Electrolytes
I want to help everyday people, particularly athletes and residents in warmer climates, struggling with dehydration which occurs when the body loses more fluid than one takes in, by creating an adaptive water bottle cap that tracks hydration levels and allows injection of pure electrolytes. Dehydration is preventable; I found an innovative and novel way to help millions across the world. The water bottle cap, through LED lights, will reveal the level of dehydration through a portable sensing system (spit monitor) to track level of hydration through measuring saliva conductivity through the assessment of bioelectrical signals. The LED lights, connected to the portable sensing system through an integrated circuit, will flash green when hydration levels are normal, yellow when they are getting low, and red when they are too low. These signals will inform the user to drink more water and use the electrolytes to bring the body back to equilibrium. Since every person is different, the portable sensing system will have a baseline of hydration status that you will do when you first receive your water bottle. This test will inform the portable system in whether you are becoming less or more hydrated. Using fusion 360 and the 3D printer, I will design and print my original water bottle cap. After the cap is printed, I will attach a small electrolyte injector where I will put small electrolyte tablets that the user can push a button and have a single tablet drop into the water. Through this innovative water bottle cap that is not yet existent in the world, I hope you help many individuals across the world from getting dehydrated and maintain being healthy.