Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
1 Prosthetic Hand for Typing
 Rahul Krishnan
Rohil Hatalkar
Vaidotas Marcinkevicius
 Dhruv Mathur design_document1.pdf
design_document2.pdf
design_document3.pdf
design_document4.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
proposal1.pdf
proposal2.pdf
Group Members:
Rahul Krishnan (rahulk3), Rohil Hatalkar (rah2)

Problem:
Currently, the field of prosthesis is making advances in bionic arm technology, however, these solutions are extremely expensive and not available to the public. In the modern age, the use of computers has become prevalent and people with disabilities (specifically those without one or both arms) may be at a significant disadvantage due to their lack of speed or inability to type.

Solution Overview:
We propose a simple solution to this problem by creating a prosthetic hand that can be used to type with a user's feet, primarily the two big toes. This device will have two main systems. The first system will have 5 buttons placed below the user's feet corresponding to the 5 fingers on a hand. The second system is a lightweight prosthetic hand that will support lateral finger movement. We will use bluetooth to communicate the correct binary response from the foot device to the prosthetic hand. Small motors on the joints of the fingers will move to extend the finger so the correct key can be pressed. The user is expected to be able to move their hand forward, backward, up, and down while hovering over the keyboard, so they can press any key on the keyboard with the use of their foot.

Solution Components: (We have provided links for specific parts we are considering.)

Foot System

Subsystem #1: 5 buttons will be placed on the top of the foot system corresponding to the fingers of the hand. When the user activates the button with their toe, the corresponding binary signal will be sent to the prosthetic hand that will complete the press on the keyboard. The diameter of the button should be about an inch as this would allow a toe to comfortably press the button. We will place the buttons approximately an inch apart to ensure the user does not press multiple buttons simultaneously.
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/adafruit-industries-llc/3491/1528-2318-ND/7349497

Subsystem #2: An Arduino will be used, so we can get feedback from the buttons and send the binary response to the prosthetic hand system via bluetooth.
https://www.amazon.com/Arduino-A000066-ARDUINO-UNO-R3/dp/B008GRTSV6/ref=sxin_2_ac_d_pm?ac_md=2-1-QmV0d2VlbiAkMTUgYW5kICQyNQ%3D%3D-ac_d_pm&cv_ct_cx=arduino+uno&keywords=arduino+uno&pd_rd_i=B008GRTSV6&pd_rd_r=487e073d-9880-4882-9560-b91e97105dd7&pd_rd_w=ML2Hy&pd_rd_wg=Aj7jV&pf_rd_p=ef07af27-e48f-451d-ab63-8b6b216a0bc3&pf_rd_r=X3ZHPDV1X58A1MQV78CK&psc=1&qid=1580247656&s=electronics&sr=1-2-22d05c05-1231-4126-b7c4-3e7a9c0027d0

Subsystem #3: We are considering using a HC-05 Wireless BT Module as it is known to work with an Arduino. The bluetooth module will require a range of 1.5 meters as we consider that to be the maximum height of a table. This module ensures a quality connection at a maximum distance of 10 meters, which is sufficient for our project.
https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-Wireless-Bluetooth-Transceiver-Arduino/dp/B071YJG8DR

Subsystem #4: We plan on using a rechargeable battery that will power the pcb and Arduino. The battery will supply a voltage of at least 5V in order to minimize size and cost. Therefore, we will keep all of our sensors below that voltage range. The battery will be charged using a micro USB cable.
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/jauch-quartz/LI18650PBF-2S1P-PCM-WIRE/1908-1346-ND/9560970

Prosthetic Hand System

Subsystem #1: We will have five motors that are attached to the joints of each finger. We are thinking of 3D printing the hand or getting it made from the shop with wood. When the bluetooth module receives the data packet from the foot device, the motor will rotate to extend the finger forward and push the key down.
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/jinlong-machinery-electronics-inc/Z4TL2B124064X/1670-1016-ND/6009921

Subsystem #2: An Arduino will be used, so we can receive and handle responses from the bluetooth module inside the foot device. The Arduino Microcontroller will also be responsible for moving the motors correctly.
https://www.amazon.com/Arduino-A000066-ARDUINO-UNO-R3/dp/B008GRTSV6/ref=sxin_2_ac_d_pm?ac_md=2-1-QmV0d2VlbiAkMTUgYW5kICQyNQ%3D%3D-ac_d_pm&cv_ct_cx=arduino+uno&keywords=arduino+uno&pd_rd_i=B008GRTSV6&pd_rd_r=487e073d-9880-4882-9560-b91e97105dd7&pd_rd_w=ML2Hy&pd_rd_wg=Aj7jV&pf_rd_p=ef07af27-e48f-451d-ab63-8b6b216a0bc3&pf_rd_r=X3ZHPDV1X58A1MQV78CK&psc=1&qid=1580247656&s=electronics&sr=1-2-22d05c05-1231-4126-b7c4-3e7a9c0027d0

Subsystem #3: We are considering using a HC-05 Wireless BT Module as it is known to work with an Arduino. The bluetooth module will require a range of 1.5 meters as we consider that to be the maximum height of a table. This module ensures a quality connection at a maximum distance of 10 meters, which is sufficient for our project.
(https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-Wireless-Bluetooth-Transceiver-Arduino/dp/B071YJG8DR)

Subsystem #4: We plan on using a rechargeable battery that will power the pcb and Arduino. The battery will supply a voltage of at least 5V in order to minimize size and cost. Therefore, we will keep all of our motors below that voltage range. The battery will be charged using a micro USB cable.
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/jauch-quartz/LI18650PBF-2S1P-PCM-WIRE/1908-1346-ND/9560970

Criterion of Success:
The goal of this project is for people with only one hand to be able to type with both hands. This typing system should allow the user to use their toes to press the buttons, which translate into key presses from the prosthetic hand. The foot system has to be easy to use with limited room for error such as pressing multiple buttons simultaneously. The prosthetic hand must be able to press the keys accurately when receiving the binary response from the foot system. The delay between pressing a button with a toe and the motor extending a finger to press the key should be short.

El Durazno Wind Turbine Project

Alexander Hardiek, Saanil Joshi, Ganpath Karl

El Durazno Wind Turbine Project

Featured Project

Partners: Alexander Hardiek (ahardi6), Saanil Joshi (stjoshi2), and Ganpath Karl (gkarl2)

Project Description: We have decided to innovate a low cost wind turbine to help the villagers of El Durazno in Guatemala access water from mountains, based on the pitch of Prof. Ann Witmer.

Problem: There is currently no water distribution system in place for the villagers to gain access to water. They have to travel my foot over larger distances on mountainous terrain to fetch water. For this reason, it would be better if water could be pumped to a containment tank closer to the village and hopefully distributed with the help of a gravity flow system.

There is an electrical grid system present, however, it is too expensive for the villagers to use. Therefore, we need a cheap renewable energy solution to the problem. Solar energy is not possible as the mountain does not receive enough solar energy to power a motor. Wind energy is a good alternative as the wind speeds and high and since it is a mountain, there is no hindrance to the wind flow.

Solution Overview: We are solving the power generation challenge created by a mismatch between the speed of the wind and the necessary rotational speed required to produce power by the turbine’s generator. We have access to several used car parts, allowing us to salvage or modify different induction motors and gears to make the system work.

We have two approaches we are taking. One method is converting the induction motor to a generator by removing the need of an initial battery input and using the magnetic field created by the magnets. The other method is to rewire the stator so the motor can spin at the necessary rpm.

Subsystems: Our system components are split into two categories: Mechanical and Electrical. All mechanical components came from a used Toyota car such as the wheel hub cap, serpentine belt, car body blade, wheel hub, torsion rod. These components help us covert wind energy into mechanical energy and are already built and ready. Meanwhile, the electrical components are available in the car such as the alternator (induction motor) and are designed by us such as the power electronics (AC/DC converters). We will use capacitors, diodes, relays, resistors and integrated circuits on our printed circuit boards to develop the power electronics. Our electrical components convert the mechanical energy in the turbine into electrical energy available to the residents.

Criterion for success: Our project will be successful when we can successfully convert the available wind energy from our meteorological data into electricity at a low cost from reusable parts available to the residents of El Durazno. In the future, their residents will prototype several versions of our turbine to pump water from the mountains.