Institutional Repository

: Robotic Cane Devices; A robotic cane may include a grip handle, a cane body extending from the grip handle at a first end, a motorized omni-directional wheel coupled to a second end of the cane body, a balance control sensor, and a controller module. The balance control sensor provides a balance signal corresponding to an orientation of the robotic cane. The controller module may receive the balance signal from the balance control sensor and calculate a balancing velocity of the motorized omni-directional wheel based at least in part on the balance signal and an inverted pendulum control algorithm. The controller module may further provide a drive signal to the motorized omni-directional wheel in accordance with the calculated balancing velocity. The calculated balancing velocity is a speed and direction of the motorized omni-directional wheel to retain the robotic cane in an substantially upright position., Sponsorship: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology, United States Patent

: Conversion of Automotive Tire Scrap to Useful Oils; The present invention is directed to a process for the conversion of waste plastics and scrap rubber to a high quality synthetic crude oil which can be separated by fractionation into gasoline, diesel fuel and gas oils suitable as a feedstock to a catalytic cracker. The process generally includes the steps of heating the plastic scrap and scrap automotive tires in a hydrogen atmosphere at moderate temperatures and pressures. It has also been determined that the polymeric waste material must be present in combination with the scrap automotive tires to attain conversion of the scrap automotive tires to liquid hydrocarbon., Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute, United States Patent

: Recording and Reproducing of Vibrations; Sponsorship: Armour Research Foundation, United States Patent

: Electromagnetic Transducer Head; Sponsorship: Armour Research Foundation of Illinois Institute of Technology, United States Patent

: Harvesting & Beneficial Use of Condensate from Air Conditioning Systems, Summer 2011, IPRO 346: IPRO346; In an age where sustainability and “going green” have reached an all time high in both the media, and in politics, new initiatives are being explored more than ever before. Many of these initiatives would require drastic changes both in the way corporations do business, and in the way average citizens live their lives. However, there are initiatives which require very little change in lifestyle and business practice, and potentially represent great savings to those who choose to implement them. Like its predecessors, IPRO 346 aims to raise public awareness of the recycling and reuse of condensate produced by air-conditioning systems. This condensate is a byproduct of all AC units, and is currently sent straight to the sewer. Studies conducted by previous IPROs have not only indicated great potential for this initiative, but have also shown a great deal of public interest. Unfortunately, they have also revealed government policies and city codes which greatly restrict the use of this abundant resource. The aim of IPRO 346 is to work towards a change in these policies through the demonstration of a viable system. Members of the team equipped with a model of the systems we propose will meet with public officials, and others interested in the system, demonstrating its potential in hopes of getting policies in place which would allow such a system to be implemented. The IPRO has two main objectives: the development of a prototype and model for demonstration, and the marketing of the idea through the use of both social networks, and presentations to anyone interested. It is the aim of this team, that the accomplishment of these goals will result in both public demand for AC condensate recycling systems, and public policies which allow their use., Harvesting & Beneficial Use of Condensate from Air Conditioning Systems, Summer 2011, 346

: An intelligent system for multivariate statistical process monitoring and diagnosis; A knowledge-based system (KBS) was designed for automated system identification, process monitoring, and diagnosis of sensor faults. The real-time KBS consists of a supervisory system using G2 KBS development software linked with external statistical modules for system identification and sensor fault diagnosis. The various statistical techniques were prototyped in MATLAB, converted to ANSI C code, and linked with the G2 Standard Interface. The KBS automatically performs all operations of data collection, identification, monitoring, and sensor fault diagnosis with little or no input from the user. Navigation throughout the KBS is via menu buttons on each user-accessible screen. Selected process variables are displayed on charts showing the history of the variables over a period of time. Multivariate statistical tests and contribution plots are also shown graphically. The KBS was evaluated using simulation studies with a polymerization reactor through a nonlinear dynamic model. Both normal operation conditions as well as conditions of process disturbances were observed to evaluate the KBS performance. Specific user-defined disturbances were added to the simulation, and the KBS correctly diagnosed both process and sensor faults when present., Endnote format citation

: Sustainable Water distribution System for Pignon, Haiti (semester?), IPRO 327; IPRO 327’s objective is to create a complete set of drawings and specifications of a water distribution system for Pignon, Haiti that can be easily built and used by the town. This is a continuation of a spring 2007 IPRO, which completed mapping of the town. We now seek to design the physical water distribution system that can be sustained for twenty years. To do this, we have identified several factors significant to the success of this system that we will be focusing on. These include finding a water source that can provide a continuous and adequate flow of water, design of a pump and the power source to run it, design of water kiosks and faucets, and design of the piping network with erosion protection. User fees will also be determined for both public and private water lines. The water system will also be designed so that its output may grow with the population of the town over the next twenty years. Through our work, we hope to create a system that can be implemented by Pignon to provide a clean and reliable water source for its citizens., Deliverables for IPRO 327: Sustainable Water distribution System for Pignon, Haiti for the Fall 2007 semester

: Oak Park Energy Efficiency & Carbon Reduction (Semester Unknown) IPRO 329; The overall purpose of the IPRO 329 team is to work with the Village of Oak Park in order to implement a strategic plan to educate Oak Park residents in making their homes more efficient and work toward a community wide reduction of energy and water usage. In doing so, we also hope to gain valuable experience in working in a team with members with varying degrees of experience and skills., Sponsorship: Oak Park, Deliverables

: Molecular Crystals of Controlled Size; Methods for the crystallization of nano-size crystals of molecular organic compounds while operating at a low supersaturation. The methods are based on controlling the domain size available during the crystallization process. In one exemplary method, microcontacted printed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with local domain area sizes ranging up to 2500 .mu.m.sup.2 and fabricated SAMs generated from electron beam lithography, are employed to control the size, orientation, phase, and morphology of the crystal. In another exemplary method, a continuous micro-crystallizer having a vessel diameter of 25 microns or less is used to ensure that that the maximum size of the crystals in at least one dimension, ad preferably two dimensions is constrained by the vessel itself. The methods allow control of supersaturation and growth conditions, as well as manageability over crystallinity and polymorphism, and each method's domain size has the potential for further reduction., Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology, United States Patent

: Kayak Motors (semester?), IPRO 353; Our IPRO is aimed at laying the groundwork for a small company that supplies attachable, battery-powered motors for kayaks. Throughout the world, water sports are a popular activity for families and couples that look to spend time together while enriching their health. Recreational kayaking is a popular and convenient way for people to spend time with their family while engaged in an enjoyable activity. Due to imbalances in physical abilities within the family (such as the wife having to carry the paddling load when her husband gets tired), the pleasurable experience could become too rigorous for some individuals to enjoy. Our product is an easy-to-install kit that provides convenient, on-demand power assistance to enhance the kayaking experience., Deliverables for IPRO 353: Kayak Motors for the Fall 2005 semester

: Methods and Apparatus for Atmospheric Sampling and Analysis of Trace Contaminants; This invention relates to a method and device for continuously removing and concentrating specific molecules or substances from a gas stream and depositing such molecules or substances in a liquid film stream in a controlled and quantitative fashion. The device includes a hollow tetrafluoroethylene tube or a hollow tube having an inner surface coating of tetrafluoroethylene. The inner surface of the tube is etched by means of a chemical etching agent. An inlet/injector is attached to the outer circumference or inlet, circumferential face of the tube. The inlet/injector has liquid dispersion ports uniformly distributed around the circumference of the processor tube whereby a surfactant containing liquid may be uniformly dispersed from the inlet/injector onto the inner wall of the processor tube where it may flow, in a thin film manner, from the inlet of the tube to the outlet of the tube. The inlet/injector also has a gas injection port whereby a gas containing the molecules or substances sought to be removed and concentrated can simultaneously be injected into the top hollow portion of the tube. An outlet cap is attached to the outer circumference or outlet circumferential face of the tube. The outlet cap has a liquid collection well with a port or other means whereby the liquid flowing down the inner wall of the tube can be collected and transported to an analyzer. The outlet cap also has a gas port whereby the sample gas undergoing analysis can be removed from the tube and vented, treated or otherwise disposed of., Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute, United States Patent

: The Yuvee Personal Electronic Device (Fall 2003) EnPRO 353: The YUVEE Personal Electronic Device IPRO353 Fall2003 Final Presentation; The convergence of personal scale computing and telecommunications devices opens the way for a new generation of product. This EnPRO team will evaluate the potential for an entrepreneur's concept for a hand-held electronic device. Team members will review current electronic devices in the marketplace and account for issues that affect their success or failure. The team will fabricate rough mock-ups of different versions, create task scenarios, recruit a small sample of prospective users, and have the subjects simulate using the devices. Team members will observe subject performance and collect qualitative information on subject experiences using different versions. A team report and presentation will demonstrate the differences among devices and present guidance for prototype development. The project offers an exciting opportunity for actual R&D work on the design of user interfaces and personal electronics equipment. Development of a new product concept like this device requires team members to develop and apply their knowledge and ability in identifying and making trade-off decisions related to materials, performance, features and function. There will also be a strong business planning aspect to this EnPRO project. Tim Higginson, president of Yuvee, will collaborate with the team to review and further explore business planning issues associated with his concept. The team will have the opportunity to review the plan created by Mr. Higginson and identify critical areas that need further development and refinement. As is the nature of business plans, they play two roles. One is to attract investors, the other is to provide an implementable roadmap to achieve the company's goals. From both perspectives, there is almost an infinite amount of work that can be done. For example, areas that the team may focus on include implementation issues of (i) product development and (ii) marketing and sales. This project is a great opportunity to gain practical experience in designing a structured study to investigate usability and efficacy of an electronic device, as well as to review a business plan that is currently being used to attract investors and help to investigate various issues critical to the plan and pursuit of the company's goals, Sponsorship: Yuvee, Inc., Project plan for EnPRO 353: The Yuvee Personal Electronic Device for Fall 2003 semester

: Technique for Establishing a Virtual Backbone in an Ad Hoc Wireless Network; An algorithm on a computer readable medium for efficiently creating a message efficient virtual backbone in a wireless ad hoc network utilizes three phases to establish an efficient network among the independent transceivers of a wireless ad hoc network. Independent transceivers within the transmission range of each other are neighbors. A leader election and tree construction phase constructs a tree of neighboring transceivers with one transceiver being designated the root and with each transceiver establishing and recording its location in the tree structure and the identifiers of its neighbors; and reporting when the tree is established. A level calculation phase determines the level of each transceiver away from the root transceiver, with each transceiver recording the level of its neighbors. Precedence for each transceiver is established with consideration of each transceiver's tree level and identifier, with tree level being paramount in deciding precedence; and reporting when the levels of the tree are established. A backbone construction phase establishes all transceivers as a dominator or a dominatee, with the dominators forming the network backbone and the dominatees all being neighbors to a dominator. Within the network each transceiver only needs to know the information of its neighboring transceivers., Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology, United States Patent

: Fuel Cells for Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (Semester Unknown) IPRO 349; The goal of IPRO 349 is to produce a conceptual design of an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) that is powered by a fuel cell. The primary customer in consideration for this IPRO is the US Navy. The importance of submarines has long been recognized by the military and has caused drastic changed in modern warfare., Deliverables

: Conduction Heating of Hydrocarbonaceous Formations; A waveguide structure is emplanted in the earth to bound a particular volume of an earth formation with a waveguide structure formed of respective rows of discrete elongated electrodes wherein the spacing between rows is greater than the distance between electrodes in a respective row and in the case of vertical electrodes substantially less than the thickness of the hydrocarbonaceous earth formation. Electrical power at no more than a relatively low frequency is applied between respective rows of the electrodes to deliver power to the formation while producing relatively uniform heating thereof and limiting the relative loss of heat to adjacent barren regions to less than a tolerable amount. At the same time the temperature of the electrodes is controlled near the vaporization point of water thereat to maintain an electrically conductive path between the electrodes and the formation., Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute, United States Patent

: Automatic Insulin Pumps Using Recursive Multivariable Models and Adaptive Control Algorithms; A method and device for monitoring or treating patient glucose levels. The device includes a glucose sensor for measuring a glucose level of a patient, a physiological status monitoring system for measuring at least one physical or metabolic variable of the patient, and an automatic controller in communication with the glucose sensor and the physiological status monitoring system. The controller includes a prediction module for automatically predicting a future glucose level using data measured by the glucose sensor and the physiological sensor., Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology, United States Patent

: Sustainable Mixed Used Building (Semester Unknwon) IPRO 360; IPRO 360 was brought together to gain real world experience with developing a building from design to construction. This experience is not limited to design and engineering, but also involves the business aspect of development. The team will be in charge of market research, code analysis, programming, design, engineering, and creating a business plan., Deliverables

: Real-time batch process supervision by integrated knowledge-based systems and multivariate statistical methods; Real-time supervision of batch operations during the progress of a batch run offers many advantages over end-of-batch quality control. Process monitoring, quality estimation, and fault diagnosis activities are automated and supervised by embedding them into a real-time knowledge-based system (RTKBS). Interpretation of multivariate charts is also automated through a generic rule-base for efficient alarm handling and fault diagnosis. Multivariate statistical techniques such as multiway partial least squares (MPLS) provide a powerful modeling, monitoring, and supervision framework. Online process monitoring techniques are developed and extended to include predictions of end-of-batch quality measurements during the progress of a batch run. The integrated RTKBS and the implementation of MPLS-based process monitoring and quality control are illustrated using a fed-batch penicillin production benchmark process simulator., Endnote format citation for DOI:10.1016/j.engappai.2003.09.003

: Ghost City Chicago (Spring 2001) IPRO 355; The IPRO team will develop a prototype for a computer graphic reconstruction of the built environment of Chicago. Beginning with the ghost city -- those buildings and environments which have been destroyed -- students will prepare a development plan for the necessary technologies to create, develop, distribute, market and protect this project as they make it available to a wide audience through appropriate computer technologies and media. It is now possible to recreate, in computer graphic form, the city of Chicago at any time in its past. Making the growth of the city visible would permit anyone to discover for oneself what it was like to be alive at anytime in the city's history - from Indian encampment to high-rise apartment. This would be visual -providing the ability to see the difference in light levels during different kinds of air quality or as the result of different kinds of artificial illumination (candle, lamp, gas or electric light); and it would also be aural, providing indications of sound, whether from the livestock near the stockyards, ships moving in the river, hearing hymns sung in a church, or the sound of workers walking at a shift change. It will be possible to move anywhere in the city and enter any building or environment. It will be possible to see the water and sewer systems being extended across the prairie, and then see the opening of streets, followed by the construction of buildings - houses, apartments, shops, schools, churches - along the newly opened streets. It will be possible to shop at the department stores of the Loop, or visit one's doctor, dentist or attorney in the Loop or one's own neighborhood; and at the same time see how thosevery structures developed and changed over time. This is an opportunity to apply well-understood ideas about the virtual city to the past. There are several requirements for the success of a large scale project: determination of how best to present the material (Web, CD, DVD, I-Max), selection of a common computer graphic language (VRML, Auto-Cad, Form-Z, Microstation), design of a robust and adaptive information technology architecture to accommodate the appropriate array of emerging and evolving computer technologies (hardware, software, distribution modes), development of thoughtful strategic business and marketing plans, and management of intellectual property. This is a continuation of a Spring 2000 IPRO project that has made significant progress in laying the foundation for continued work by new IPRO teams., Sponsorship: IIT Internal R&D., Project Plan for IPRO 355: Ghost City Chicago for the Spring 2001 semester

: Magnetic Transducer; Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute, United States Patent

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