CAPSTONE DESIGN PARTICIPANTS
Joshua Hanneson, Connor Hawkins, Brian Lee, Dihan Wu
ARCTIC Lithium Batteries
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In the current climate crisis, electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining prominence as a zero-emission alternative to traditional fossil fuel vehicles. In colder climates like Canada, lithium-ion batteries experience a decrease in capacity which exacerbates “range anxiety,” hindering the mass adoption of EVs. Our team is improving battery performance at sub-zero temperatures by synthesizing materials that facilitate better transport of lithium ions from the electrolyte to the anode. This enhanced battery performance will reduce the reliance on emerging EV infrastructure, consume less energy than current heating methods, and provide greater peace of mind for drivers.
Consultant: Dr. Michael Pope
Sponsor: Magna E-Mobility Award
Robert Choi, Austin Con, Cynthia Deng, Mia Shi
Self-Powered Computer Mouse
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With portable devices becoming increasingly ubiquitous, the demand for Lithium-ion batteries is reaching an environmentally unsustainable level. One novel method of generating clean energy is by converting the friction from our everyday motions into electricity using a Tribo-Electric Nano-Generator (TENG). A simple application is in wireless mice. One of their biggest drawbacks is the eventual need to recharge or replace the batteries. By transforming the friction between the mouse and the mouse-pad into electrical energy, the battery life can be extended, addressing the issue in an environmentally friendly way.
Consultant: Dr. Chao Tan
George Bobtchev, Cecilia Cancellara, Pavitra Kurseja, Ryan Li, Setu Potnis
Cellucoat
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Currently, single use beverage cups are often bound for landfills due to their combination of paper walls and plastic lining which cannot be recycled together. Our solution, Cellucoat, is a plant-based biodegradable coating made from nanocellulose at a low cost, and comparable performance to the current industry standard, polyethylene. It can be used to replace the current plastic lining of single use beverage cups and other food packaging so that cups and containers are readily compostable. The use of Cellucoat in the food packaging industry will allow vendors and consumers to operate more sustainably.
Consultant: Dr. Hamed Shahsavan
Jacob Chaussé, Guillaume Fernandes, Andrew Harabin, Nicholas Levinski
Isoflex: A Flexible and Multi-Directional Force Sensor
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Within the last decade, robotic systems have become increasingly pervasive in society and are found everywhere, from industrial automation to consumer electronics. However, if robotics are to reach their full potential, they will need to be able to interact with their surrounding environment as humans do—with touch. Force sensing is a fundamental requirement to realizing complete artificial tactility and kinesthesia, but current designs are non-compliant or limited to uni-directional sensing. Isoflex is a flexible carbon nanotube-based force sensor that combines piezoresistive and capacitive elements, enabling multi-directional sensitivity and simplified signal collection.
Consultant: Dr. Vivek Maheshwari