This is supplemental information to our official website. Here, we provide information early, or a bit more information that may be of interest.

Fall 2025-projects are not ready yet. We expect 7 projects in total.

Assumed start-/ end-dates fall 2025: 18th August & 10th December
Assumed start-/ end-dates spring 2026: 19th January & 10th June

Project 1 & 2: sensory-brain mechanism

Humans’ ability to keep their balance upright during bipedal locomotion is unique because the human body’s anatomy contradicts basic principles for stability. The brain plays a central role in processing and interpreting the sensory information from the environment (proprioception), which is reflected in controlling the motor system.  

Cutaneous feedback is one of the sensory sources that provides sensation about the body’s stability, boundaries, and orientation relative to the environment, which is fundamental for balance and our interactions in any environment.   The behavior of the mechanoreceptors is investigated by an experiment at the ADEPT lab ( MEK, OsloMET), and previous EPS groups (over several semesters, see the image below) have made a customised platform that induces mechanical stimuli on the soles of the participants’ feet and hands. We also use robots for a repeating pattern, but in a different condition (not loaded tissue). 

The neural activity is assessed indirectly with a Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) instrument that measures blood perfusion. A wavelet analysis analyses the required data in time, frequency, and time-and-frequency domains. At the current time, our experimental setup needs to be updated in order to go any further with such a setup. 

Supervisor: Professor Peyman Mirtaheri

Project group 1:

The platform has been made with modules that may change the angle of the calcaneus bone to make shear forces with certain pronation angles. However, the movements are made roughly and the platform is too unstable to stimulate the skin. In addition, the platform has a larger range of motion, which will apply the forces on the ankle rather than the heel’s skin. 

One possible suggestion would be to limit the range of motion or make the motion with 3D-printed gears (we have a 3D printing lab at MEK) that change the speed of the existing pneumatic actuators. The idea was also to add a vibrotactile tactors in addition to sudden shear forces to compare the results.

In this setting, a group of at least 4 people is needed. No neuroscience background is needed, however, background in mechnical engineering and electrical engineering would be helpful to counter this project. 

For project group 2:

The lateralisation index is a measure used to quantify the degree of asymmetry in brain activity between the left and right hemispheres. It is often calculated by comparing the power or energy consumption in corresponding regions of the two hemispheres during specific tasks or stimuli. This index helps in understanding how different brain regions contribute to various cognitive and sensory processes, and can be particularly useful in studies involving brain modalities like EEG and fNIRS. We have made several measurements and have a database with data representing such a hybrid modality, however, there is a lack of knowledge and a pipeline to produce a true hybrid between these modalities. 

This project focuses on energy consumption and power dissemination in different brain regions with respect to the lateralisation index concept. Thus, the project must focus on a pipeline to manage and analyse the existing data. This pipeline should include steps for preprocessing and data fusion approaches to simplify the interpretation of complex brain activity data. Hopefully, through this project, it will be possible to present a new approach to the lateralisation index focusing on the energy consumption/power dissipation parameter. It is advantageous to have computer science students in this project. 

Project 3: Visualising how data flows through smart devices in the connected home

Many homes today are equipped with a vide variety of “smart” or connected technologies such as smart fridges, energy meters, robot vacuum cleaners, doorbells, and baby monitors. However, most users have only limited knowledge about how big data flows through these devices and other connected networks and infrastructures in and out of the home. Make a proof of concept of an interactive visualisation tool/system that can 1) help users to understand how data “travels” in and out of the home through smart devices, and 2) act to gain better control over privacy and data security in the home.

Supervisor: Researcher Henry Nsaidzeka Mainsah

Project 4: Automated Modular Pallet-Based Mini Greenhouse

The goal of this project is to develop a fully automated, modular mini greenhouse utilising standard EUR/EPAL pallets and pallet collars. The greenhouse system should automate essential horticultural tasks, including watering, fertilising, temperature regulation, sunlight/shade management, and the removal of leaf litter and debris. The solution must integrate environmental sensors and cameras to enable monitoring and control. The system should be modular, allowing growers to easily scale by connecting additional pallet-based greenhouse modules

Design Requirements:

• Base Platform should be standard EUR/EPAL pallets (1200 mm x 800 mm) with pallet collars for modular scalability.
• Automated irrigation, fertilisation, climate control (temperature and ventilation), adjustable shading/supplemental lighting, and automatic debris management.
• Monitoring should include integration of environmental sensors (moisture, temperature, humidity, nutrient levels) and cameras for remote monitoring.
• Operation Modes should be designed for both grid-connected setups (mains power and water supply) and off-grid scenarios (solar power, battery storage, rainwater harvesting).
• User Interface should be simple and intuitive controls for user interaction and data review (local panel or remote via app/web interface).

One or more days most weeks should be planned for work at second campus, outside city centre. Accessed by free shuttle bus.

Supervisor: Engineer Tore Mikael Omlid

Project 5: Set the virtual table: Using Mixed Reality to create an enjoyable dining environment for hospital patients

According to both Norwegian and international studies around 30% of adult hospitalised patients are at risk of suffering from undernutrition after hospitalisation. Enjoyable dining environments can improve food intake and patients’ well-being and recovery. Mixed Reality (MR) is increasingly used in patient care. Improving the dining environment of hospitalised patients is a potential area of application of MR. This study aims to develop a MR application to create an enjoyable dining environment and evaluate the users’ acceptability and perceived utility of this application.

We will investigate which VR/ MR technologies are suitable for this setting. Students are allowed to loan the VR glasses and/or MR headsets like HoloLens (those are already available in OsloMet) when working on this project. At the current stage, we are not evaluating with real patients. So we can test with almost anyone, with role-playing.

Desired competencies: Developing VR/ MR environment, background in VR/MR in general, user testing.

Supervisor: Associate professor Way Kiat Bong and associate professor Antonio Padilha Lanari Bo.

Project 6: Promoting Gender Inclusive Innovation Ecosystems 

Are you passionate about innovation in your chosen field of study? Subject-experts wanted to help us understand gender inequality in technical disciplines. Why? For the sake of sustainable and impactful innovation! Innovation is believed to be the sine quo non of significant wealth generation in an economy. Gender inequality in innovation has profound negative implications both from an economic and a sociopolitical point of view.  

Any ecosystem in which ideas develop and are implemented, should have gender inclusive characteristics that are enduring. The process of innovation, and the products and services which evolve from it, should integrate gender and diversity to reflect the pluralism and intersectional identities present in all societies.  

Little is known about how gender inequalities germinate and how to combat them. This research proposes an anthropological approach to examining why gender inequality persists and the means via which gender-balanced innovation ecosystems, which are key to achieving sustainable development, may be promoted.  

Interviews will be conducted in distinct innovation ecosystem sectors, such as technology, construction etc, to ascertain how the actors perceive the state of gender equity in their ecosystem. Factors which inhibit or promote gender equity will also be researched. The end product will be a body of work which explores, from an empirical standpoint, the requirements for establishing gender inclusive innovation ecosystems.  

Desired competencies: 

This project is at the intersection of innovation, sociology, technology, gender, diversity, equity and development studies. A key requirement is hence a healthy interest in the above fields and a passion for promoting justice and equality! 

Supervisor: PhD Candidate Ayanna T. Samuels 

Project 7: Continue «Portable power unit» from last semester

The brief last semester was: «Design and build of a portable renewable energy station for remote communities. … a comprehensive research exercise has to be undertaken to access the potential energy source, their uses and how the station can be utilised to benefit the community.»

The group focused on nomads in Mongolia. Their report will be available, as will a variety of components. A more specific brief will be available soon.

Supervisor: Associate Professor Andrew Quinn, Glasgow Caledonian University.