EPS projects spring 2023

Project 1 – Detection of human motion using IMU sensors in a network

Use our health-technology lab and help develop a system to predict foot position through trials and research!
 
Gait analysis is the systemic study of the locomotion of human beings during walking. Gait analysis plays an essential role in detecting abnormality in the human walking pattern. 

Changes in gait styles imply important information about a person’s fitness that would be used to assess or analyse individuals with pathological situations that affect their ability to walk and the complete bio-mechanic system. 

One of these situations occurs during the pronation and supination of the foot. In collaboration with a Norwegian company (Gaitline AS), we are analysing the human gait in relation to pronation. 
 
We are interested in developing a system using IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) to detect gait motion in real-time. 

In this project, we attempt to make the system predict the foot position in angles and estimate the differences in the gait length and the heap position. 

The project is successful with students who have a background in electrical and electronics, mechanical engineering, and computer science as the project involves some programming. 
 
Supervisor: Professor Peyman Mirtaheri, leader of research group ADEPT

Project 2 – Heel stimulation platform

Help us take previous student project and research one step further.
 
Humans’ ability to keep their balance upright during bipedal locomotion is unique because the human body’s anatomy contradicts basic principles for stability. 

Continuous feedback can provide sensation about the stability boundaries of the body and orientation of the body relative to these boundaries and the ground, which is fundamental for balance. 

Four types of specialised cutaneous receptors, called mechanoreceptors, are identified in glabrous skin, such as the foot sole. The mechanoreceptors convert external mechanical stimuli, such as pressure or skin stretch, to action potentials and enable tactile sensation. 
 
The behaviour of the mechanoreceptors is investigated by a previous experiment at the Optical lab (MEK, OsloMet), where a customised platform induces mechanical stimuli to the foot sole of the participants. 

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. The suggested project needs to develop the idea further to get a more “real-time” stimulation as the foot touches the platform; it should initiate the stimulus and the LDF measurements.

There is also a need to do further experiments to produce more data. The precondition of the project would be a group of students with mechanical, electrical, and electronic students. 
 
It would also be helpful to have an additional student with a design background to improve the platform as a module to make the experiments smoother. 
 
Supervisor: Professor Peyman Mirtaheri, leader of research group ADEPT

Project 3 – Work-from-home or Work-from-anywhere? Challenges and opportunities

Overview: Work-from-anywhere has long been a reality for a minority. The concept of digital nomads was established two decades ago. 

Now the pandemic has transformed a niche mode of working into a general expectation for large portions of European office workers. 
 
We invite curious students with a combination of technological know-how and human-centred skills to contribute to research within this field. 

You will conduct research as well as looking for solutions to the challenges the WFA-mode of work create for both the individual and the organisation.
 
This will be part of an ongoing research project led by Professor Jane Jørgenson (University of South-Florida) and Professor Laurence Habib (OsloMet)  
 
Supervisor at OsloMet: Professor Laurence Habib

Project 4 – New learning arenas for creative students

Make a difference for our students! Analyse the needs and wishes of a large student population, and develop input for a trial, a proof-of-concept or a prototype for the Department of Art, Design and Drama (EST).
 
The department has to leave the current building, and we don’t know to where. In this project, you should analyse creative students’ needs and develop an important input to the campus-planning process at EST. 

You will work according to the design thinking process and bring in your creativity and competences on top of the process structure to conceive relevant & valuable design solutions. 
 
This is a goal oriented multi-disciplinary design project! Your results will be included in the department’s planning process for new, future-proof learning arenas. 

To achieve relevant results in a project like this, we need multi-disciplinary competence in the project group. Consequently, we need a team with a wide professional range; researchers, ergonomists, designers, civil engineers +++.
 
Supervisor: Professor Petter Øyan

Project 5 – Smart textiles & wearable technology

Smart textiles and wearable technologies are expanding widely. But can we move beyond the watches and heart-monitoring?

Are there more professional or industrial use-cases?  

With the increase of Makerspaces and Fab Labs, smart textiles and wearable technology share common ground with science and technology. 

We challenge you to do creative problem solving with craft, design, and technology. We expect a prototype made in our makerspaces.

A previous EPS-group created a proof-of-concept for a divers’ glove with built-in battery and remote control for head-mounted camera. 

You may follow up on this or choose a new direction. Regardless, this project will focus on employing innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and entrepreneurship methods as part of the learning/ exploration process. 

Electronics, understanding of materials, business understanding as well as some software knowledge is wanted.

Supervisor: assistant professor Nuno Marques

EPS projects fall 2023

Project 1 and 2: Heel-brain mechanism — two projects

Supervisor: Peyman Mirtaheri, professor

Humans’ ability to keep their balance upright during bipedal locomotion is unique because the human body’s anatomy contradicts basic principles for stability. Cutaneous feedback (i.e. from sensors on the skin) can provide sensation about the stability boundaries of the body and orientation of the body relative to these boundaries and the ground, which is fundamental for balance. 

For project group 1: Make a reflective optical sensory probe, suitable to be mounted on our customised platform (partly developed through a current EPS project).

There has been argued in the literature that an alternative method to detect perfusion in the skin is oxygenation measurements based on NIR spectroscopy. The group has to make a reflective optical sensory probe suitable to be mounted on our customized platform to detect oxygenation using at least three wavelengths within the near-infrared range. The precondition of the project would be a group of students with electrical and electronic and computer science students. Optical knowledge would be an advantage. It would also be helpful to have an additional student with a design background to take care of the design perspective of the optical probe. 

For project group 2: A reflex path is connected from the heel skin up to the brain’s sensorimotor part of the cerebral cortex. In order to understand these activations, there is a need for further experiments using NIR-probe from the heel (project group 1), our customised platform, and brain activity signals measured by EEG signals (g.tec brain-computer interface equipment with 32 channels existing at our lab). The group will use EEG signals regarding the timing of stimulation from the platform and analyse the causality of the signals respectively. The precondition of the project would be a group of students with biomedical engineering, electrical and electronic, computer sciences, and mechanical students. The group should be able to perform tests and analyse the data.

More background information:

Four types of specialized cutaneous receptors, called mechanoreceptors, are identified in glabrous (i.e. smooth) skin, such as the foot sole. The mechanoreceptors convert external mechanical stimuli, such as pressure or skin stretch, to action potentials, enabling tactile sensation. One in particular, Ruffini Endings, are interesting as they probably measure the shear forces in the heel skin.  The behaviour of the mechanoreceptors is investigated by a previous experiment at the Optical lab (MEK, OsloMet) and EPS groups, where a customised platform induces mechanical stimuli to the foot sole of the participants. 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. Thus, there is a need to expand these measurements. 

Project 3 – Mobile app as Cognitive training

Essential-Functions Mobile App as a Cognitive Training Tool for Elderly

Supervisor: Way Kiat Bong, associate professor

Do you have any of these skills: Computer science, or Design thinking, or, Human-machine interaction, or Product design
There exist various apps for cognitive training exercises for elderly. However, there is a challenge with the usefulness of current cognitive training apps; they often do not match elderly’s real-life use of smartphones. Instead of incorporating real-life use of smartphones – such as sending and receiving text, picture and video messages – the apps require them to do interaction that have little relations with real-life use of smartphones. We want you to suggest a better solution!

The group should produce both a written report and a physical demonstration, for example a mid-fidelity prototype. We do not expect a functioning app/ software of any kind.

Project 4 – Tilting Table Tests of Masonry Assemblies

Perform a systematic review and develop a low/medium fidelity prototype of a tilting table.

Supervisor: Alejandro Jimenez Rios, Research Fellow

Do you have any of these skills: Critical appraisal, data extraction, data synthesis, prototyping, and interpersonal skills.
Researchers have used tilting table tests in the past to assess the seismic response of different masonry assemblies. The general idea is to place the masonry assembly on top of a flat surface that is lifted in one of its sides. This causes the masonry assembly to rotate and experience an equivalent horizontal force (effect analogous to what the assembly would suffer under the dynamic forces caused by an earthquake). At a certain tilting angle, the masonry assembly fails/collapses. The maximum tilting angle is then related to horizontal accelerations and the safety/integrity of the masonry assembly is determined. Furthermore, results from previous experimental tilting table tests have been used as well by researchers to validate different numerical modeling methods.

This is an interdisciplinary project with special interest in the conservation of monuments and historical constructions. It is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11.  

Some knowledge of woodworking may be handy for the building of a prototype. OsloMet Makerspace has a woodwork workshop.

Project 5: Prototype a smart bulbous bow

Design, build, and test a small and simple prototype of a scaled ship with a moving bulbous bow.

Supervisor: Samuel Ruiz Capel, PhD Candidate

Skills wanted: Marine/Naval engineering, mechanical engineering, product design, electronics, ARDUINO, programming, CAD and 3D printing, CFD/FEM software, curiosity and willingness to work on this hands-on oriented project!

Background: Traditionally, bulbs have been built with steel, which means they have constant length and shape and can only work in optimal conditions for the designed-for speed. A conventionally shaped bow causes a wave crest, and a bulb forms a wave trough, cancelling or reducing both waves and thus, ship resistance. This cancelation mainly depends on the vessel speed and bulb length and shape.

This project proposes studying an alternative way to build the bulbous bow of a ship, providing it with the ability to change its shape and length. This will improve the performance of a vessel related to resistance to motion and seakeeping, for the whole range of speed, and operating and environmental conditions.

It is proposed to study different concepts for the smart bulbous bow (fast prototyping), and to build a scaled prototype based on the optimal concept (with the 3D printers at OsloMet MakerSpace) that will include sensors managed with ARDUINO to be tested in water. 

Project 6: Adding a function to a surgical tool

Research & develop different solutions and build prototypes in the OsloMet Makerspace to document a proof-of-concept (not expected to be built to scale).

Supervisor: Petter Øyan, professor

Skills wanted: The team members should have an interest in developing their expertise in these areas: design thinking process, 3D CAD and rapid prototyping, medical technology, mechanical engineering, ergonomics and tactile feedback.  Other competences might also be valuable, such as micro hydraulics.

Background: When surgeons perform keyhole surgery, they use tools that are inserted into the abdominal cavity through tubes.

To sew inside the abdominal cavity, current equipment can move the needle in certain, defined directions. The challenge is to enable an additional direction of movement.

In this type of surgery, it is important to ensure that the surgeon receives tactile feedback.

The project will be carried out by a team, and all participants must be dedicated team players!

The project task provides an exciting opportunity to get to know medical technology!  

EPS projects spring 2024

Project 1: Prototype a smart bulbous bow 2.0

Supervisor: Samuel Ruiz Capel, PhD Candidate

Task: Design, build, and test simple prototype of moving bulbous bows. This project is a continuation of the same EPS project for Fall, 2023. Students will continue with the already built prototype of a scaled reference-ship, making improvements, and changing parts to test their own designs.

Background: Traditionally, bulbs have been built with steel, which means they have constant length and shape and can only work in optimal conditions for the designed-for speed. A conventionally shaped bow causes a wave crest, and a bulb forms a wave trough, cancelling or reducing both waves and thus, ship resistance. This cancelation mainly depends on the vessel speed and bulb length and shape.

This project proposes studying an alternative way to build the bulbous bow of a ship, providing it with the ability to change its shape and dimensions. This will improve the performance of a vessel related to resistance to motion and seakeeping, for the whole range of speed, and operating and environmental conditions.

It is proposed to study different concepts for the smart bulbous bow (fast prototyping), and to build a scaled prototype based on the optimal concept (with the 3D printers at OsloMet MakerSpace) that will include sensors managed with ARDUINO to be tested in water. Numerical analysis will also be performed to study structural, hydrodynamic and mechanical properties. 

Skills: Marine/Naval engineering, mechanical engineering, product design, electronics, ARDUINO, programming, CAD and 3D printing, CFD/FEM software, curiosity and willingness to work on this hands-on oriented project!

Project 2: Pop-up Structures

Supervisor: Sam Woodford, assistant professor

Engineering has taken an increased inspiration from origami in recent years. 

Designs for new solar panels for the international space station involved using special folding patterns to allow the panels to fit into a regular sized rocket, but then deploy to full size on the station with minimal involvement from the crew on the station. 

Such designs have improved transportation efficiency, decreased development time and increased the safety for people involved.

The task for this semester is for students to come up with another application for a ‘pop-up’ style product that has a benefit either commercially or to society. A ‘proof-of-concept’ prototype is expected as part of the deliverables.

Project 3: Anti-Biofouling Device

Supervisor: Sam Woodford, assistant professor

In order to understand and protect our oceans and fjords, more companies are turning to underwater-sensor devices to gather data, such as underwater cameras. Data collections in some circumstances can be for periods for months or even years. 

Over these time periods, the growth and development of biological fouling — biofouling — is a major issue. This biofouling gradually reduces the effectiveness of the sensors.

Some research has been done into different methods to slow the build-up of biofouling, with mechanical wipers found to be the most effective. However even these suffered from their own biofouling and lose efficiency over time.

The task for the students is to develop a testing procedure to measure the effect of biofouling on wiper mechanisms and to develop a prototype mechanism to reduce this biofouling.

Project 4: Design a proof-of-concept for an electronic surfboard with a lifting-foil

Supervisor: Vahid Hassani, professor

Design a proof-of-concept for an electronic surfboard with a lifting-foil — e-foil surfing. 

These systems have propulsion and a lifting-foil (or foils) below the surface, and a board with batteries and controllers above water. When in use, the lifting-foil will ensure that the board is lifted free of the water. 

Commercial systems that can be used for surfing exists. Your challenge is to create a proof-of-concept for an e-foil surfer that can be built with commercially available components.

Project 5: Contesting AI in smart home devices

Supervisor: Henry Mainsah, professor

There’s been an explosion in the number of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in our homes. The makers of these devices promise that through automations, virtual assistants, and machine-learning algorithms, AI can make homes more efficient and give you back valuable time. 

Virtual voice assistants can screen calls for users, and your HVAC system can schedule maintenance based on your specific schedule and availability, using data gathered from the devices.

However, there are reasons for caution. Data is gathered, and users have – and is offered – little knowledge about how these systems work, how data flows, and what risks and vulnerabilities users are exposed to when they introduce AI driven systems and devices in their homes.

An ongoing research project titled, RELINK, based at Consumption Research Norway, Oslo Metropolitan University, is currently examining how ordinary users can be empowered to understand and challenge AI driven decision-making systems embedded in the devices they use in their everyday life.

The Relink project challenge students to create prototypes of mechanisms that enable users to understand, contest and alter AI driven decision-making systems embedded in chosen smart home devices. Students might demonstrate this mechanism through redesigning/ reverse engineering existing smart home devices or through a separate device.

The expected final delivery, in addition to the report, may be in the form of drawings, blueprints, video, or any other appropriate form that demonstrates their suggested improvements.

EPS projects fall 2024

Project 1: Measure energy waste/improvement

Supervisor: Assistant Professor Sam Woodford.

Many coal, oil, nuclear and geothermal power stations rely on a variation of the Rankine cycle to produce shaft work and so generate electricity.

A key part of this circle is the ‘condenser stage’ where rejected steam or vapor is cooled back into water to be pumped back into the cycle.

This cooling can be done in various forms such as cooling towers or with heat exchangers using rivers or seawater as a cooling medium, but how much energy is wasted in this condensation?

Find a means to extract energy in any form of work from the rejected steam in these cycles before it goes into the condensing phase and evaluate if it is an economically viable supplement to power generation.

Project 2: A privacy-conscientious home device

Supervisor: Professor Henry Mainsah.

Much of the tech currently on sale share data with manufacturers or third parties. 

This creates privacy issues. But is this sharing of data necessary? 

Make a proof-of-concept of a device similar to devices sold today but with local and secure storage. 

This can for example be a doorbell with a built-in camera. 

The aim is to showcase for users and politicians that such devices are viable, and that much of current data-sharing is unnecessary.

Project 3: Building a model of wind assisted propulsion ship

Supervisor: Professor Vahid Hassani.

New regulations demand substantially lower CO2 emissions from shipping, like container ships. This has led to a new interest in wind-assisted propulsion – think sails and engines together. 

These «sails» are not your typical Bermuda rigging of a sailing yacht, and which – if any – solution may work on a commercial scale is still up in the air (sorry for the pun!). 

The researchers at OsloMet Ocean lab are curious and want a group of students to begin experimentation and point the way for possible future research and experiments with prototypes.

Project 4: Real-time monitoring of musculoskeletal health

Supervisor: Assistant Professor Ali Muhtaroglu.

Biomedical knowledge, electronics engineering and computer science come together to further develop a real-time musculoskeletal monitoring application using simple in-house neuromorphic electronic cards along with off-the-shelf sensors and materials.

The goal will be to design a wearable system for bilateral monitoring and reporting of chosen short- and long-term musculoskeletal health parameters, mostly associated with left/right symmetries of the body.

In addition to the above-mentioned competencies, mechanical engineering, materials knowledge, and product design may be highly beneficial to this project.

Project 5: Social robot prototype; child healthcare

Supervisor: Professor Weiqin Chen.

Social robots offer substantial promise for helping children in healthcare contexts. Most existing social robots are commercial products that are not often suitable for children.

We want you to design a proof-of-concept of a social robot that can serve as a starting point for further research and experiments.

You should be prepared to do some research as we need the design to be quality-assured, and a well-documented process is expected.

The end goal is a robot that can lighten the moods of children e.g. through conversation.

For more information about social robots in child healthcare: Dawe, J., Sutherland, C., Barco, A., & Broadbent, E. (2019). Can social robots help children in healthcare contexts? A scoping review. BMJ paediatrics open, 3(1), e000371.

Project 6: Sustainable buildings

Supervisor: PhD Scholar Leila Farahzadi.

Are you ready to transform sustainability principles into a real-world prototype with a focus on energy efficiency? Join this dynamic project!

The construction industry is in need of innovations towards sustainable building practices that maximize energy efficiency alongside minimal environmental impact.

This project is to create a tangible prototype of a building envelope with low-impact materials and life cycle thinking principles, while at the same time considering energy consumption performance.

The building envelope includes all the building components that separate the indoors from the outdoors. Building envelopes include the exterior walls, foundations, roof, windows, and doors.
Aim: Showcase a prototype, research findings, design decisions, and testing results through presentations and reports.

The group will need a diverse skill set. Basic understanding of building design/ civil engineering, materials, as well as different fabrication techniques (3D modelling or traditional construction methods). It is an advantage if at least one group-member knows building simulation software.