Axial Flux Motor Development for Reduction-Less High-Torque Robotics Applications

Motors in many high-performance robotics applications must provide high torque outputs at low duty cycles. A higher torque motor enables a more responsive actuator under load by reducing or eliminating the gear reduction in series with the motor. Due to the low duty cycle, the limiting factor in the torque output of motors in these applications is more often the magnetic saturation of the stator iron rather than the thermal properties of the motor. In this work, the authors provide a unique approach to torque optimization for this application, describe the process of designing, manufacturing, and testing a novel modular hybrid flux motor following these principles, and provide analysis and data on the torque performance of the resulting motor when compared to several common configurations

Design and Analysis of a Low-Cost Anti-Missile Missile in Combination with a High-Powered Rocket

This report presents the design, construction, and testing of a high-powered model rocket, as well as the conceptual development of a low-cost anti-missile missile in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Open Division Missile Systems Design Competition. The project was structured around two primary objectives: to build a reusable model rocket capable of reaching an altitude of 10,000 feet or less and to design a conceptual missile system that meets competition specifications. A team of students collaborated under five specialized sub-teams focused on mechanical design and recovery systems, mission operations and payload, aerodynamics, propulsion and thermal analysis, and flight dynamics and control. The model rocket incorporated commercially available motor and structural components, as well as custom-fabricated structural components, and an integrated recovery system. Simulations and analyses were conducted using industry-standard tools including MATLAB, ANSYS (Static Structural, Fluent, Dynamic), and Cantera. The anti-missile missile design emphasized cost-effective manufacturing, modular subsystems, aerodynamic efficiency, and simulated targeting and guidance capabilities. Overall, this project provided students with valuable hands-on experience in aerospace system design, emphasizing the tradeoffs and performance interdependencies critical to complex vehicle development. The results demonstrate the viability of the model rocket flight system and present a thorough conceptual design for the anti-missile missile

Standard Error Estimates for the Survivor Average Treatment Effect

This project presents a novel method for estimating treatment effects in trials with high attrition or dropout rates. Specifically, the study builds on a principal stratification approach to estimate the average treatment effect for students who would take the post-test regardless of treatment. Previous work developed causal estimators for principal scores, and this report extends that by introducing a method to calculate the standard errors of these scores and effects. The study applies this approach to an educational experiment evaluating two online learning programs among middle school students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Developing an Intelligent System for Maximizing Photovoltaic Array Output Power Based on Varying Environmental Conditions

Photovoltaic power generation is highly sensitive to environmental factors such as sunlight intensity and temperature, directly impacting output power. Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms are employed to continuously adjust the operating conditions of the panel, such as the voltage or current, to optimize power with changing environmental factors. While traditional MPPT algorithms like perturb and observe (P&O) are computationally efficient, they struggle with oscillations and inefficiencies. More advanced MPPT algorithms can be more efficient but have increased computational complexity. This project developed a hybrid MPPT system that combines multiple algorithms and environmental sensors to dynamically select the most effective algorithm in real-time

Development of an MRI-compatible mock circulatory loop

This project involved the construction and analysis of a mock circulatory loop that is compatible with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and can replicate flow conditions in vitro. Several experiments that involve flows which may be encountered in biological conditions were carried out and the relevant data was collected. In all cases, the SONOFLOW CO.55 Flow Sensor was used to read the flow to provide a reference value to the data collected. The first experiment involved Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), where a video of the fluid flowing in a clear tube was analyzed using associated software packages, in this case PIVLab. Subsequentially, experiments utilizing Phase Contrast-MRI (PCMRI) were employed, conducted using the GE Signa Premier 3T located at PracticePoint and supervised by an MRI Operator. Over several trials, the magnitude and direction of flow were varied to observe how the velocity profile of the fluid changed under these conditions. From the PCMRI Experiments, a series of Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files were obtained and post-processed in MATLAB to obtain the readings of velocity and flow at each position. The same technique was applied in our Backward Facing Step (BFS) test section, which allowed us to image the more complex flow that arises from this geometry. This project provides the basis to which future projects can build off of, with this project demonstrating how both PIV and PCMRI can be used to analyze the flow of fluid through a subject and post-processed using the relevant software. This project has important implications for helping to resolve issues relating to heart disease and other health conditions that pertain to fluid flow in the human body

CS: MQP: Harrison: ReVISit-ing the Classics: Evaluating A Framework for Replicable Data Visualization Experiments (2024-2025)

This project aims to understand how open-source visualization software can allow for a lower skill and wealth threshold in data visualization research, allowing up-and-coming researchers to have as many opportunities as those backed by wider experience or a higher wealth. The team studied different software based on open source philosophy and the ways in which bridging these gaps can occur. To better understand the goal of these programs, the team used the open-source visualization software ReVISit to recreate the stimuli and procedure of the existing study "'Seeing what you believe or believing what you see?' Belief Biases Correlation Estimation”. The project will work to compare preexisting open source survey software to ReVISit, in order to find methods of improvement and current benefits of using ReVISit while also understanding the wider benefits of open source software in survey taking overall

Elevating Well-Being; A New Vision for Health and Fitness

This project is a new vision and approach to elevating well-being, health, and fitness through a structural addition to the WPI Recreation Center. Our team researched elements that negatively and positively affect mental health and determined the important correlation between physical activity and mental well-being. This project proposes a new structural addition to highlight elements found in our research. We completed a structural analysis, architectural design and plan, schedule, and estimate to aid the new structure. The addition includes a functional fitness turf, green roof, individual workout suites, wellness hub, mind body studio, juice bar, walking pads, golf simulator, sauna and steam room, locker rooms, and other recreation center upgrades that will contribute to student and community wellbeing. This project outlines the methods used to develop the final deliverables and provides the results of our work, with discussion on areas of the project our team feels there is room for expansion by another MQP team in following years, with a list of future recommendations

Developing Educational Labs for Reverse Engineering IoT Devices

Education addressing IoT reverse engineering is currently lacking at WPI and other universities. This paper details the creation of curriculum designed to address this gap in education. Using tools common to the field of IoT reverse engineering four labs were created that each address an important stage of the reverse engineering process. A longer project to be done in parallel with the labs was also developed. Additionally, this paper details ways to improve upon its work in the future

Addressing Mental Well-Being to Improve Upon the Existing stART Program

The Strength Through Art (stART) program is a mental health prevention program offered at the National Gallery Singapore with the goal of educating youth ages 13-35 on emotional literacy through art. Our sponsor, Director Mian Tze from the stART team, tasked us in collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to enhance the existing program by addressing program reach and content retention. By gathering and analyzing both survey and interview data, we discovered findings that outlined positive and negative views regarding the topic of mental health. To address these issues, we developed and proposed modifications to the program format to tackle reach and retention. Our recommendations include different technology-based ideas from a mental wellness tracking app and gamified stART program, story books and creative care packages, and even a stART pop-up event. These recommendations were put into a design matrix leaving the stART pop-up events as the final recommendation. We hope that our final recommendation will serve the stART team and assist our partners at NUS in implementing a method that leads to a self-sustaining cycle of program reach and content retention, leading to a more accessible and impactful program

Wedding Bells: The Demo of Much to Do to Say “I Do”

Wedding Bells is the title of our year-long project focused on the development of the Much to Do to Say “I Do” demo. In this game, players take on the role of a wedding planner, helping to plan a wedding for an in-game couple. The couple consists of Manuel, a Mexican-American cisgender man, and his fiancée, Valerie, an American trans woman. The heart of the design is rooted in our primary project goals: to provide positive representation and emotional storytelling. By sharing a narrative that celebrates their identities and backgrounds, we aimed to highlight their unique experiences within the context of their rich communities. The demo introduces a tutorialized experience that serves as the foundation for a more expansive game. Set in Curren, an idealized American city where marginalized communities thrive, the environment is designed to emphasize positivity, social connection, and emotional depth. This fictional city provides a healthy space for diverse populations, further reinforcing the game’s themes. This demo is meant to serve as the foundation for a much longer game. The full Much to Do to Say “I Do” game will expand beyond this demo, allowing players to plan multiple weddings for various couples, build their business, and connect to the community of Curren. As a result, Wedding Bells serves as an active proof of concept, which will be released on Steam and shared with the WPI community. This release aims to gather feedback and drive the continued development of our game, ensuring an iterative approach to its design and success