Robotic simulators for tissue examination training with multimodal sensory feedback

Tissue examination by hand remains an essential technique in clinical practice. The effective application depends on skills in sensorimotor coordination, mainly involving haptic, visual, and auditory feedback. The skills clinicians have to learn can be as subtle as regulating finger pressure with breathing, choosing palpation action, monitoring involuntary facial and vocal expressions in response to palpation, and using pain expressions both as a source of information and as a constraint on physical examination. Patient simulators can provide a safe learning platform to novice physicians before trying real patients. This paper reviews state-of-the-art medical simulators for the training for the first time with a consideration of providing multimodal feedback to learn as many manual examination techniques as possible. The study summarizes current advances in tissue examination training devices simulating different medical conditions and providing different types of feedback modalities. Opportunities with the development of pain expression, tissue modeling, actuation, and sensing are also analyzed to support the future design of effective tissue examination simulators

Embodied Interactions for Spatial Design Ideation: Symbolic, Geometric, and Tangible Approaches

Computer interfaces are evolving from mere aids for number crunching into active partners in creative processes such as art and design. This is, to a great extent, the result of mass availability of new interaction technology such as depth sensing, sensor integration in mobile devices, and increasing computational power. We are now witnessing the emergence of maker culture that can elevate art and design beyond the purview of enterprises and professionals such as trained engineers and artists. Materializing this transformation is not trivial; everyone has ideas but only a select few can bring them to reality. The challenge is the recognition and the subsequent interpretation of human actions into design intent

MistForm: adaptive shape changing fog screens

We present MistForm, a shape changing fog display that can support one or two users interacting with either 2D or 3D content. Mistform combines affordances from both shape changing interfaces and mid-air displays. For example, a concave display can maintain content in comfortable reach for a single user, while a convex shape can support several users engaged on individual tasks. MistForm also enables unique interaction possibilities by exploiting the synergies between shape changing interfaces and mid-air fog displays. For instance, moving the screen will affect the brightness and blurriness of the screen at specific locations around the display, creating spaces with similar (collaboration) or different visibility (personalized content). We describe the design of MistForm and analyse its inherent challenges, such as image distortion and uneven brightness on dynamic curved surfaces. We provide a machine learning approach to characterize the shape of the screen and a rendering algorithm to remove aberrations. We finally explore novel interactive possibilities and reflect on their potential and limitations

Processing-Structure-Performance Relationships in Fused Filament Fabricated Fiber Reinforced ABS for Material Qualification

This dissertation uses the processing-structure-performance relationships to elucidate future needs in qualification of materials manufactured by fused filament fabrication and also introduces a previously unused testing method for the determination of fracture toughness in these materials. Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is an additive manufacturing technique that utilizes the layering of deposited molten plastic in two dimensional shapes to create three dimensional objects. This technique has gained traction over the past two decades as a disruptive manufacturing technology that promises many benefits. In order for FFF to truly be a staple in manufacturing spaces across the world for the production of end-user parts, standardization of testing procedures for the qualification of FFF specific materials must take place. Adjusting standards for qualification must occur with analysis in ultimate tensile strength, response to environmental conditions, and the fracture behavior of these parts. In Chapter 1, a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the art in fracture of FFF parts is presented and discussed. Discussed in this section are the rheological specific phenomena that govern the polymer chain physics at interfaces and within deposited beads. This is tied to the fracture strength and the current questions in part behavior. In chapter 2, a commonly used tensile testing standard is explored and tested on fiber reinforced acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). Due to the complex manufacturing process, new naming standards and testing recommendations are made and the influence of part production methodologies and processing parameters on ultimate tensile strength are explored. The response of fiber reinforced and non-reinforced ABS in environmental conditioning is tested and discussed in chapter 3, where specimens were exposed to heat and moisture then tested in tension. Chapter 4 introduces a unique testing specimen to the FFF literature to obtain multiple fracture modes. Through this test specimen, the nature of the material as a laminate or as a porous homogeneous material is also explored and documented

Development and Characterization of Bound Metal Deposition Including Laser Ablation

Bound Metal Deposition (BMD) is a novel metal additive manufacturing technology in which a metal powder-binder composite paste is layer-wise extruded to form a part, which is then debound and sintered into a solid metal part. Although promising, BMD suffers from shrinkage-induced warpage and an inability to produce fine length scale features. This research addresses these problems by: (1) characterizing warpage of planar parts, and (2) developing a novel laser ablated process to create fine length scale features. First, a 12-factor resolution IV fractional-factorial design of experiments (DOE) was conducted to determine the warpage of planar parts as a function of part geometry, infill density, and process conditions. Results indicate part height and length were most influential for as-sintered warpage. Second, a novel laser ablation BMD (laBMD) process was developed and characterized via a full-factorial DOE. Factors included pattern geometry and process parameters. Results show the as-sintered ablation depth, ablated surface roughness, and angle between ablated and non-ablated regions were tailorable via processing parameters. The results from the laBMD DOE were applied to the design of a microfluidics mold for roll-to-roll forming

Electrochemical metal 3D printing

Additive manufacturing (AM) is the process of creating 3D objects from digital models through the layer-by-layer deposition of materials. Electrochemical additive manufacturing (ECAM) is a relatively new technique which can create metallic components-based on depositing layers of metal onto the surface of the conductive substrate through the reduction of metal ions. It is advantageous compared to other metal AM processes due to the absence of high temperature processes enabling a lower-cost and safer fabrication process, however, to date, all of the presented ECAM methods (Localized Electrochemical Deposition (LED) and Meniscus Confined Electrochemical Deposition (MCED) have been designed to achieve micro or nanoscale structures with limited deposition rates, and only focused on single material fabrication. Furthermore, all the printed structures are limited in the complexity of geometries, with the majority being wire-based architectures of porous and rough morphologies, with limited characterisation of the properties of the printed structures. Additionally, there is no available system able to create temperature-reactive multi-metallic functional 4D structures and no research has been presented on the potential application of ECAM in the field of electrochemical energy storage devices. To bridge the gaps, this thesis investigates the development of a low-cost ECAM system capable of producing single and multi-metal structures by using multi-meniscus confined extrusion heads with volumetric deposition rates 3 times higher than what has previously been reported (~ 2×104 μm3.s-1), enabling large-scale fabrication of complex structures in multiple metallic materials. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray computed tomography and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements confirm that multi-metallic structures can be successfully created, with a tightly bound interface. Analysis of the thermo-mechanical properties of the printed strips shows that mechanical deformations can be generated in Cu-Ni strips at temperatures up to 300 °C, which is due to the thermal expansion coefficient mismatch generating internal stresses in the printed structures. Electrical conductivity measurements show that the bimetallic structures have a conductivity between those of nanocrystalline copper and nickel. Vicker’s hardness tests, show that there is a clear correlation between the applied potential and the hardness of the printed product, with higher potentials resulting in a harder deposition. This increased hardness was found to be due to the smaller grain sizes produced during higher potential deposition which restricted dislocation movement through the material. Finally, this thesis presents the first reported combination of electrochemical 3D printing and electrospinning for building a high mass loading and high performance copper-fibre based supercapacitor which enables the potential to create more integrated electrodes and eventually to enhance the performance of supercapacitors. The results highlight the influence of the substrate conditioning and the resulting effects on the wetting characteristics of the meniscus and the subsequent distribution of the deposition which impacts the electronic conductivity of the overall electrode. In this the fibre-based supercapacitor was constructed, the carbon was doped with manganese oxides to enhance the capacitance through introducing pseudo-capacitance at the cost of electronic conductivity. With the printing of current collectors, a highly bound electrode-current collector interface was formed, reducing the interfacial resistance and enhancing the accessible capacitance at high scan rates. In summary, this thesis presents work towards creating lower cost metal additive manufacturing through the development of an electrochemical metal 3D printer. A meniscus confined approach was taken to localise the deposition, with subsequent microstructural, mechanical and spectroscopic analysis of the printed product. Novel contributions to the field were further presented through developing understanding around multi-metal ECAM, with investigations around their coupled thermo-mechanical properties. Finally, the applicability of this approach was investigated in the field of electrochemical devices, where the influence of a porous substrate was investigated, whereby tightly bound and highly conductive current collectors were printed onto fibre based supercapacitors, enhancing their accessible capacitance. This work, therefore, demonstrates the potential for the ECAM approach in a diversity of applications.Open Acces

Spatial Dichotomies: Research into the Development of 3D Representation

Abstract Matthew McGuire, for the Masters of Science degree in Professional Media & Media Management, presented on Friday, November 14th 2014, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Spatial Dichotomies: Research into the Development of 3D Representation Chair of Committee: Robert Spahr This research paper covers how 3D technology influences different industries over time. Key points within the research find that over time humans consistently gravitate toward increasing their ability to recreate depth, texture and image. Industry leaders in education, film, medical, television, and the Web will find literature and discussion of how to adjust their modes of production and manufacturing in the future. Each of these industries will be reviewed throughout the report. The data in the report identifies 3D technology in two sections: object and screen-based technology. Each chapter contains social and financial elements that assist and react to new technology in the market. Additionally, to help show the effects on the different industries there are trends and time lines to show how individual industries develop. In each industry, there are multiple ways that 3D technology can be effective and ineffective. The research goes over transitions in early media to compare to transitions in modern mediums of art and science. After covering a short history on the transformation that society has had with the image, the paper covers public demand for new virtual settings in education and entertainment. Image-based research indicates that users will on average continuously desire more depth and interactivity in content

Measuring user experience for virtual reality

In recent years, Virtual Reality (VR) and 3D User Interfaces (3DUI) have seen a drastic increase in popularity, especially in terms of consumer-ready hardware and software. These technologies have the potential to create new experiences that combine the advantages of reality and virtuality. While the technology for input as well as output devices is market ready, only a few solutions for everyday VR - online shopping, games, or movies - exist, and empirical knowledge about performance and user preferences is lacking. All this makes the development and design of human-centered user interfaces for VR a great challenge. This thesis investigates the evaluation and design of interactive VR experiences. We introduce the Virtual Reality User Experience (VRUX) model based on VR-specific external factors and evaluation metrics such as task performance and user preference. Based on our novel UX evaluation approach, we contribute by exploring the following directions: shopping in virtual environments, as well as text entry and menu control in the context of everyday VR. Along with this, we summarize our findings by design spaces and guidelines for choosing optimal interfaces and controls in VR.In den letzten Jahren haben Virtual Reality (VR) und 3D User Interfaces (3DUI) stark an Popularität gewonnen, insbesondere bei Hard- und Software im Konsumerbereich. Diese Technologien haben das Potenzial, neue Erfahrungen zu schaffen, die die Vorteile von Realität und Virtualität kombinieren. Während die Technologie sowohl für Eingabe- als auch für Ausgabegeräte marktreif ist, existieren nur wenige Lösungen für den Alltag in VR - wie Online-Shopping, Spiele oder Filme - und es fehlt an empirischem Wissen über Leistung und Benutzerpräferenzen. Dies macht die Entwicklung und Gestaltung von benutzerzentrierten Benutzeroberflächen für VR zu einer großen Herausforderung. Diese Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Evaluation und Gestaltung von interaktiven VR-Erfahrungen. Es wird das Virtual Reality User Experience (VRUX)- Modell eingeführt, das auf VR-spezifischen externen Faktoren und Bewertungskennzahlen wie Leistung und Benutzerpräferenz basiert. Basierend auf unserem neuartigen UX-Evaluierungsansatz leisten wir einen Beitrag, indem wir folgende interaktive Anwendungsbereiche untersuchen: Einkaufen in virtuellen Umgebungen sowie Texteingabe und Menüsteuerung im Kontext des täglichen VR. Die Ergebnisse werden außerdem mittels Richtlinien zur Auswahl optimaler Schnittstellen in VR zusammengefasst