Preparation of NiO catalyst on FeCrAI substrate using various techniques at higher oxidation process

The cheap nickel oxide (NiO) is a potential catalyst candidate to replace the expensive available platinum group metals (PGM). However, the current methods to adhere the NiO powder on the metallic substrates are complicated. Therefore, this work explored the development of nickel oxide using nickel (Ni) on FeCrAl substrate through the combination of nickel electroplating and oxidation process for catalytic converter application. The approach was started with assessment of various nickel electroplating process based on the weight gain during oxidation. Then, the next experiment used the best process in which the pre-treatment using the solution of SiC and/or Al2O3 in methanol. The specimens then were carried out to short term oxidation process using thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) at 1000 o C. Meanwhile, the long term oxidation process was conducted using an automatic furnace at 900, 1000 and 1100 o C. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used for surface analysis in nanometer range scale. Meanwhile, roughness test was used for roughness measurement analysis in micrometer range scale. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) attached with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) were used for surface and cross section morphology analysis. The specimen of FeCrAl treated using ultrasonic prior to nickel electroplating showed the lowest weight gain during oxidation. The surface area of specimens increased after ultrasonic treatment. The electroplating process improved the high temperature oxidation resistance. In short term oxidation process indicated that the ultrasonic with SiC provided the lower parabolic rate constant (kp) and the Al2O3 and NiO layers were also occurred. The Ni layer was totally disappeared and converted to NiO layer on FeCrAl surface after long term oxidation process. From this work, the ultrasonic treatment prior to nickel electroplating was the best method to adhere NiO on FeCrAl substrate

Wearable Capacitive-based Wrist-worn Gesture Sensing System

Gesture control plays an increasingly significant role in modern human-machine interactions. This paper presents an innovative method of gesture recognition using flexible capacitive pressure sensor attached on user’s wrist towards computer vision and connecting senses on fingers. The method is based on the pressure variations around the wrist when the gesture changes. Flexible and ultrathin capacitive pressure sensors are deployed to capture the pressure variations. The embedding of sensors on a flexible substrate and obtain the relevant capacitance require a reliable approach based on a microcontroller to measure a small change of capacitive sensor. This paper is addressing these challenges, collect and process the measured capacitance values through a developed programming on LabVIEW to reconstruct the gesture on computer. Compared to the conventional approaches, the wrist-worn sensing method offerings a low-cost, lightweight and wearable prototype on the user’s body. The experimental result shows that the potentiality and benefits of this approach and confirms that accuracy and number of recognizable gestures can be improved by increasing number of sensor

Force Plates: Measuring Human Force Production Using Plate Technology

Force plate technology is versatile and very useful in the field of biomechanics for measuring human force production. Force plates are used in a variety of settings including rehabilitation, sport performance, and prosthetic training. There are varying options as far as size and material, and these are evaluated based on the type of testing for which the plate will be used. This technology is relatively low-cost and thus provides an excellent tool for numerous settings

Development of a Device for Remote Monitoring of Heart Rate and Body Temperature

We present a new integrated, portable device to provide a convenient solution for remote monitoring heart rate at the fingertip and body temperature using Ethernet technology and widely spreading internet. Now a days, heart related disease is rising. Most of the times in these cases, patients may not realize their actual conditions and even it is a common fact that there are no doctors by their side, especially in rural areas, but now a days most of the diseases are curable if detected in time. We have tried to make a system which may give information about one's physical condition and help him or her to detect these deadly but curable diseases. The system gives information of heart rate and body temperature simultaneously acquired on the portable side in real time and transmits results to web. In this system, the condition of heart and body temperature can be monitored from remote places. Eventually, this device provides a low cost, easily accessible human health monitor solution bridging the gaps between patients and doctors

Detection of static and dynamic activities using uniaxial accelerometers

Rehabilitation treatment may be improved by objective analysis of activities of daily living. For this reason, the feasibility of distinguishing several static and dynamic activities (standing, sitting, lying, walking, ascending stairs, descending stairs, cycling) using a small set of two or three uniaxial accelerometers mounted on the body was investigated. The accelerometer signals can be measured with a portable data acquisition system, which potentially makes it possible to perform online detection of static and dynamic activities in the home environment. However, the procedures described in this paper have yet to be evaluated in the home environment. Experiments were conducted on ten healthy subjects, with accelerometers mounted on several positions and orientations on the body, performing static and dynamic activities according to a fixed protocol. Specifically, accelerometers on the sternum and thigh were evaluated. These accelerometers were oriented in the sagittal plane, perpendicular to the long axis of the segment (tangential), or along this axis (radial). First, discrimination between the static or dynamic character of activities was investigated. This appeared to be feasible using an rms-detector applied on the signal of one sensor tangentially mounted on the thigh. Second, the distinction between static activities was investigated. Standing, sitting, lying supine, on a side and prone could be distinguished by observing the static signals of two accelerometers, one mounted tangentially on the thigh, and the second mounted radially on the sternum. Third, the distinction between the cyclical dynamic activities walking, stair ascent, stair descent and cycling was investigated. The discriminating potentials of several features of the accelerometer signals were assessed: the mean value, the standard deviation, the cycle time and the morphology. Signal morphology was expressed by the maximal cross-correlation coefficients with template signals for the different dynamic activities. The mean signal values and signal morphology of accelerometers mounted tangentially on the thigh and the sternum appeared to contribute to the discrimination of dynamic activities with varying detection performances. The standard deviation of the signal and the cycle time were primarily related to the speed of the dynamic activities, and did not contribute to the discrimination of the activities. Therefore, discrimination of dynamic activities on the basis of the combined evaluation of the mean signal value and signal morphology is propose

From 3D scan to body pressure of compression garments

Human bodies come under loads in sports. For safety or other purposes, athletes wear compression garments to help avoid wrong postures or movement. We assessed anthropometrics of elite rowers, and found significant differences with the general population, indicating compression garments would behave differently for the athletes. By combining 3D scanning technique and FEM modelling software, we were able to predict compression garment performance on part of the athlete bodies . Abaqus Explicit solver was applied to simulate movement of athletes actually putting on a compression garment, and to track stress distribution during the process

Southwest Research Institute assistance to NASA in biomedical areas of the technology

Significant applications of aerospace technology were achieved. These applications include: a miniaturized, noninvasive system to telemeter electrocardiographic signals of heart transplant patients during their recuperative period as graded situations are introduced; and economical vital signs monitor for use in nursing homes and rehabilitation hospitals to indicate the onset of respiratory arrest; an implantable telemetry system to indicate the onset of the rejection phenomenon in animals undergoing cardiac transplants; an exceptionally accurate current proportional temperature controller for pollution studies; an automatic, atraumatic blood pressure measurement device; materials for protecting burned areas in contact with joint bender splints; a detector to signal the passage of animals by a given point during ecology studies; and special cushioning for use with below-knee amputees to protect the integrity of the skin at the stump/prosthesis interface

Jump Training Analysis: An Application in Strength and Conditioning

Force development is a crucial part of sports performance. Jumping is a mechanical movement used in various sports to analyze force production. Strength and Conditioning coaches work with athletes on improving sports performance through a variety of exercises. The mechanical principles utilized in jump training will help coaches train athletes to excel. Research has analyzed the various components of jumping that could substantially improve the rate of force development. Studies about the mechanisms of jumping will consist of devices used to measure force, phases of the jump, neuromuscular control of jumping and exercises to help athletes improve. The following thesis will include a review of jumping as well as an application strength and conditioning coach’s use in the weight room