Saving Sushi: Restocking the Population

https://digitalcommons.wpi.edu/gps-posters/1271/thumbnail.jp

Emerging Technologies: Bringing the North Atlantic Right Whale to Life at the New England Aquarium

There are approximately 500 North Atlantic right whales alive today, and human actions continue to threaten their population. The goal of our project was to identify and analyze emerging technologies that could be used at the New England Aquarium to educate the public on the dangers facing the North Atlantic right whale. We researched how five emerging technologies could be implemented at the New England Aquarium through an analysis of nine example exhibit ideas. These exhibit ideas were evaluated on their ability to attract, hold the attention of, and communicate a message to visitors. We concluded that virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, touch screens, and projection mapping are viable mediums for educating visitors in an aquarium setting in place of live animals

MRI Compatible Optical Force Sensing Technique for Robotically Assisted Biopsies

Conducting accurate biopsies of tissue is critical for early cancer detection. The goal of this project was to develop a force feedback system, to be used in automated MRI biopsy procedures. The design utilizes interferometry techniques, paired with a custom fixture and processing circuitry to translate strain experienced by a needle into force. Testing was completed using calibration weights, simulation and formal design verification. The device begins the process of collecting accurate needle force profiles for future robots that utilize needle steering. Eventually, this data may allow for in vivo characterization of cancerous tissue