A Real-Time Transcranial Current Stimulation Platform

Transcranial current stimulation (tCS) is an experimental brain stimulation treatment that appears to show potential in both treating impairments and improving functional memory. Due to its recent advent and lack of FDA approval, most commercially available tCS platforms are relatively simple and lack real-time capabilities, making experimentation involving closed-loop control systems impossible. This work seeks to remedy this issue by creating a “real-time transcranial current stimulation platform” (RTtCS) that seeks to allow real-time signal generation and improve upon the capabilities of contemporary platforms. The device constructed is able to operate in four modes: as an arbitrary waveform generator, a reference current tracker, a pulse generator and a square wave generator. Each mode was thoroughly tested across both a resistor modelling the impedance of a human head and across the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis muscles of the leg with success observed in both contexts. Promising preliminary results were also gathered in the viability of a closed-loop control system using an EEG in conjunction with the stimulator

MEMS 411: Racecar Cruise Control

The WashU Racing team is a student group at formula student which annually designs, builds, and tests a 1/3rd scale formula racecar. This project explores the use of an electronically actuated throttle to implement cruise control on the WashU Racing formula student racecar. Through the use of new and existing sensors on the car, in depth engine modeling, and vehicle dynamics, our team was able to make the car accelerate up to and maintain a certain spee

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), through their complex cargo, can reflect the state of their cell of origin and change the functions and phenotypes of other cells. These features indicate strong biomarker and therapeutic potential and have generated broad interest, as evidenced by the steady year-on-year increase in the numbers of scientific publications about EVs. Important advances have been made in EV metrology and in understanding and applying EV biology. However, hurdles remain to realising the potential of EVs in domains ranging from basic biology to clinical applications due to challenges in EV nomenclature, separation from non-vesicular extracellular particles, characterisation and functional studies. To address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) updates its 'Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles', which was first published in 2014 and then in 2018 as MISEV2014 and MISEV2018, respectively. The goal of the current document, MISEV2023, is to provide researchers with an updated snapshot of available approaches and their advantages and limitations for production, separation and characterisation of EVs from multiple sources, including cell culture, body fluids and solid tissues. In addition to presenting the latest state of the art in basic principles of EV research, this document also covers advanced techniques and approaches that are currently expanding the boundaries of the field. MISEV2023 also includes new sections on EV release and uptake and a brief discussion of in vivo approaches to study EVs. Compiling feedback from ISEV expert task forces and more than 1000 researchers, this document conveys the current state of EV research to facilitate robust scientific discoveries and move the field forward even more rapidly