Buck-I-SERV: Uruguay

STEP Category: Service-Learning and Community ServiceSTEP Expo poster about Buck-I-SERV experience in Uruguay.The Ohio State University Second-year Transformational Experience Program (STEP)Academic Major: Computer Science and Engineerin

EXPLORING SOYBEAN OIL-BASED POLYOL AND EFFECT OF NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANTS IN RIGID POLYURETHANE FOAM

To address the increasing demand for sustainable biomaterials due to the depletion of fossil fuel resources and growing environmental concerns, a new type of biodegradable and environmentally friendly rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) has been synthesized. These foams are derived from chemically modified soybean oil-based polyol obtained from soybean oil by epoxidation followed by a ring-opening reaction. Polyurethane foam is generally used in construction, furniture, and automobile industries but is highly flammable and releases toxic gases and smoke during combustion. In this study, a highly efficient synergistic effect halogen-free flame-retardant (FR) melamine salt, 2-carboxyethyl(phenyl)phosphinic acid melamine salt (CMA) was synthesized from 2-carboxyethyl(phenyl)phosphinic acid (CEPP) and Melamine (MA) in aqueous solution. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy characterized the chemical structure of CMA. Three different FRs, Melamine (MA), Melamine Cyanurate (MC), and 2-carboxyethyl(phenyl)phosphinic acid melamine salt (CMA) was (separately) introduced in increasing quantities for the foam preparation to suppress the flame during combustion. The effects of these flame retardants on the mechanical properties, flame retardancy, thermal stability, and morphology of the prepared RPUFs were studied by apparent density, closed cell content, compression test, horizontal burning test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of 28.56 wt % of MA (MA-15), MC (MC-15), and CMA (CMA-15) showed a burning time of 10.1 sec with weight loss of 5.34% and 28.4 sec with 13.02% and 15.25 sec with 8% respectively. The findings demonstrated that all three FRs gave RPUF good flame-retardant properties, but MA derivatives showed lesser effect when compared to MA. Overall, the usage of SBO-polyol did not change most of the foam’s qualities. As a result, our research on the synthesis of biobased flame retardant RPUFs was successful

Poloxamer (PLX) coatings modulate chronic inflammation and enhance biocompatibility of multichannel microelectrode arrays

Traumatic brain injury is responsible for the loss of neural function in millions of patients across the United States every year. Neural electrodes show potential in significantly enhancing the quality of life of these patients by restoring lost communication with the body. For example, a microelectrode sensor designed for human quadriplegic patients allows them to move a cursor on the screen using single neuron activity. Long term electrode implantation in the brain, however, leads to glial scar formation, thereby limiting the functional lifetime of an electrode in vivo. In this thesis, we investigated the biocompatibility of ceramic based multichannel electrodes coated with Poloxamer – 188 (PLX), a bifunctionalized co-polymer that may self insert into damaged neuronal membranes and limit cellular damage. In order to do this, we first developed a method to quantify inflammatory cells around the microelectrode. Then, using immunohistochemical staining techniques, presence and expression of microglia/macrophages (ED1), astrocytes (GFAP), and intact neurons (NeuN) were observed at 2, 4, and 6 week intervals post implantation. Cells were characterized in terms of proliferation (stereological analysis) and morphology (intensity of fluorescent staining). Our results showed that PLX coated electrodes significantly reduced the presence of microglia and macrophages at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and at 6 weeks post implantation as evident by relative fluorescence of ED1 staining. Similarly, GFAP staining shows decreased protein expression of astrocytes at 2 week and 4 week time points. In contrast, NeuN staining revealed that PLX is associated with increased neuronal presence in the vicinity of the implant site at 2 week and 4 week time points but not at the 6 week time point. The demonstrated modulation of the immune response seen in electrodes coated with PLX coatings show promise in its future application as a mode of protecting and extending the functional lifetime of implanted neural electrodes. In the long term, we hope that implementation of a poloxamer coated microelectrode surface will lead to chronically implantable microelectrode devices capable of recording neurons for longer periods. This will enable the use of microelectrode dependent neuroprosthetics as viable alternatives to patients who have lost motor functions due to brain injury.M.S., Biomedical Engineering -- Drexel University, 201

INTEND AND FUNCTIONING OF HANDHELD SECURED ELECTRONIC BANK FOR SANCTUARY PURPOSE

Today, banks have observed out that their next massive patron base is not within the city placing however inside the frequently disregarded rural regions. The infrastructure of rural regions isn't always as rich as metropolis opposite numbers. Reaching the humans in rural areas isn't always so easy in comparison to metropolis regions. To create a secured handheld doorstep banking device, it's miles a cell banking tool that's used to offer a whole lot secured and smooth of banking issuer for the human beings from rural areas and far-flung villages. The transaction really can't be performed by way of inserting card and PIN extensive range, it moreover requires fingerprint identity and OTP for each transaction to decorate more secure. Once this form of systems is launched through banks, the client will have easy banking services with the financial institution wherein the customer is a member. This gadget is used as banking device with connected to banking server this is carried by using the banking person who's authorized by way of the manner of the respective bank. Also, the cash moving can be performed with the aid of the equal banking person

SECURE SMART TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM USING AUXILIARY DATA IN COOPERATIVE AWARENESS MESSAGE

Current smart traffic lights (STLs) can provide access to a traffic signal, which a vehicle, such as an emergency vehicle, can manipulate through a Cooperative Awareness Message (CAM) object. However, researchers have demonstrated that STLs can be easily hacked using an abusive CAM object. To address such a weakness, techniques are presented herein that secure a STL with auxiliary data that is attached to a CAM object, which can be used by a vehicle on-board unit (OBU) and smartphones. Aspects of the presented techniques reduce the encryption and decryption overhead that is incurred when attaching a security header as part of a CAM message. Further aspects of the presented techniques ensure that the authenticity and integrity of a CAM message can be validated through a roadside infrastructure (e.g., Roadside Units (RSUs)) and STLs with the help of a central server

Deep Learning based CNN Model for Classification and Detection of Individuals Wearing Face Mask

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a critical demand for protective measures, with face masks emerging as a primary safeguard. The approach involves a two-fold strategy: first, recognizing the presence of a face by detecting faces, and second, identifying masks on those faces. This project utilizes deep learning to create a model that can detect face masks in real-time streaming video as well as images. Face detection, a facet of object detection, finds applications in diverse fields such as security, biometrics, and law enforcement. Various detector systems worldwide have been developed and implemented, with convolutional neural networks chosen for their superior performance accuracy and speed in object detection. Experimental results attest to the model's excellent accuracy on test data. The primary focus of this research is to enhance security, particularly in sensitive areas. The research paper proposes a rapid image pre-processing method with masks centred on faces. Employing feature extraction and Convolutional Neural Network, the system classifies and detects individuals wearing masks. The research unfolds in three stages: image pre-processing, image cropping, and image classification, collectively contributing to the identification of masked faces. Continuous surveillance through webcams or CCTV cameras ensures constant monitoring, triggering a security alert if a person is detected without a mask.Comment: 8 Pages , 6 figures , 1 Tabl