Designing a Bioshelter for Worcester Schools

Active learning can be a powerful tool for teaching all subjects. However, some elementary schools in the Worcester school district lack the resources for active learning in science. In this project we evaluate the potential use of a bioshelter (a type of greenhouse) to be used as an active learning site for two Worcester schools: Chandler Elementary Community School and Jacob Hiatt Magnet School. - In order to make the bioshelter functional, we evaluate the climate and heating systems necessary to maintain a temperate interior space. Drawing on a variety of secondary sources, focus groups with educators, and interviews with owners and designers of bioshelters, we assess climate and heating systems for the bioshelter, as well as its usability as an educational resource

Coordinated Quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

The objective of this project is to design and implement coordinated estimation and control algorithms for a pair of quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These algorithms enable one of the UAVs to observe and reduce navigational uncertainty for the other UAV, which carries a relatively small number of sensors. The sensors installed include a LiDAR depth sensor and a camera. The commercially available 3DR Solo UAV is used as a platform. For each UAV, this platform is modified by attaching a Raspberry Pi embedded flight controller. A socket server is designed to enable communication between UAVs. The LQR and EKF tools from control theory are used to design the desired algorithms. The system is demonstrated via a flight test involving the two UAVs following a straight line trajectory

Surface modification of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane poly(carbonate-urea) urethane (POSS-PCU) nanocomposite polymer as a stent coating for enhanced capture of endothelial progenitor cells

An unmet need exists for the development of next-generation multifunctional nanocomposite materials for biomedical applications, particularly in the field of cardiovascular regenerative biology. Herein, we describe the preparation and characterization of a novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane poly(carbonate-urea) urethane (POSS-PCU) nanocomposite polymer with covalently attached anti-CD34 antibodies to enhance capture of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). This material may be used as a new coating for bare metal stents used after balloon angioplasty to improve re-endothelialization. Biophysical characterization techniques were used to assess POSS-PCU and its subsequent functionalization with anti-CD34 antibodies. Results indicated successful covalent attachment of anti-CD34 antibodies on the surface of POSS-PCU leading to an increased propensity for EPC capture, whilst maintaining in vitro biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. POSS-PCU has already been used in 3 first-in-man studies, as a bypass graft, lacrimal duct and a bioartificial trachea. We therefore postulate that its superior biocompatibility and unique biophysical properties would render it an ideal candidate for coating medical devices, with stents as a prime example. Taken together, anti-CD34 functionalized POSS-PCU could form the basis of a nano-inspired polymer platform for the next generation stent coatings