Polylactic acid (PLA) polymer has garnered significant attention due to its biocompatibility. The incorporation of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles into this polymer is expected to enhance its antibacterial, electrical, and thermal properties. This modification can potentially improve the performance of PLA in the fields of prosthetics manufacturing or printed circuit fabrication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Since the catapult of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, most simulation laboratories are now completed virtually, leaving a gap in skills training and potential for technical skills decay. Acquiring standard, commercially available simulators is prohibitively expensive, but three-dimensional (3D) printing may provide an alternative. This project aimed to develop the theoretical foundations of a crowdsourcing Web-based application (Web app) to fill the gap in health professions simulation training equipment via community-based 3D printing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe purpose of this report is to: (1) highlight challenges of transitioning the delivery of simulation from centralized, in-person laboratory to decentralized, home-based, online format; (2) suggest a solution that involves the use of crowdsourcing community-based 3-dimensional printers to produce affordable simulators; and (3) present exploratory research and a test case aiming to identify crowdsourcing frameworks to accomplish this. We present a test case that shows the potential of the proposed solution to scale up the decentralized simulation practices during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. As a largely uncharted territory, the test case highlighted successes and areas for improvement that need to be addressed through both theoretical and empirical research and testing before full implementation and scale-up.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Inst Mech Eng C J Mech Eng Sci
June 2022
Coordination of Active Front Steering (AFS) and Direct Yaw Moment Control (DYC) has been widely used for non-autonomous vehicle lateral stability control. Recently, some researchers used it (AFS/DYC) for path-following of autonomous vehicles. However, current controllers are not robust enough with respect to uncertainties and different road conditions to guarantee lateral stability of Autonomous Four In-wheel Motor Drive Electric Vehicles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) created a shortage of mechanical ventilators in the healthcare sector, resulting in rationed distribution, ethical dilemmas, and high mortalities. This technical report outlines the design and product outcome of a mechanical ventilator based on readily available off-the-shelf components, minimizing the dependence on manufacturing facilities. The ventilator was designed to operate in both hospitals and remote locations, having the ability to operate off various gas pressures and low voltage supplies.
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