Learning-Aided User Intent Estimation for Smart Rollators.

With the aging population and rising rates of mobility disability, the demand for advanced smart rollators is increasing. To design control systems which improve safety and reliability, accurate prediction of human intent is required. In this paper, we present a classification method to predict intent of the rollator user using indirect inputs.

µPump: An open-source pressure pump for precision fluid handling in microfluidics.

An open-source precision pressure pump system and control software is presented, primarily designed for the experimental microfluidics community, although others may find additional uses for this precision pressure source. This mechatronic system is coined 'µPump,' and its performance rivals that of commercially available systems, at a fraction of the cost. The pressure accuracy, stability, and resolution are 0.

An integrated microfluidic device for the sorting of yeast cells using image processing.

The process of detection and separation of yeast cells based on their morphological characteristics is critical to the understanding of cell division cycles, which is of vital importance to the understanding of some diseases such as cancer. The traditional process of manual detection is usually tedious and inconsistent. This paper presents a microfluidic device integrated with microvalves for fluid control for the sorting of yeast cells using image processing algorithms and confirmation based on their fluorescent tag.

Development of a patient-specific anatomical foot model from structured light scan data.

The use of anatomically accurate finite element (FE) models of the human foot in research studies has increased rapidly in recent years. Uses for FE foot models include advancing knowledge of orthotic design, shoe design, ankle-foot orthoses, pathomechanics, locomotion, plantar pressure, tissue mechanics, plantar fasciitis, joint stress and surgical interventions. Similar applications but for clinical use on a per-patient basis would also be on the rise if it were not for the high costs associated with developing patient-specific anatomical foot models.

Image processing and classification algorithm for yeast cell morphology in a microfluidic chip.

The study of yeast cell morphology requires consistent identification of cell cycle phases based on cell bud size. A computer-based image processing algorithm is designed to automatically classify microscopic images of yeast cells in a microfluidic channel environment. The images were enhanced to reduce background noise, and a robust segmentation algorithm is developed to extract geometrical features including compactness, axis ratio, and bud size.

Experimental/analytical analysis of human locomotion using bondgraphs.

A new vectorial bondgraph approach for modeling and simulation of human locomotion is introduced. The vectorial bondgraph is applied to an eight-segment gait model to derive the equations of motion for studying ground reaction forces (GRFs) and centers of pressure (COPs) in single and double support phases of ground and treadmill walking. A phase detection technique and accompanying transition equation is proposed with which the GRFs and COPs may be calculated for the transitions from double-to-single and single-to-double support phases.