Hand paralysis stemming from peripheral nerve injuries (PNI), stroke, or spinal cord injury severely limits independence and performance in activities of daily living. Although various assistive devices are available, many are condition-specific and lack the adaptability required for diverse patient populations.This project addresses these limitations through the development of a powered hand orthosis (PHO) designed for cross-population utility. The primary objective was to engineer mechanical finger linkages that enable multi-joint actuation while maintaining a small, non-obtrusive form factor.The design process involved multiple iterations to optimize the mechanical linkages for both functionality and user ergonomics. The resulting prototype was rigorously evaluated for range of motion (ROM) and wearer comfort. Preliminary testing indicates that the linkage system successfully achieves complex finger articulation without the bulk typically associated with powered exoskeletons. This work establishes a foundation for a versatile, low-profile PHO that can be adapted to various neuromuscular conditions, ultimately enhancing functional autonomy for individuals with hand impairment.
Aging is a universal process accompanied by significant musculoskeletal shifts, particularly spinal disc degeneration, which can severely compromise independent mobility. While spinal decline is a known hallmark of aging, the specific age-related threshold at which these structural changes manifest as substantive hindrances to gait remains a critical gap in biomechanical research.The primary aim of this project is to identify the age range at which disc degeneration impacts independent gait, with a specific focus on the hips, pelvis, and trunk. These segments form the functional link between the degenerating spine and the lower extremities. Using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM), this study evaluates continuous statistical differences in the angles, moments, and power of the hip, pelvis, and trunk between two cohorts: individuals below 65 years and those above 65 years.By analyzing the kinematic and kinetic data across the entire gait cycle, this research seeks to pinpoint precisely how and when spinal degeneration alters core stability and proximal joint function. The findings will provide essential data for developing targeted physical interventions aimed at preserving gait integrity and prolonging functional independence in the elderly.
The inverted pendulum is a classic engineering problem used to study inherently unstable systems, such as self-balancing robots. We previously developed a low-cost version that successfully balanced the pendulum upright, but it suffered from timing jitter caused by MicroPython programming and significant quantization noise that limited the control speed. This project improved the system to make the control faster and smoother. We eliminated the timing jitter by transitioning to a real-time C environment that runs faster and with consistent timing. To reduce quantization noise, we replaced a simple backward difference velocity estimate with an adaptive windowing method that dynamically adjusts how much data it uses based on how fast the system moves. Adaptive windowing effectively smoothed quantization noise without slowing the system’s reaction speed. We validated these upgrades using a custom program that automatically moves the system and logs real-time balancing data. These improvements increased the stable control frequency to 2 kHz and resulted in audibly smoother motor operation with reduced current spikes. The improved design is an open-source, affordable platform for teaching and research that enables further investigation in control system engineering and machine learning. We plan to share the design as an alternative to expensive commercial equipment.
Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) are efficient, tunable, small devices that are easy to produce andimplement. This makes them an increasingly essential part of our technological ecosystem.Understanding how they function and when they don’t is crucial for understanding new applications andtechnologies. For example, it has been shown that exposure to high energy electromagnetic radiation canchange their functionality In this research project, OLEDs were fabricated, exposed to radiation, andtheir responses were monitored. The change in material makeup of the devices was explored, as well asthe change in in their magnetoconductance, or their ability to move current in the presence of a magneticfield. This poster will discuss the intersection of these two measurements, the best ways to take them,and what we learned from our analysis. Results of the experiment will show the change in thecharacteristics of an OLED with increasing exposure to radiation
The interactions between proteins and lipid membranes are fundamental in biology. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a class of small peptides that are an important part of the innate immune system and have become an area of interest for scientists with therapeutics and drug delivery. This study focuses on the AMP Maximin 3, which is derived from the skin secretions of Bombina maxima. Maximin 3 is a 27-amino acid cationic peptide that has strong activity against many bacterial and viral microbes. While prior biochemical studies on this peptide demonstrate its antimicrobial activity and selectivity, there is little data that visualizes these interactions at the single molecule level. To accomplish this, we employ Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), a powerful technique for studying the dynamics of single-molecule systems, including protein-lipid interactions in near-native conditions. Here, we acquired AFM images of Maximin 3 with supported DOPC bilayers, which exhibited membrane deformations such as pore formation. Force spectroscopy assays, such as lipid punch-through experiments, demonstrated a shift in mechanical properties of the membrane, such as the yield force. Complementing our AFM results we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to visualize Maximin 3-DOPC interactions at the atomic scale and extract energetic information about the peptide’s binding. Taken together, these results provide a real-time, quantitative analysis of Maximin 3-induced defects in supported lipid bilayers, highlighting their membrane-permeabilizing ability.
Our project aims to computationally evaluate the long-term evolution of exoplanet orbits around massive stars. These stars have high surface temperatures and strong stellar winds. The mass lost through these winds will have important effects on the development of their exoplanets' orbits and environments. We have performed a series of model calculations for a range of hot star properties. Each star is then assumed to have an initial collection of model planets orbiting them at a range of orbital radii. For the detailed modelling of the effects of stellar evolution, we use the open-source computer program Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA). We then run our own code in Python to calculate the effects on model planet orbits. This project should help in the interpretation of observations of exoplanets orbiting hot stars at various evolutionary stages.
Aging is a universal process characterized by progressive musculoskeletal changes, notably spinal disc degeneration, which frequently compromises independent mobility. While the physiological decline of the spine is well-documented, the specific threshold at which these changes substantively hinder gait remains poorly defined.The primary objective of this study is to identify the age-related impact of disc degeneration on independent gait, specifically focusing on the biomechanics of the ankle and knee joints. To achieve this, the project utilizes Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) to evaluate continuous gait data across two distinct cohorts: individuals below 65 years and those above 65 years.The analysis assesses statistical differences in joint angles, moments, and power to pinpoint where mechanical inefficiencies emerge. By quantifying these kinetic and kinematic variances, this research aims to define the critical age range at which spinal degeneration necessitates rehabilitative intervention. These findings will contribute to more targeted clinical strategies for maintaining mobility and functional independence in the aging population.
This study aims to determine whether we can detect the presence of extrasolar planets by using a Meade LX200 12-inch telescope. Our observation technique is to observe subtle changes in star brightness as a planet passes in front of a star. We have carried out preliminary observations on a variable star and found that we can easily detect variations as small as 0.09 for a 13.81 magnitude star. To understand the sensitivity of our system, we have generated simulated data to predict detection thresholds as a function of stellar magnitude. We will use these predictions in selecting targets for future observations.
In this project a force balance that can be used to measure lift and drag forces on objects placed inside of a wind tunnel was designed and built. Data was collected using Vernier force sensors. The balance was designed using the CAD program Onshape. Parts for the force balance were 3D printed and added to elements constructed in a metal shop. Data from the force balance was collected by Logger Pro software and saved to a file for analysis. The force balance was tested using 3D printed airfoils, the results of which are presented here.
Understanding the aerodynamics of systems is crucial in the design of vehicles and structures. Wind tunnels provide a controlled environment to analyze airflow around models that help inform the design process. Large-scale wind tunnels are expensive, so we have built a smaller scale cost-effective one. We have made measurements to characterize the airflow in the test section where models to be tested will be placed. We have quantified the air speed, uniformity, and consistency of the airflow with two different fan systems. This information will be needed for using the wind tunnel in instructional laboratories or future research.
White dwarfs are the end states of stars with masses less than about six times the mass of the sun. They are exotic objects with masses comparable to that of the sun packed into a volume about as small as the earth's. Their very structure requires quantum mechanics to explain, and they host important events like novae and type Ia supernovae, which are responsible for the creation of about half of the iron in the universe. To study the evolution and structure of white dwarfs, astrophysicists use computational models. Creating these models, however, can require evolving a stellar model through all the phases of stellar evolution, which is both time consuming and unpredictable. A researcher would like to simply specify the mass and composition structure of a model and start from there. In this project, we develop several tools and datasets to streamline creating models of white dwarf stars for use in the popular MESA stellar evolution code. These tools have already been used by our research groups and collaborators.
Physics & Astronomy, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Dr. Bill Wolf is an associate professor of physics and astronomy at UWEC. He conducts research in computational stellar astrophysics with a team of undergraduate students and also serves as the director of the L.E. Phillips Planetarium.
