The University of Michigan- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute’s (UM-SJTU JI) 2015 Winter Design Expo was held in the SJTU library on December 17, showcasing a cornucopia of innovative projects, such as a smart nursing bottle, an automatic recognition palette and a 3-D display device without glasses. To the large turn out of visitors, the talented JI students presented a feast of 43 innovative projects from a spectrum of experimental courses, including Introduction to Engineering, Design and Manufacturing III, System Design & Realization, and, for the first time, the IPP (SJTU undergraduate innovative practice projects).
2015 JI Winter Design Expo
Freshmen Brought Pleasant Surprises
Team Velocity’s Automatic Recognition Palette
The Black-and-white Go Pieces Separating Machine
It is amazing that within 3 months the freshmen have completed a dazzling array of innovative projects such as a black-and-white Go pieces separating machine, a multi functional automatic temperature-controlled nursing bottle and a self-cooling and massage cushion. Team Velocity’s Automatic Recognition Palette can automatically mix up a color as requested. A color sensor is used to send RGB data to an Arduino Board and illuminate a LED light. Upon finding the desired color, the user pushes a bottom and the right color will come out automatically. The machine was originally intended to help archaeologists restore the artifacts but has a broad application for artists or painters.
To solve the embarrassing but pressing issue of properly flushing squat toilets, Team Polaris braved the stench and invented a smart water-saving squat toilet that calculates and flushes with the right amount of water based on the theory of fluid dynamics.
Automatic Road Condition Detector
Paperman- Automatic Paper-sorting Machine
To guarantee the safety of cleaning crew and patients in the hospitals, Team Blizzard’s medical waste handling system uses ultrasonic sensor to detect when the trash bag is full, send message to the central controller, which then instructs the stepper motors to seal the bag with heating rods and release the rubbish bag with the help of electromagnet relay. The system also sends out an alarm if leakage is detected.
IPP project : Three-dimensional modeling of laser ranging system
Auxiliary door controller
Enterprise-sponsored custom topics help promote scientific and technological progress
Team members of ActiveFitConference discussing with the sponsoring company
Real-time Tip-clearance Measurement System sponsored by the Siemens
As in the past, numerous projects sponsored by multinational companies are a highlight of the Design Expo. Among the 19 capstone design projects, 15 are from international giants such as General Electric, Siemens, HP, Intel and Ray technology. These highly practical projects of daily living are the key projects of those enterprises.
A True 3-D Display Device without Glasses
Unlike most of the current 3D display device that use special goggles and cause dizziness, a “true 3D display device based on a spinning mirror system” was developed by JI students, sponsored by the SIEMENS and supervised by Professor Wenjie Wan. Students built a model and took multi-angle pictures of it. Then they uploaded all the pictures to a projector. The light from the projector is reflected on a mirror. When the mirror rotates, those pictures connect together to form a 3-D display.
Gold prize winner “Indoor Positioning and Navigation System”
Indoor positioning and navigation system has become increasingly important but currently available indoor positioning systems are usually inaccurate and expensive. JI students have designed and built a promising real-time indoor positioning system using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology and mesh topological structure. Their system is accurate within ten centimeters and is capable of positioning many real-time dynamic and static targets accurately with low cost. It has a potential to be applied in the industry, emergency rescue and military reconnaissance.
Pedestrian Detection Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Wearable Assistive Exoskeleton for the Shoulder Joint Using Continuum Mechanisms
Dexterous Laparoscopic Electrosurgical Tool
Minimally invasive surgeries, such as single-port laparoscopic surgeries, have increasingly become the main trend. Robotic hands are introduced to manipulate long surgical tools. Based on the SURS (SJTU Unfoldable Robotic System), JI students have been engaged in the design, manufacturing and assembly of a dexterous laparoscopic electrosurgical tool. They focus on producing sufficient force for most surgical tasks, enlarging work space and applying sterile barrier with ease while ensuring the dexterity and precision of the tool.
Since the inception of corporate sponsorship for JI’s capstone design in 2010, more and more multinational companies are sponsoring “custom” projects that are part of their product and market development. This Design Expo attracted more than 30 business representatives from Bosch, Huawei, ZF and other 18 companies. In the meeting between leaders and responsible facuty of JI and the company respresentatives, both parties understand the need for continued collaboration. The majority of companies agreed with further cooperation in capstone design, research collaboration, employment/internships, scholarships and career guidance. Through effectively integrating curricula with corporate collaboration, the Design Expo offers diverse ways and a great platform for JI to explore talent training and business cooperation.
2015 Winter Design Expo a Success
2015 JI Winter Design Expo Winner List:
Capstone Design Category:
Gold Award：Indoor Positioning and Navigation System
Silver Award: True 3-D Display Device without Glasses
Silver Award: Dexterous Laparoscopic Electrosurgical Tool
VG100 Category：
Best Technology Award：Paperman – Automatic Paper-sorting Machine
Best Exhibit Award：Smart Nursing Bottle
Best Innovation Award：Automatic Recognition Palette
