Erik Cheever

Project ideas and information for engineering students

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I use this blog to post information that might be of use for students seeking project ideas. Many of the posts have links to interesting new technologies or products that might be useful for a project. Some of the posts are simply project ideas to prompt student interest. You can easily pare down the selections using the categories and/or tags below.
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Monthly Archives: March 2015

Modes on a drumhead

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

Explore modes on a drumhead – similar to modes on a guitar string, but in 2 dimensions.

Posted in Course Project Ideas, E12.

Cloth modeling

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

Cloth modeling – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Or – do a search for cloth physics.

This is very similar to the spider on a web project idea.

Posted in Course Project Ideas, E12.

Pulse Oximeters – Maxim

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

Pulse Oximeters – Maxim.  Also – TI has information

Posted in Course Project Ideas, E72.

Model a non-linear pendulum that has magnets.

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

Check the video below.  It is a simple pendulum, but reacts to magnets near the base.  A non-linear problem to be modeled with RK – but not too difficult.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force_between_magnets#Magnetic_dipole-dipole_interaction

https://blogs.swarthmore.edu/cheever/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/magpend.mp4
Posted in Course Project Ideas, E12.

Implement an adjustable step-size RK algorithm for animations

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

The animation system at http://lpsa.swarthmore.edu/Animations/ uses a fixed step size animation.  Alter the code to use a variable step size.

Posted in Course Project Ideas, E12.

Use an animation system (see below) to develop animations for homework problems.

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

Use the animation system (http://lpsa.swarthmore.edu/Animations/) developed by a student a few years ago to develop animations for some of the homework problems.

Posted in Course Project Ideas, E12.

Use simulink and MATLAB together to simulate a system (and animate it).

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

Use simulink and MATLAB together to simulate a system (and animate it).  You could also do it all in MATLAB.  The coupled pendulum system comes to mind.

Posted in Course Project Ideas, E12.

Simulate this non-linear system with spinning magnets.

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

Simulate the system shown using Runge-Kutta (it is nonlinear, but not too complex).  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force_between_magnets#Magnetic_dipole-dipole_interaction

https://blogs.swarthmore.edu/cheever/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/spinners.mp4

 

Posted in Course Project Ideas, E12.

Explore Z-Transforms

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

Z-Transforms are related to the Laplace Transform, but are used for discrete time systems (i.e., when a computer is used to sample a signal).  This would be more research then physical.

Posted in Course Project Ideas, E12.

Javascript tool for demonstrating some principal from class.

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

Develop an interactive JavaScript tool for demonstrating some principal from class.  … pole locations and step response?  pole locations and Bode Plot?  animating the Runge-Kutta process?

 

Posted in Course Project Ideas, E12.

Javascript tool for visualizing convolutions

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

Use JavaScript to develop a tool for visualizing convolutions.  Something like “The Joy of Convolution” from Johns Hopkins, or the MATLAB tool ConvolveGUI that I demoed in class.

Posted in Course Project Ideas, E12, Uncategorized.

Control Servo Motors with an audio signal.

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

Use the ideas in this post to control servo’s with audio signals from a cell-phone or other audio source.  TRS Drawbot – Make: | Make:.

Posted in Course Project Ideas.

The Pi Machine – NYTimes.com – Calculate pi

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

Use this method to make an animation (web-based?) that calculate pi.  The Pi Machine – NYTimes.com.

Posted in Course Project Ideas, E12, Uncategorized.

Use Audio Analyzer to Demonstrate Convolution

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

It would be very nice to have a MATLAB gui that makes the audio analyzer output a series of impulses to a circuit and then have software that would add up the delayed and shifted impulse responses to create the output due to an arbitrary input.  This is ambitious, but if you want a very software (MATLAB) intensive project – this might be it.

Posted in Course Project Ideas, E12.

Use a 3D printer to make circuit boards

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Erik Cheever | Leave a reply

Materials for 3D Electronics Printing — Voxel8: 3D Electronics Printing.  This is an ambitious project – you may want to consider this for two students unless you have some experience building your own 3-D printer.

Posted in Course Project Ideas, E90.

Categories

  • Analog (high level)
  • biomed
  • Controls
  • Course Project Ideas
    • E12
    • E15
    • E72
    • E90
  • Embedded Platforms
  • Energy Harvesting
  • Offbeat
  • Product
  • Sensor
  • Uncategorized
  • Wireless networks
  • Wireless Power

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Analog Android biomed E12 E15 E72 E90 embedded energy harvesting info Internet of Things MATLAB offbeat Product Project Sensor wireless wireless power

Recent

  • Multiplier
  • Look ahead carry
  • Motor Control Ideas
  • Chain saw control
  • Find an application for an embedded radar system – an outdoor robot?  Automobile detection – speed sensing?
  • Make something interesting with Low Cost Digital Light Processor (i.e., projector).
  • Build a power meter for a bicycle.
  • MAX30101 Pulse Oximeter – Maxim | DigiKey
  • CC2650STK Texas Instruments | Development Boards, Kits, Programmers | DigiKey
  • Design an I2S to SPI bridge (electronics / audio / microcontroller)

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