Explore modes on a drumhead – similar to modes on a guitar string, but in 2 dimensions.
Monthly Archives: March 2015
Cloth modeling
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.
Pulse Oximeters – Maxim
Pulse Oximeters – Maxim. Also – TI has information
Model a non-linear pendulum that has magnets.
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
Implement an adjustable step-size RK algorithm for animations
The animation system at http://lpsa.swarthmore.edu/Animations/ uses a fixed step size animation. Alter the code to use a variable step size.
Use an animation system (see below) to develop animations for homework problems.
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.
Use simulink and MATLAB together to simulate a system (and animate it).
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.
Simulate this non-linear system with spinning magnets.
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
Explore Z-Transforms
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.
Javascript tool for demonstrating some principal from class.
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?
Javascript tool for visualizing convolutions
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.
Control Servo Motors with an audio signal.
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:.
The Pi Machine – NYTimes.com – Calculate pi
Use this method to make an animation (web-based?) that calculate pi. The Pi Machine – NYTimes.com.
Use Audio Analyzer to Demonstrate Convolution
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.
Use a 3D printer to make circuit boards
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.