SURF Mentoring

Potential projects/topics: Potential projects are primarily focused on prototyping human-interfacing devices for rehabilitation purposes and will be primarily hands on work. Potential projects include prototyping mechanical and electrical systems for 1) a force-sensing insole with a vibrotactile haptic feedback waistband for improving balance in lower-limb prosthesis users, 2) a textile-based, high-density functional electrical stimulation dry electrode sleeve for restoring arm motion in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury, and 3) a flex-sensing glove with vibrotactile haptic feedback for quantifying at-home rehabilitation exercise compliance in stroke survivors.

Potential skills gained: Work on these potential projects may include the following elements in which you may develop skills and experience: prototyping design process, 3D printing, laser cutting, CAD, sewing, soldering, machining, programming in Matlab, C++, or Python for controlling systems via a microcontroller (i.e., an Arduino) or for data processing, PCB design and fabrication, and human participant data collection. You will also have opportunities to improve your scientific writing and presentation skills throughout the summer.

Required qualifications or skills: Desired majors are mechanical and electrical engineering though there may be the potential for a fit outside of those majors depending on the overlap of the students skill set.

While no specific skills are required, prior experience in some subset of the listed skills in the "skills gained" section will be helpful as it will allow for a more efficient transition on to the project at the beginning of the summer and therefore further benefit in skills gained overall from the experience.

Direct mentor: Post-doctorate, Graduate Student