Sub-Explorer
I came up with the idea to build a small submarine after researching the internet and discovering the problems in which divers had to face in dangerous and time consuming tasks. The Remotely Operated Vessel (ROV) was designed to perform hull inspections on boats to look for hull damage and leakage of contaminates such as oil or other chemicals into the water. Search, rescue and recovery, are also common tasks which need to be carried out by the police when searching for objects and items. The ROV has been constructed at a reasonably low cost for submersing in depths down to 10 metres. It is remotely operated therefore needing a tether cable to link up between the computer and the vessel. I built a computer case-top from parts that I already had to eliminate the need for an expensive laptop. A program that I wrote in QBASIC interprets input data from the operator and sends out signals to the various operations on the vessel such as to dive, surface, propel, etc. The entire project consisted of five individual technology processes. Key processes such as Propulsion, Maneuverability, Dive & Surface capability, Imaging system, and the Control system. Each process required a cost effective and practical solution but still needing to function efficiently and be low maintenance. Through continuous testing and trial & error I feel I came up with the best possible solutions with the limited amount of time and money I had to spend. I wouldn’t have got as far as I have without the help and support from friends, family and local businesses. They helped with ideas and advice from time to time, help with funding, and the sponsorship of materials and tools. Now that the ROV is complete, I have been able to trial and test it in a swimming pool. Apart from discovering a few minor leaks in the hull and ‘bugs’ in the computer program, I was able to witness the success of the vessel under operation and find any improvements that could be done to make it work better in future. With further more tests at greater depths the ROV will soon be at the stage where it can perform hull inspections of boats and find lost objects and items underwater. I feel it has the opportunity to be a marketable device to underwater industries all over the world.
利用電化學合成P型半導體--碘化銅(CuI)光感測器的製作
碘化銅（CuI）為一種P型半導體，在一般文獻中大部分被用做催化劑，合成極為不易。我們利用一簡單電化學合成的方式，可將銅控制在一價銅( Cu?O )，如在有碘離子( I－ )的溶液中便形成CuI。在這研究中我們將所合成出之P 型半導體CuI 製成光感測器，在偵測不同光強時有良好的線性關係(r2=0.9961)。在光感測器的實驗中我們利用CuI 電極，讓它接受光照，使其電流產生光電流，如果能儲存其光電流能量，就可成為一太陽能電池，利用其原理，未來可以發展成為替代能源。 CuI is a kind of P type of semiconductor in the general literatures. Most of the CuI is use to catalyst. Except that, CuI is difficult to synthesis. We use a simple way of Electoctrochemistry complex to keep Cu?O under controlling. For example, in the I- solution, Cu becomes CuI. In the study, we make the synthesis P type of semiconductor to be light sensor. In different lightness, the procedure showed good linearity(r2=0.9961) In the light sensor, we use CuI pole to accept sunlight. Then the current will produce light current. If we could store the energy of light current, it will be a solar energy battery. When we apply the theory, it can develop to be substitute energy.\r
The Actuator
The purpose of the Actuator is to create a practical device that passively exercises\r the lower legs to help prevent blood clots, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), in\r wheelchair-bound individuals of any age. The secondary purpose of the device is to\r improve range of motion of the lower legs and speed the recovery of their leg action. It is hoped that this invention will help to prevent DVT, and allow some people to even use their legs again, through passive or active muscular motion. The invention was produced using a number of prototypes and design sketches. Although the current model is quite functional, as it keeps the users legs in motion, it is still in the prototypic design stage.\r The Actuator is a simple to use, easy to retrofit device. It is also portable and will be\r able to attach onto the front of any wheelchair. It harnesses the motion of the wheelchair to drive the users legs in a circular motion.\r The invention was tested in a closed and controlled environment: the duration of the\r Actuator’s use was constant, a doctor was present to take blood pressure and heart rate, and the rotation speed of the user’s legs was controlled by keeping the wheelchair speed constant. The data was collected by monitoring heart rate and skin surface temperature of healthy individuals, and blood pressure and heart rate of a wheelchair bound individual.\r As seen with both experiments (wheelchair bound, and healthy individuals) heart rate\r increased. In addition, the wheelchair bound individual’s heart rate also noticeably\r increased, with an evident increase in blood pressure as well. However, skin surface\r temperature is sensitive to surroundings and often provides little indication of deep vein blood flow, thus the skin surface temperature measurements were too inaccurate for any conclusions to be formulated.\r The inventor’s grandmother had developed DVT’s in 2005, and passed away because of them. Had she been given an Actuator it may have prevented such a tragedy. Her death was the driving force behind the project’s development. Over the time period that this project has been in process, the true potential of this invention has been realized.\r I truly believe that it will revolutionize the way that we treat people in wheelchairs, and the way people in wheelchairs can treat themselves.