Mechanical Engineering, Department of
https://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/49548
2024-03-19T06:32:22ZAshton-Miller CV 3-3024
https://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/192523
Ashton-Miller CV 3-3024
Ashton-Miller, James
James Ashton-Miller's CV
2024-03-01T00:00:00ZDeployment of a Preemption based Motion Sickness Prevention Technology on a Testbed Vehicle in Mcity
https://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/192481
Deployment of a Preemption based Motion Sickness Prevention Technology on a Testbed Vehicle in Mcity
Awtar, Shorya
Motion sickness when traveling in a vehicle is a common condition that afflicts one in three adults in the US. Moreover, passengers who are not driving the vehicle experience such motion sickness more acutely compared to the driver of the vehicle. This is due to the driver’s ability to make anticipatory corrections when initiating a driving action that involves acceleration (e.g. speeding up, breaking, or taking turns). These anticipatory corrections by the driver (such as tightening their abdominal core muscles when braking or leaning their body/head into the direction of the turn when turning) help prepare the driver for the accelerations associated with the driving actions slightly ahead of time, whereas the passenger ends up passively reacting to these driving actions. With the impending transformation in ground transportation due to autonomous vehicles, where every occupant is a passive passenger, the deleterious effects of motion sickness on the passenger comfort and productivity during their commute is expected to be significant. The goal of this research project was to develop an experimental vehicle testbed and passenger instrumentation for testing motion sickness mitigation solutions that employ preemptive stimuli provided to passengers in autonomous vehicles. Towards this goal, this project has led to the development of several key experimental modules and testing protocols, including a vehicle testbed comprising an active seat (with embedded haptic motors) for providing preemptive stimuli, extensive instrumentation to measure the states of the vehicle and the passenger, an Mcity drive path that is representative of city and highway driving, an automatic triggering scheme to preemptively actuate the haptic stimuli based on this drive path, and an IRB approved human subject testing protocol. The vehicle was designed to emulate an autonomous vehicle riding experience for the passenger. This experimental setup was then used to conduct a human subject study to quantify passenger motion sickness response while performing representative task along with preemptively triggered haptic stimuli. Twenty-four healthy adults with varying levels of self-reported motion sickness susceptibility participated in the study on the Mcity test track in the above vehicle testbed. The data showed a statistically significant reduction in motion sickness as a result of preemptive haptic stimuli.
Final Report
2024-02-22T00:00:00ZFunctional Anatomy of Urogenital Hiatus Closure: the Perineal Complex Triad Hypothesis
https://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/192090
Functional Anatomy of Urogenital Hiatus Closure: the Perineal Complex Triad Hypothesis
Pipitone, Fernanda; Masteling, Mariana; Xie, Bing; Chen, Luyun; DeLancey, John; Ashton-Miller, James
Urogenital hiatus enlargement is a critical factor associated with prolapse and operative failure. This study of the perineal complex was performed to understand how interactions among its three structures: the levator ani, perineal membrane, and perineal body—united by the vaginal fascia—work to maintain urogenital hiatus closure. Methods Magnetic resonance images from 30 healthy nulliparous women with 3D reconstruction of selected subjects were used to establish overall geometry. Connection points and lines of action were based on perineal dissection in 10 female cadavers (aged 22–86 years), cross sections of 4 female cadavers (aged 14–35 years), and histological sections (cadavers aged 16 and 21 years).
Results The perineal membrane originates laterally from the ventral two thirds of the ischiopubic rami and attaches medially to the perineal body and vaginal wall. The levator ani attaches to the perineal membrane’s cranial surface, vaginal fascia, and the perineal body. The levator line of action in 3D reconstruction is oriented so that the levator pulls the medial perineal membrane cranio-ventrally. In cadavers, simulated levator contraction and relaxation along this vector changes the length of the membrane and the antero–posterior diameter of the urogenital hiatus. Loss of the connection of the left and right perineal membranes through the perineal body results in diastasis of the levator and a widened hiatus, as well as a downward rotation of the perineal membrane. Conclusion Interconnections involving the levator ani muscles, perineal membrane, perineal body, and vaginal fascia form the perineal complex surrounding the urogenital hiatus in an arrangement that maintains hiatal closure.
2024-01-21T00:00:00ZRobotic Fencing Dummy
https://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/192013
Robotic Fencing Dummy
Sorgenfrei, Evelyn; Hensley, Ethan; Majors, Steven; Elan Constantino, Alex
This report outlines development of an automated fencing dummy that simulates fencing drills for Plymouth Fencing Academy. Sponsored by Coach Ian Rozich and Professor Wenda Tan, the project navigates challenges like time constraints, interdisciplinary demands, and budget limitations. Strategies such as role assignment, and modular development were employed. From 200 diverse design ideas, the team chose a humanoid robotic arm with two degrees of freedom. Detailed force analysis guided material and motor selections, resulting in an arm with a motorized elbow and manual forearm angle adjustment. A prototype target and arm was created that allows for actuation of the four most common parries seen in fencing.
2023-12-01T00:00:00Z