MECH 463 Project list

ACADEMIC PROJECTS
P# 1 - 3D septoplasty surgical simulation model
P# 2 - Bio-computation using biological agents
P# 3 - The Capture Concentration and Conversion of Waste Heat to Electricity with a 1 HP Engine
P# 4 - A mechatronic system for underwater X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry
P# 5 - The Capture Concentration and Conversion of Waste Heat to Electricity with a 10 HP
P# 6 - Capillary microfluidics
P# 7 - Continued development catheter-based mitral valve repair approach
P# 8 - Conclusion of electric ATV conversion
P# 9 - Design of a Graded Cellular Cervical Fusion Cage to Minimize Implant Subsidence
P# 10 Development of a phono-mimetic bioreactor platform for studying vocal fold tissue
engineering and mechanobiology
P# 11 Development of an acoustic isolation chamber for an ultrahigh resolution atomic force
microscope 14
P# 12 Droplet microfluidics
P# 13 Experimental test-bed for studying the net capture of tumbling objects
P# 14 Lattice Materials for a Low Thermal Expansion Strut of a Satellite Antenna
P# 15 Rare cell enrichment
P# 16 Virtual cellular wood tissue

STUDENT COMPETITIONS
P# 17 P# 18 P# 19 P# 20 -

CFRP oil and fuel tanks for a Formula SAE Vehicle

CFRP steering wheel analysis and design for a Formula SAE Vehicle
Implementation of a differential and motor coupling for Mcgill electric race car
Optimized suspension frame mounts for a Formula SAE Vehicle

INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS
P# 21 Activation sensor
P# 22 New motion tracking technology for Welding Simulator
P# 23 Rotational joint cost reduction & redesign
P# 24 Analysis of the three dimensional deformation of the end of the steel profile and the
development of design concept for the automatic end straightener
P# 25 The engineering evaluation of a novel and improved geothermal heating system
P# 26 Development of a Non-Contact Vibration Exciter (academic)

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MECH 463 Project list

ACADEMIC PROJECTS

P# 1 - 3D septoplasty surgical simulation model

Clients
Lily HP Nguyen, MDCM, MSc, FRCSC
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
McGill University, Montreal Children's Hospital
2300 Tupper Ave, Rm B240 | Montreal, QC | H3H 1P3
Email: lily.hp.nguyen@gmail.com | Office: 514-412-4400 ext 25302
Marc A. Tewfik, MDCM, MSc, FRCSC
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
McGill University, Royal Victoria Hospital, Room E4-41
687 Pins Ave W | Montreal, QC | H3A 1A1
Email: marc.tewfik@mcgill.ca | Office: (514) 934-1934 ext 34971
Dr Mahmoud Abdullah AlReefi, Demonstrator
Dept of Otolaryngology | King AbdulAziz Univeristy | Rabigh | Saudi Arabia
Email m_alreefi@yahoo.com | Office: (514) 570-8390
Description
The objective of this project is to develop a physical 3D replica that can help
otolaryngology trainees practice septoplasty surgery. Septoplasty is a commonly
performed surgery to fix a deviated or crooked nasal septum. The nasal septum is the wall
that separates the right and left nasal cavities. When deviated to one side, it prevents the
normal airflow through the nose and the patient will typically complain of a blocked
nose. Septoplasty aims to straighten this deviation and relieve nasal obstruction.
The nasal septum consists of three portions: 1) a flexible rubbery cartilage at the front, 2)
a thin bone (approximately 1-2mm thickness) called "Ethmoid bone at the back, and 3) a
harder bone ridge called the "Vomer" at the bottom (consult fig.1) All of these structures
are covered by a very thin (approximately 0.5mm) but firm membrane called the
"perichondrium". Then there is a final superficial layer called the "Mucous Membrane"
which is soft, fragile and approximately 2mm thick.
The basic steps of the surgery are to 1) make a vertical incision through the mucous
membrane and perichondrium; 2) separate the pericondrium from the cartilage and bone,
thereby creating a pocket; and 3) remove select portions of the cartilage and bone,
allowing the remaining septum to sit back in the midline.
This surgery is considered a challenge to teach trainees for the following reasons:
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MECH 463 Project list

It is performed in a relatively narrow pocket deep in the nose, thereby difficult for
both the student to observe and for the teacher to supervise
The mucosa must be not separated from the perichondrium or else it will tear.
Excessive removal can result in cosmetic deformities.
Traumatic removals can result in septal perforations, and injury to the dura (lining
of the brain).
Inadequate removal will not relieve symptoms of nasal obstruction.

The goal for this project is to design a life-size replica of a nose and nasal cavities
(replicating the accurately detailed anatomy of the septum, including cartilage, bone,
perichondrium and mucus membrane components) via 3D printing technology. This will
be based on medical imaging (CT scan) data. The resulting model can be installed and
secured into a head-shaped holder and offer a reliable and low cost training model.

Fig.1 - lateral view of the nasal septum.

"Gray854". Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gray854.png#mediaviewer/File:Gray854.png

Contact persons
Profs Yaoyao Zhao (3D printing) and Luc Mongeau (Biomechanics)
Budget
$1,500

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P# 2 - Bio-computation using biological agents

Client & contact person
Prof Dan Nicolau
Dept of Bioengineering, Macdonald Eng Bldg, Room 375
McGill University | 815 Sherbrooke St W | Montreal, QC | H3A 0C3
Email: dan.nicolau@mcgill.ca | Office: (514) 398-8261
Description
Many mathematical and real-life problems, e.g., travel and production scheduling, traffic
networks, cannot, or are very difficult to be solved by the present computers which
process the information sequentially and with extreme precision. Despite this difficulty,
these problems are solved easily by individual biological agents, from microorganisms to
humans, who do not process the information sequentially, but in parallel, and who trade
precision for heuristic decision making.
The project aims to assess the individual and collective computational power of
individual biological agents in optimally partitioning the available space and taking
optimal decisions. The project involves the following modules: (i) design of a physical
network of interest, e.g., metro network in Montreal, highways network in Quebec; (ii)
fabrication of that network, at the microscale, by 3D stereo-lithography and/or PDMS
replication; (iii) incubation of the micro-sized network with simple, non-pathogenic
microorganisms, e.g., bacteria; (iv) observation, by optical microscopy, of the preferred
traffic pathways in different setups of the networks; (v) re-design of upgraded networks
and demonstration of more fluent traffic of a real-life traffic network. Many other
variations of the concepts are possible. Please consult to the following additional
informational video links.
Additional video information:
1. http://videolectures.net/eccs07_nakagaki_oas/
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F79D_YWXycI
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eas2zOSKIaQ
4. http://www.youtube.com/user/BionanoinfoLiverpool
Budget
$30,000 (depending on project output)

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P# 3 - The Capture Concentration and Conversion of Waste

Heat to Electricity with a 1 HP Engine
Clients & contact persons
Assoc Prof Frank Mucciardi
Dept of Mining & Materials Eng, Wong Bldg, Room 2M030
McGill University | 3610 University St | Montreal, QC | H3A 0C5
frank.mucciardi@mcgill.ca | Phone: (514) 398-1329
Prof Ferri Hassani
Dept of Mining Eng, Frank Dawson Adams Bldg, Room 109
McGill University | 3450 Univeristy St | Montreal, QC | H3A 0E8
Email: ferri.hassani@mcgill.ca | Phone: (514) 398-8060
Description
Waste heat especially of the low grade variety (e.g. 200oC to 400oC) is abundant in the
majority of metallurgical operations. Most of this heat is dissipated to the environment.
Our objective is to recover some of this heat and convert it to electricity. To do this we
have devised a process whereby the waste heat is captured, concentrated and converted to
electricity, which is used by the plant. In this way, one requires no fuel to make the
electricity and one does not need an external distribution network for the electricity. A
schematic of the process is attached.
Three engines (piston/cylinder configuration external combustion) have been acquired
that are rated as 1HP (Chinese), 3 HP (American) and 10 HP (Indian). At this time we
have most of the components, however they need to be connected together. A test
program needs to be developed and implemented.
This group will work with the 1 HP engine, which is a one-cylinder unit. The overall
objective will be to assess the efficiency of the process and to evaluate the economic
viability.
Budget
$3,000 (may increase based on project output)

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P# 4 - A mechatronic system for underwater X-Ray

fluorescence spectrometry
Clients & contact persons
Prof. Xinyu Liu
Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Macdonald Engineering
Building Room MD155
McGill University | 817 Sherbrooke Street West | Montreal, QC | H3A 0C3
xinyu.liu@mcgill.ca | Phone: (514)-398-1526

Description
X-ray fluorecence (XRF) spectrometry is an analytical technique for non-destructive
elemental analysis of a variety of materials such as metals, rocks, minerals, and
sediments, and fluids. There is an urgent need from academia and industries for a
waterproof enclosure system for accommodating a handheld XRF spectrometer and
performing underwater measurements (e.g., for analyzing sock, soil, and artifacts).
This project will design a self-regulated mechatronic system for this purpose. The major
tasks include: (i) design and finite element analysis of a waterproof mechanical housing
for a handheld XRF spectrometer to sustain 3 atmosphere pressure; (ii) development of a
feedback control pressure controller for regulating the internal pressure of the XRF
spectrometer; (iii) design and implement a waterproof physical user interface (with ~5
keys) for underwater communication between a user (outside the enclosure) and a tablet
(inside the enclosure); and (iv) system integration and testing.
Budget
$3,000

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P# 5 - The Capture Concentration and Conversion of Waste

Heat to Electricity with a 10 HP
Clients & contact persons
Assoc Prof Frank Mucciardi
Dept of Mining & Materials Eng, Wong Bldg, Room 2M030
McGill University | 3610 University St | Montreal, QC | H3A 0C5
frank.mucciardi@mcgill.ca | Phone: (514) 398-1329
Prof Ferri Hassani
Dept of Mining Eng, Frank Dawson Adams Bldg, Room 109
McGill University | 3450 Univeristy St | Montreal, QC | H3A 0E8
Email: ferri.hassani@mcgill.ca | Phone: (514) 398-8060
Description
Waste heat especially of the low grade variety (e.g. 200oC to 400oC) is abundant in the
majority of metallurgical operations. Most of this heat is dissipated to the environment.
Our objective is to recover some of this heat and convert it to electricity. To do this we
have devised a process whereby the waste heat is captured, concentrated and converted to
electricity which is used by the plant. In this way, one requires no fuel to make the
electricity and one does not need an external distribution network for the electricity. A
schematic of the process is attached.
Three engines (piston/cylinder configuration external combustion) have been acquired
that are rated as 1HP (Chinese), 3 HP (American) and 10 HP (Indian). At this time we
have most of the components, however they need to be connected together. A test
program needs to be developed and implemented.
This group will work with the 10 HP engine which is a two cylinder unit. The overall
objective will be to assess the efficiency of the process and to evaluate the economic
viability.
Budget
$3,000 (may increase based on project output)

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P# 6 - Capillary microfluidics
Client & contact person
Ayokunle Olanrewaju, PhD Candidate
McGill University & Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Dept of Biomedical Eng
McGill University | 740 Penfield Dr | Montreal, QC | H3A 0G1
Email: ayo.olanrewaju@mail.mcgill.ca | Office: (514) 398-4400 ext 09012
Description
Our lab recently developed pre-programmed, self-powered microfluidic circuits, built
from capillary elements, for automated biochemical assays. However, the most
commonly used microfluidic prototyping material Polydimethylsiloxane, a silicone
rubber is not inherently wettable and when plasma-treated to make it hydrophilic,
gradually reverts to its hydrophobic form. The goal of this project is to fabricate capillary
microfluidic devices with polymeric materials that have stable hydrophilic surfaces and
can be rapidly prototyped in a laboratory setting. This will require work on soft
lithography and surface chemistry. We are seeking a team of undergraduate students with
a physics/chemistry or a chemical/mechanical/material engineering background and that
has expertise in one or several of the above research areas.
Major activities:
Evaluate different polymeric materials for device fabrication including:
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Norland Optical Adhesive (NOA), and OffStochiometric Thiolene Polymer (OSTE).
Investigate methods for modifying surface chemistry of polymers to obtain stable
hydrophilic surface.
Soft-lithography and rapid prototyping.
Microfabrication and CAD design.
Assets:
Fundamental background in chemistry and surface chemistry.
Experience working with polymers, soft lithography and rapid prototyping.
Strong ability to design experiments and work in a laboratory setting.
Some background and theory in fluid mechanics (and microfluidics) is helpful.
Budget
TBA

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P# 7 - Continued development catheter-based mitral valve

repair approach
Client
Assoc Prof Renzo Cecere, Head of Cardiac Surgery MUHC
McGill University, Royal Victoria Hospital, Room S8-76A
687 Pins Ave W | Montreal, QC | H3A 1A1
Email: renzo.cecere@muhc.mcgill.ca | Office: (514) 843-1463 ext 31463
Description
Mitral valve Regurgitation (MR) is a common valvular that occurs when the valve leaks
back blood into the left atrium. When left untreated it leads to a decrease in the quality of
life of patients and can lead to heart failure.
Our team is developing a novel percutaneous repair procedure for the mitral valve that
mimics the golden standard and that would allow to treat many patients with severe MR
that are currently not candidate for surgery due to the invasiveness and risk of the openheart approach , all the while reducing their recovery times and hospitalization costs.
These patients account for more than 50% of the population diagnosed with severe MR.
Version 1:

Version 2:

The medical device is composed primarily of two components: a deployment tool fitted
on a catheter and an implant that stays on the valve annulus. Over the past two years the

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deployment tool has seen tremendous progress from a handheld version of the tool to a
catheter-based version, all pictured below.
The implant is a stainless steel 316L tube laser-cut into alternating anchoring and
compression sections which can be passed through a catheter and then shaped into a ring.
It currently is in its version 4.

Objectives:
I)
(open heart)Up until now, all the test have been made on excised porcine
heart. The teams task will be to finalize both implant and catheter tool to
ready them for live animal implantations in an open heart procedure via a mini
incision using a modified handheld version of the tool.
II)
(catheter version) We currently are facing the challenge of mating the implant
with the deployment tool in a limited volume inside the atrium. While we
have a set of possible solutions, we anticipate several brainstorming sessions
that will generate additional concepts allowing implantation via catheter.
Deliverables:
Phase 1: Next iteration of deployment tool and implant for open-heart live animal trials
Phase 2: Next iteration of catheter that surmounts a key challenge.

Contact persons
Assoc Prof Renzo Cecere and Toufic Azar, PhD candidate
Budget
$2,000 to 3,000

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P# 8 - Conclusion of electric ATV conversion

Client & contact person
Martin Duval, Manager, Services & Security
Gault Nature Reserve of McGill University
McGill University | 422 Chemin des Moulins | Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC | J3G 4S6
Email: martin.duval@mcgill.ca | Office: (514) 398-8393 | Cell: (514) 944-9572
Description
The Gault Nature Reserve in Mont-Saint-Hilaire of McGill University is a private
conservation reserve that protects the primeval forests of the St. Lawrence Valley. Its
multitude of walking trails (25 km) throughout the reserve is a year-round tourist
attraction, receiving up to a few thousand visitors on a given day. This Monteregian hill
has an altitude of 415 m. Also used as a research field station and field courses for
McGill and other universities.
The daily maintenance on the Gault Reserve is mostly done by ATVs. These powerful 4wheel vehicles are capable of transporting one or two passengers, as well as a trailer full
of gear around the grounds, including uphill some of the hiking trails, to carry out the
everyday upkeep. The objective of our project is to transform a gas powered ATV to
electric power for the Gault Nature Reserve so that they could perform their routine
maintenance and logistics tasks in an environment friendly manner.
Fall 2010, a first team worked on the problem definition in the course MECH 493
Spring 2011, a second team worked on the detail drawings in the course MECH 463
At this stage, the project is not completed, a complete revision of the project needs to be
done to achieve the goal. Bombardier (Can-am) has donated a frame of an ATV
Outlander.
Budget
$10,500 (From McGill Sustainable Office and Gault Nature Reserve)

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P# 9 - Design of a Graded Cellular Cervical Fusion Cage to

Minimize Implant Subsidence
Client & contact person
Prof Damiano Pasini
Dept of Mechanical Eng, Macdonald Eng Bldg, Room 372
McGill University | 815 Sherbrooke St W | Montreal, QC | H3A 0C3
Email: damiano.pasini@mcgill.ca | Office: (514) 398-6295 | pasini.ca
Description
Degradation of the intervertebral disc (IVD) can cause severe patient pain and limit
spinal motion. If conservative treatment fails, an intervertebral fusion may be required.
This treatment involves removing the degenerated IVD and replacing it with a fusion
cage and bone grafts to fuse the adjoining vertebrae. However, fusion cage subsidence
into the anterior aspect of the inferior vertebral body is a major concern of current fully
solid standalone fusion cage designs.
The goal of this project is to develop a cervical fusion cage using a micro truss structure
with variable material properties to limit cage subsidence while simultaneously providing
sufficient structural support.
The project will include the following activities:
Detailed CAD design of implant geometry
Finite element model of the functional spinal
unit with the cervical fusion cage implanted, and
creation of a numerical model to predict implant
subsidence.
Optimization of the material property
distribution of the cellular cage based on the created
model.
Design and implementation of a protocol to
manufacture the microtruss using direct metal laser
sintering additive manufacturing procedures.
Development of an in-vitro test to corroborate
improvements seen in the model benchmarked to
existing implants.
Budget
TBA

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P# 10 - Development of a phono-mimetic bioreactor platform for

studying vocal fold tissue engineering and
mechanobiology
Client & contact person
Prof Luc Mongeau, Chair
Dept of Mechanical Eng, Macdonald Eng Bldg, Room 458
McGill University | 815 Sherbrooke St W | Montreal, QC | H3A 0C3
Email: luc.mongeau@mcill.ca | Office: (514) 398-2777
Description
The objective of the proposed project is to develop a vocal fold (VF) bioreactor, which
mimics the physio-biological and mechanical conditions of live VF tissue.
Voice production involves self-sustained oscillations of the VFs. The most recalcitrant
disease conditions affecting voice are those in which part of the mucosa is lost or
replaced by stiff fibrous tissue. In such cases, injectable biomaterials are used to
regenerate functional VF tissue. The remodeling process by which the neo-extracellular
matrix (ECM) matures into an anisotropic structure with viscoelastic properties suitable
for VF oscillation depends on: 1) the chemical composition and microstructure of the
injected material; and 2) on the mechanical loads acting on the engineered lamina
propria. Currently, we do not thoroughly understand the influence of the interaction
between scaffold composition and mechanical excitation on the ECM production and
remodeling or the eventual tissue elasticity. To gain such understanding, a phonomimetic vocal fold bioreactor is required.
Our bioreactor should produce mechanical forces and deformations that are similar to
those in human phonation. We will quantify the influence of laryngeal morphology,
lamina propria viscoelasticity, and laryngeal posture on voice fundamental frequency,
onset pressure, and other key phonation metrics.
Currently a vocal fold bioreactor has been designed and validated. The proposed project
aims to improve the design of the current bioreactor considering the following issues: 1)
to speed up the bioreactor replica and case fabrication procedures, and develop
manufacturing procedures to fabricate a large number of synthetic replicas in a short time
period; 2) to improve the cell culture medium hydraulic loop in order to automatically
control the flow rate, and the relative volume of the fresh and used medium in the
circulating flow; 3) to design a hydraulic loop that facilitates the operation of a number of
bioreactors in parallel; 4) to add strain gages, thermocouples and PH meters to the
bioreactor setup that will increase our control over the mechanical and biological state of
the cells cultured inside the bioreactor; 5) finally, to design a phonatory system in which
we will be able to phonate a group of bioreactors at the same time.

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Fig 1 The vocal fold bioreactor. Synthetic vocal folds (A & B) were mounted into a
custom-built bioreactor (C, D & E). Blue arrows indicate the airflow direction through the
bioreactor airflow channel during phonation.

Budget
$1,500

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P# 11 - Development of an acoustic isolation chamber for an

ultrahigh resolution atomic force microscope
Client & contact persons
Prof Luc Mongeau, Chair
Dept of Mechanical Eng, Macdonald Eng Bldg, Room 458
McGill University | 815 Sherbrooke St W | Montreal, QC | H3A 0C3
Email: luc.mongeau@mcill.ca | Office: (514) 398-2777
Description
The objective of the proposed project is to develop an acoustic enclosure chamber to
improve the performance of an atomic force microscope.
Atomic force microscope (AFM) is a versatile tool for nano-scale characterization of
materials. An AFM has five main components as shown in figure1: 1- A sharp tip
mounted on a cantilever spring 2- A sensor to measure the force by sensing the deflection
of the cantilever 3- A feedback control system for the controlling the interaction force
between an AFM probe and surface 4- A raster scanning system that can move the
sample with respect to the tip in a 3 dimensional pattern. 5- A display system to convert
the measured data into an image. An atomic force microscope can measure topographical
features in sub-nanometer scale and can measure force in piconewton range by measuring
the deflection of the cantilever. AFM operates in different modes depending on the
distance and the interaction forces between the AFM tip and a samples surface. In
contact mode, the tip apex is in direct contact with samples surface. In this mode, the
separation distance is usually less than 0.5 nm and the force on the tip is repulsive. Soft
cantilevers with small stiffness are usually used in contact mode to allow high sensitivity
and avoid the damage caused by the tip on the sample. In intermittent mode (tapping
mode), the cantilever is oscillated at near its resonant frequency in a separation distance
of 0.5-2 nm. Constant oscillation amplitude is maintained constant through feedback
control system to obtain an image of the surface. In this mode, the tip taps on the surface
with a slight force. Relative vibrations of the probe above the surface establish the
vertical resolution in an AFM. Sources for vibrations are acoustic noise, floor vibrations,
and thermal vibrations. Getting the maximum vertical resolution requires minimizing the
vibrations of the instrument. Therefore, an acoustic enclosure is needed to optimize an
AFMs performance (Figure 2).
An AFM system is highly sensitive to the noise of the environment and isolation from the
lab environment plays an important role in image and measurement quality. Currently we
have purchased a new AFM system with ultrahigh resolution capacity on an inverted
fluorescent microscope. The goal is to build an isolation chamber with certain
characteristics
and
specification
such
as:
1-Inner
dimensions:
1000mm1000mm1000mm 2- Four openings (diameter 75mm) for cable access 3Overall acoustic noise reduction of 30 dB. 4- Windows for measurements in dark 5Cleaning capabilities for use with cells and other biological materials.
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Feedback signal

PID Control unit

Amplifier
Laser

Actuation Signals

Z-scanner
Computer

Photodiode sensor
AFM cantilever
Sample

XY-scanner
X
Y

Fig 1 Schematic of an AFM

Fig 2 Commercially available acoustic disclosure chambers from (a) Asylum research and (b)
JPK,
(a)http://www.asylumresearch.com/Products/VibrationIsolation/VibrationIsolation.shtml#BC
H45 (b) http://www.jpk.com/jpk-product-note-acoustic-enclosure.

Budget
$1,500
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P# 12 - Droplet microfluidics
Client & contact person
Milad Dagher, PhD candidate
McGill University & Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Dept of Biomedical Eng
McGill University | 740 Penfield Dr | Montreal, QC | H3A 0G1
Email: milad.dagher@mail.mcgill.ca
Description
Our goal is to create a microfluidic device for probing single cancer cells encapsulated
into hydrogel particles. Specifically, we want to improve the design and functionality of
our microfluidic device for on chip encapsulation and manipulation of the cells.
Major activities:
CAD design
Microfabrication, soft-lithography, rapid prototyping
3D printing
Droplet microfluidics
Surface chemistry
Budget
TBA

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P# 13 - Experimental test-bed for studying the net capture of

tumbling objects
Clients & contact persons
Prof Inna Sharf and Eleonora Botta, PhD candidate
Dept of Mechanical Eng, Macdonald Eng Bldg, Room 148
McGill University | 815 Sherbrooke St W | Montreal, QC | H3A 0C3
Email: inna.sharf@mcgill.ca | Office: (514) 398-1711
Email: eleonora.botta@mail.mcgill.ca
Description
The main focus of the research concerns active debris removal strategies of space debris.
Specifically, the concept of using tethered nets to capture and subsequently dispose of the
debris is being investigated. In this scenario, a net at the end of a tether would be ejected
and deployed towards the debris, subsequently enveloping the debris. The tether would
then be retrieved and a de-orbiting maneuver initiated. Currently, a models and
simulation tools are being developed to allow simulation and analysis of the debris
capture and disposal mission under different conditions.
A complicating aspect of the space debris capture and removal mission is the fact that the
debris is often tumbling or spinning. In this light, the goal is to develop a test-bed to gain
some understanding of the dynamics response of the system when a net captures
tumbling debris. We envision the test-bed to be comprised of a net, mock-up debris,
cable/tether supporting the net and instrumentation to measure the response of the
system. Complicating factors to consider in developing the test-bed are: presence of
gravity and hence how to emulate free-floating conditions, aerodynamic drag (expected
important for the net), how to produce tumbling motion of the debris to allow
experiments with different tumbling conditions, while not significantly affecting the
free response of the debris. To the clients knowledge, there are no test-beds in the
world dedicated to the experimental study of this problem and having such a facility
would allow Prof. Sharf to make significant advances in understanding the dynamics and
control of net-based debris capture.
Budget
$1,000

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P# 14 - Lattice Materials for a Low Thermal Expansion Strut of a

Satellite Antenna
Clients & contact persons
Prof Damiano Pasini and Hang Xu, PhD candidate
Dept of Mechanical Eng, Macdonald Eng Bldg, Room 372
McGill University | 815 Sherbrooke St W | Montreal, QC | H3A 0C3
Email: damiano.pasini@mcgill.ca | Office: (514) 398-6295
Email: hang.xu@mail.mcgill.ca
Description
During launch and in orbit, satellite antennas need to withstand mechanical and acoustic
vibrations as well as accommodate large thermo-elastic distortions caused by extreme
temperature spectra. Satellite antennas must also be as lightweight as possible to
minimize the cost required to get them into space. At MDA (MacDonald Dettwiler &
Associates Inc - a world-class supplier of communication satellites, and antenna
subsystems), spacecraft antennas are designed to attach to the supporting structure via
struts, traditionally, with end fittings usually in titanium. While versatile and convenient,
this solution is sparely used due to the weight penalty added by the struts. MDA is
currently seeking alternative solutions to design ultralightweight multifunctional struts to
mount on their antennas. Such struts should withstand a high axial load and be thermally
stable, i.e. they must exhibit a very low coefficient of thermal expansion, over a wide
temperature range. In addition, the struts should be ultralightweight as well as capable to
reduce acoustic and mechanical vibrations.

With MDA, our goal is to develop a proof of concept strut made of lattice with low (or
even zero) coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). We look for a team of undergraduate
students to optimize the mechanical performance, carry out the design embodiment,
manufacture the samples and perform mechanical testing. The project requires work on
CAD design, FEA simulation and optimization, microfabrication and/or rapid
prototyping using a 3D printer, as well as mechanical testing. We are seeking students
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with mechanical and material engineering background with expertise in one or several of
the above areas of research.
Budget
TBA

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P# 15 - Rare cell enrichment

Client & contact person
Katherine Turner, PhD candidate
McGill University & Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Room 6205
Dept of Biomedical Eng, McGill University | 740 Penfield Dr | Montreal, QC | H3A 0G1
Email: katherine.turner2@mail.mcgill.ca | Office: (514) 398-4400 ext 09589
Description
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are recognized as a powerful indicator for cancer
prognosis. These cells are shed from the primary tumor and enter the bloodstream,
traveling through the body and eventually causing metastasis. Microfiltration is
commonly used to enrich CTCs from patient blood, however this is a significant
challenge. CTCs can be exceedingly rare and must be separated from thousands of white
blood cells of similar size. The low capture rate and poor purity of CTCs isolated by
microfiltration are major obstacles to the widespread implementation of CTC analysis in
oncological care. The goal of this project is to optimize filtration parameters for the
isolation and purification of CTCs from whole blood. Two main factors of microfiltration
will be investigated, the sensitivity and specificity. Sensitivity refers to the efficiency of
CTC recovery from blood and specificity refers to the purity of isolated cells. These will
be evaluated by looking at i) the minimum number of cancer cells that can be detected in
a given volume of blood, and ii) techniques to minimize filter fouling by white blood
cells.
Major activities:
Evaluate the effects of various microfiltration parameters such as the flow rate,
fluid cellularity, and membrane pore size on the efficiency of cell recovery.
Investigate methods for reducing membrane fouling by using backflow
techniques, optimizing washing steps, and using anti-fouling filter coatings.
Analyze the impact of abovementioned parameters on the sensitivity and purity of
microfiltration.
Assets:
Some background in fluid mechanics and/or chemistry and/or molecular biology.
Some background in cell biology/biochemistry
Strong ability to design and conduct experiments and work in a laboratory setting.
Experience in any field related to the project.
Budget
TBA

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P# 16 - Virtual cellular wood tissue

Clients & contact persons
Prof Damiano Pasini and Dr Ahmad Rafsanjani, Post-Doc
Dept of Mechanical Eng, Macdonald Eng Bldg, Room 372
McGill University | 815 Sherbrooke St W | Montreal, QC | H3A 0C3
Email: damiano.pasini@mcgill.ca | Office: (514) 398-6295 | pasini.ca
Email: ahmad.rafsanjani@mail.mcgill.ca
Description
Wood is a natural composite material with a hierarchical architecture which exhibits
complex anisotropic mechanical behavior. In temperate climate regions, tree growth
occurs in the warm season which results in creation of annual growth rings, where thinwalled earlywood cells (grown in spring) with large internal lumens, gradually change to
thick-walled latewood cells (grown in summer) with small-sized pores. Our goal is to
create 3D printed virtual wood samples at the cellular scale (earlywood and latewood) to
investigate the role of microstructure on anisotropic mechanical behavior of wood. We
seek a team of undergraduate students to work on image processing of micro-computed
X-ray tomography data, CAD design, and rapid prototyping of wood tissue models using
a 3D printer, mechanical testing of printed samples and finally validation of the results
with finite element simulations.

Major Activities:
Image processing
CAD design
3D printing
Mechanical Testing
Validation with FEM Simulations
Budget
TBA

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STUDENT COMPETITIONS

P# 17 - CFRP oil and fuel tanks for a Formula SAE Vehicle

Client & contact
Lewis Koberg, McGill Racing Team
Dept of Mechanical Eng, Macdonald Eng Bldg, Room 270
McGill University | 815 Sherbrooke St W | Montreal, QC | H3A 0C3
Email: fsae@mail.mcgill.ca
Description
The McGill Racing Team employs a light-weight single-cylinder design philosophy for
their entry into Formula SAE competitions. This philosophy relies heavily on systemsintegration and the reduction of mass of all components on the vehicle. For this reason,
many parts that were previously aluminum like the engine oil and fuel cells are excellent
candidates for further weight reduction through the use of CFRP.
The goal of this project is to design, manufacture and test composite fuel and oil tanks for
the 2015 MRT Formula Prototype. Both tanks must be analyzed to retain their capacity in
liquid from a structural standpoint as well as serve the additional purposes demanded by
these tanks. The fuel cell must be able to hold enough fluid for the endurance event, not
allow for fuel starvation during cornering events, contain a fuel pump as determined by
the McGill Racing Team, and not leak when flipped upside-down or when exposed to
fuel for long periods of time. The oil tank must be able to hold engine oil at high
operating temperature, have proper inlet, outlet and vent ports, and not starve the engine
of oil during extreme cornering events.
This project is intended to require structural composite design, advanced processing
procedures, and CFD analysis of internal tank geometry. Sufficient bench testing of both
tanks is required before use on the prototype.
Budget
$2,500

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P# 18 - CFRP steering wheel analysis and design for a Formula

SAE Vehicle
Client & contact
Lewis Koberg, McGill Racing Team
Dept of Mechanical Eng, Macdonald Eng Bldg, Room 270
McGill University | 815 Sherbrooke St W | Montreal, QC | H3A 0C3
Email: fsae@mail.mcgill.ca
Description
The goal of this project is to develop the design of a Formula Prototype steering wheel to
determine the most lightweight solution that can withstand normal and sometimes
extreme driving situations. The unique aspect of this project is being able to develop
many prototypes which can be tested and evaluated for use on future MRT Formula SAE
race cars. Previous steering wheel designs will be supplied as testing and analysis
baselines. It will be required to perform complete analysis and physical failure testing of
all carbon fiber layups built by the MECH 463 group. Additionally a careful selection of
processing technique will be required by the MECH 463 group, to ensure available
manufacturing resources can be used.
The steering wheel designs and analysis should be approved by the McGill Racing Team
contact before production begins.
Tools Employed:
Use of CAD Software; Siemens/Unigraphics NX 9.0
Use of Finite Element Analysis; NX NASTRAN
Use of Composites Engineering Software; Siemens Fibersim
Established Composites Manufacturing Techniques
Budget
$1,500

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P# 19 - Implementation of a differential and motor coupling for

Mcgill electric race car
Client & contact
McGill Formula Electric Team
http://blogs.mcgill.ca/fsae/
Description
McGill EV designs and builds an electric race car for competition every year. This year
instead two independent electric motors driving the rear wheels, the team will use one
electric motor and a differential to drive the rear wheels. This Mech 463 project is tasked
with the selection of the differential, and the coupling of this differential to the electric
motor. Possible solutions could be belt drive, a chain drive, or another solution proposed
by the Mech 463 team. The team will also be asked to provide a document to the team
outlining why a certain differential was chosen.
Budget
$2,500

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P# 20 - Optimized suspension frame mounts for a Formula SAE

Vehicle
Client & contact
Lewis Koberg, McGill Racing Team
Dept of Mechanical Eng, Macdonald Eng Bldg, Room 270
McGill University | 815 Sherbrooke St W | Montreal, QC | H3A 0C3
Email: fsae@mail.mcgill.ca
Description
Over the course of the past year, the McGill Racing Team has designed the first carbon
fiber and honeycomb reinforced composite monocoque chassis since the creation of the
team 20 years ago. This drastic evolution has led to many new design possibilities and
opportunities for unique system-integration. An area that has been significantly impacted
by the change of chassis design has been the mounting interface between the chassis and
external components such as the suspension members.
The goal of this project is to develop the design of a rigid, strong and light suspension
chassis mount. The current design of these mounts is a machined aluminum clevis.
Testing many samples of both the current design and new designs will be critical, with
the final recommendation being strongly influenced by physical test results, together with
ease of manufacturing and mass.
New design iterations should be approved by the McGill Racing Team before starting to
build test samples.
Budget
$1,000

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INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS
P# 21 - Activation sensor
Client & contact person
Don Chandler, Engineering Manager/Directeur de l'ingnierie
Vortex Aquatic Structures Intl
Email: dchandler@vortex-intl.com | Office: (514) 694-3868 ext 229
Description
Objective:
To research existing market technologies that can be used as activation devices for splash
pads. The technology must be adaptable for splash pad, pool s and aquatic centers. The
devise must have the following specifications:
Vandal proof
Preferably none mechanical / contact activation
Interactive / intuitive for the children
Capable of being integrated with current and future PLC technologizes. (24VDC
@ Signal current close contact, normally open)
Will function in Sun, Chlorinated water 3ppm, wet conditions.
Suitable for products, posts and ground activation.
Costing should not be higher than $262.00
Resist high temperature found in Arizona and Dubai.
Must be reliable
Background:
Vortex has used many activation medias in its history, starting from capacitive activation
sensors, Mechanical switches, Infrared, Piezo activation and hydraulic buttons to activate
the splash pad play product sequence by our PLC controller. In many cases the switched
demonstrated reliability issues, environmental issues, complex calibration requirements
and not resistant to vandalism.
Client complaints have been
Not resistant enough to vandalism.
The activation is not intuitive.
Clients did not like the high cost of the more complex solutions ($262).
Not resistant enough to environmental factors (Sand, UV, Chlorinated water).
Not interactive enough.
Budget
TBA
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P# 22 - New motion tracking technology for Welding Simulator

Client & contact person
Claude Choquet, President & CEO of 123 Certification
1751 Richardson St, Suite 2204 | Montreal, QC | H3K 1G6
Email: cchoquet@123certification.com | Office: (514) 932-7273 ext 221
Description
Objective: Design, build and deliver a production prototype of a welding simulator based
on an existing portable version for professional welder schools or large industrial plants
based from the existing technology developed at 123 Certification.
The project consists of delivering a new portable version of the simulator that allows ease
to manufacture, ease to maintain & support and within various hardware standards. Our
objective is to get closer to the welder's environment and workspace ergonomy by
reproducing and improving:
Esthetics of the simulator
Ergonomy of the welder (multiple welding position & 3D welding such as pipe
welding)
Working area for multiple weld position
Standard hardware
This project has for basis the features of the portable version of the simulator and expects
you to deliver a new improve design that encompassed the previous features. Which
includes a visual detection system that allows for high-precision movement detection, a
tactile screen, a helmet with mounted displays for virtual reality immersion, a welding
gun and a part to be welded virtually. The passive markers are fixed on the welding gun
and helmet. It has the advantage to detect quickly the space location of the users welding
gun and his helmet. It has the advantage to detect quickly the space location of the users
welding gun and his helmet and their interrelation for image reconstitution in a welding
scene.
Resources: We have a team of experts for design criteria related to components selection.
Our objective is to design, build and deliver an electromagnetism simulator. EM has the
very big advantage in our field of training to enable no occlusions while in action. The
Hardware design should be fairly straightforward. We would suggest a board that either
has a simple microcontroller on it or design the board to plug into a microcontroller
board. The Raspberry Pi board would be a candidate, or Amtel, or NXP, or Freescale
Kinesis all make evaluation boards for their microcontrollers that you could either use as
a reference design or just incorporate into the product as is. Weve used the Freescale
evaluation boards, and they are inexpensive and work well.

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There is also 3D prototyping of the component such as the welding tools since they have
to be non-magnetic materials. Here is the general design we are looking for our solution.

Budget
TBA

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P# 23 - Rotational joint cost reduction & redesign

Client
Don Chandler, Engineering Manager/Directeur de l'ingnierie
Vortex Aquatic Structures Intl
Email: dchandler@vortex-intl.com | Office: (514) 694-3868 ext 229
Description
To cost effetely reduce the current 4 static rotational joint. To review the current
application in the Vortex product line. To examine different materials and design
solutions to provide the same functionality but that is more cost effective. The unit must
have the following specifications:
Rotation of 360 degrees.
Spray control of 80 degrees.
Adjustability of spray control on 360 degrees.
Must be design to meet ASTM 2461 standards.
Resist high temperature found in Arizona and Dubai
Will function in Sun, Chlorinated water 3ppm, wet conditions.
Costing should not be higher than $TBA
Corrosion resistance.
Vandal proof
Must be reliable
Background:
The 4 rotational joint is used on many Vortex products, particularly on the spray cannon
series. The joint used a lead free brass joint (previously Bronze) to limit wear and
provided a 360 rotation. A UHMW plastic bushing is used to control the 80-degree spray
zone. Four setscrews found on the collar of the joint permit the setting of the 80-degree
spray zone within the 360-degree free rotation. Pervious designs included fixed angle
rotation and resulted in a high failure rate. The latest attempt was to use an aluminum
base material, which showed encouraging results.
Budget
TBA

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P# 24 - Analysis of the three dimensional deformation of the end

of the steel profile and the development of design
concept for the automatic end straightener
Client & contact person
Mr Jerry Slaba, President
NDT Technologies Inc
20275 Clark-Graham Ave | Baie-DUrfe, QC | H9X 3T5
Email: jslaba@ndt.ca | Office: (514) 457-7650

Joe Slanik
(514)-966-5011
Description
The client is leading manufacturer of nondestructive testing equipment for detection of
structural and geometrical defects in steel pipes, railway wheels, and rails and steal
profiles in general.
The flaw detection equipment is based on acoustic principles. The geometry
measurements are based on various contact and non-contact methods including laser
triangulation.
The objective of the current project is to develop a specific measuring method to measure
3D deflection of the steal profile and establish analytical procedure to evaluate the
measured data. The results will be used to design an automatic end of the rail
straightener.
The project is a continuation of the last year project MECH 463-NDT. The students will
be required to read and understand the last year report. The report will be made available,
after the student group is selected and the NDA signed.
Requirements:
Use of Solid Works.
Good knowledge of engineering graphics.
Knowledge of FEA in the area of deformable solids.
Good mathematical and optimization skills.
Budget
TBA

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P# 25 - The engineering evaluation of a novel and improved

geothermal heating system
Client & contact person
Schluter Systems Canada Inc.
2110 ch. Ste-Marie,
Ste-Ann-de-Bellevue
QC H9X 3Y8
Joe Slanik
(514)-966-5011
Description
The Schluter Systems Inc. is and international company with corporate headquarters in
Germany and North American head office in Montreal. They produce proprietary
materials used in construction of floor geothermal heating systems. Presently the
company is in process of improving and evaluating a heat transfer efficiency of the
geothermal fluid distribution system. The improvements involve modification of the
product and introduction of novel manufacturing methods.
The substantial part of the project is to design and build functioning prototype. The
prototype will consist of constant temperature water supply, distribution system and two
1m x 1m floor panels, one equipped with standard distribution system and one with
improved. The two panels and the water supply will be instrumented to measure the
thermal response on sudden change of the load. The measured data are required to
support the patent application.
You will be required to get familiar with the product and its application, read and
understand the last year project (MECH 463-SCH). The report will be made available,
after the student group is selected and the NDA signed. Health and environmental issues
such as safe disposal of material will play an important role.
Requirements:
Familiarity with SolidWorks modeler.
Knowledge of engineering graphics.(Mfg. Dwgs.)
Heat transfer, including transient.
Fundamentals of process control.
Familiarity with Labview
Budget
TBA

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P# 26 - Development of a Non-Contact Vibration Exciter (academic)

Client & contact person
Prof. Marco Amabili, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Laboratory of Vibration and Fluid-Structure Interaction
MacDonald Engineering Building | Rm 461 | 514-398-3068
marco.amabili@mcgill.ca
Description
Forced mechanical vibrations are most often performed by means of freely-suspended
electrodynamic exciters (shakers). Armature coils and permanent magnets use the
electromagnetic effect to impart an oscillatory motion to the vibrating head of the shaker.
The head is rigidly connected to the structure under test, constituting a relevant added
mass. During large-amplitude vibrations, part of the energy accelerates the mass of the
exciter, with a negative effect on the accuracy of tests. Results suggest that a non-rigid,
non-contact exciter can relieve this problem. The scope of this project is the development
of a non-contact magnetic exciter, capable of applying a non-contact force to a negligible
ferromagnetic mass, bonded to the structure under test. The design must take into
account: 1- The study of current criteria for the coupling of dynamic exciters and
structures. 2- The achievable bandwidth and frequency response 3- The maximum force
amplitude achieved 4- The linearity between the supply and the exerted force 5- The
cooling system of the exciter, if necessary 6- The frame and the suspension system.
Budget
1000 CAD + Price of a Power Amplifier

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