Major Qualifying Project

• Maintain a Design Notebook: Document the design process and relevant project details. The notebook becomes department property upon completion and is available through the department.
• Complete an MQP Report: Submit a comprehensive report detailing the project.
• Present Results Orally: Present findings at the Biomedical Engineering Department’s Undergraduate Research Projects Showcase (URPS) during D-Term.

If all advisors are from outside the Biomedical Engineering Department, students may present at their advisor’s department URPS event instead. However, they are encouraged to also present at the Biomedical Engineering URPS. If presenting solely outside the department, students must notify the Biomedical Engineering Department in advance.

Examples of recent MQPs in Biomedical Engineering

Free Flex: Cervical Spine Protection for Post-Traumatic Injury

The Problem: Cervical collars are critical for stabilizing the spine and preventing any further injuries or iatrogenic in trauma scenarios. However, the current cervical collars on the market are too restrictive, resulting in further discomfort and injury.

The Project: The team developed a novel cervical spine protection system, Free Flex, which offers greater comfort, faster application, and better preservation of the natural spinal curvature, while providing the same level of motion restriction as the current gold standard.

Areas of Study: Biomechanics

Students: Jeremy Allen, Madeline Healey, Paige Sommers, Sroka (Haley) Sroka
Advisors: Brenton Faber, Karen Troy

The Design and Development of an Oxygen Concentrator for Neonates in Low-Income Countries

The Problem: In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Ghana, providing consistent oxygen therapy to newborns with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is a significant challenge. Traditional oxygen concentrators are often too expensive, difficult to transport, and rely heavily on a stable power supply. Frequent power outages and the high cost of maintenance make it difficult for healthcare providers to offer reliable respiratory support in resource-limited settings.

The Project: This project focused on the design of a low-cost, energy-efficient oxygen concentrator that works with the Airbaby bCPAP system to support neonatal care in Ghana. The device weighs less than 3.2 kilograms, costs $267.25 to produce, and delivers oxygen concentrations between 21 and 30 percent at flow rates of 2 to 6 liters per minute, meeting WHO guidelines. It features an automatic power switching system that shifts from grid power to a car battery when needed, allowing continuous operation during power outages. The concentrator also includes a charcoal particulate filter that is inexpensive, easy to replace, and effective in humid conditions, helping reduce maintenance costs and improve reliability.

Areas of Study: Biomechanics, Medical Device Development

Students: Mary Lombardi, Emily Narouz, Kirsten Sailer, Salma Riad
Advisors: Solomon Mensah, Dirk Albrecht

AI Equipped Ultrasound for In-field Identification of Traumatic Bleeding

The Problem: Ultrasound can identify fluid. Can a smart-ultrasound be trained to differentiate different types of fluid or an abnormal collection of fluid such as a hematoma?

The Project: Design an artificial intelligence-based algorithm to work with a portable ultrasound system that can identify and differentiate internal bleeding. Working with collaborators at a rural engineering school, you will design and test a system to aid in the recognition of internal bleeding.

Areas of Study: Biosensors, Biomechanics

Students: Jennifer Chaves, John Peabody, Lauren Simonian
Advisors: Brenton Faber, Mahesh Banavar (Clarkson U)

Antimicrobial-Loaded Bacterial Cellulose Membranes for Delivery and release

The Problem: Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biomaterial studied for many biomedical applications including dermal wound dressings. However, BC doesn’t inherently have antimicrobial activity. The Coburn lab has been exploring the use of antimicrobial peptides non-covalently immobilized onto BC via cellulose binding peptides (e.g., CBP-KR12, where KR-12 is the antibacterial peptide). Alternatively, loading with small or macromolecules with antimicrobial activity is an avenue to investigate.

The Project: Design, develop, and evaluate antimicrobial-loaded bacterial cellulose membranes. This could be using small molecule or macromolecule antibiotics or antimicrobial peptides and/or various binding peptides (e.g., cellulose binding peptides, antibiotic bind peptides).

Areas of Study: Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials, Drug Delivery

Students: Isabella DeFronzo, Kelly Kane, Jewel Pauly, Joana Ripa
Advisors: Jeannine Coburn