2009 Undergraduate Researchers
- Connor Gorman
- Paurakh Rajbhandary
- Bryan Weems
Leifer Research Group
Project I: This group will investigate the effectiveness of various stimuli at deflecting migratory birds flying towards specific targets. The ultimate goal of this project is to effectively reduce the number of birds that crash into the large windows frequently found on modern institutional buildings. Using a bird feeder, a video camera, and a manually-triggered strobe light, it was determined that birds respond (by changing their flight trajectory) to strobe-light onset when contingent with their approach, but neither to constant strobe light nor to strobe light triggered after landing at the target (Flagge, Lyon et al, 2009). Having identified an effective stimulus, we will now focus on automating the process by using a computer vision technique to identify birds as they enter a monitored location, and firing the strobe to deflect them from a potential collision.
Project II: It has been well documented that over long periods of time, people who regularly operate hand tools powered by small internal-combustion engines can become affected by a debilitating set of clinically irreversible effects, collectively referred to as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)]. Although HAVS cannot be cured, the onset of the disorder can be delayed or, in fact, prevented, by restricting either the duration of the exposure, and/or the magnitude of the vibration transmitted from the tool to an operator's hands and arms (per OSHA and similar standards). This project seeks to quantify the effect that various passive damping approaches have on reducing the magnitude of transmitted vibration in string trimmers, with the ultimate goal of retrofitting these types of tools to decrease the likelihood of HAVS in full-time grounds-maintenance workers. The idea for this work stems from a stated need of Goodwill Industries, our NPA (non-profit agency) collaborator over the past several years. The following procedures will be used to determine optimal approaches to reducing transmitted vibration in hand-operated grounds-maintenance tools: (1) Computational modeling of prototypical hand tools. (2) Modal testing and evaluation of damping approaches using test shaft (with shaker as excitation source). (3) Installation and testing of the most promising damping protocols on the operating equipment. It is expected that the results of this research will permit these passive damping methods to be generalized to a wide array of similar tools.
Recent Publications
Undergraduate students are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Leifer, J., Weems, B., Kienle, S.C., and Sims, A.M., “Three-Dimensional Acceleration Measurement using Videogrammetry Tracking Data,” DOI: 10.1007/s11340-010-9352-4, Journal of Experimental Mechanics; online edition released 14 APR 2010.
Qualifications of successful applicants
Bird trajectory research will involve data capture and analysis of birds (or other appropriate targets) in flight, as well as the design of the software for detection and tracking. This work will take place in Dr. Leifer’s lab as well as other campus locations, and will involve image capture and data analysis using LabView routines. Programming experience is desirable.
Vibration research will involve data capture and analysis of vibrations in operating power hand tools such as string trimmers and leaf blowers. This work will take place in Dr. Leifer’s lab, and will involve signal capture and analysis using Matlab and other computational tools. Programming experience is desirable.
