Zuni High (136)

The Zuni High team (#135) is from Zuni. This year they've submitted a project titled Bionic Buddy.

Team Members

 * Cory Hustito
 * Cory Natachu
 * Danielle Dosedo
 * Michael Seowtewa
 * Nicole Hattie

Sponsoring Teacher

 * Kathleen Trujillo

Proposal
http://mode.lanl.k12.nm.us/get_proposal1112.php?team_id=136

We want to investigate making artificial limbs that interface nerve circuitry with a prosthetic device to provide better user control of the limb. We will build robotic models of arms and attach them to a circuit board to imitate nerve endings. Using our results from the model, we will write a program to find an optimal design for an artificial arm. This research is important because it can further medical research on prosthetics and improve the lives of disabled veterans and others.

Interim Report
http://mode.lanl.k12.nm.us/get_interim1112.php?team_id=136

Problem Definition
Our goal in designing an artificial arm is to interact with the fingers when the brain tells it to. But the problem we are facing is how we are going to get the fingers that can interface with the central nerve system or the brain. Current limbs use muscle motion in the arm or chest to signal for movement of the prosthesis.

Plan
Our plan for working and making the artificial limb is to use LOGO to make a virtual model of an artificial limb. Then we will refine the program to find the best possible arm design (one that gives the highest range of motion for all joints of arm and hand). From what we have seen from the literature, most of these limbs have only a few motions. We plan to use the programming so we can have more motion of the limb. This could be anything from the movement of the elbow and waist ranging to the individual movement of fingers. We also want to look into how we can have the limb pick up smaller objects than a plastic ball, possibly a penny or a pin.

Progress
So far we have explored how to work LOGO software. We have experimented with the software but we have not yet fully mastered the use of the program. We will continue to work on our progress with LOGO programming. We have also done a search of the literature and found some of the features and problems of artificial arms.

Expected Results
Our virtual model will allow more motions for the arm than the current prostheses allow. It will also incorporate a solar-powered battery, so it does not depend on home electricity. Our goal is a final design that could be used to manufacture a real limb.

This could change the lives of people that have lost an arm. This artificial limb would be able to let them do what they could do before they lost their arm. Moving of the fingers would be great help to them with work, chores, child care, and other activities they couldn’t do with just one hand. This technology would be an easier way to get through life for veterans and other people that lost an arm or people with a birth defect that grow up without a limb. This technology can better the lives of people who find it hard to go through life with one limb gone.

Interim Comments
What data are you including in your model? At this interim juncture, there should be specific data items that you plan to include and specific ways that you plan to use those data items. Of course, you will have data about the arm, but what does that mean? Are you going to model specific materials? Are you going to consider friction? What, specifically, do you plan to consider about each joint (i.e. range of speeds, range of motion, energy used, force applied, ...) In a model, there are some aspects about the real world that you represent. What will you represent and how? Also, in a model, there are aspects about the real world that are ignored. What aspects of robot arms do some models include that you will be ignoring?

There will be a face-to-face evaluation on Sat. the 18th at UNM. Will you be ready? What do you plan to show?

You say you "have experimented with the software, [Logo], but have not yet fully mastered the use of the program." Unfortunately, there is not time in one year to fully master Logo. It sort of needs to be a learn-as-you-do thing. First, you need to decide on a structure for your model: what data will interact with what and how. Then, you need to use what you do know of Logo to start doing it. When you need a Logo skill that you do not have, then try to learn that skill (rather than trying to master all of Logo). If you get stuck, ask for help.

Do you yet have a mentor? If not would you like help finding one?

Joel Castellanos, UNM