ME 490 Independent Study Research Projects

Biomechanics Laboratory, Prof. Kuo

Winter 2002

Two independent study research projects are available for the Winter 2002 term. They are both open to junior and senior level engineering students, with a suggested load of 3 credits.

Energetics of Human Walking

This project is to perform a series of experiments on the metabolic (chemical) cost of human walking, and how it is related to the mechanics of the legs. The research will conducted at the Mobility Research Laboratory on the UM Medical Campus. Experiments will entail use of equipment that collects a person's expired breath as he/she walks at a set speed and cadence. The equipment measures the oxygen content in the breath and compares it to the oxygen content in the air. Because the respiration process consumes oxygen while producing energy, knowledge of oxygen consumption can be related to metabolic energy consumption. The research student will receive training in operation of the equipment, and will be responsible for performing experiments on human walking using that equipment.

Applicants should have an interest in biomechanics research and an ability to work with people. Responsibilities include recruiting and performing experiments with test subjects. The research is not technically demanding, but students should be comfortable with Matlab.

Experiments in Human-Machine Interfaces

This project is to study how computers can be used to help train people in motor tasks. Specifically, we are interested in the role of haptics (force feedback) in the acquisition of motor skills. Computers can be used to present an artificial environment that combines a visual display and force feedback to the hands, so that the combined environment simulates a real environment. This can be used to train tasks such as flying an airplane or operating surgical equipment. We are performing a series of simple experiments to study how virtual environments of this sort can help persons learn a new motor skill. In this case, the skill is rotating a tilting beam in order to balance a ball rolling on the beam. The experiments involve recruiting subjects to try learning the task on a virtual, simulated ball and beam, and then testing how much of the acquired skill transfers to the actual task with a real physical ball and beam.

Applicants should have an interest in human-machine interfaces and an interest in experimental work. The study involves a series of motor task experiments, in which test subjects must be recruited and managed. Students should be comfortable with Matlab, and be able to work with programs written in C.

How to Apply

Interested students should contact Prof. Kuo (artkuo@umich.edu) by (preferrably before) the first week of class in Winter term, and supply a resume either by e-mail or placed in the Mechanical Engineering departmental mailboxes.