Faculty ProjectsLab Innovation for Embedded Systems Projects
Project Manager
Ilya Mikhelson, Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Amount Requested
$5,025
Summary
In Winter and Spring 2017, thanks to Murphy funding in 2016, I successfully ran my 2-course sequence for the first time. The first course taught students all of the necessary skills to make an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device, and the second allowed them to take charge and pursue an independent project in this space. Thanks to the Murphy funds, I was able to create a state-of-the-art environment for my students and to allow them to make their ideas a reality. Since this lab space was created in 2016, it has been used by most students studying embedded systems, including across departments. The equipment has received much wear, and the state-of-the-art has advanced during this time. With the proposed funds, I hope to reinvigorate this lab with better soldering equipment and 3D printers. The proposed soldering equipment (and accompanying fume extractors) address design flaws I have observed over the past 7 years of running my classes. This should lead to greater longevity and a better experience for all students who use the space. The proposed 3D printers are at the forefront of a paradigm shift in consumer 3D printing technology. Traditional consumer-grade 3D printers move at 50 mm/sec, whereas a new crop of printers moves at 500 mm/sec. Whereas the traditional 3D printing experience is known to be very slow, the new crop of printers is changing prototyping in an amazing way. I hope to bring my lab to the forefront with this purchase. Finally, the proposed energy analyzer would allow students to accurately profile the energy demands of their low-power applications, something we have struggled with using existing equipment. This would allow students to be able to create energy-harvesting devices, which is a hot field in embedded design.
Planned Activities/Investments
To achieve my goals, I have researched and compiled a list of components, as detailed in the Budget section. I have also secured space in my lab for the equipment, so it should be available to students from day one.
Impact
This project will impact all students studying embedded systems. The current issues that we have with soldering equipment create production bottlenecks as only a subset of the soldering stations is functional at any given time. The new stations will increase throughput and enhance the student experience. The current 3D printers have been a bottleneck from the very start because 3D printing is notoriously slow. However, with the new printers, throughput will increase dramatically allowing for more innovation and iteration through the design process. Finally, the ability to profile energy expenditure will open the door to a whole new field of innovation, one in which students have previously expressed interest but were unable to properly pursue due to limitations of equipment. In addition, I plan to monitor how this space is used, and to get an even better idea of how the lab can be further improved.
Sustainability
After buying the main supplies, the only recurring costs would be materials and maintenance, which can be covered by the department lab budget. This has been proven throughout the past 5 years post grant funding of the initial lab setup.
Deliverables
- An updated lab space with modern, advanced prototyping equipment, beyond the capabilities of any other single lab at NU
- Interdepartmental collaboration, as this lab will be used by students of various majors
- An enhanced class experience for EE 326 and EE 327, as well as other classes studying embedded systems
Previous Projects
Though I did not receive Murphy funding last year, I would like to acknowledge how big a role Murphy funding played in making my classes and this entire lab space a reality. Students have produced some incredible work in my classes, and I have frequent requests to use the lab space from various departments due to its capabilities. Thank you so much for making this possible.
Budget Overview
Lab space improvements:
- $2,000: Ten soldering stations
- $6,000: four 3D printers
- $800: ten fume extractors
- $250: ten spools of filament
- $1,000: Joulescope energy analyzer
Total: $10,050
Matching Funds
The department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will match the requested funds by 100%, thus bringing the total to $10,050. The total covers all of the expenses listed in Section VII.