The objective goal of this research is to maximize the speed of the end effector of a three link R-R-R mechanical system with constrained torque input control. The project utilizes MATLAB optimization tools to determine the optimal throwing motion of a simulated mechanical system, while mirroring the physical parameters and constraints of a human arm wherever possible. The analysis of this final result determines if the kinetic chain effect is present in the theoretically optimized solution. This is done by comparing it with an intuitively optimized system based on throwing motion derived from the forehand throw in Ultimate frisbee.

Malaria affects 229 million people annually, causing 410,000 deaths, with children being the most vulnerable. Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) are the primary protection against mosquito bites, but 96% of nets become torn within two years of use. Our team developed a one-dollar repair kit that can be shipped alongside ITNs, including patching materials recycled from ITN manufacturing and simple-to-follow instructions. Our patching material, made from recycled high-density polyester anti-insect nets, is more than twice as strong as standard mosquito netting. During our first distribution in Uganda, 77% of families used our kits to repair their bed nets and experienced a 28.3% increase in their perceived importance of patching. Our primary target customers are nonprofits, governments, and governmental agencies. Our immediate market goal is to collaborate with major international malaria prevention nonprofits. With limited competition, our repair kits offer a superior, sustainable, and cost-effective solution. Our direct impact includes lives saved and cost savings for nonprofits. Our value proposition focuses on impact and outreach, as our kits increase net lifespan and organizations' reach.

The concept of entrainment broadly applies the locking of phases between 2 independent systems [17]. This physical phenomenon can be applied to modify neuromuscular movement in humans during bipedal locomotion. Gait entrainment to robotic devices have shown great success as alternatives to labor intensive methods of rehabilitation. By applying additional torque at the ankle joint, previous studies have exhibited consistent gait entrainment to both rigid and soft robotic devices. This entrainment is characterized by consistent phase locking of plantarflexion perturbations to the ‘push off’ event within the gait cycle. However, it is unclear whether such phase locking can be attributed to the plantarflexion assistance from the device or the sensory stimulus of movement at the ankle. To clarify the mechanism of entrainment, an experiment was designed to expose the user to a multitude of varying torques applied at the ankle to assist with plantar flexion. In this experiment, no significant difference in success of subject entrainment occurred when additional torque applied was greater than a detectable level. Force applied at the ankle varied from ~60N to ~130N. This resulted in successful entrainment ~88\% of the time at 98 N, with little to no increase in success as force increased thereafter. Alternatively, success of trials decreased significantly as force was reduced below this level, causing the perturbations to become undetectable by participants. Ultimately this suggests that higher levels of actuator pressure, and thus greater levels of torque applied to the foot, do not increase the likelihood of entrainment during walking. Rather, the results of this study suggest that proper detectable sensory stimulus is the true mechanism for entrainment.