Senior Design Project – A Road from the Initial Design to a Working Prototype

The Senior Design Project is the capstone undergraduate experience for Drexel University’s Engineering Technology (ET) students. During this real-world engineering project, students see projects through from the design and development stage to the production of a working prototype in consultation with their faculty advisors. Initially, a group of students has to select a project and form a working team of four (based on students’ knowledge, experience, background, and personal preferences) as well as an advisor (or advisors). The topic of this particular project was “Low Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Device For Therapeutic Applications”. The main goal of this project was to develop a new, low frequency PEMF device based on existing research, while upgrading it to include new technologies and functionality. These improvements included more advanced controls, including modernizing the user interface with a microcontroller and a graphical user interface (GUI), allowing easy user customization of the PEMF parameters. Multiple criteria and testing parameters were created in order to ensure the safety, effectiveness, functionality, and accuracy of the device. Three 11-week terms were devoted to the research, development, and testing of this device, which required precise planning during each stage of the project. Funding for this project was the responsibility of the group; however, several corporations provided in-kind support. The oral presentation and the final written report were evaluated by the assessment committee comprising ET faculty and industry representatives. The completed working prototype was registered with the university’s Technology Commercialization office.