Close

Research Projects

While most of GRiP is working on creating devices for other people, another big portion of our group is researching different technologies to improve our devices, allow us to be more eco-friendly, and expand the devices we currently offer.

Some of these groups include:

  • Precious Plastic Project – This project aims to recycle our 3D-printed plastic waste into new plastic filament that our 3D printers. With the generous donation of a Filastruder Kit from our sponsor Filastruder, we are on our way to making this project a reality.
  • Guitar Development – This group has been working on creating a device that will allow someone to hold down strings on a guitar without the use of their hands. This project is pertinent to people who are missing one of their arms, do not have fingers, and need a device to be able to hold down the strings on a guitar while they are strumming the guitar with their other hand. This project incorporates solenoid technology, Arduinos, and much more.
  • Material Testing – This group aims to test the material properties of the current plastics we are using, as well as the strength of the 3D-printed arms, hands, and other assistive devices that we manufacture. Through this group, we are hoping to improve the strength of our devices and design them in the most effective way.
  • Muscle Sensing Technology – This group aims to incorporate muscle (myo) sensing technology into some of the assistive devices and prosthetic arms/hands we make. With this technology, we will be able to control a prosthetic arm using a person’s muscle. For someone who does not have some of their arms, this technology will allow the person to control the prosthetic arm using their own muscles.
  • Motion Controlled RC Cars – This group is working on improving our existing design for a motion-controlled RC car. The cars are controlled using an accelerometer, which is a device that can sense changes in angle. So, these cars will be able to be controlled by tilting and rotating your hand!
  • Violin Device – This group is currently working on improving an existing 3D-printed device that is used to hold a violin below. They are working on making the device more dynamic so that the violin bow can consistently be in contact and at a 90-degree angle with the strings of the violin.
  • Glove Hand – This group is working on a glove-like device that can overlay onto a person’s existing hand. The glove hand will be beneficial to people who have lost control of the fingers in their hands but maintain control over the bending of their wrist. Through this glove hand and the bending of the wrist, the user will be able to open and close their palm at their leisure.

  • Pawsthetics – This group is one of GRiP’s newest research teams (and most popular). The team is dedicated to engineering prosthetics and devices for animals in need. The team is currently developing a trans- tibial canine prosthetic and conducting all of its research, networking, and designing via Microsoft Teams. The prosthetic is being designed using CAD software (Solidworks, Autodesk Fusion 360, and Cura), additive manufacturing (Fused-Filament Fabrication & Selective Laser Sintering printers), and subtractive manufacturing (CNC Milling & water jetting) techniques. Despite being established in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the team has made tremendous progress and is excited to continue working
  • MyoSensor  –This group is researching how to can integrate consumer-grade electromyographs (EMGs) into designs to allow for the control of devices using the flexing of certain muscles. Fully automatic Wolverine Claws are being created to extend and retract simply with the flexing of the wearer using the MyoWare EMG “MyoSensor,” the Arduino platform, solid modeling with Solidworks, and 3d printing.