2012 Abstract- Can You Hear Me Now?

Building SoundWorks, the new revolutionary computer based audiometer, is the goal of this engineering project.

Hearing loss is becoming an even more prevalent problem in our society today, especially with the excessive use of personal listening devices. But at the same time, it's a problem that goes unnoticed most of the time. In order to increase awareness for this real problem, it's time that we get people's hearing checked in order to prevent inevitable deafness. This is where the problem starts. It is very rare to get a hearing test from an audiologist without a recommendation from a doctor. The other alternative is to buy a home audiometer, but this is also very expensive and limited in its function.

SoundWorks is a computer-based audiometer that tests people in an automatic manner. It generates test tones of specific frequencies (pitches of sound) at ascending sound levels for which the testee must respond when hearing the tone through a calibrated headphone setup. It covers a normal range (100Hz-8000Hz) and an extended range up to 20,000Hz and sound levels ranging from 0dB to 120dB in intervals of 10dB. After both ears are tested, a report is automatically generated for further interpretation by an audiologist.

Differentiating enhancements of SoundWorks include hysteresis of threshold, multilingual voice and text prompts, manual mode for spot checks, and speech mode.

This product was developed in C# language on Microsoft Windows 7, debugged and has been validated for complete functionality. Calibration of all sound levels, frequencies and channels has also been completed.

SoundWorks aims to provide a portable and affordable hearing test capability for under-served economies, volunteer organizations, and frontline military medical units who need a quick screening of personnel exposed to excessive sound levels. Future plans for this product include medical certification and porting to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

2011 Abstract - Is the game of B-I-N-G-O Really random?

Bingo is a game that has been played on since its beginning in 1530 where it was first called "Il Guoco de Italia." But as we continue to enjoy this timeless tradition, a question still remains inside of our heads, is this game as random as it claims or is there something about it that favors some players over others?

The goal of this extensive experiment was to collect data on specific bingo cards using three different types of random number generation which include, two types of true random number generators, Random.org and a bingo cage, and one pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) which was a computer programmed number generator. Ten random cards were picked from a random bingo set and put through 100 games of bingo using these three methods of number generation. The results of these tests were analyzed based on the definition of randomness as defined by the Free Dictionary:

1. Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective

2. Of or relating to an event in which all outcomes are equally likely

After extensive analysis, it was justified that the game of Bingo, no matter what random numbers are used, will always be random where the pattern of winners is random and no card is more likely to win than another.

So the next time, a friend or family member accuses the game of Bingo being unfair, you can tell them that they have nothing to complain about!

2010 Abstract - Unwind The Power of Wind

With the growing concern for the environment, people today are even more desperately searching for the next source of energy that will not only be able to sustain the rapid development of society, but also be be harmless to the precious Earth. One of these renewable energies which seems to have great potential is wind energy.

Wind energy is actually a form of solar energy caused by an uneven heating from the sun. As the wind approaches these 100-foot wind turbines, the blades of the turbine rotate, spinning a motor, therefore generating electricity.

The goal of this extensive investigation was to alter certain aspects of the wind turbine blade design in order for a more efficient output. A smaller wind turbine was built in order to prototype these changed variables. The various things that were modified included the shape of the blade, the number of blades, and the angle of their position in perspective to the wind. This study helps determine the most efficient blade design for wind turbines that will be built in the future by large organizations across the world.

Across the globe, people are realizing that it is now time to switch. Wind energy is becoming more and more popular today, spreading across every continent in the world. Wind energy will, in the near future, become an ubiquitous part of our daily lives.