Albar Shafqat

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BEng Systems & Computing from the University of Guelph

Check out the following projects I have worked on down below!
If you'd like to get in touch, feel free to email me at [email protected]
I look forward to hearing from you!

Medical Glove for Osteoarthritis

Conceptualized, designed and made a medical glove prototype to assist osteoarthritis patients in daily activities

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Automatic Salt Dispenser

3D designed and presented a design proposal for an automated salt dispenser system aimed at eliminating ice buildup on residential driveways, and produced comprehensive reports documenting the project’s findings

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Covid Temp & Occupancy Tracker

Designed and created an automated system for occupancy tracking and temperature screening for COVID-19
pandemic

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Medical Glove for Osteoarthritis

Skills

In our capstone engineering project, our team developed a groundbreaking medical glove designed specifically for patients with osteoarthritis (OA). OA often impairs hand functionality, making everyday tasks such as picking up objects and operating door handles challenging. Existing solutions tend to be bulky and inconvenient, which motivated us to design a more portable and effective alternative.

Our innovative approach involved creating a glove that uses pneumatic actuators to assist finger movement. The glove operates with a unique mechanism: air is pumped into actuators via an air pump, which then aids in flexing the fingers. This process is triggered by flex sensors embedded in the glove; when the sensors detect finger movement, the air pump activates. The glove is designed to turn off either through pressure sensors located at the fingertips—when the patient grips an object—or via a manual control switch.

Our glove’s electrical system includes a programmed Arduino (using C++), a breadboard, wires, a transistor, flex sensors, pressure sensors, a battery, and an air pump motor. All these components are housed in a 3D-printed casing with integrated straps designed to secure the unit to the patient’s forearm.Due to funding delays and time constraints, some enhancements were deferred, such as incorporating a smaller PLC board to reduce the housing unit's size. These improvements are planned for future prototypes to further refine the design.

To solve this problem we had made a shift to using a different material. We used silicone as it has been seen to be effective in projects using soft robotics. We had made a 3d printed mould to pour the silicone. This was seen to be far more effective and the change was made to the design.

The electrical setup consisted of a programmed (C++) arduino, a bread board, wires, transistor, flex sensor, pressure sensor, battery and an air pump motor.

All of the electrical stuff was in a 3d designed and printed housing unit. This housing unit had straps that would be attached to the forearm of the patient.Due to funding delays and time constraints some improvements could not be made such as using smaller plc board and thus allowing the housing unit to be smaller. Future prototypes would make these changes.

Our prototype represents a significant step forward in assisting OA patients with daily hand functions. Moving forward, we could aim to address the design limitations encountered and explore additional refinements to enhance the glove's effectiveness and user comfort.

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Automated Occupancy Tracking & Temperature Screening System: A Pandemic Solution

Skills

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed an automated system for effective occupancy tracking and temperature screening. This would reduce costs for businesses and provide an efficient alternative to manual temperature checking of people walking into a building.

The system operates by prompting individuals to step onto a mat displayed on an LCD screen. Once the person complies, they are instructed to wait as the device measures their temperature. If their temperature exceeds the specified threshold, they are asked to leave; otherwise, they are permitted to enter the building.Additionally, the device is equipped with IR proximity sensors to track real-time movement of people entering and exiting the building. It notifies the owner when the building reaches its maximum occupancy.This advanced system not only enhances occupancy monitoring but also provides efficient temperature screening, thereby contributing to a safer environment during the pandemic.

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Automatic Driveway Salt Dispenser

Skills

Winter often turns driveways into icy hazards, posing serious risks for seniors and those with mobility challenges. Traditional solutions, such as manual salting or installing heated driveways, come with their own set of issues—whether it’s the labor involved, the high costs, or the environmental damage from too much salt. To address these problems, our team of engineers developed an Automated Driveway Salt Spreader that makes winter maintenance simpler, more affordable, and better for the environment.

The device is engineered to be mounted on the front edge of a garage, positioned at the top to provide optimal coverage of the driveway. Initially, the container is filled with salt. When the driveway needs de-icing, the device activates a feeder mechanism that transfers the salt from the container into the dispenser. The dispenser is equipped to regulate the flow of salt, ensuring that the precise amount is distributed evenly across the surface. As the salt is dispensed, it is projected outwards to cover the driveway uniformly, effectively addressing icy conditions and providing reliable traction. This automated system ensures that the salt is applied efficiently and evenly, enhancing safety and reducing the need for manual intervention.

Materials: We chose ABS plastic for non-mechanical parts due to its impact resistance and durability in cold conditions, while 1060 aluminum alloy is used for the housing to provide strength and light weight.

The device is equipped with a microcontroller that integrates various sensors and modules. A proximity sensor ensures the device only operates when the driveway is clear of pedestrians, while a salt sensor measures the precise amount of salt needed for effective de-icing. Weather data is collected via a Wi-Fi module, allowing the device to adjust its operation based on current conditions. Controlled through a smartphone app, users can set parameters and monitor the device remotely.