Capstone Projects
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Open Access FINAL PROJECT REPORT DOCUMENT– SPRING 2024(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-05-20) Duzelbay, Alisher; Bakkali, Nurseiit; Issa, Yeldar; Serikbayev, Yermakhan; Bulatov, YernurThe NU Life Hub project aims to address the fragmentation of information and resources for Nazarbayev University (NU) students by offering a centralized platform designed specifically for their needs. The project addresses students' challenges in finding and participating in campus activities, accessing a convenient marketplace to fulfill their needs, and staying informed about various campus events. The NU Life Hub solution will be a comprehensive platform that combines event management, marketplace, and community engagement functions to improve the overall university experience. During the project, extensive research was conducted to understand existing solutions and approaches to address similar challenges university communities face. This analysis informed the design and development of the NU Life Hub, ensuring that best practices were embedded into the platform and critical challenges were effectively addressed.Item Embargo THE DESIGN OF SELF-CHARGING SENSOR INDUCED SIMPLIFIED INSOLE-BASED PROTOTYPES WITH PRESSURE MEASUREMENT FOR FAST SCREENING OF FLAT-FOOT(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-05) Anash, Adeliya; Oralkhan, Sabyrzhan; Issabek, Moldir; Nuriya, NurbergenovaFlatfoot is an orthopedic foot malformation in which the inner arch of the foot virtually or completely flattens during static or dynamic motions. This abnormal deformation can negatively affect the musculoskeletal system, leading to chronic pains and other conditions that may severely deteriorate a person’s quality of life if not treated timely. Therefore, there is a need for continuous monitoring of food conditions, and currently, available screening methods may not be sustainable in terms of objectivity, time, and money. This research aims to design and fabricate an insole-based screening device that would offer accurate and accessible screening. In order to implement our objectives, the self-powered triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) were used as tactile pressure sensors for the insole since they propose such advantages as uncomplicated fabrication and design operations, cost-effectiveness, extensive lifetime, and high output power. TENGs’ main purpose is converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. In other words, the energy generated from the movement of the object is translated into electric output and recorded by the Arduino circuits. The collected data is analyzed using machine learning algorithms for the system to be able to immediately recognize the flatfoot conditions after undergoing the training sessions. To collect data, 82 participants were asked to march in one place and walk the same amount of time and distance to get similar numbers of outputs from each operation. The analysis showed that the middle sensors of the insoles generated much higher electricity when they were attached to people with flatfoot conditions and that they exhibited relatively uniform equal pressure distribution throughout the foot. In contrast, people with normal feet put more pressure on the front and back side of the foot. The overall accuracy of the machine learning system reached 81%, indicating that the designed insole has a high potential to be used as a flatfoot detecting device commercially.Item Restricted AIR-TO-GROUND CHANNEL MODELING FOR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-19) Mukhatzhanova, SabinaThe ‘Air-to-Ground Channel Modeling for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles’ main goal is to develop a precise and reliable model of the communication channel between unmanned aerial vehicles and ground stations. This project will be mainly focused on the extensive research of recent data and channel simulation using MATLAB. The project will analyze different scenarios and characteristics that may have an impact on the proper work of the channel and find ways to overcome those difficulties. These obstacles can be channel fading, polarization, weather conditions, and hard-to-reach locations. The proposed channel modeling can be beneficial in different spheres of life: safety, surveillance, telecommunication, and national priorities. Overall, the project’s main focus will be based on the enhancement of analytical skills in order to select major types of channel modeling and see the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed model. The results can have a positive impact through the contribution to the advancement of UAV technologies.Item Restricted RECONFIGURABLE INTELLIGENT SURFACE (RIS)- AIDED VEHICULAR NETWORKS(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Science, 2024-04-19) Mukhametakhimov, DastanThe main objective of this project is to develop a RIS-aided vehicle network by optimizing the location and orientation of RIS elements depending on the movement of the vehicles. The paper will focus on developing and testing different techniques for improving network performance by manipulating different RIS element locations and orientations on a network and including optimization algorithms for better positioning of the vehicle at the network. Overall, it was anticipated that the research will make a substantial contribution to the field of RIS-aided vehicle networks by creating and testing optimization strategies to increase network performance. The project will produce a set of optimum RIS element positions and orientations, as well as an optimization technique capable of improving network performance. The initial method is dividing the area into squares and implementing a RIS-aided UAV network scenario where the RIS is located on buildings, and UAVs connect through it with users on the ground. In the end, it becomes the RIS-mounted UAV network enhanced with RIS between buildings to maintain ergodic capacity.Item Open Access PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF TERRESTRIAL-SATELLITE NETWORKS(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-05-17) Toporkov, MaximThis research explores statistical models in mobile communication, particularly Location Management System (LMS) models, offering insights into predicting mobile station locations within cellular frameworks. Through meticulous simulations, it demonstrates the effectiveness of these models in real-world scenarios. Additionally, the study delves into broader communication performance metrics, showing how elevation angle impacts line-of-sight communication, SNR, latency, and channel capacity. It highlights the importance of optimizing elevation angles for efficient communication, paving the way for enhanced design and operation of mobile communication systems.Item Open Access PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF RADAR IMAGING USING MACHINE LEARNING TECHNIQUES(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-19) Zhumabekov, Yertase project aims to facilitate the progress of radarbased or complemented computer vision. The objective of the project is to perform a multi-purpose radar system that can complete object recognition and classification tasks. The machine learning techniques are used to carry out analysys of vast amount of data generated by the radar.Item Embargo INVESTIGATION OF TRANSITION METAL OXIDE ELECTRON TRANSPORTING LAYER FOR INVERTED PM6:Y6 POLYMER SOLAR CELLS(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-19) Zinedenova, AruzhanThe field of renewable energy has notably boosted over time, whereas the demand for more efficient and sustainable solar cell technologies is taking central attention. Among the various photovoltaic structures, organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices have emerged as promising candidates due to their cost-effectiveness, adaptability, and ease of management. However, the journey towards realizing the full potential of OPVs has been hindered by two critical challenges: rapid degradation and low efficiency. The issue of stability can be addressed by implementing an other structural configuration, namely inverted OPV devices. In comparison to regular devices, inverted OPVs exhibit longer lifetimes, addressing the stability concern. Nevertheless, they suffer from low device efficiency. The primary goal of this research is to identify the proper materials among different metal oxides and to optimize them through multilayering, interlayering, and additive engineering for an efficient ETL structure for future flexible, integrated, and semitransparent electrode devices.Item Embargo PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT IN RIS-AIDED WIRELESS NETWORKS(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-19) Toregozhin, TorebekThis study explores the performance of a cooperative non-orthogonal multiple access (CNOMA) downlink wireless communication system, aided by a novel technology called si- multaneously transmitting and reflecting re- configurable intelligent surfaces (STAR-RISs), operating over Nakagami-m fading channels. The evaluation focuses on outage probability (OP), spectral efficiency (SE), and energy effi- ciency (EE) as key performance indicators. The mathematically intractable probability density and cumulative distribution functions of the near user are approximated using the Gamma moment-matching method. This enables the derivation of closed-form expressions for OP and ergodic rates of users, which are used to determine SE and EE. Monte-Carlo simulations validate the analytical results. A comparison with OMA and NOMA is provided to assess CNOMA’s effectiveness, revealing that the co- operative link can enhance SE and EE in the STAR-RIS-based NOMA network.Item Restricted DYNAMIC WIRELESS CHARGING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-19) Amankeldina, NazerkeThe aim of this project is to implement and fabricate the scaled-down prototype of Wireless Power Transfer for Electric Vehicle charging. The study will begin with an extensive analysis of the most recent publications on wireless charging technologies. IPT technology will primarily be investigated. It is expected that optimal operating parameters will be determined for this type of wireless power transform. The next step is to develop IPT system with the predetermined operating parameters. To ensure that the system is highly efficient and effective in real-world charging of electric vehicles, it will be tested and adjusted. This project is significant because it has the potential to develop wireless charging technology and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. Wireless charging is becoming into a key technology for the vehicle industry as demand for environmentally friendly transportation rises. By designing a IPT system that overcomes the constraints of existing IPT systems, this research will deliver a major technical innovation that will assist to make wireless charging more accessible and efficient for EVs.Item Open Access INDUSTRIAL IOT, FACTORY OF THINGS(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-26) Shkoda, ViktorThis capstone project investigates the optimization of the MCP2515 CAN bus module for intra-vehicle communications in smart automotive systems. Employing Arduino-based prototypes, the study explores the impact of varying SPI clock speeds and transmission delays on the system's efficiency and reliability. Through experimental trials, the research evaluates how different settings influence the throughput and channel utilization of the CAN network, focusing on clock speeds of 5MHz and 2.5MHz. Results indicate that specific configurations significantly enhance communication effectiveness, showcasing an optimal balance of speed and stability. This study not only provides a detailed understanding of the CAN bus capabilities but also offers valuable insights for automotive engineers seeking to improve the safety and functionality of modern vehicles through advanced communication technologies.Item Embargo PERFORMANCE EVALUATION FOR RIS-ENABLED THZ COMMUNICATIONS(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-19) Janikesheva, LauraThe terahertz (THz) frequency band is attractive for the development of high data rate, large capacity, and low latency sixth generation (6G) wireless communications. A possible solution to the issues of excessive propagation losses in the THz band is the incorporation of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs), which are able to sensibly adjust the reflecting elements and improve the received power strength in the network. Moreover, different multiple access techniques can be considered to effectively allocate the power and spectrum resources among the users. Therefore, this work evaluates the performance of a RIS-aided Non Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) THz system model with multiple users. The network resource allocation schemes are compared in terms of the Sum Rate maximization and different RIS deployment scenarios are discussed. The simulation results confirm the analytical derivations and present the RIS-THz link performance in various conditions.Item Embargo BUTLER MATRIX MINIATURIZATION FOR 5G COMMUNICATIONS AND BEYOND(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-19) Amangeldi, YerassylThis capstone project presents a miniaturized implementation of Butler’s beamforming array on microstrip technology. Firstly, the basis of size reduction is obtained by developing a structure that behaves exactly as the quarter-wave transmission line segment at the operation frequency. Secondly, this structure is applied to reduce the area of higher-order components such as 3dB hybrid coupler and crossover. Then, the components are assembled into the layout of Butler Matrix where several components are reduced in size further. The obtained final structure takes up approximately two times less area at the cost of 20% theoretical bandwidth reduction. A 4-by-4 experimental setup is developed for validation at 2.5 GHz which corresponds to the lower 5G frequency band.Item Open Access HIGH VOLTAGE INSULATOR REAL-TIME CONDITION CLASSIFICATION(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-19) Gylymbekov, AskarInsulators have a dual purpose of mechanically supporting and electrically isolating live phase conductors from the support tower in power systems. Due to experiencing harsh weather conditions, insulators may become contami nated or damaged. As a result, electrical and mechanical properties of insulator may deteri orate. Thus, it is significant to automize the process of condition classification of High Volt age insulator to prevent accidents and there fore ensuring secure service of transmission lines. This paper examines the effect of pol lution at insulator’s surfaces to the Dielectric Dissipation Factor and therefore research was conducted in 2 different disciplines: 1) Calculation of dielectric dissipation factor using Ansys Maxwell software; 2) High voltage in sulators contamination type classification us ing Convolutional Neural Networks. Ansys Maxwell software is used to simulate the Di electric Dissipation Factor of insulator under different types of contamination. In this part, three contamination levels (light, medium and heavy) will be considered which include soil, cement, iron, calcium and aluminum as pollu tants. The results show trend in which DDF increases with an increase of contamination level. In image classification part, Convolu tional Neural Networks will be used to cre ate a classifier. Insulators will be classified be tween 4 types and these are: clean, contami nated with soil, contaminated with water and contaminated with snow. Validation set assess ment results in 91% of accuracy.Item Open Access “EASY CAR“ CAR HIRE & SHARING MARKETPLACE(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-05-03) Yergaliyev, Amir; Danibay, Aruzhan; Kablanbek, Omirserik; Abilmazhinova, Tomiris; Duisebay, YelzhanIn Kazakhstan, there's a big problem with how much vehicles are used—or rather, how much they aren't. Even though the number of vehicles has been increasing, with about 4.5 million registered by the end of 2023, they spend most of their time parked, not being used for over 90% of their lifetime. This is not only a waste of resources but also harmful to the environment. For example, the Ministry of Ecology, Geology, and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan reports that nearly half of the air pollution in big cities like Almaty and Astana comes from transport. Moreover, traffic jams in these cities are costing the economy billions every year in lost productivity, according to a study by the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan. Seeing these problems, "Easy Car" is stepping in with a solution that fits into the worldwide trend of using resources more sustainably. Our idea is to create a digital marketplace where car owners can rent out their vehicles when they're not using them. This could help car owners make some extra money and offer people cheaper and more convenient transportation options. Our aim is to reduce the total number of vehicles needed in urban areas, which could help ease traffic congestion, cut down on carbon emissions, and make better use of the cars we already have. The development of "Easy Car" is particularly important in cities like Astana, Almaty and Shymkent, where the rapid growth of the cities has outstripped the development of public transport. Our platform could be a key tool in improving how people get around in cities, encouraging people to move away from owning personal vehicles to sharing them instead. This could support environmental sustainability by reducing the need for producing new vehicles and improve economic efficiency by making better use of each vehicle and reducing the space needed for parking. Additionally, "Easy Car" aims to tackle the growing issue of managing urban space effectively, making cities more livable, efficient, and less congested. With a cutting-edge approach to vehicle sharing and strong technology like Django for secure and scalable backend operations and React for a smooth user interface, our project is poised to lead the way toward a more sustainable and economically sensible model of vehicle usage in Kazakhstan.Item Embargo INVESTIGATION OF EM SCATTERING BEHAVIOR OF WEAKLY INTERACTING NANOTUBES(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-05-03) Bespayev, Madeniyet; Iznat, Nurkeldi; Turarov, YerassylThe problem of electromagnetic (EM) waves scattering by circular and arbitrary-shaped nanotubes is considered in this work. An Iso-Geometric Analysis enabled Boundary Element Method (IGABEM) is developed to estimate the scattering amount in the corresponding cases. Our research studies the scattering of EM waves caused by a nanotube and aims to optimize the shape of the nanotube so that the scattering value is maximized. The problem is of particular interest when the electrical conductivity of the nanotube is very low. This is because by only changing the shape of the nanotube, its weakly interacting (almost transparent) behavior could be altered and it would be changed into a super-scatterer of EM waves solely because of its geometry. In this work, the optimal shapes that maximize scattering were found and checked, with respect to their sensitivity, for varying wavelengths, wave angles, and distances from the source (when a point source was considered). The dependence of the scattering behavior of the nanotube on the DoFs needed for geometry representation as well as the computational accuracy as a function of the number of analysis DoFs were also examined. The best result, received by shape optimization in the context of this study, indicates that an arbitrarily shaped nanotube can scatter EM waves about 85 times higher than a circular nanotube with the same electircal conductivity and the same cross-sectional area. Such superscattering nanotubes can find applications in electromagnetic interference shielding, optical nanoantennas, biomedical imaging, spectroscopy and nanoplasmonic sensing.Item Embargo REHABILITATION ROBOTS FOR ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS OF DISABILITIES(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-19) Saparova, Azhar; Jamwal, Prashant KumarLately, the use of robots in rehabilitation is widely accepted by clinics and therapists worldwide. Robots are being used for passive and active training to treat disabilities through physical therapy of patients with paralyzed or impaired movements due to strokes and other similar medical problems [1], [2]. However, due to number of problems such as lack quantifiable feedback, variance of training protocols and their efficacy between institutions and therapists[3], the observation of variation in biomechanical and bio signal parameters became vital. The main aim of the study is to use rehabilitation robots as a tool for two purposes, one of them being the treatment of disorders and disabilities, and the other being conducting pathophysiology and diagnosing the cause of disabilities. The main objective is to diagnosis Cerebral Palsy with the gait analysis and gait phase detection using Machine Learning algorithms.Item Open Access DESIGN OF AN INDUSTRIAL PLANT FOR PRODUCTION OF UREA IN KAZAKHSTAN(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-27) Gvozdeva, Xeniya; Kabashev, Zhaksylyk; Kazhiyev, Sakengali; Kolushbayev, Aibek; Moldabekov, KuanyshItem Restricted STM32-BASED FORMULA STUDENT RACE CAR VEHICLE CONTROL UNIT, SHUTDOWN CIRCUIT, CAN BUS COMMUNICATION(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-19) Dildabek, YessenkhanThe Formula Student is an international competition aimed at enhancing engineering culture among a new generation of engineers by conducting competitions in the form of formula-type race car designs. The "NU Motorsports" club of Nazarbayev University aims to develop the first electric formula-type race car in the framework of this competition. As a senior engineer of the Grounded Low Voltage department of the club, the main goal of the current project is to develop a functional control unit that abides by all regulations of the competition. Specifically, the objective is to develop a custom VCU board that will control the inverter and be capable of running necessary algorithms pertaining to the motion of the car. Moreover, as adjacent systems of the VCU, the project goes through the implementation of the Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor (APPS), Shutdown interface circuit, and the design of a communication bus between different control units. Specifically, the given work discusses the realization of the Controller Area Network (CAN) compatible with the inverter.Item Restricted MANUFACTURING OF ETHANOLAMINE SOLVENT FOR CO2 CAPTURE(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-27) Bektemissov, Medeu; Doszhanova, Aruzhan; Orazbay, Tolkyn; Taubaldiyeva, Zhamilya; Tazabekov, ArnurHuman activities have led to significant carbon dioxide emissions, triggering global warming and climate change. As a response, the global carbon capture and sequestration market has been growing rapidly. Monoethanolamine (MEA) is widely used for CO2 capture, with the MEA market projected to grow significantly. This project focused on designing an industrial plant for producing MEA through the liquid-phase reaction between ethylene oxide (EO) and ammonia. The selected conventional manufacturing process involved three plug flow reactors in series to achieve a near-complete conversion of EO and a 73% selectivity for MEA with a 94% purity. Aktobe region was chosen as the location of the plant for its proximity to raw material suppliers and efficient transportation networks. The projected annual production rate was 12,000 tonnes to meet the CIS region's market demand. The plant design incorporated essential equipment, including major components like reactors, flash separator, distillation column and heat exchanger, as well as minor components such as compressors and storage tanks. Detailed designs for each piece of equipment were made, following established chemical engineering methodologies. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis conducted in Aspen Plus identified the optimal operating conditions, ensuring efficient and reliable plant performance. Economic feasibility analysis indicated a total initial investment of $27.9 million, with a payback period of approximately 9 years. Financial metrics included an internal rate of return (IRR) of 15%, a return on investment (ROI) of 36.46%, and a net present value (NPV) of $10.2 million over 20 years, confirming the project's profitability. Looking ahead, the project will focus on enhancing product purity from 94% to 99% and reducing production costs. Future steps include recycling purge streams, separating and selling by-products, optimizing operating conditions by reducing pressure from 25 to 20 bar, and improving distillation column efficiency by implementing reactive distillation methods. These measures aim to further refine the production process, increase profitability, and meet higher market standards.Item Embargo DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF HIGH GAIN CASCADED BOOST CONVERTER FOR DC MICROGRID(Nazarbayev University School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, 2024-04-19) Kulzhanova, GulnurDue to their increased efficiency, stability, reduced component count, and lower cost, boost converters are growing in popularity. Additionally, a variety of electrical equipment, including huge machines that require high power and low-power devices, can be used with boost converters. Given the wide range of applications that microgrids have nowadays, this project takes into consideration the development of a cascaded boost converter design for the DC microgrid. The most crucial application is that a converter is a great way to increase voltage while using renewable energy sources. This project comprises the comparison of results extracted from simulation part and hardware implementation. Generally, this project demonstrates the steps that were used to develop the hardware design and the challenges encountered during the process.