The NeuroTEC Hardware Library and Support for 7th Annual NeuroTechnology Hackathon

Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering

Requested:

$3,808

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$3,808

Abstract

Funding this proposal will provide University of Washington graduate and undergraduate students with technology and equipment for collaborative projects hosted by the Center for Neurotechnology (CNT, formerly the Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering or CSNE) and the newly-founded NeuroTechnology, Engineering, and Computation (NeuroTEC) student organization. Since 2014, the student leadership council of the CNT has led an annual 3-day Hackathon in Seattle, in which teams of students race to develop novel devices that address a neuromedical issue. In six years, over 100 graduate and undergraduate students have participated in this annual Hackathon, representing neuroscience, computer science, bioengineering, mechanical engineering, physics, philosophy, ethics, and other disciplines. As responsibility for the Hackathon and other student-led events passes from the CNT student leadership council to the NeuroTEC RSO, new sources of financial support must be found. While the CNT will continue to make its existing hardware resources available to the RSO, new equipment is needed annually to update and support the Hackathon event. In addition, the NeuroTEC RSO is founding a NeuroTEC Hardware Library that will make all gear purchased for the Hackathon available year-round to the UW student body. This will encourage ongoing neural engineering ventures and collaborations that the NeuroTEC RSO will additionally support linking budding undergraduate neurotechnologists with graduate student mentors. The hardware purchased with this STF grant will thus support the continuation of the annual, neurotechnology Hackathon, as well as the founding of the NeuroTEC Hardware Library, and the encouragement of UW student collaborations in neural engineering, technology, and computation.

Image Analysis Upgrade for 3D Microscope Data Including Novel Multiplexed Batch Analysis Capability

Department of Physiology and Biophysics

Requested:

$38,304

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$38,304

Abstract

This proposal requests a major software upgrade for the Keck Microscopy Center’s advanced 3D image analysis program, IMARIS, as well as the necessary hardware to fully support that upgrade. This upgrade will bring the Keck Center’s basic IMARIS license, with ~1/3 of available IMARIS functions, to a full version of the software with every available IMARIS function. Importantly, several of these image analysis functions are not currently available to UW student researchers in any UW core facility. IMARIS software is used to analyze the 3D microscopy data that UW student researchers produce with advanced microscopes either in the Keck Center, in another UW core facility, or in their own labs. A highly impactful and currently unavailable IMARIS function that would be included in this upgrade is the Batch module for processing multiple files simultaneously. This Batch module and the powerful computer hardware to support it could be used in conjunction with any of the other IMARIS modules, either currently available or newly available following this upgrade, to dramatically improve UW students’ image analysis capability and efficiency. No other core facility at the UW has a full version of IMARIS or is able to do Batch processing in IMARIS. Several additional IMARIS functions available in the full version of IMARIS are also not currently available to UW students. The Keck Center has provided microscopy training and services to hundreds UW students since its creation in 1990. In 2019, the Keck Center received STF funding for a confocal microscope software and hardware upgrade that provided a new Super-resolution confocal microscope capability to UW students, and it has already been instrumental in numerous UW student research projects. In 2020, despite a lockdown and restrictions due to COVID-19, 46 trained graduate students and 13 trained undergraduate students from over 40 labs in over 20 departments across the UW utilized the Keck Center for their research. The Keck Center is accessible to all UW students and its microscopy services are essential for UW student research in labs that cannot afford the advanced microscopy and image analysis services that the Keck Center provides. Numerous UW student researchers who use the Keck Center have specifically requested the IMARIS image analysis tools that would be provided by this proposed upgrade.

CART Captioning for Graduate and Professional Student Senate

Graduate and Professional Student Senate

Requested:

$6,000

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$6,000

Abstract

GPSS needs to hire a CART captioner to provide live captioning for our meetings. This will allow greater accessibility to our Zoom meetings.

Videography & Photography Equipment Upgrades for the Photo|Media and IVA Programs

School of Art, Art History, and Design

Requested:

$135,872

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$135,872

Abstract

The Photo|Media program and the Interdisciplinary Visual Arts (IVA) program are collaboratively seeking funding for an overdue upgrade of videography and photography equipment for students.

Genomic Software for Student Use at Friday Harbor Laboratories

Friday Harbor Laboratories

Requested:

$5,470

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$5,470

Abstract

Students at Friday Harbor Laboratories have full access to the computers in our Student Computer Lab and main computer with DNA software in Lab 10, the Molecular Biology lab. Most of the classes taught at FHL require students to plan, execute, and present the results of a research project related to the course topic. We also have students who pursue independent projects with the resident faculty at FHL. Students and instructors alike have found two genomic software applications to be very helpful: Sequencher and MacVector. These two genomic software programs allow analysis of PCR products, designed to allow the cloning of specific genes. We are asking for an update to these expired licenses so that students can analyze their DNA results.

Acquisition of Accessible Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Data Processing Software

Department of Chemistry

Requested:

$11,010

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$11,010

Abstract

We request funds to purchase an “unlimited use” license for Mestrelab’s MNova 14.2 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) processing software. NMR spectrometers are currently maintained by the Department of Chemistry in Bagley Hall and Chemistry Building, and by the School of Medicine in Health Sciences Building and South Lake Union. The Department of Chemistry instruments alone draw users from >900 Chemistry majors, >150 graduate students, and countless of other student researchers from across Arts & Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Data analysis is a crucial component of NMR spectroscopy, but unfortunately no standard piece of software exists on campus for facile collaboration within a group or across departments. NMR spectroscopy is a technique that allows for the identification of molecular structure based on the composition and connectivity of individual atoms. Specific NMR experiments can be used to: 1. Probe the identity and purity of compounds and materials made by chemists for applications in drug discovery, energy, and catalysis. 2. Study the rates at which chemical reactions proceed and the distribution of products that they produce. 3. Elucidate the structure of biomacromolecules (e.g. proteins, oligonucleotides) and measure the binding strength with other macromolecules or potential drug candidates 4. Assess the structure and properties of synthetic polymers (e.g. plastics) in solution and as solids 5. Determine how structure and/or binding events change as a function of temperature NMR spectroscopy is broadly utilized in industrial, academic, and government labs, with applications across chemistry, biology, medicine, and materials. The data produced by the NMR spectrometers at UW are only as strong as the tools we have to process and visualize it with colleagues and students.

Deep Freeze Maintenance License

Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Requested:

$1,262

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$1,262

Abstract

I would like to put in this request for funding the continuation of 75 deep freeze licenses for 4 years to cover the following computers. (56) 2019-44 Office of Education Assessment Testing Lab (4) 2019-32 Commuter transfer commons STF (4) 2018-20 Robinson Center Technology - Computer Lab Refresh (7) 2017-46 CLUE/CTC Technology (4) 2016-48 Honors Lab

Student Web Publishing Service

UW Information Technology

Requested:

$9,824

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$9,824

Abstract

This proposal seeks funds to cover costs associated with the Student Web Publishing service for the next three years. The Student Web Publishing service provides students on all three campuses with the capability to publish course work, create web sites, and collaborate on research and other projects on the web. Each student on all three campuses receives 1GB of disk space for their site.

Husky Flying Club - Flight Simulator

Department of Aerospace Studies

Requested:

$6,026

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$6,026

Abstract

This proposal requests funds to purchase an aircraft simulator system for the Husky Flying Club (HFC). The HFC is a RSO at UW that desires to gather anyone interested in aviation as well as those who are already passionate or experienced with flying an aircraft. As a relatively new club, the HFC wishes to provide a service that no other clubs here at UW offers. Various civilian flight schools and Air Force units, to include Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) detachments at nationwide Colleges and Universities utilize a flight simulator system to prepare student pilots into meeting qualifications for flight operations. At other college campuses, this simulator has continuously proven to be an excellent resource that pilots can take advantage of by gaining flight experience while on the ground. The alternative to simulators are for students to pay hundreds of dollars per flight to gain flying experience in a local airfield. Since individual college student budgets are constrained differently, experiencing flight time in an aircraft is not an opportunity that all students are able to experience. Buying a simulator provides students with an unlimited number of flights. The system consists of two sets of flight simulator specific hardware and software as detailed in the budget. In addition, this simulator will help boost the HFC's ability to recruit new members. Lastly, the simulator serves a hallmark for aviation minded individuals at UW.

Portable Dock Based Charging Battery pack Stations

Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Requested:

$1,740

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$1,740

Abstract

Students rely on their phones and other portable devices to stay connected while on campus. Power outlets and chargers may not be easily accessible in common spaces. Clue, First Year Programs and Commuter Transfer Commons purchased portable battery packs in 2015 to solve this problem and have had great success checking out these portable battery packs.

Funding Status: Funded