Project Overview

This project will design and implement a electromechanical device for a behavioral experiment with cats that are actively localizing sound sources. Previous experiments show that when the cat is localizing sound with its head unrestrained, the external ear appears to be reflexly compensating for head movement by counter-rotating on the head to maintain a position in space. We need a control experiment in which the cat is passively rotated (rather than actively moving its head) to see if the same reflex is elicited by stimulation of the vestibular system. The project will design an instrument for rotating the animal under computer control.

Files

• Electromechanical Cat Rotator Midsemester Presentation (February 24, 2006)
• Mid-Semester Report (March 3, 2006)
• Product design specification (Updated: 4/28/06) (April 28, 2006)
• Electromechanical Cat Rotator Final Report (April 28, 2006)
• Final Poster Presentation (May 4, 2006)

Contact Information

Team Members

• Leah Brandon - Team Leader
• Adam Budde - Communicator
• Kieran Sweeney - BSAC
• Jacqueline Wong - BWIG

Advisor and Client

• Dr. Willis Tompkins - Advisor
• Dr. Tom Yin - Client