We designed a cable car-like device to simulate food (capsule) entering and passing through the human digestive system. By the environment it has to stays like mouth, stomach, intestinal tract, and how long it will stay, we ensured that our capsule will be released only in the intestinal tract rather than breaking down in unintended areas (Too early or too late). What’s more, this device is not designed only for our project. It can be used to test any other kinds of capsule easily by simply changing the substances in the liquid and the operating time of the cable car.

Figure 1 Liquid container

We make Acrylic Sheet a box and a cover with holes. The container is separated into three sections── neutral(mouth), Acid(stomach), and Alkaline(intestinal tract). The holes on the cover are to avoid the liquid inside splitting out, but the size of them are designed to let a capsule get through exactly.

Figure 2 NXT LEGO track device

We chose NXT Lego to build the cable car track above because of its simplicity and creative. Put the cable car-liked device on the cover and start the program.Soaking the capsule in the liquid orderly, and decide how long we soak the capsule according to the time food stays in the Digestive tract.