Projects
Design-Build-Fly Competition
Design-Build-Fly is an annual international competition hosted by the American Institute of Aerospace and Avionics. Its primary objective is to afford students the opportunity to engage in real-world aircraft design, construction, and validation of their analytical knowledge. Participants compete by conceiving, constructing, and testing a radio-controlled aircraft tailored to fulfill a specific mission. In my capacity as part of the avionics and propulsion team, my responsibilities encompassed researching, designing, and fabricating the nacelles tasked with housing the motors and propellers. Additionally, I assumed the role of overseeing all avionics and electronics within the aircraft, entailing tasks such as soldering, intricate energy analysis, and acquiring live data telemetry. To assess the functionality of these systems, I spearheaded testing procedures utilizing a thrust stand that I conceived, constructed, and operated. Moreover, I contributed to the development of a sophisticated score prediction sensitivity analysis, scripted in MATLAB. This analysis incorporated historical data inputs including nominal battery size, wing dimensions, and skin drag, alongside calculated parameters such as lift coefficient, drag force, and takeoff distance. Leveraging various root-finding functions and aligning with mission scoring criteria set by the competition, this analysis facilitated the projection of mission scores for diverse aircraft designs. Consequently, our team obtained target design values for 52 distinct design specifications, guiding the development of the initial prototype. Following successful flights of the first prototype, efforts are presently directed towards constructing a second and enhanced iteration. Furthermore, I assumed the role of financial manager for the project, overseeing the entire $15,000 budget allocated to the team. This entailed managing expenses related to travel, procuring components, and collaborating with various entities to secure additional funding.
During my internship with Vectis Automation, I assumed a leadership role in designing an articulating pendant mount. Vectis Automation specializes in automated welding processes utilizing collaborative robots, where control is facilitated through a pendant device. Similar to an iPad, the pendant grants operators full control over the robot and serves as the interface for programming welds. Given its pivotal role in operations, safeguarding the pendant from weld spatter is imperative. My assigned design task involved creating an articulating arm to be mounted onto the weld table. This arm would enable the pendant to swing away from the weld location, enhancing user experience and ensuring overall pendant protection. This project marked my initial exposure to SolidWorks at a professional level, demanding adherence to elevated standards. Before arriving at the final design, numerous test models were fabricated and rigorously assessed using materials readily available in the workshop. As the articulating arm has yet to be released to the public, I am unable to provide a visual depiction of the product at this time.
Machined Clock
During my college education, I had the opportunity to enroll in a machine shop class where I delved into the fundamentals of various metalworking techniques. The highlight of the course was a substantial project involving the fabrication of a clock comprising four primary components, necessitating a diverse range of machining techniques. The base of the clock was crafted from square stock aluminum, which underwent machining processes using both a horizontal mill and a CNC machine programmed for precise shaping. Subsequently, the base was meticulously sandblasted to achieve the desired finish. Similarly, the "pencil" and "pen" holders were fashioned from raw material using lathes to shape them to specification. For the clock face, traditional plastic cutting techniques were employed, followed by manual rounding using hand tools to achieve the desired contours. To imbue the finished piece with additional character, I personally undertook the painting process. Engaging in this class and project not only honed my proficiency in operating heavy machinery but also fostered a deep sense of comfort and confidence in hands-on work with various equipment.
Autonomous Fruiting Chamber
Our mechatronics project aimed to develop an autonomous fruiting chamber capable of maintaining optimal environmental conditions for plant growth, specifically regulating heat, air quality, and humidity. The chamber's operation was governed by three Arduino Uno microcontrollers, each executing MATLAB code to oversee a distinct environmental parameter. These Arduinos interfaced with their respective sensors—CO2/O2, temperature, and humidity—and controlled corresponding components such as fans, heating pads, and humidifiers. Each Arduino featured a user interface comprising an LCD screen presenting real-time sensor readings alongside atmospheric values. Additionally, user-adjustable set points, tailored to different plant requirements, were facilitated through incorporated buttons. Upon user input, the Arduino triggered relays directly linked to the components, enabling precise control over their activation and deactivation. In my capacity as team lead, I played a pivotal role in all phases of the project, encompassing coding, wiring, and overall setup. Despite facing time constraints, our fruiting chamber achieved full functionality. However, due to time limitations, comprehensive testing with various vegetation types could not be conducted.
RC Submarine
The objective of this project was to design and construct an RC submarine for participation in a school competition. The competition's fundamental rules stipulated that the submarine must traverse the entire length of a 20ft pool, submerge to a depth of 3ft during its journey, remain untouched after placement in the pool, and adhere to a budgetary constraint of $100. Our approach centered on advancing our comprehension of the general design process. Consequently, we undertook preliminary steps such as creating Gantt Charts, DSMs (Design Structure Matrices), and cost projections throughout the competition. Setting our team apart, we opted for an impeller design, a departure from conventional approaches. For control, we repurposed a garage opener, enabling a single-push, full-throttle start. The most significant challenge we encountered was achieving full waterproofing for the entire submarine. Initially, excessive infill in the 3D-printed parts resulted in slow water diffusion into the sub's skin, creating a necessity for the application of an external coating. Waterproofing was particularly critical at the joints where the submarine opened and at the impeller shaft's exit point. To attain the requisite depth for competition, we incorporated a "duck bill" design reminiscent of a fishing lure. While this design introduced additional drag, it facilitated rapid descent to the pool's bottom, enhancing our competitive edge.
CSU Dorm Heating and Cooling Study
In collaboration with my teammates, I participated in an early study focusing on the heating and cooling systems of various university dormitories. Our approach involved utilizing an Arduino system programmed with MATLAB to conduct comprehensive analyses. The primary objective was to assess differences in heating and cooling systems across different dormitories and to examine variations in temperature from floor to floor within each building. The study's methodology centered on employing MATLAB for both system operation and data analysis. This unified approach enabled us to efficiently control the experimental setup and conduct in-depth analysis of the collected data. By correlating the age of each building with the effectiveness of its heating and cooling systems, we gained insights into operational efficiency. Additionally, the study allowed us to visualize temperature distributions across different floors, particularly evident in taller buildings. This analysis shed light on potential inefficiencies and discrepancies in temperature regulation within the dormitories. Overall, our study yielded valuable information regarding the operational efficiency of each dormitory's heating and cooling systems. By identifying areas for improvement, we aimed to contribute to the enhancement of temperature regulation systems in these facilities.
Articulating Pendant Mount
Nautical Bike
For my senior project in high school, I embarked on a unique endeavor: creating a floating bike capable of collecting trash from my local lake. Motivated by the pressing issue of litter pollution plaguing our town's lake, I sought to devise a solution that could address this problem head-on. Despite my limited experience and resources at the time, I was determined to tackle this ambitious project solo. With little more than sketches and rudimentary plans, I began the process of transforming my conventional bike into a water-worthy vessel. Armed with determination and a willingness to learn as I went, I systematically disassembled the bike and commenced implementing modifications to enable it to float and operate on water. Unfortunately, just as my project gained momentum, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic brought about unforeseen challenges and disruptions. Despite this setback, I persevered, pushing forward with the design despite the obstacles. Fortunately, by the time the pandemic hit, the bike had progressed sufficiently to be tested on open water. This project served as a pivotal introduction to the field I would later pursue in college. It not only showcased my ability to innovate and problem-solve but also ignited a passion for tackling real-world challenges through engineering and design.