Projects

While away from land, boats must use diesel generators to keep their batteries topped off. Traditional solar panels help with this problem, but boats often have limited surface area.

PowerHouse's Marine solution aims to solve this problem by utilizing the surface area of the water around boats. While stationary, flexible solar panels can be unrolled, which then float on the surface of the water. These panels can generate energy as long as the sun is out, and then can be re-rolled for storage onboard. During this project, I:

• Wrote a script to calculate design factors such as buoyancy, rolled volume & radius, required motor torque, and more

• Designed a mechanism & required components to constrain solar panels to buoyancy apparatus without hindering flexibility

• Ran ANSYS calculations on critical components to detect potential failures and validate material choices

While a final prototype was not constructed due to budget & other limitations, documents detailing the design process & CAD models were handed off to the client.

Currently, when BEVs crash, their batteries undergo thermal meltdown and continue to reignite after being extinguished - this process requires more firefighters & puts human lives at risk. By weaving thermal barrier materials in between cells, these fires can be contained and controlled.

During my time in the DAPS Lab, I worked on the processing and simulation of the aforementioned thermal barrier materials. I installed and utilized a laser cutter to cut samples of composite phase-change materials, as well as ran a DOE to find optimal cutting parameters. I also ran steady-state and transient simulations in ANSYS, to test various geometries' thermal performance.

Due to an ongoing patent that is being filed, I'm not able to share more information about my work. Slides are currently being redacted, but may be available soon.

Protina (Tina for short) is a protein powder vending machine. Retrofitted from a candy machine, this machine was modified to provide protein supplements in a university gym.

During my time on this project, I utilized plastic augers (repurposed from a chocolate fountain), as well as 3D-printed some custom parts to convert the existing mechanism into one that would be more conducive to working with powder.

I also mechanically modified the encoder, in order to more accurately dispense a single serving without modifying any electrical systems or embedded software.

This mechanism was also comprised of food-safe parts, as well as shellac-coated in order to keep the powder safe for consumption, as well as easy to clean. Sealing the machine was also important, both for pest control and to reduce the amount of airborne powder that would deposit around the machine while in use.

Current makeup containers such as jars and chubby sticks pose accessibility concerns. Their usage requires motions that can be complex and often require two hands.

Working on Push Beauty, I designed a jar that helped make its contents more accessible. This was done by:

• Creating a jar that opened/closed using a swipe-like motion

• Using magnets to form the seal normally produced by a twist cap

• Combining a torque hinge with magnets for a smoother motion

• Utilizing a reusable adhesive to enhance one-handed use

This project was prototyped using 3D printing and off-the-shelf parts, and multiple revisions were provided to the client

Tuning an electric guitar with a tremolo is analogous to solving a set of 6 equations with 6 variables. The trem-block is held in balance by its own internal screws and 6 strings, all under tension. Tuning one string throws the block off-balance, affecting the tension of the other 5 strings.

Trem-Lock is a device that holds the trem block in place, allowing for each string to be tuned individually, greatly reducing the time needed for "calibration" overall. This device

• Requires no permanent modification by using existing holes

• Maintains a low profile to not interfere with ergonomics

• Allows for a quick (un)lock control by having only 1 moving part

• Uses off-the-shelf spring-pins to clearly define lock & unlocked positions

This project was prototyped and installed using 3D printed and off-the-shelf parts. User testing validated that the device was intuitive and helped quicken the tuning process.

After some surgeries, patients must use a drain that collects fluids from the body. The volume & color of these fluids must be tracked over time, but this is often done inaccurately by nurses. Medsix is a smarter solution to this problem.

This project focused on developing an intelligent device to automate the process, allowing for a safer post-surgery healing process for patients. This was done by

• Developing a density/material property independent volume sensing mechanism

• Generating UI/UX concepts for a final product / app

• Considering patient requirements when looking at use cases and comfort

While final prototypes were not fabricated, concepts, CAD, and plans were shared with the client