TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
In the course of my undergraduate studies, I have practiced many technical skills. From coding languages and simulation software, to composites, pressure systems, electronics and more, I have a spread of scientific and engineering skills that make me ready to take on any challenge.
My Projects
Report on the innovation of methane-fueled rocket engines
Building a thrust sensor rocket test stand
Test and Instrumentation: Using NI LabView to qualify thermal properties of a cryostat
Simulating rocket flight based on thrust data in Mathematica
COMPOSITE OVERWRAPPED PRESSURE VESSELS
My internship with HyPerComp Engineering gave me experience with real-world engineering design and manufacturing. HyPerComp is a small engineering firm that designs and manufactures COPV’s for aerospace customers. Their COPV’s end up on man-rated spacecraft. I was tutored on the whole process from COPV design, filament winding composite manufacturing, testing and qualification, and delivery. I worked with the customers to ensure their requirements were met. I helped HyPerComp in designing new tooling as they are expanding their manufacturing base.
HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEMS
At HyPerComp, I helped design the test system, which runs pressures up to 25,000 psi. I used valves, filters, and fittings to create a safe system that could test the pressure vessels to their limits.
COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN
Catia v5, Solidworks, and Fusion 360. Part modeling, assemblies, drawings. Parts I have modeled have been sent to manufactures who follow my drawings, and have been integrated into the whole project.
PYTHON
Computational study of static and dynamic boundary value problems, partial differential equations, linear algebra, and eigenvalues. Applications such as electrostatics, thermodynamics, waves, and quantum mechanics. Computational tools to store, share, and analyze data, including machine learning.
MATLAB
Numerical solution of ordinary differential equations with applications to dynamics and chaos. Introduction to scientific programming.
For a final project, I used Matlab’s ODE solver to simulate the action of a double pendulum, exploring the chaotic nature of that system, and finding normal mode solutions.
TECHNICAL WRITING
Effective processes of written, oral, and visual technical communication, including collaborative processes. Writing for academic and professional audiences.
I wrote a technical report on methalox rocket engines. I analyzed the benefits and drawbacks of this fuel system which have led to its popularity in modern space exploration research.
MATHEMATICA
Introduction to numerical and symbolic computation and graphical analysis using a symbolic mathematics program. Applications to mechanics, optics, and special relativity.
I wrote a script in Mathematica that could model a rocket flight and plot the flight characteristics.
COMPOSITES MANUFACTURING
As well as my experience with COPV’s, I have manufactured dozens of parts using pre-impregnated carbon fiber, vacuum-infused resin systems, and wet-lay techniques. I have tested the strength of the pre-preg carbon fiber rocket tubes I have made to hold up to ten times the force they will experience in flight.
EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS
In my physics labs, I have learned to run experiments from experienced professors. I learned NI LabView to run data acquisition on several projects. I have designed a vacuum systems, and several optics experiments, including a Michelson interferometer and a project that uses single-photon counters to characterize quantum properties of light.