Otherlab! - Volute
Engineering Intern | 2014 - 2015
I spent about a year in total at Otherlab during 2014 and 2015 where I worked on two projects: Volute and 3DFabLight. On the Volute project I designed and fabricated testing apparatuses, created experimental testing procedures, and interpreted experimental results to guide future experimentation in order to answer questions pertinent to the design of conformable pressure vessels. The testing apparatuses including a bending force measurement device, a laser micrometer scanner, and a temperature controlled environmental chamber. I also fabricated an uncountable number of carbon fiber pressure vessels used as test specimen for experimentation.
On the 3DFabLight project, I performed mechanical and electrical design of a laser cutter cutting-head and cutting-head relevant electronics. The mechanical design included assemblies for locating optical equipment, assemblies for linear motion that focus optics and the position the cutting head above the cutting bed, and sealed pneumatic channels for pressurized air. These parts also had to be improved for manufacturability and assembly. The electrical design consisted of PCB design and programming of an embedded system for interfacing with and conditioning signals from cutting head sensors.
On the 3DFabLight project, I performed mechanical and electrical design of a laser cutter cutting-head and cutting-head relevant electronics. The mechanical design included assemblies for locating optical equipment, assemblies for linear motion that focus optics and the position the cutting head above the cutting bed, and sealed pneumatic channels for pressurized air. These parts also had to be improved for manufacturability and assembly. The electrical design consisted of PCB design and programming of an embedded system for interfacing with and conditioning signals from cutting head sensors.
NSF Engineering Research Center for Extreme Ultraviolet Science and Technology
Research Experience for Undergraduates Participant | Summer 2013
During the summer of 2013, I earned the opportunity to work in the NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Extreme Ultraviolet Science and Technology through the REU program. I worked with a team of researchers in The Kapteyn-Murnane Group at the University of Colorado, Boulder who study thermal transport and acoustic nanometrology of nano-structures on thin film substrates. During this internship, I independently developed methods to characterize and attenuate mechanical vibrations present on the optical table in the interest of reducing measurement noise. My contributions decreased measurement noise and allowed the other researchers to tackle some of the largest obstacles facing the semiconductor industry. This experience taught me the importance of a well-developed experiment and about the issues associated with precise measurement. I presented my methods at a symposium attended by the collaborators of the ERC, which includes researchers from University of Colorado, Boulder; Colorado State University, Fort Collins; and UC Berkeley.
The City of Anaheim
Voluntary Intern | Summer 2012
During the summer of 2012 I worked with engineers in The City of Anaheim's Public Utilities Department. I aided principle engineers in the Water Division who oversaw the construction of a waste water recycling facility.I researched the benefit and cost of the installation of a secondary odor filtration system and composed a report arguing against the installation. Additionally, I was responsible for filing documents relating to the construction of the facility including proposals and submittals, and planning and organizing a fundraising event. I also worked with the engineers and operators that ran The City of Anaheim's Canyon power plant. I collaborated on the design and implementation of a computer script that automatically updated necessary files on portable computers that were used by field technicians and assisted in an effort to apply a new inventory system to ensure reliable accounting and increase productivity of the plant operators.
Long Beach Supplemental Instruction and Tutoring Center
Supplemental Instructor and Tutor | August 2011 - May 2012
During the 2011 school year, I served as a Supplemental Instructor for an undergraduate course in electromagnetism. I designed lessons regarding concepts including electrostatics, electronic circuits, and magnetism. I also tutored for an undergraduate course in mechanics for non-science majors.