SEPTEMBER 2015 - PRESENT

My favorite Continuum project was core R&D work on a nano-droplet dispense system for the life sciences field. This work included addressing concerns about sample cross contamination, designing a kinematically constrained motion system, and interfacing with a stroboscopic imaging system used to analyze data on droplet velocity, geometry, trajectory, and volume.

Since then I have worked on several different projects ranging from nanometer precision to scale home design. Consulting has allowed me to become comfortable with the uncomfortable space of not knowing. The times when you are drinking information from a fire hose and learning what you need to learn to become a trusted adviser are the times I have truly enjoyed most.

Above and beyond all of the technical challenges and awesome designs I have helped bring into the world, the people at Continuum have taught me the invaluable skill of how to find, understand and present information effectively to gain client trust. 

Working at Continuum has allowed me to work side by side with people that have a crazy diverse set of skills in: learning, building, hacking, testing, presenting, communicating, understanding and, most importantly, making it real.

MARCH 2015 - AUGUST 2015

Catapult specialized in medical product development. They worked with customers from the initial brainstorm phase of a product up to the delivery of a prototype, and then provided continued manufacturing support. My skills in SolidWorks and FEA were instrumental in meeting customers' needs. I led designs ranging from large injection molded parts to miniature silicone castings. If the project called for it, I was happy to collaborate with our industrial designer, to bring his artistic vision into a functional mechanical device. At Catapult I learned that product development is a great fit for me because I got the chance to keep my mind open to the ever-changing world of engineering.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2015

JANUARY - JUNE 2014

I was a co-op at Protonex from January to June 2014. The work I did for Protonex led to a temporary position managing the first production run of their novel maritime fuel cell system. As a co-op, I assisted in the build, diagnostics and repair of a first article maritime fuel cell system for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI). I worked extensively on the design and fabrication of a 1000 liter subsea fuel storage system for the WHOI fuel cell system and authored detailed assembly procedures for many components of the WHOI fuel cell system. Other important cliff-notes are that I led the mechanical design of a portable “smart” battery charging system for the military, developed fixtures for welded assemblies of a variety of solid-oxide and P.E.M. fuel cell system components, maintained function of three-dimensional printer and managed its operations. After college I continued working as a contractor at Protonex before joining Catapult as a full time engineer.

CAPSTONE DESIGN PROJECT

JULY - DECEMBER 2014

Awarded "Most Potential Impact" 

For my capstone project, my group and I were tasked with the creation of a motion system for a confocal microscope so clinical utility could be increased for skin cancer screenings. My role on this project was mechanical design and implementation. The objective of this project was to create a device capable of controlling the motion of the Vivascope 3000 confocal microscope during a procedure, allowing for the creation of mosaic images. Our design focused on automating the parameters that a human operator has the most difficulty maintaining during a scan -  slow scan speed and constant overlap. In order to perform a successful mosaic, 25-50% video frame overlap is required between adjacent frames captured by the Vivascope during a procedure. It was determined experimentally that a human could control the normalcy of the Vivascope relative to the skin surface, as well as the pressure applied by the device, through necessary feedback systems. It was also determined that the device must maintain a constant speed, overlap, normalcy, and applied normal force during a procedure. All of these factors were balanced such that the device was straightforward to use, and able to reduce procedure time, while maintaining safe operation around patients. My team and our device can be seen to the left.

JANUARY - JUNE 2013

At Instron, I designed a new pneumatic grip from initial concept and maintained design authority on the project  throughout my co-op. I wrote and presented a variety of design proposals for new products that would replace existing products. I worked to resolve product performance and product design issues via CAD, ECOs, and BOM changes. I also ran numerous FEA scenarios using Algor to verify prototype design before machining. Dealing with purchasers and suppliers when getting prototypes made was necessary to ensure parts were able to be completed to print specifications. I often performed testing on rapid prototype parts to collect rough data that would influence the final design. Utilizing standard drafting techniques including GD&T,I created detailed engineering drawings on several of Instron's products.

At Keurig, I developed test methods and conducted tests to solve technical issues. These tests produced data that led to significant project design changes. I often completed competitive product analysis and presented results, in order to help Keurig's new product line remain competitive. This is also when I learned  to program Arduino and utilize microcontrollers to log test data and/or control test setups. I also taught myself how to use Daqview Plus to conduct tests relating pressure and temperature. Some of the interesting learning experiences included in this co-op were aspects of overseas manufacturing and being involved in weekly teleconferences  with our manufacturers in China.