REM Sleep Detection Mask

I engineered the first working prototype of this REM Sleep Mask, designed to challenge traditional methods of sleep monitoring. The mask uses TCRT5000 infrared sensors to detect rapid eye movements from the eyelids and an MPU6050 accelerometer to monitor head movements, providing an in-depth analysis of sleep quality. I integrated a Seeeduino Xiao microcontroller for its compact size and efficient processing capabilities, optimizing battery life by selecting a 400 mAh lithium-polymer battery suited for overnight use. Components were soldered by hand for reliability and compactness, and I used SolidWorks to design a custom casing, ensuring safety and comfort. Finally, I processed the collected data in MATLAB to interpret sleep patterns accurately, showcasing a full embedded systems approach to wearable sleep monitoring.

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Components here show a Seeeduino XIAO microcontroller, an MPU6050 accelerometer, a 400 mAH lithium-polymer battery, and an SD card reader for data storage.

Components here show TCRT5000 sensors to detect eye movement and dim LED lights for more accurate sensor detection. All components are indentented within a custom designed 3D printed casing.

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Smart Calorie Scale

I made the Smart Calorie Scale to assist in managing dietary intake by accurately measuring and converting the weight of food items into caloric content. Built around a precision load cell and powered by an Arduino Nano, the scale features a user-friendly button interface that allows for easy selection of food types, conversion between calories and grams, and use of a tare function. I created a small database within the Arduino code, using a Food class that stores properties like calories per gram for each food type. Buttons trigger functions on the Nano, allowing selection of food items and units for measurement. The device was meticulously engineered using SolidWorks for the design, followed by 3D printing for a durable housing and a custom-made circuit board to support its functionality. I soldered the components by hand to ensure reliability and precision. The scale is powered by AA batteries and includes an on/off switch.

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Select Food Item, Zero Scale, Measure Item Calories

Solidworks CAD

PCB Schematic

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Optimization of PVDF Piezoelectric Films

In one of my research projects, I optimized the creation and poling process of PVDF films to maximize their performance in sensing and energy harvesting applications. PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) films are flexible, piezoelectric materials that generate an electric charge in response to mechanical stress. I used specific techniques such as fine-tuning film thickness, incorporating ZnO nanoparticles to enhance phase alignment, and applying corona poling under controlled temperature conditions for precise dipole orientation. For data processing and analysis, I leveraged MATLAB, allowing me to conduct analytical modeling and performance benchmarking to quantify improvements. These optimizations resulted in over a 100% increase in piezoelectric output compared to previous lab benchmarks, demonstrating advancements in PVDF film capabilities.

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C++ Based Projects

Relational Database

In this project, I created a relational database designed to facilitate efficient data storage, manipulation, and retrieval for small-scale applications. I created this project in C++ and utilized data structures such as vectors, hash tables, and binary search trees to enable optimized indexing and searching. It provides a command-line interface that supports creating tables, inserting and deleting rows, and performing conditional queries and join operations using a simplified SQL-like syntax. By incorporating these data structures, this database ensures quick access and efficient data management for a multitude of applications.

Four Bar Linkage

For a robotics competition, my team and I designed and built a high-speed four-bar linkage mechanism with optimized gears for torque control. The linkage detects flags as they appear using ultrasonic sensors that output precise distance measurements. Based on the detected flag, the linkage directs a flashlight to activate a photosensor assigned to that flag. Using SolidWorks, my team and I carefully modeled the system to be lightweight and applied kinematics principles to ensure the flashlight aligns geometrically with each photosensor. I then fabricated each component using lathes, mills, and a waterjet for precision. I implemented PID control, using MATLAB and Simulink to tune parameters and simulate responses. This setup optimized the linkage’s speed and accuracy for quick deployment, significantly boosting performance in competition.

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Magnetic Levitation

The Magnetic Levitation System 33-210 uses controlled electromagnetic forces to suspend a steel ball in mid-air. In this project, my group and I designed and tested a control system to levitate a ball in mid-air using magnetic forces. This project involved analyzing the Maglev hardware’s dynamics and designing a PID controller to achieve precise position control. Our approach included modeling the system’s dynamics with a transfer function and using Root Locus methods to set key controller parameters, including proportional, integral, and derivative gains, to stabilize the system and minimize both overshoot and settling time. Using MATLAB and Simulink, we tested the PID controller on both a linearized and nonlinear model of the system. The controller performed well across different inputs. For example, we set the ball to follow a series of step and square wave patterns, and the controller maintained accurate tracking and fast stabilization throughout.

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Robotics Competition RMP

In this project, I collaborated with my team to create an RMP (Robotic Mobility Platform) that we designed in SolidWorks. I fabricated many of the components from raw aluminum materials using precision tools, including a mill, lathe, and waterjet. The platform’s structure included critical components such as an **Upper Structure Bracket**, which securely connects the arm to the base plate, and a **Belly Pan** that serves as the main structural support, housing all other subsystems. A **Driven Shaft** connects the wheel to the front wheel bracket and constrains motion, while the **Arm** is gear-driven to maximize torque and is specifically engineered to lift a flag during competition tasks. For high accuracy, I applied GD&T principles, specifying precise dimensional tolerances and surface finishes for each part. For example, the front wheel bracket required tight tolerance levels for the bushing fits, and the arm’s clearance holes ensured reliable pivoting. Each component was manufactured with attention to tolerances, roughness, and mass requirements.

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