3D Printing at HP Labs
Researching micro doping bulk powder materials during the 3D printing process to develop composites that exhibit different mechanical properties on the voxel level. Click here to read more about 3D printing at HP.
Home-Built Scanning Tunneling Microscope
Inspired by a graduate materials characterization class, I recreated Dan Berard’s scanning tunneling microscope (STM) based off John Alexander’s design from 2001. The STM operating principal is based off quantum tunneling, an effect that allows electrons to tunnel in the vacuum between the probe tip and conductive sample due to the bias voltage. A fancy-shmancy STM is capable of 0.1nm lateral and 0.01nm depth measurements. Our tungsten probe tip does not converge to one atom, as shown in the scanning electron microscope image (SEM) which contributed to the lower resolution of our STM copper crater images.
Critter Coat
This wearable, the critter coat, was created to both inspire interest in STEAM fields at the Maker Fair and rock parties. Controlled by an Adafuit Flora, the critter coat is affixed with vibration motors attached to actuate butterflies to flutter, creating an organic garment piece with movement. Conductive thread is used as traces to power the motors, however, soldering this material proved challenging and therefore thin wire will be used in future projects.
Planetary Landing Capsule
The goal of this proof of concept planetary lander was to safely deliver an exploration rover to a planet surface. This lander was designed to be used as the last stage of landing in the existing entry, descent, and landing procedures used in previous Mars missions. Our design improves upon past missions to Mars by reducing risk of failure during landing utilizing a passive system with no electronics or control systems while also increasing landing site accuracy. These goals were accomplished by incorporating external crushable materials and internal damping systems.
This project was presented at the 2015 IPPW Conference. Click here to see the poster.
Paraplegic Crutches
This paraplegic crutch design is durable, ratcheting human-powered, bungee-assisted, weight-shifting system for assisting paraplegic persons from sitting down to standing position. The important design goals achieved are: cost, durability, personalization based on size and weight, and allowance for independents and self-sufficiency.
Voting Magnifier
The voting magnifier both magnifies and illuminates voting ballots for increased voting accuracy.
