Projects

Physical systems I've analyzed, tested and built under Engineering, most recent first, followed by software and an independent demonstration.

Engineering

Mechanical design, thermal-fluid systems, testing and controls.

Duke capstone, sponsored by Trane Technologies. Aug 2025 – Apr 2026.

Wind-tunnel testing and a scheduling model for reducing hot-air recirculation between data center chillers.

14.8% lower simulated energy use: In one illustrative 24-hour scenario for a 3 × 5 chiller array, compared with running every unit continuously. The energy comparison is a simulation result, not a measured reduction from an operating data center.

ME 536 course project, Duke University. Apr 2026.

A Fluent study of compression ramps and expansion, with an analytical check of the first shock.

M₂ ≈ 1.88: Analytical first-shock prediction of Mach number. Not a CFD validation result.
p₂/p₁ ≈ 1.63: Analytical first-shock prediction of static pressure ratio. Not a CFD validation result.

ME 421 Mechanical Design, Duke University. Fall 2025.

A machined aluminum vessel combining wall sizing, a bolted flange, and an O-ring seal.

5.27 MPa: Internal design pressure, from the project specification.
Design target: factor of safety 2 against yielding: Used to size the wall. It is a target, not a verified final factor of safety.
25 mm bore, 5 mm wall: Proposal dimensions, not as-built measurements.

ME 344 final project, Duke University. Oct – Dec 2025.

A LabVIEW PID controller for levitating a steel ball and following changing position commands.

Kp = 1, Ti ≈ 3 s, Td ≈ 0.04 s: Final gains, tuned experimentally and used for all four command modes.

ME 321L Mechanical Analysis for Design, Duke University. Spring 2025.

An aluminum support for a pump-and-pulley assembly, from load path and material selection to a load-tested prototype.

117.0 lb: Applied load recorded on the team's prototype sheet. Not a rating or a failure load.
3.81 mm: Platform-end deflection recorded at that load (0.15 in).
5 lb 8.2 oz: Recorded mass of all prototype components.

EGR 101 Engineering Design, Duke University. Fall 2022.

A plywood training box with replaceable practice tasks, built around cost, material availability and quick reset.

$23.68: Historical prototype material cost, against a target under $50.
6.0 lb: Prototype weight on a scale, against a target under 10 lb.
33 s: Average reset time over twenty resets, against a target under 5 minutes.

Tools for engineering workflows.

Software project. 2026.

A project-management tool that lets an engine-overhaul company's clients see live progress on their engines, built from manufacturer manuals.

An educational numerical model, separate from my undergraduate research.

Independent demonstration.

A live physics simulation of a flexible panel in supersonic flow, from stable and buckled states to limit cycles and irregular motion.