Research
As a Product Design Engineer with a little more penchant for analysis and research, I have done a couple of projects outside of the "normal" design realm. I am always looking for opportunities to back up a design with empirical evidence, simulation data, or some other validation method to support the direction. I firmly believe that this is my "X-factor" and will benefit any design team!
01
Wood-Pellet Combustion Research
I wrote a lengthy research paper regarding harmful emissions of wood pellet combustion and how to reduce them! I explored various causes (incorrect air/fuel ratios, low combustion temperatures) and analyzed multiple solutions, ranging from minor to full-system redesigns. At the end of the paper, there are several equations and calculations related to the combustion of cellulose, the primary component of wood.
02
Audio Frequency Study
One of the grills in development had a small fan that seemed to hit resonance and create an awful, screeching noise at high speeds. I utilized sound recording software to find the specific frequencies that were hitting resonance and compare their distributions with other fans of the same size. I then wrote Matlab code to compare this measured dB level with a "loudness curve" so the tool could be re-used on future grill parts, too! The larger the delta, the more likely the part is to be bothersome.
