Projects List

This is a list of all the projects from my high school career.

Updated 8/2/2021.

Aerospace Engineering

XR1: My First High Power Rocket

The XR Project was the first step in an effort to move from model rocketry, to high power rocketry. The project has the design goals of being a fully reusable and recoverable cargo vehicle, with the capability to land precisely, and follow given flight paths. There was a first design iteration, the XR1, that involved a small payload weight and volume, that was a fully functioning concept, but less than ideal capabilities. For this reason, the XR2 started development with the goal of fixing design flaws and increasing payload capability.

XR2: Targeting and Recovery System

The XR2 Targeting and Recovery System was a key feature of the rocket. It used control surfaces, as well as thrust vectoring, to change the trajectory. It was fundamentally redesigned with higher tolerances for strength and reliability. The targeting system comprised the aft of the vehicle, housing the solid rocket motor gimbal, rear ejecting parachute, and individually controlled guidance fins. The housing was 3D printed from ABS Carbon Fiber Composite.

Sub-Project: Navigation And Flight System, (NAFS)

Honors project 2 was a redesign of the XR1’s Navigation And Flight System, (NAFS), updated for the XR2. The second generation has major design changes and improvements from the last. The XR1 used a single onboard computer with limited I/O and processing capabilities. It only had access to data from onboard sensors, and was limited in its landing precision. The student designed and built a new system, which had the ability to triangulate its location from radio beacons placed on the ground. It also used a custom machine learning algorithm to fine tune feedback loops, and better control the craft in turbulent flight, and reduce the magnitude of lateral processions.

Aerospike Propulsion Research and Presentation

The student explored the use of aerospike rocket engine technology as a viable propulsion method for orbital flight. The student detailed the workings of the current technology, and differing designs and fuels were considered/ Advantages and disadvantages of aerospike propulsion was discussed, as compared to traditional rocket propulsion technology. Research was presented to faculty and fellow students in the Aerospace Engineering Master Scholars program, at the University of South Carolina, where the student was in attendance on full scholarship.

Programming and Computer Engineering

Image Classifier

The student used PyTorch, a python artificial intelligence API, to create a convolutional neural network, and classify 12,000 images. The program also provided statistics on how well the image classification algorithm performed, including improvements over previous versions/training runs. After the 12,000 images, the program was able to classify an image with 82% accuracy.

Personal Standard Library

The student created a Python library to house all commonly used scripts and tools. The library makes other code more simple and makes all tools easily accessible through one package. This library will save time, and reduce repetitive code, thus allowing for efficient coding practices. The student compiled the useful scripts made throughout the course and implemented them in the module, defining a total of 20 nodes, to encode text, check if a process is running, and much more.

Encryption Algorithm

The student designed and coded an encryption algorithm, with the security-related goal of making the text unreadable to humans. The algorithm does this by opening a file, procedurally converting all characters to hexadecimals, and setting it in a format that makes the process reversible with the correct key.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation for Aerospace Engineering

An aerospace engineering simulation for testing liquid and hybrid rocket engines. The simulation was written from scratch in Python, and accurately implements the Navier Stokes Equations to solve fluid dynamics problems. It can properly combust fuels and oxidizers to simulate internal combustion in an engine. Using a modified version of blender, an engineer can import CAD files as rigid bodies and run a simulation to see stresses on parts, pressure within the engine, temperature at various points, and combustion efficiency.

Python 3D Rendering Software

A 3D Graphics engine, with support for pixel shaders and animations. Built in Python, with a package from OpenGL, it has the capability to produce high resolution renders of 3D models, in STL format. Camera location and settings are changed with a simple UI.

Mixed Reality for Driver Safety

Under direction of Dr. Mathew Browning from Clemson University, the student researched and proposed a Mixed Reality solution for blind spots and visibility problems in motor vehicles. He wrote an analysis paper on current technologies, and looked at the viability of such technologies in motor vehicles. In a presentation, he discussed the findings of the paper and presented possible solutions.

Mathematics

Simple Algebra Calculator

The student coded an Algebra Calculator, that takes an algebraic equation as an input, and gives the answer, as well as the simplified form of the equation. It can take multivariable equations, exponentials, imaginary values, and solve all of them for a given variable. This was a program made from scratch in Python, and used the cumulative algebraic knowledge from Algebra 1 and 2.

Elliptic Curve Hash Function

The student created a cryptographic hash function that utilizes elliptic curves to encode data. The student wrote a paper about the details of this type of function, as well as the deep mathematics behind why it may or may not be a reversible function.

Biology

Automatic Pedigree Creation and Analysis API

The Automatic Pedigree Creation and Analysis API is an Application Programming Interface (API) for creating and training biological pedigree models in Python. The program has nodes for completing simple tasks, such as calculating a Punnett square, iterating through generations in a pedigree, and calculating chances of genetic mutations. The Automatic Pedigree Creation and Analysis API also can be used to model whole ecosystems, and monitor birth and death rates, health of the population, and other aspects that can be added to the API. The goal of the project was to design a program that would model a pedigree for animals over large spans of time and give instant feedback about the population. This API can also save a trained pedigree model into a compact package, which makes model redistribution and team collaboration simple and efficient. Each pedigree has a set of initial parameters that are adjustable to simulate custom animals, breeding methods, and genetic mutations in the pedigree.

The API will forecast future generations and could help prevent overpopulation, diseases, and possibly prevent the extinction of a species. The API was conceived, designed, and coded by the student. During development of this cross-curricular program, the student consulted biology mentors as well as software engineers/programmers working in the industry (e.g., General Electric Co., Leidos).