What: Contributing to ongoing research on offshore wind turbines and boundary layer behavior
over waveforms.
Why:
To gain hands-on experience with iterative mechanical design and fabrication, deepen my understanding
of fluid dynamics and boundary layers, and strengthen technical skills while collaborating in a small research
team environment.
How: My primary project involves developing and testing a scalable Arduino-based
control system for a 30-stepper motor array that generates waveforms for wind tunnel experiments. This required
learning Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in C++ to build a flexible control structure.
To complement this, I created a custom MATLAB UI that enables real-time user control over wave
parameters
and
individual motor positions. This involved integrating serial communication between MATLAB and the Arduino
environment.
In parallel, I assist with resolving mechanical issues in the stepper motor setup through iterative
design. I
use SolidWorks to model components and a Prusa 3D printer to fabricate replacement parts and improvements.
Results I've strengthened my skills in C++, MATLAB, and Arduino development, while gaining deeper
insight into the mechanical design process. Collaborating with other researchers in wind tunnel testing has also
enhanced my practical understanding of fluid dynamics. I'm excited to continue learning and contributing to the
project as it progresses.