Daniel Nelson

Working in a group of just two students, we designed and fabricated a prototype 2-axis hydraulic flight simulator and wrote a 31 page research paper on the process. This involved deriving the inverse kinematics for three-dimensional movement, translating those equations into python code, creating circuitry and a custom PCB to communicate to a Raspberry Pi and solenoids, writing code to communicate with the flight simulator via UDP packets, creating various CAD designs, CNC Milling/Lathing aluminum parts, and assembling everything together with stand-in pneumatic components.

As President, I was the lead engineer in designing, manufacturing, and assembling an electric as well as a gas go kart. My team of ~10 students and I were able to finish production of the gas go kart by the end of the 2023-24 school year. We designed the frame, components, power, and aerodynamics and assembled it all together. I was personally most involved in developing the fuel system and power transfer systems, although I oversaw the whole project. Through this we learned about real world applications of engineering in the automotive industry. I also presented lessons to our ~40 other members on how cars work and will work to underclassmen. Including dives into hydrogen combustion and alternative energy.

Over the summer before entering University, I took on my own personal coding project in Python, JavaScript, CSS, and HTMl in which I developed a website depicting an intuitive visualizer for Fourier and Laplace Transforms. This involved first learning about these two as I had never worked with either before, then I learned about website design via CSS and HTML, and finally put it all together with logic in Python and JavaScript. I have not published this website yet as I am still working on it, but I intend to publish it once I polish up the UI. Future expansions that I am currently working on include elements from MATLAB in order to simulate the Laplace transform in 3D.

In this project, I designed, built, and painted an electric guitar from rough wood. This involved soldering electrical components, extensive workworking and finishing, CAD to design the laser engravings, and painting my own drawings on the face of the guitar. The guitar works perfectly and is sitting in my room to this day.

Using an Arduino UNO R3 Board and various sensors, I created an autonomous vehicle that was able to traverse through a maze, pick up a ball, and bring it back to the start of the maze. This involved laser cutting wood, CAD design, code in C++, and assembly of electrical components.

• Assisted customers in product selection, enhancing overall shopping experience.
• Reached over 1M+ users through online video creation
• Creatively intertwined informational and entertaining content that resonated with many.
• Grew to over 4,000 followers.

Working with a team of 5 people, we designed, built, and tested a 1/8 scale car with an electric motor in order to study gearboxes and the effectiveness of different types of gears including helical gears, bevel gears, and spur gears.

• Taught computer science to 30+ children from underprivileged backgrounds through online classes.
• Created weekly lesson plans and engaged with the students to cultivate a deep understanding of the material.

• Learned and maintained proficiency in first responder skills such as First Aid and CPR.
• Responded to over 30 emergencies in the facility including 6 that would have been fatal without intervention.
• Worked to ensure the safety of the indoor pool as well as the surrounding recreational center.