The goal of this project was to create a camera positioning system that was controlled by a web interface. This setup allowed a user to view live video feed while pivoting a camera to view its surroundings. ROS Noetic was the framework used to communicate between each part of the system. I developed this project with the goal of using it as a subsystem for my future robots.

The goal of this project was to create a convenient way to safely power on, power off, and restart the Raspberry Pi with a physical button. The button had an RGB LED to show the current state of the operating system to the user. This is important information in Raspberry Pi projects without a display (headless). The gifs below are demonstrations of powering on (left), shutting down (middle), and restarting (right) the operating system. 

NASA is funding the development of space instruments that will study abrasive lunar dust to improve future designs that protect astronauts and mechanical systems in these extreme conditions. The One-Time Deployable Dust Cover (OTDLDC) is a working prototype designed to protect delicate space instruments from the harsh environments of rocket launch, space, and the lunar surface. This product is designed to mount onto an Astrobotic Peregrine lander and actuate once with 100% reliability seven days after landing on the Moon. 

To validate the design, environmental tests were conducted: vibration, thermal-vacuum, and dust contamination. The profiles for the tests followed the Astrobotic Payload User Guide requirements. During the thermal-vacuum test, the product experienced a temperature range of 22°C to 65°C under a pressure of 2.4x10-4 Torr. During the vibration test, the product experienced approximately 14 times the force of gravity on Earth for 120 seconds in three orthogonal directions. During the Dust Contamination test, the design was placed in a chamber and bombarded with dust simulant to approximate the conditions when the lander descends on the moon. Some dust was observed in the cover after this test. Nothing was damaged nor broken during each test. The pin puller did not accidentally actuate during any of the tests. 

The team successfully designed, built, and tested a one-time actuating dust cover prototype for the WEX Foundation. The design was validated because almost all the performance specifications were met. The team will provide suggested design improvements to the sponsor. The team estimates the NASA Technology Readiness Level is 4.

I designed and assembled two CO2 sensors using an Arduino. My colleagues and I taught several middle school students in the LCATS program how to assemble and use our sensors in preparation for a field trip to the Robber Barren Cave in San Antonio, Texas. A complete assembly of one of the sensors is featured at the 2:03 minute mark in this video. I am also shown at the 3:15 minute mark with the students in the cave. 

A complete assembly of one of the sensors is featured at the 2:03 minute mark in the video below. 

I am also shown at the 3:15 minute mark with the students in the cave. 

TrashCanBot is an Arduino based mobile robot that follows a designated path using eight infrared sensors and an ultrasonic sensor. We created a small trash bin out of paper to sit on top of the robot so students can discard their trash as it passes by. At the end of the project, we presented our results at a student conference.

My team was tasked to design and build a vehicle that can displace a water bottle without human intervention. We challenged ourselves with the task to create our vehicle using light and cheap materials in lieu of expensive equipment. We built our vehicle out of Styrofoam, Lego pieces, a plastic milk container, glue, and zip ties among other things. Our project successfully completed its mission and taught us to value our creative thinking.