Ailsa Watt

Mechanical Engineering Student

PORTFOLIO

A Little

About Me

Table of Contents

An analysis and ​presentation of my ​accomplishments from ​the last couple of years.

Contact me at:

arwatt@uci.edu

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailsa-watt/

Vehicle Engineering Intern - Northrop ​Grumman

At Northrop Grumman, my project was to design and test ​materials to prove hygrothermal degradation. To start, I ​began with developing and understanding Fickian models ​of diffusion, with which demonstrated diffusivity increase ​and shortened fatigue life. Then, I helped design the ​experiment in which we would test 360+ specimen by ​moisture conditioning them, then subjecting them to shear ​and tensile stress. I also conducted microscopy ​examination of conditioned specimen and developed an ​understanding of microcracks. The effect of this ​experiment is to alter company-wide testing procedures to ​account for hygrothermal cycling degradation.

Spacecraft Thermal Management ​Systems - UCI

The Spacecraft Thermal Management Systems (STMS) ​project presents a research endeavor led by students ​aimed at devising a Variable Emission Device (VED) tailored ​for satellite applications. In the vast expanse of outer ​space, spacecraft encounter substantial thermal ​fluctuations owing to the absence of Earth's atmospheric ​protection. The primary objective of this project is to ​address this challenge by developing a VED utilizing ​thermochromic materials. These materials enable the ​device to adjust its emissivity in response to environmental

conditions, thereby facilitating effective temperature ​regulation for spacecraft.

The goal of the High Heat Flux Team is to experiment

with the current set up using different cooling methods for ​faster, more efficient cooling. We use a cylindrical heating ​chamber with a copper rod inside, connected to ​thermocouples to measure the temperature. Inside the ​heating chamber, we use a metal heating cartridge and ​outside the chamber we use an impinging jet to ​respectively heat and cool the heating chamber.

You can view my End of Quarter Report here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QBfHC5kxAwvwAxVzcKj40j_FAyxUxE29

REACH Database - Ducommun

My project was to make the onboarding and training for ​the calculation of the Registration, Evaluation, ​Authorization and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) laws ​and requirements related to Ducommun part materials to ​be easier and more efficient. I started by calculating ​individual mass percentages of materials by hand and ​imputing into the REACH database.

I created an Excel sheet and Quick Start Guide to save time and money in REACH calculations. ​Saved Ducommun $16,000 in work time, and $250,000 in cost avoidance. I categorized and sorted ​complex parts, articles, substances, and raw materials and calculated mass percentage of elements ​and compounds within Ducommun parts.

Attack on Droid Anthill - UCI

For the class project in MAE 106, we were to design and build an autonomous robot ​that follows a path. At the end of the class, my team was the only one to consistently ​hit the target every time. We won first place.

Every person on the team was assigned a specific role. My ​role was the electrical components. I soldered and ​calibrated the magnetometer and the solenoid, as well as ​set up the pneumatic system that powered the robot.

SolidWorks Rollercoaster - UCI

For my final project in MAE 52, the SolidWorks class, I designed a rollercoaster. I drew out the wheels ​first with dimensioning and fit the coaster car to the wheels. I tested the static load of the average ​weight of a rollercoaster car and people in the seats, as well as a Von Mises stress distribution. Then I ​created a spline for the track and using a reference point I created mates to allow the car to follow ​the track.

You can view my MAE 52 project here: https://youtu.be/s38XtfuVQKw

My team and I did extensive research over the course of an entire quarter. We analyzed the ​technology readiness levels of certain materials needed to produce an effective power density able ​to fly a plane from Phoenix to LA (2 hour flight). While not possible at the moment, with effective ​testing and continuation of our research, we determined that SOFCs and PEMFCs would achieve ​carbon neutrality goals despite manufacturing carbon footprints.

You can view my proposal and video here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cAeGBYG3HUUAUAWwpeBCCODNyA9Fm4FOYakv1CfrM2Y/edit?​usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QHBxHPjjNBV-3gnTIj_R6VRNF7NCHBxV/view?usp=sharing

Potentially Hazardous Asteroids - UCI

We were given the creative freedom to choose what ​our project would be about from our interests. Team ​Inferno chose to analyze the magnitude and distance ​of potentially hazardous asteroids, a term NASA uses ​to describe asteroids that have potentially disastrous ​effects when too close to earth’s atmosphere.

In this project, while the focus was learning MATLAB functions, the research and effort put into the ​success of the project was more of a learning experience for engineering applications. We used a ​real-life problem to code a preemptive warning system to allow for more time to prepare for natural ​disasters from outside our atmosphere.

You can find my project here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HhnoldYU0gdm_oT5NRlUZpD67avT-INtDV9zvu9Bj6s/edit?usp=sharing

Solar Oven - UofA

I took a dual enrollment class in high school with the University of Arizona. With the problem of an ​unattainable price for necessary household appliances, we came up with the idea to utilize and ​test solar ovens with cheap materials to effectively cook a biscuit.

This was my first engineering challenge in which I had to research a ​problem, design a solution, build a prototype, and test it with ​quantitative data. Then I learned how to write a formal engineering final ​report as well as important budget documentation skills. I worked as a ​team with two other students to get the second highest temperature ​reached, and the only group to not burn the biscuit after two trials.

You can view my final report here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YwgqCUzaDRDkKlBHl4v5yLc-ATqWSnKyxA7j2o9IIUQ/edit?​usp=sharing

Stage Extension - UofA

At the end of my dual enrollment course at the University of Arizona, the students were tasked with ​finding a problem and using the engineering process to solve the problem. Our high school drama ​department was extremely underfunded, and couldn’t afford a stage extension for an actor in a ​wheelchair to fit on the stage. My team and I built a fully functioning stage extension that continues ​to hold over 1000 lbs.

In this project I learned fabrication skills using power saws and drills, as well as fundamental design ​concepts such as truss structures and the load-bearing capabilities of certain materials. After over ​four years, this stage extension continues to serve as a way for actors with accommodations to be ​able to perform.

You can view my final report here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13hk6dt_UuHhl7gdB__TPi5Ui7tNCD_HDZsMSWDvWdcw/edit?​usp=sharing

In Progress...

Ask me about...

• MISE CubeSat Cooray and UCI CubeSat Team
  
• My Personal Projects