Engineering Projects
Subsonic Wing Sweep Angle Optimization
Designed and built a custom wind tunnel from scratch to experimentally determine the optimal wing sweep angle for maximizing lift-to-drag ratio — corroborating variable-sweep logic used in the F-14 Tomcat.
- Designed 7 NACA 0015 airfoils (0°–60° sweep) in Fusion 360, 3D printed to 0.2mm accuracy on Bambu X1 Carbon
- Engineered 2 wind tunnel iterations with laminar flow straw filter, pulley-based drag measurement, and rail-mounted force isolation cart
- Drag decreases significantly past 30° sweep; lift follows a cos² relationship — supporting variable-sweep aircraft design
- Proposed CFD simulation as validated next step to eliminate experimental uncertainty
Apple Pencil Retention Device — E-Waste Reduction
Identified a real problem in a school IT department and delivered a full engineering design cycle — from user interviews through 4+ prototype iterations to a validated, client-approved product.
- Interviewed school IT director who reported 8 lost/damaged peripherals per year (~€120 each); defined 16-point design specification covering child safety, ergonomics, and material toxicity
- Designed 6 competing concepts in Fusion 360 and selected optimal design through scoring and client feedback
- Prototyped in cardboard then PLA — passed 10N magnetic pull test and survived 20 drops from 1.5m
- Final product: €0.86 in filament, 26.72g, non-toxic PLA, no sharp edges, no choking hazards
RC Fixed-Wing Aircraft Build — Eclipson G1 Wolf
End-to-end build of a 3D-printed fixed-wing RC aircraft. Printed all structural components on a Bambu X1 Carbon, integrated a full avionics stack (brushless motor, ESC, servos, FlySky receiver, LiPo), and ran full systems checks prior to flight. Performed FEA on structural brackets and sourced a carbon-fiber Aeronaut CAM prop.
100cc Go-Kart Engine — Full Disassembly & Rebuild
Fully disassembled and rebuilt a 100cc single-cylinder go-kart engine. Removed cylinder head, inspected piston, rings, and bearings, cleaned all components, and reassembled to running condition. Developed hands-on understanding of combustion engine internals, tolerances, and mechanical assembly sequencing.
SpaceX Raptor Engine — 3D Printed Scale Model
Sourced and printed a detailed multi-part scale model of the SpaceX Raptor engine. Multi-material print in black and white PLA capturing turbopumps, plumbing, and bell geometry. Driven by interest in full-flow staged combustion propulsion.
Lego RC Car — Avionics Prototyping Platform
Built a functional RC car from a Lego Technic chassis to prototype and validate the aircraft avionics stack before installation — ESC, 2200mAh LiPo, steering servo, and FlySky FS-iA10B receiver, fully working under radio control.
Solid Rocket Propellant — Sugar Fuel Synthesis & Ignition Test
Researched and synthesized a solid rocket propellant (potassium nitrate / sugar caramel mixture). Fabricated a simple nozzle casing and conducted a controlled ignition test. Built hands-on understanding of oxidizer-fuel ratios, burn characteristics, and energetic material handling. Video documentation of ignition available on request.