top of page

SHADE

Projects and Experience

My Experience

Through my years at Cal Poly I have had time for many class, club, and personal projects. These have given me experience in everything from Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling and Arduino programming to complex unmanned aircraft system design and club safety management. 

Arduino RF Tank 

  • Worked in a team of 4 to design and build an Arduino controlled tank

  • Utilized RF-22 shields with Arduino interfaces for RF transmission and remote vehicle control

  • Programed key based encryption for transmitted data and developed hacker module to test security

  • Detailed code development and explained avenues for expansion in 10-page technical report

Hypersonic Inlet CFD

  • Simulated a NASA designed hypersonic inlet in STAR CCM+ to compare turbulence model accuracy

  • Approximated flight conditions at 95,000 feet at Mach 5 to deliver realistic flow interactions

  • Performed structured meshing on a 2D inlet design to produce a high-quality mesh

  • Executed mesh convergence studies to assure more accurate results

  • Compared inviscid, turbulent Spalart Allmaras, and turbulent K-Omega SST methods to NASA generated CFD and wind tunnel data to assess flow physics model applicability

  • Verified which models perform effectively in a hypersonic environment for future projects

  • Enhanced technical writing skills by completing a 10-page technical report

3D Printed Automotive Assembly Pin – Personal Project

  • Designed, modeled, and 3D printed a housing attachment pin for the engine fan in my car

  • Assessed manufacturer pin design and developed a simplified and more reliable design

  • Utilized SolidWorks for model and stl file generation

  • Printed designs using LulzBot TAZ 6 printer

Student Safety Officer – Cal Poly Space Systems

  • Oversaw student safety in a 40+ member club dealing with toxic, flammable, and explosive materials

  • Assured safe operations through development and implementation of Environmental Health and Safety approved Procedures, Task Lists, and Risk Assessments

  • Managed club safety documentation, wrote procedures and risk assessments, worked with EHS to approve new materials and processes

  • Utilized industry inspired safety procedures to approve operations involving black powder, composite layups, hydrostatic tank testing, and M and N class rocket motor live fire testing

Feasibility Study: Mobile Automotive Scanivalve

  • Worked in a team of 3 to test the viability of using a Scanivalve in a car for future big data experiments

  • Identified key factors involved in automotive integration and performed wind tunnel tests to investigate effects on the Scanivalve equipment

  • Verified assumptions regarding pressure tubing lengths, control manifold leakage, and vibrational influence

  • Cataloged research results in an 8-page paper to assist future big data research at Cal Poly

NACA 4412 Aerodynamic Analysis

  • Researched the pressure distribution across an infinite span NACA 4412 airfoil in a team of 4

  • Designed testing procedures to assess pressure at 16 angles of attack at 2 Reynolds numbers

  • Performed pre-and-post stall analysis to catalog flow conditions in attached and detached conditions

  • Utilized pressure rake for advanced wake analysis and drag estimation

  • Verified the testing process and equipment by comparing Matlab generated plots of acquired data to calculated predictions from the XFOIL software

  • Improved technical writing skills through assistance with 19-page technical report

Rocket Competition Group Lead – Cal Poly Space Systems

  • Led a group of 8 new members in a certification rocket manufacturing competition

  • Trained members in composite layups, rocket design and manufacture, and proper shop procedure

  • Coordinated member activities to meet the completed build deadline in 2 weeks

  • Performed a successful flight and recovery of rocket and payload

Infinity Wing Vertical Takeoff RC Plane Concept – Personal Project

  • Worked in a team of 3 to build a gyro stabilized vertical takeoff RC plane in one month

  • Organized weekly meetings to coordinate planning and work allocation

  • Displayed aircraft at Cal Poly Project Expo alongside club and senior projects

Personal Certification Rocket – Personal Project

  • Designed and built a level 1 high power rocket for certification by Tripoli Rocketry Association

  • Gained extensive carbon fiber layup experience by assisting other club members with their builds

  • Performed a successful flight and recovery to receive certification

Shade

SHADE Program – Senior Design Project  

  • Collaborated in a team of 5 to conceptually design an arctic surveillance unmanned aircraft system

  • Created requirements to assess user needs based on research into changing arctic environments

  • Developed conceptual UAS support architecture to assure 24/7 coverage of high risk areas

  • Integrated team developed sizing processes with proven methods to accurately define the aircraft

  • Applied systems engineering principles by utilizing a developed SOW, WBS, and RBS

  • Assured clean and professional presentations of project details as graphic design lead

  • Refined writing skills by assisting in 4 technical papers and the 48-page final design report

  • Enhanced PowerPoint production and presentation skills with industry design reviews at Edwards AFB, General Atomics, AeroVironment, and Lockheed Martin Skunkworks

  • Awarded Dan Rihn Excellence in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Design Award by a panel of industry professionals at the 24th Annual Industry Design Symposium

  • Dedicated over 500 hours to the project over three 10 week quarters

© 2017 by Loren Edwards. All rights reserved.

  • handshake
  • LinkedIn Social Icon
bottom of page