| Work |
I am a graduate researcher working for Dr. Kris Pister's and Dr. Carlos Fernandez-Pello. My work consists of increasing the efficiency of a milli-to-micro sized solid propellant thruster. The motivations to develop such a device range from transportation of very small devices to nano-satellite attitude control. Many researchers have attempted the development of such a device with limited success for efficiencies of around 10% have been acheived. By taking a multi-disciplinary approach to the design, a more efficient thruster is being developed. Currently, a prototype with an improved chamber geometry, a new propellant formulation, and optimized materials is being tested. Previous work: http://www.me.berkeley.edu/mrcl/rockets.html |
| Moorea |
| This project consists of optimizing a single-family home in Moorea, an island 19 km west of Tahiti. Many cyclones have come through the area in the last couple of decades and left a need for immediate housing. The government responded by supplying an imported "kit" house, which has now become the permanent residence for 6000 families. The design used, intended for a French climate, is not suitable for the tropics, however. Our task is to find ways to mitigate the suffocating temperatures that the built houses suffer from and to help design a new prototype suited specifically to the area and the Polynesian culture. |
| Organizations |
| This past year I became involved with the Graduate Social Club (GSC) at UC Berkeley and the Latino(a) Association of Graduate Students in Engineering and Science (LAGSES). |
| CV |
Last updated May 14, 2006 7:33 AM