Applying engineering coursework to facilitate Clean Technology research and development as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds.
Over the last two years, working at the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds has likely been the most formative experience of my time as an undergraduate. Although regrettably, I was unable to work at the testbeds for my final quarter due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the WCET and it's people have provided me with opportunities to reinforce engineering knowledge by applying what I had learned to engineering projects, guidance both in study and my career path, and connection with mentors who's insight has helped guide pivotal choices over the past two years.
As a Research Assistant, I supported lab operations through instrumentation maintenance and upkeep, assisted the scientific staff members in running experiments and studies, while developing laboratory capabilities through individual/team engineering projects. During my first year, I helped to design modifications to a 3D printer to enable high-accuracy fluid deposition for applications ranging from printed circuits to depositing 2 part resins for the assembly of synthetic body parts. Starting at the end of my first year and into the second, I designed and built optical housing for Electroluminescence and Thermography imaging of silicon solar modules and concurrently developed an image processing pipeline to analyze collected data.
Most importantly, I'm grateful for the opportunity to intimately interact with the solar cells that have fascinated me. Working with Phil Cox, Senior Staff Scientist, I learned how to characterize solar cell efficiency, assemble interconnected series of individual solar cells to form lab-scale modules, and use industrial encapsulation techniques to fabricate environmentally durable modules. These fascinating experiences helped affirm my interest in pursuing a career in photovoltaics engineering, while building connections within the Testbeds have connected me to other organizations to start my career.
The Washington Clean Energy Testbeds exist to help facilitate early stage research and to help bring clean technologies to market. They work with research groups from around the country and companies around the world, providing expertise and access to experimentation and testing that would have otherwise been inaccessible to startups and research groups due to prohibitively high costs. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to support this mission.
To learn more about the type of research and technologies developed at the Testbeds, check out their website: www.wcet.washington.edu
Previous Updates
10/27/18
After working in the administrative offices of the Collaboration Core (includes Clean Energy Institute) over the past year, I applied for an Undergraduate Research assistant position at the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds, and after interviewing was accepted in early October. The scope of my duties include assisting the staff scientists in laboratory projects testing and developing energy technology and systems to instrumentation maintenance and laboratory upkeep. After holding the position for two weeks, I am extremely excited to be a part of an organization who's mission so closely aligns with my career goals and passions.
12/18/2017
I knew that I wanted, and probably needed to, get a job right off the bat sophomore year. I figured that it was definitely time to get my foot in the door in the department on Campus I wanted to get involved in, the Clean Energy Institute, so I thought it couldn't hurt to just go ahead and ask if they needed student help. I emailed the Director of the Clean Energy Institute directly, and then was referred to the Assistant Director of Operations, who after meeting with and some discussion, offered me a job as the Special Projects Assistant! I started at the position in October of 2017 and am keeping on the position for Winter Quarter.
As a Research Assistant, I supported lab operations through instrumentation maintenance and upkeep, assisted the scientific staff members in running experiments and studies, while developing laboratory capabilities through individual/team engineering projects. During my first year, I helped to design modifications to a 3D printer to enable high-accuracy fluid deposition for applications ranging from printed circuits to depositing 2 part resins for the assembly of synthetic body parts. Starting at the end of my first year and into the second, I designed and built optical housing for Electroluminescence and Thermography imaging of silicon solar modules and concurrently developed an image processing pipeline to analyze collected data.
Most importantly, I'm grateful for the opportunity to intimately interact with the solar cells that have fascinated me. Working with Phil Cox, Senior Staff Scientist, I learned how to characterize solar cell efficiency, assemble interconnected series of individual solar cells to form lab-scale modules, and use industrial encapsulation techniques to fabricate environmentally durable modules. These fascinating experiences helped affirm my interest in pursuing a career in photovoltaics engineering, while building connections within the Testbeds have connected me to other organizations to start my career.
The Washington Clean Energy Testbeds exist to help facilitate early stage research and to help bring clean technologies to market. They work with research groups from around the country and companies around the world, providing expertise and access to experimentation and testing that would have otherwise been inaccessible to startups and research groups due to prohibitively high costs. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to support this mission.
To learn more about the type of research and technologies developed at the Testbeds, check out their website: www.wcet.washington.edu
Previous Updates
10/27/18
After working in the administrative offices of the Collaboration Core (includes Clean Energy Institute) over the past year, I applied for an Undergraduate Research assistant position at the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds, and after interviewing was accepted in early October. The scope of my duties include assisting the staff scientists in laboratory projects testing and developing energy technology and systems to instrumentation maintenance and laboratory upkeep. After holding the position for two weeks, I am extremely excited to be a part of an organization who's mission so closely aligns with my career goals and passions.
12/18/2017
I knew that I wanted, and probably needed to, get a job right off the bat sophomore year. I figured that it was definitely time to get my foot in the door in the department on Campus I wanted to get involved in, the Clean Energy Institute, so I thought it couldn't hurt to just go ahead and ask if they needed student help. I emailed the Director of the Clean Energy Institute directly, and then was referred to the Assistant Director of Operations, who after meeting with and some discussion, offered me a job as the Special Projects Assistant! I started at the position in October of 2017 and am keeping on the position for Winter Quarter.