Mechanical / DAQ / 2024-2025

Wave Energy Converter

Led a team prototype for a self-reacting point absorber wave-energy converter, using SolidWorks, 3D printing, Arduino DAQ, MATLAB analysis, and pool testing.

Self-reacting point absorber prototype with SolidWorks design, 3D printing, Arduino DAQ, MATLAB analysis, and pool testing.

Role
Research team lead
Status
Validated
Tools
SolidWorks3D printingArduino DAQMATLABTest plans
Wave energy converter prototype during pool testing
Pool-side test setup for the wave-energy converter prototype.

Problem

Design, fabricate, and test a small wave-energy harvesting prototype where performance could be measured rather than judged visually.

What I built

  • Led a four-person team through concept selection, SolidWorks design, fabrication, testing, and iteration.
  • Modeled and revised mechanical components in SolidWorks, using 3D printing for fast prototype cycles.
  • Built an Arduino-based DAQ workflow to capture force and displacement data for MATLAB analysis.

Engineering decisions

  • Used measured output as the basis for design changes instead of relying only on visual inspection.
  • Kept the prototype modular so components could be modified between test runs.
  • Connected mechanical iteration with data collection so each change could be evaluated.

Result

  • Improved measured prototype performance by 15% through mechanical iteration.
  • Finished the project with CAD work, prototype validation, DAQ, MATLAB analysis, and technical documentation.

Media

Front view of the finalized wave energy converter mechanism
Final mechanism view showing the stator, rotor, crank, and support structure used for testing.
Early stator/rotor prototype showing the crank mechanism in motion.