maggiewu@mit.edu

Portfolio “Persistence, Perfection, Problem-Solving”

Shang-Yun (Maggie) Wu Electrical Engineering & Computer Science / Mechanical Engineering

Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Computer Science/Programming

Mechanical Engineering/Electrical

Engineering

Mathematical Modelling/Analysis

Engineering

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Table of Content

Computer Aided Design (CAD): Page 3 - Page 5

Computer Science/Programming: Page 6

Mechanical Engineering &

Electrical Engineering: Page 7

Mathematical Modelling/Analysis: Page 8 - Page 9

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CAD - Koch Institute Biomedical Device Undergrad Research

Overview:

This research project integrates concepts from engineering, materials science and biology. Currently, the

Langer lab is working on the design of novel scaffolds for tracheal replacement.

Problem:

The current design uses cell culture flask as the bioreactor and seals it with a plug on the side as indicated

in Figure 1. The problem associated with that is leakage, which causes the cell medium to be within the

tracheal replacement during cell coating.

Figure 1: Current Bioreactor Design

Aim:

The goal of this lab is to design a 3D bioreactor (container) via 3D CAD and knowledge of basic fluid

mechanics that allows sufficient air flow for cell culturing on an internal organ replacement. In addition, I

would learn to culture cells and plant them on the tracheal replacement in order to be placed inside and

help patients with respiratory disease.

Design:

The designs shown in Figure 2 fulfill the basic need of the bioreactor. The bioreactor side cap will seal the

two openings on the bioreactor, while the lid and top cap respectively would cap the bioreactor, thus

keeping the bioreactor sterile.

Figure 2: Bioreactor Design CAD

Major Takeaway:

This project involves integrates both medical and engineering, allowing me to understand the biomedical

field a lot better than I used to. I learned to modify existing product into a better one with the biological

constraints. This project helps build on my current problem-solving skills.

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CAD - Next Big Thing: Construction of 12-feet Seesaw

Overview:

This student-run dorm event happens every year during Campus Preview Weekend (an event to welcome

incoming freshmen). As part of the design team this year, we analyzed and designed a 12-feet seesaw

that was built in 9 days over the spring break. The process includes CAD, stress analysis, machining and

construction. The seesaw was capable of supporting two freshmen, one of each side, and had an

oscillation as big as 4 feet in amplitude.

Aim:

The aim for Next Big Thing is to design a structure that would show the strong student culture of my

dorm. In addition, the powering is limit to man power, thus many mechanical forces have to be

accounted for in the process to successfully build the structure. In the past years, alumni have designed

zip line, slide and swing. This year, we aimed to continue the spirit by building something that can hold

more than one person, leading us to this seesaw design.

Design:

Figure 3: Next Big Thing Final CAD File

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Build:

Figure 4: Build Progress

Major Takeaway:

This project is by far one of the biggest projects I’ve done. Not only does it require detailed calculations,

from simple gravity to torque and spring force. In addition, safety is one of the major concerns, which the

structure has to endure more than 2-3 times the weight it will likely have to support in order to ensure

safety. One of my biggest takeaways for this project is CAD and its physical construction, including time

management and allocation of work. It is no longer about simply compiling things, but a matter of

reasonable sequence that makes this entire thing operate and function as expected.

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Computer Science - 3D Camera Media Lab Undergrad Research

Overview:

I was involved in a 3D camera project in the Media Lab as an undergraduate research student in fall 2015.

We worked to enhance the quality of 3D camera in terms of both breadth and depth through the use of

3D printer, MATLAB and computational design. In doing so, we learn about mapping pixels to pixels per

image, and applying such linear matrix to 3D images, aiming to produce the best 3D camera.

Problem:

The current 3D camera can depict the general shape of the object, but is unable to capture the details.

Thus, Media Lab camera culture group is aiming to produce the top resolution 3D camera that can

capture both the shape and the depth of any object.

Progress:

Figure 5: Image Slider with Web Programming (Can Slide Left and Right to Compare Images)

Major Takeaway:

In Media Lab, most of the problems occurred are unprecedented. Unlike what I learned in previous labs,

many solutions and breakthroughs in Media Lab require many trial and errors, as opposed to following

pre-written protocol. Thus, I built on my ability to search for a solution with minimum given information,

which is what I believe one of the most important skills in engineering, especially new discoveries and

technologies.

Slide Left

Slide Right

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Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering – Speaker Project

Overview:

This is my freshman seminar in class project – to build a speaker. We are first taught about how speakers

are made based on fundamental physics law regarding solenoid, and then we are trained in various

workshops for 3D printing and laser cutting. As a final project, we are asked to design our own speaker.

Aim:

For this particular speaker project, I aim to make it portable with decent quality, and potentially as a small

storage box. After the group speaker that a group of us made in class, I decided to enhance the sound

quality by adding a tweeter but not a woofer. The decision is made upon the frequency I wish to improve,

which is more on the high end. In addition to the design, I aim to build the actual speaker.

Progress:

The speaker starts with detailed CAD parts along with some simple circuit designs. In order to find the

most suited ports, I made several calculations including air flow and frequency response. Finally,

amplifiers are connected to the main drive through soldering.

Figure 6: Completed Speaker

Major Takeaway:

Not only did I learn to make a speaker of my own, including the mechanics and electrical engineering

behind, I learned about maximizing outcome based on several fix inputs and constraints. While this is a

small engineering project, the big idea is to optimize results based on certain input factors, which is the

essence of engineering.

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Mathematical Modelling/Analysis – VEX Robotics Competition

Overview:

VEX Robotics Competition is a robotics game competition that asks teams to build robots using pre-

designed metal pieces and sensors. Each year, games are released in April and teams are given half a year

to build a robot that is capable of scoring the highest points during the competition.

Role:

I was the only analyst and strategist in the 6-people team. With detailed mathematical calculations, I

optimized the scoring efficiency and coordinated with the designer in featuring the robot that is both

agile and robust. We earned Formosa Championship for two years and won the Judge’s Award at the

World Championship.

Major Takeaway:

For the most part, mathematical modelling is ideal but captures the essence of the competition. With the

result of the analysis, we are able to build a capable robot with features that will maximize our scoring

during the competition. When modelling is coupled with real-time scouting and data analysis, we are able

to analyze each team’s strengths and weaknesses, ultimately leading us to Championship.

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Mathematical Modelling/Analysis – FIRST Robotics (FRC)

Overview:

FIRST Robotics is a large scale robotics competition that requires teams to build a robot, from game

release to robot completion, in 6-week time in January and February. In March of the same year, each

team will compete in nearby regional competitions, where the Championship of regionals may progress

to the Championship held in April.

Role:

With my experience in VEX robotics, I led the data analysis and strategy team within our 4253 FRC

robotics team, which aimed to maximize scoring efficiency by determining the robot parts/features that

best suit the competition. In addition, we analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of each robot during

competition and provided strategies to our driving team. We won the Australia Regional Championship

and made it to quarter finals at FRC World Championship in 2015.

Major Takeaway:

During this leadership role, I learned not only to use what I am familiar with, but to teach and share it

with people in my team. As a team leader, it was not simply about me crunching the numbers, but to

ensure that my team understood my work and was about to share my load. As a result, they may take

away what I taught them and further use it in future robotics competition after I graduated high school.