Within Georgia Tech, the HARRiS (Highly Advanced Roll-to-Roll iManufacturing Systems) Lab focuses on studying and developing scalable methods for producing polymer thin films, emphasizing fluid behavior and manufacturing processes for applications such as fuel cells and flexible electronics. While my mentor and I officially work under this lab, we have partnered with the Sankar Nair Research Lab, which specializes in renewable resources, particularly zeolite membranes. These membranes come in various shapes and sizes, but their primary purpose is to be used in industrial settings like waste management plants and factories to purify renewable gas mixtures. The collaboration between the two labs combines broader industrial applications with chemical engineering to better understand the materials we aim to manufacture.

The materials used in both labs vary depending on the research focus, but for my mentor and me, the work is divided between design and simulation software such as SolidWorks and OpenFoam and hands-on work with our fiber coating system. The software allows us to test hypothetical improvements and run simulations that would be difficult to perform in real life due to resource limitations. The fiber coating system, which was originally designed by my mentor, is the first of its kind, and together we are working to improve its accuracy, automation, and efficiency.

The image above shows the engineering design process I am using to develop my design. I began by identifying the problem as described earlier and then determined what the customer expects from the system, which in this case means what my lab needs for the work to be useful. Next, I outlined specific requirements and functions the system must perform to meet those needs. After that, I created a morph chart to generate design ideas for each function and combined these ideas into cohesive designs. These designs are evaluated using an evaluation matrix to determine how well they meet the criteria. I am currently in the stage of analyzing and refining my designs based on this evaluation. The next steps will involve creating a digital prototype followed by physical testing and implementation into the existing system.

At this stage, I have completed the overall design concept for the automated fiber coating system. Initial sketches of subcomponents such as the sorting tubes and alignment box have been developed; however, these designs require further refinement to ensure they are practical and fit within the available space. To address this, the next step is to create detailed models in SolidWorks, which will provide accurate spatial measurements and help avoid overengineering. This approach will allow for realistic adjustments and ensure that the final design meets both functional requirements and the expectations of my mentor and principal investigator. Once the digital models are finalized, the following phase will involve prototyping and testing to validate performance.

Through this project, I have developed a range of technical and analytical skills. I have gained experience in applying the engineering design process, including problem identification, requirement analysis, concept generation, and evaluation using tools such as morph charts and evaluation matrices. I have strengthened my ability to create and refine design concepts through iterative sketching like seen above. Additionally, I have learned how to balance innovation with practicality by incorporating feedback from experienced mentors to avoid overengineering. This work has also enhanced my understanding of automation systems, precision design for fragile materials, and the integration of mechanical components for industrial applications. Beyond technical skills, I have improved my problem-solving, communication, and collaboration abilities by working across two research labs with different areas of expertise.

The most important thing I’ve learned from my internship is that communication and advocating for yourself are key to producing quality work. As an intern, it’s crucial to stay engaged, ask questions, and have conversations. If you don’t understand something, use the opportunities you have to figure out why instead of wasting time trying to solve everything alone, which often leads to redundant work in engineering. Advocating for yourself is just as important as listening. If you don’t communicate your responsibilities, priorities, and values, no one will know because everyone is focused on their own work.

The engineers I work with at Georgia Tech have a very logical mindset. Every idea or design choice is evaluated based on whether it is possible and how it can be achieved, not on how exciting it sounds. If your reasoning is simply “because I think it will work,” it holds no value in engineering because there is no qualitative or quantitative evidence to support it. Some might see this mindset as limiting creativity, but I view it as an opportunity to strengthen critical thinking skills. A design can be as creative as you want as long as it meets all the customer requirements and is backed by solid reasoning.

One thing that surprised me is that the researchers in the Nair and Harris Labs work absolutely insane hours. They all work about 45-70 hours per week to meet the standards expected of them as graduate students. Undergrads have more leniency since they are there for a limited time, but there are still high levels of commitment expected from them. Despite that, I think this varies greatly depending on what lab and lifestyle you prefer. Some labs work strictly 9-5’s while others work from 12pm-11pm. Additionally, there's options to work virtually or in the lab which is a perk of the research being based on your interests.

Working in a research lab made me realize that I do not want to work in an environment like this long term. While I have learned a tremendous amount during my internship, including how to stand up for myself, take constructive feedback, and manage my time, the lifestyle is not sustainable for me. Many people in my lab are deeply focused on their research and often do not have time for hobbies or extracurricular activities. I understand this is not true for everyone, but in my experience the combination of time consuming work and low pay has shown me that this is not the path I want to pursue.

One of the most important things I have learned is that you cannot let an internship consume your entire life. It is easy to get caught up in the work and feel like you need to dedicate every moment to it, but that approach only leads to burnout. Do not pass up opportunities to do interesting things outside of work because of the internship. There is always a balance. Work hard and stay focused while you are in the lab, but when you leave, make sure to turn that part of your brain off and give yourself time to recharge. Maintaining that balance is essential for your well-being and for producing quality work in the long run.

I gave my STEAM Career Day presentation to both elementary students and high school juniors to share my engineering journey and make my current research project understandable to a younger audience. The goal was to explain what I do in the lab, how the engineering design process works, and how the skills I have learned connect to real-world applications. This presentation ties directly to my internship experience because it highlights the design process I use every day in the lab and demonstrates how classroom learning, such as using design software and power tools, prepared me for the challenges of creating an automated fiber coating system.