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At the Petersen Lab (UC San Diego), I contributed to the development of a Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) device used in simulated microgravity research. This system is designed to mimic the effects of gravity on the human body, serving as a countermeasure against spaceflight-induced physiological deconditioning.
Design & Prototyping:
Developed a "deadman "switch as a safety failsafe, ensuring automatic pressure release in case of operator incapacitation.
System Integration
Integrated mechanical and electrical systems for reliable pressure control and safety.
Testing & Data Collection
Tested prototype to ensure consistent pressure and safety standards.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) & Structural Modeling:
In ANSYS, I modeled mechanical forces acting on a collapsible LBNP device to assess structural stability, material strain, and failure points.
Simulated deformation patterns, stress concentrations, and pressure differentials to guide and validate design decisions.
Collaboration:
Worked with NASA and UCSD researchers to refine the device for astronaut health studies.
Deadman Switch 3D-Printed Prototype
Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) Device:
This collapsable version of the device has a polyvinyl chloride skeleton and was the focus of my simulations
FEA Simulation & Structural Analysis:
FEA Simulation & Structural Analysis:
Structural and Thermal Analysis: Simulated stress distributions, thermal effects, and deformations to assess mechanical integrity under operating conditions.
Material Properties Evaluation: Incorporated appropriate material models to accurately represent the behavior of different components. Specifically, the LBNP device was analyzed in two material configurations:
Polyvinyl Chloride Version: This version utilized a lightweight and flexible structure to enable collapsibility while maintaining structural integrity under negative pressure. Simulations focused on assessing the deformation limits and potential buckling points.
Acrylic Version: Designed for increased rigidity and durability, the acrylic version provided a more controlled environment for pressure regulation. The FEA simulations evaluated stress distributions, potential fracture risks, and sealing effectiveness under operational loads.
Boundary Conditions and Loads: Applied realistic constraints and external forces to replicate real-world usage scenarios, ensuring reliable results for high-precision components. The boundary conditions included:
Fixed Constraints: The base and sealing edges were fixed to prevent unintended displacement and accurately represent real-world constraints.
Negative Pressure Loading: A uniform pressure differential was applied internally to simulate the vacuum environment, testing the device's response to operational stresses.
Gravity and User Interaction Loads: Additional forces were applied to simulate user handling, ensuring structural stability under typical operating conditions.
Optimization and Risk Mitigation: Considered failure modes to improve the reliability of the device.
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