Colin Erb

Experience

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  Cornell Electric Vehicles

  Jan 2021 - Jan 2023

  Mechanical Designer and Simulation Engineer

  ● Worked nine hours a week building a simulation in ROS and Ignition Gazebo to test autonomous driving software, converting driving inputs to simulated movements and exporting sensor outputs from the simulation to other nodes.● Designed a new vehicle’s brake system and repaired the disk brake system of a previous prototype.● Optimized parts using CAD software utilizing finite element analysis within constraints put forth by other projects.

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  Apricity Solutions Inc.

  Jun 2022 - Aug 2022

  Embedded Controls Intern

  ● Designed and tested an incubator for premature infants in low-income countries with a small team and startup mentors. ● Programmed a PID controller using C/C++ on a TI microcontroller to regulate the baby incubator’s temperature safely with and without a phase change material buffer, and to provide feedback on power usage/efficiency and incubator safety.● Developed a finite element diffusion model in Python of the baby incubator fit to test data for fast offline performance testing of the device under different conditions. Show less

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  YMCA of Greater Charlotte

  Jun 2022 - Aug 2022

  Camp Counselor

  ● Created and ran activities and lead interactive class reading sessions for underprivileged kids in the 2nd-3rd grade camp, STEM camp, and Lego camp.● Resolved conflicts between children and maintained a positive, productive atmosphere for kids at the camp.● Maintained groups of 10 to 30 kids, with a typical counselor-to-kid ratio of 10-1.

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  Corning Incorporated

  May 2023 - Aug 2023

  Process Optimization Intern

  ● Managed a project investigating and ruling out two possible solutions to bandwidth variations down the length of multimode optical fibers stemming from the glass consolidation process.● Refined hypotheses using the design of experiments (DOE) process with subject matter experts (SMEs).● Executed failure mode and effects analyses (FMEA) and programmed PLC equipment to alter process chemical flows. ● Analyzed experimental results and multi-dimensional production data using Python and Excel/Access. Show less

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  Cornell University

  Aug 2023 - May 2024

  Junior Materials Lab Research Assistant

  ● Evaluated, graded, and provided constructive feedback on student lab reports and assignments for 2 hours per week.● Set up, managed, and organized the laboratory for students with professors for 3 hours a week, resolving technical difficulties and ensuring student comprehension of and adherence to experimental methods.● Hosted a 1-3 hour weekly office hour for groups of 2 to 8 students, assisting students with MATLAB data analysis, concept understanding, and report formatting for junior lab assignments. Show less

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  Ecolectro, Inc.

  Sept 2023 - Dec 2023

  Manufacturing Optimization Senior Project

  ● Created and analyzed results from a half-factorial DOE with two classmates and an Ecolectro staff member optimizing water-electrolysis catalyst depositions, identifying two possible parameters/interactions impacting performance.● Incorporated Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images in characterizations of catalyst layer morphology● Successfully implemented a machine learning algorithm quantifying deposited catalytic material surface coverage that correlated strongly with catalytic performance, providing a theoretical explanation for observed performance variations Show less

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  Cornell University

  Sept 2024 - now

  ● Designed and built a mechatronic system with a colleague aligning an optical system across two dimensions for schlieren pattern visualization, showcased as a demo for the ASML-sponsored Mechatronics Learning Studio at Cornell.● Developed computer vision algorithms on a Raspberry Pi for 3 system alignment metrics, utilizing Fourier transforms, image gradients, and absolute image intensities. ● Implemented a control system integrating adaptive step sizes and dataset scaling to address oversteps and statistical uncertainty, achieving precise servo motor control and rapid alignment on a 2-axis linear stage.● Continuing development of sensing and control systems on an ASML UNICOM system using LabVIEW software Show less

  • Kinetics Teaching Assistant

    Jan 2025 - now

  • Automated Optical System Alignment MEng Project

    Sept 2024 - now

  • Glass Teaching Assistant

    Sept 2024 - Dec 2024