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<!doctype html>
<html lang="en" data-theme="light">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<title>Stephen Jones | Robotics & Mechatronics</title>
<meta
name="description"
content="Portfolio of Stephen Jones: Georgia Tech BSME graduate and OMSCS student specializing in mechatronics, embedded systems, and autonomous physical hardware."
/>
<!-- Fonts: Space Grotesk (Headings & Accents) + Plus Jakarta Sans (Body) + JetBrains Mono -->
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com" />
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href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=JetBrains+Mono:wght@400;500;600;700&family=Plus+Jakarta+Sans:wght@400;500;600;700&family=Space+Grotesk:wght@500;600;700;800&display=swap"
rel="stylesheet"
/>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css" />
</head>
<body>
<!-- Background Canvas Accents -->
<div class="blueprint-overlay"></div>
<div class="glow-orb orb-amber"></div>
<div class="glow-orb orb-cyan"></div>
<div class="site-shell">
<!-- Top Navigation -->
<header class="navbar">
<a href="#about" class="nav-brand">
<span class="crosshair">+</span>
<span class="brand-text">stephen.jones // mechatronics</span>
</a>
<nav class="nav-links">
<a href="#highlights" class="nav-link">Highlights</a>
<a href="#projects" class="nav-link">Builds</a>
<a href="#experience" class="nav-link">Experience</a>
<a href="#skills" class="nav-link">Capabilities</a>
<a href="#goals" class="nav-link">Roadmap</a>
</nav>
<button
id="theme-btn"
class="theme-toggle"
type="button"
aria-label="Toggle Color Theme"
onclick="toggleTheme()"
>
<span class="theme-icon" id="theme-icon">☀️</span>
<span class="theme-label" id="theme-label">Light</span>
</button>
</header>
<!-- Hero Section -->
<section class="hero-block" id="about">
<div class="hero-grid">
<div class="hero-avatar-col">
<div class="avatar-rig">
<div class="corner-bracket tr"></div>
<div class="corner-bracket bl"></div>
<img
src="assets/headshot_square.jpeg"
alt="Stephen Jones headshot"
class="avatar-img"
onerror="this.src = 'assets/ME 2110/teamcelebrationphoto.jpeg'"
/>
</div>
<div class="status-badge">
<span class="live-pulse"></span>
<span>Atlanta, GA • Open to Work</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hero-text-col">
<div class="chip-stack">
<span class="hero-pill pill-gt">Georgia Tech BSME '26</span>
<span class="hero-pill pill-cs"
>OMSCS: Computational Perception & Robotics</span
>
<span class="hero-pill pill-d1">D1 Varsity Swim Captain</span>
</div>
<h1 class="hero-headline">Stephen Jones</h1>
<p class="hero-subtitle">
Georgia Tech BSME • Robotics Graduate Student
</p>
<p class="hero-statement">
Recent Georgia Tech Mechanical Engineering graduate and MSCS
student in Computational Perception & Robotics. I build and
test functional hardware prototypes, combining mechanical design,
rapid fabrication, embedded C++ firmware, and edge computer
vision.
</p>
<p class="hero-substatement">
Former Division I Varsity Swim Team Captain at Georgia Tech. Four
years of balancing 20+ hours of weekly athletic training with an
engineering degree built a standard of high accountability, fast
execution, and composure under pressure.
</p>
<div class="hero-button-row">
<a
href="mailto:stephen04317@gmail.com"
class="btn btn-primary btn-mail"
>
<svg
width="18"
height="18"
viewBox="0 0 24 24"
fill="none"
stroke="currentColor"
stroke-width="2"
>
<rect width="20" height="16" x="2" y="4" rx="2" />
<path d="m22 7-8.97 5.7a1.94 1.94 0 0 1-2.06 0L2 7" />
</svg>
<span>Email Me</span>
</a>
<a
href="https://linkedin.com/in/sjones396"
target="_blank"
rel="noopener noreferrer"
class="btn btn-secondary btn-li"
>
<svg
width="18"
height="18"
viewBox="0 0 24 24"
fill="currentColor"
>
<path
d="M19 0h-14c-2.761 0-5 2.239-5 5v14c0 2.761 2.239 5 5 5h14c2.762 0 5-2.239 5-5v-14c0-2.761-2.238-5-5-5zm-11 19h-3v-11h3v11zm-1.5-12.268c-.966 0-1.75-.79-1.75-1.764s.784-1.764 1.75-1.764 1.75.79 1.75 1.764-.783 1.764-1.75 1.764zm13.5 12.268h-3v-5.604c0-3.368-4-3.113-4 0v5.604h-3v-11h3v1.765c1.396-2.586 7-2.777 7 2.476v6.759z"
/>
</svg>
<span>LinkedIn</span>
</a>
<a
href="https://github.com/sjones-code"
target="_blank"
rel="noopener noreferrer"
class="btn btn-secondary btn-gh"
>
<svg
width="18"
height="18"
viewBox="0 0 24 24"
fill="currentColor"
>
<path
d="M12 0c-6.626 0-12 5.373-12 12 0 5.302 3.438 9.8 8.207 11.387.599.111.793-.261.793-.577v-2.234c-3.338.726-4.033-1.416-4.033-1.416-.546-1.387-1.333-1.756-1.333-1.756-1.089-.745.083-.729.083-.729 1.205.084 1.839 1.237 1.839 1.237 1.07 1.834 2.807 1.304 3.492.997.107-.775.418-1.305.762-1.604-2.665-.305-5.467-1.334-5.467-5.931 0-1.311.469-2.381 1.236-3.221-.124-.303-.535-1.524.117-3.176 0 0 1.008-.322 3.301 1.23.957-.266 1.983-.399 3.003-.404 1.02.005 2.047.138 3.006.404 2.291-1.552 3.297-1.23 3.297-1.23.653 1.653.242 2.874.118 3.176.77.84 1.235 1.911 1.235 3.221 0 4.609-2.807 5.624-5.479 5.921.43.372.823 1.102.823 2.222v3.293c0 .319.192.694.801.576 4.765-1.589 8.199-6.086 8.199-11.386 0-6.627-5.373-12-12-12z"
/>
</svg>
<span>GitHub</span>
</a>
<a
href="assets/Stephen Fall 26' Resume.pdf"
target="_blank"
class="btn btn-action-accent"
>
<svg
width="18"
height="18"
viewBox="0 0 24 24"
fill="none"
stroke="currentColor"
stroke-width="2"
>
<path
d="M14 2H6a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v16a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h12a2 2 0 0 0 2-2V8z"
/>
<polyline points="14 2 14 8 20 8" />
<line x1="16" y1="13" x2="8" y2="13" />
<line x1="16" y1="17" x2="8" y2="17" />
</svg>
<span>Resume PDF</span>
</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- Highlights & Proof of Work -->
<section class="section-container" id="highlights">
<div class="section-title-wrap">
<span class="section-tag">OVERVIEW</span>
<h2 class="section-heading">Highlights & Proof of Work</h2>
<p class="section-subtext">
A direct look at my athletic leadership, technical competition
honors, and life outside the shop.
</p>
</div>
<div class="highlights-triad">
<!-- 1. Swimming Leadership -->
<div class="highlight-panel panel-swim">
<div class="panel-badge-row">
<span class="highlight-tag tag-blue">ATHLETIC LEADERSHIP</span>
<span class="icon-indicator">◈</span>
</div>
<h3 class="panel-header">D1 Varsity Swimmer & Team Captain</h3>
<ul class="clean-bullet-list">
<li>
4-year Division I student-athlete on Georgia Tech's Men's
Varsity Swim Team.
</li>
<li>Elected Team Captain for the 2024 to 2025 season.</li>
<li>
Bridged communications across 60+ athletes, coaches, and staff
while leading the men's recruiting process.
</li>
<li>
Sustained 20+ hours weekly of rigorous water workouts, weight
training, and travel throughout full-time BSME coursework.
</li>
<li>Specialized in butterfly sprint events.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<!-- 2. Technical Accolades -->
<div class="highlight-panel panel-awards">
<div class="panel-badge-row">
<span class="highlight-tag tag-amber"
>AWARDS & RECOGNITION</span
>
<span class="icon-indicator">◈</span>
</div>
<h3 class="panel-header">Honors & Competition Wins</h3>
<ul class="clean-bullet-list">
<li>
Recipient of the 2024 Brandon Adams Teammate Award, voted by
team members and coaches for leadership and camaraderie.
</li>
<li>
1st Place Champion out of 5 teams in Georgia Tech's signature
autonomous machine design contest (ME 2110).
</li>
<li>
Top 30 International Finalist out of 300 entries in the global
XPRIZE Wildfire autonomous suppression challenge.
</li>
<li>
Graduated BS Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech with
consistent focus on dynamics and mechatronics.
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<!-- 3. Fun & Hobbies -->
<div class="highlight-panel panel-hobbies">
<div class="panel-badge-row">
<span class="highlight-tag tag-purple">LIFE OUTSIDE WORK</span>
<span class="icon-indicator">◈</span>
</div>
<h3 class="panel-header">Interests & Free Time</h3>
<ul class="clean-bullet-list">
<li>
Baking homemade desserts from scratch, optimizing for maximum
flavor.
</li>
<li>
Mountain hiking, exploring outdoor trails and National Parks.
</li>
<li>
Playing retro arcade games, pinball machines, and sharing this
time with friends.
</li>
<li>
Anime and manga enjoyer: fully caught up on the One Piece anime
(over 1,100 episodes of pure dedication).
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- Featured Engineering Builds -->
<section class="section-container" id="projects">
<div class="section-title-wrap">
<span class="section-tag">ENGINEERING BUILDS</span>
<h2 class="section-heading">Featured Hardware Systems</h2>
<p class="section-subtext">
Detailed mechanical tradeoffs, code architectures, and
high-resolution CAD & prototype media.
</p>
</div>
<!-- Tab Buttons: Gripper -> Robot -> Payload -> Vision -->
<div class="tab-command-bar" role="tablist">
<button
class="command-tab active"
role="tab"
id="tab-gripper"
aria-selected="true"
onclick="activateProject('gripper')"
>
<span class="tab-seq">01</span>
<div class="tab-info">
<span class="tab-label">Nitinol Gripper</span>
<span class="tab-tech">Smart Alloy • ESP32</span>
</div>
</button>
<button
class="command-tab"
role="tab"
id="tab-robot"
aria-selected="false"
onclick="activateProject('robot')"
>
<span class="tab-seq">02</span>
<div class="tab-info">
<span class="tab-label">Autonomous Robot</span>
<span class="tab-tech">ME 2110 • 1st Place</span>
</div>
</button>
<button
class="command-tab"
role="tab"
id="tab-payload"
aria-selected="false"
onclick="activateProject('payload')"
>
<span class="tab-seq">03</span>
<div class="tab-info">
<span class="tab-label">XPrize Drone Payload</span>
<span class="tab-tech">Pneumatics • Top 30</span>
</div>
</button>
<button
class="command-tab"
role="tab"
id="tab-vision"
aria-selected="false"
onclick="activateProject('vision')"
>
<span class="tab-seq">04</span>
<div class="tab-info">
<span class="tab-label">Vision Classifier</span>
<span class="tab-tech">Deep Learning • VGG16</span>
</div>
</button>
</div>
<!-- PROJECT DECKS -->
<div class="project-decks-wrapper">
<!-- ================= 01: NITINOL GRIPPER ================= -->
<article
class="project-deck-panel active"
id="panel-gripper"
role="tabpanel"
>
<div class="deck-top">
<div>
<span class="deck-tag">SENIOR CAPSTONE // KHANJUR R&D</span>
<h3 class="deck-title">
Wireless Shape Memory Alloy (Nitinol) Robotic Claw
</h3>
<p class="deck-meta">
Lead Mechatronics Engineer • Jan 2026 to May 2026
</p>
</div>
<div class="tag-row">
<span class="mono-badge">ESP32 Firmware</span>
<span class="mono-badge">Embedded C++</span>
<span class="mono-badge">Nitinol SMA</span>
<span class="mono-badge">MOSFET PWM</span>
<span class="mono-badge">SolidWorks</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="deck-body-layout">
<div class="deck-text">
<div class="nda-notice-banner">
<span class="nda-icon">🔒</span>
<p>
<strong>Confidentiality Notice:</strong> Certain proprietary
CAD schematics, Nitinol geometries, alloy specifications,
and imagery have been omitted or redacted in accordance with
a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
</p>
</div>
<h4>Objective & Mechanical Tradeoffs</h4>
<p>
Robotic end-effectors traditionally depend on bulky electric
servomotors and gearboxes that add inertial weight to distal
joints and introduce mechanical backlash. Collaborating with
Khanjur R&D, our objective was to replace electric motors
with resistive Joule-heated Shape Memory Alloy (Nitinol) wire.
</p>
<ul class="technical-bullets">
<li>
<strong>Thermal-Current Control:</strong> Engineered
high-frequency PWM switching across logic-level N-channel
MOSFETs to meter heating current accurately, preventing wire
anneal damage while ensuring repeatable closure force.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Embedded Wireless Server:</strong> Programmed custom
C++ firmware on an ESP32 microcontroller hosting an
asynchronous local Wi-Fi web server, achieving smartphone
teleoperation with sub-50ms latency without relying on
external networks.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Hardware Evolution:</strong> Iterated through PVC
bench rigs, internal ratchet mechanisms, and 3D printed
mechanical levers to amplify stroke displacement from subtle
alloy contraction.
</li>
</ul>
<div class="callout-box">
<strong>Result:</strong> Delivered a silent, backlash-free
end-effector that dropped actuator mass significantly compared
to traditional DC gearmotors.
</div>
</div>
<div class="deck-specs">
<div class="data-sheet">
<h4>Actuator Architecture</h4>
<div class="data-row">
<span>Actuator:</span>
<strong>Resistive Nitinol SMA Wire</strong>
</div>
<div class="data-row">
<span>Controller:</span>
<strong>ESP32 (Dual-Core 240MHz)</strong>
</div>
<div class="data-row">
<span>Switching:</span>
<strong>Logic-Level N-MOSFET (PWM)</strong>
</div>
<div class="data-row">
<span>Control UI:</span>
<strong>Local Wi-Fi Web Server</strong>
</div>
<div class="data-row">
<span>Mechanical CAD:</span>
<strong>SolidWorks 2026</strong>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Large Media Viewport for Gripper -->
<div class="media-showcase-section">
<div class="showcase-header">
<h4>Prototype Showcase & Actuation Video</h4>
<span class="showcase-note"
>Click the large preview to open fullscreen high-resolution
inspection.</span
>
</div>
<div
class="main-preview-stage"
id="stage-gripper"
onclick="triggerStageLightbox('stage-gripper')"
>
<img
id="stage-img-gripper"
src="assets/Capstone/finalprotoopensideview.png"
alt="Final Prototype Open Side View"
class="stage-media"
/>
<video
id="stage-video-gripper"
controls
class="stage-media"
style="display: none"
>
<source
src="assets/Capstone/finalprotomanualactuationvid.mp4"
type="video/mp4"
/>
Your browser does not support HTML5 video.
</video>
<div class="stage-caption-bar" id="stage-caption-gripper">
Final Prototype: Open Side View (Assembled)
</div>
</div>
<div class="media-thumbnail-strip">
<div
class="thumb-node active"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'gripper',
'image',
'assets/Capstone/finalprotoopensideview.png',
'Final Prototype: Open Side View (Assembled)',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/Capstone/finalprotoopensideview.png"
alt="Final prototype open view"
/>
<span>Final Assembly</span>
</div>
<div
class="thumb-node"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'gripper',
'image',
'assets/Capstone/finalprotocloseupinterior.png',
'Final Prototype: Close-Up Interior Mechanism',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/Capstone/finalprotocloseupinterior.png"
alt="Final prototype interior"
/>
<span>Interior View</span>
</div>
<div
class="thumb-node"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'gripper',
'video',
'assets/Capstone/finalprotomanualactuationvid.mp4',
'Final Prototype: Video of Mechanism Actuation',
)
"
>
<div class="video-thumb-overlay">►</div>
<img
src="assets/Capstone/finalprotoopensideview.png"
alt="Video thumbnail"
/>
<span>Actuation Video</span>
</div>
<div
class="thumb-node"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'gripper',
'image',
'assets/Capstone/WTF_Paperclip_Nitinol.gif',
'Nitinol Shape Memory Thermal Contraction',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/Capstone/WTF_Paperclip_Nitinol.gif"
alt="Nitinol thermal demo"
/>
<span>Nitinol Thermal Demo</span>
</div>
<div
class="thumb-node"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'gripper',
'image',
'assets/Capstone/proto1justratchetmechanism.png',
'Internal Ratchet Locking Mechanism',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/Capstone/proto1justratchetmechanism.png"
alt="Ratchet mechanism"
/>
<span>Ratchet Latch</span>
</div>
<div
class="thumb-node"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'gripper',
'image',
'assets/Capstone/candidphotoofmepresentingattheexpo.jpg',
'Presenting at Georgia Tech Capstone Expo',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/Capstone/candidphotoofmepresentingattheexpo.jpg"
alt="Capstone Expo presentation"
/>
<span>Expo Presentation</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>
<!-- ================= 02: AUTONOMOUS COMPETITION ROBOT ================= -->
<article class="project-deck-panel" id="panel-robot" role="tabpanel">
<div class="deck-top">
<div>
<span class="deck-tag">GEORGIA TECH // ME 2110</span>
<h3 class="deck-title">
Fully Autonomous Competition Mobile Robot (1st Place)
</h3>
<p class="deck-meta">
Autonomous Machine Design • May 2024 to Aug 2024
</p>
</div>
<div class="tag-row">
<span class="mono-badge">SolidWorks</span>
<span class="mono-badge">Embedded C++</span>
<span class="mono-badge">Arduino IDE</span>
<span class="mono-badge">FMEA Risk Analysis</span>
<span class="mono-badge">House of Quality (QFD)</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="deck-body-layout">
<div class="deck-text">
<h4>System Architecture & Strategy</h4>
<p>
In Georgia Tech's signature mechatronics competition, teams
must build and program an autonomous machine from raw stock
materials to execute complex physical tasks inside an arena
under strict dimensional, weight, and timing constraints.
</p>
<ul class="technical-bullets">
<li>
<strong>Design Methodology:</strong> Developed complete
specification sheets, Quality Function Deployment (QFD)
House of Quality, and FMEA matrices to mathematically weight
mechanisms before cutting material.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Fabrication Load:</strong> Managed 30+ sustained
weekly hours of SolidWorks modeling, rapid laser cutting, 3D
printing, and mechanical bench assembly across our
three-person team.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Autonomy in C++:</strong> Created deterministic
microcontroller routines sequencing limit switch triggers,
motor drives, and mechanical deployment arms with zero
manual intervention.
</li>
</ul>
<div class="callout-box">
<strong>Result:</strong> Took 1st place overall out of 5 teams
in the final arena tournament through rigorous tolerance
control and reliable autonomous logic.
</div>
</div>
<div class="deck-specs">
<div class="data-sheet">
<h4>Competition Metrics</h4>
<div class="data-row">
<span>Tournament:</span>
<strong>1st Place Champion</strong>
</div>
<div class="data-row">
<span>Work Commitment:</span>
<strong>30+ Hours / Week</strong>
</div>
<div class="data-row">
<span>Firmware:</span>
<strong>Autonomous C++ State Machine</strong>
</div>
<div class="data-row">
<span>CAD Tooling:</span>
<strong>SolidWorks (Full Assembly)</strong>
</div>
</div>
<div class="pdf-viewer-compact">
<div class="pdf-bar">
<span>📄 Final Presentation Deck (PDF)</span>
<a
href="assets/ME 2110/Final Presentation.pdf"
target="_blank"
>Fullscreen →</a
>
</div>
<iframe
src="assets/ME 2110/Final Presentation.pdf"
class="mini-pdf-frame"
title="ME 2110 Presentation"
></iframe>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Large Media Viewport for Robot -->
<div class="media-showcase-section">
<div class="showcase-header">
<h4>Machine CAD, Hardware & Team Gallery</h4>
<span class="showcase-note"
>Click the preview image to open fullscreen high-resolution
inspection.</span
>
</div>
<div
class="main-preview-stage"
id="stage-robot"
onclick="triggerStageLightbox('stage-robot')"
>
<img
id="stage-img-robot"
src="assets/ME 2110/actualrobotsidepicture.jpg"
alt="Assembled Autonomous Robot"
class="stage-media"
onerror="
this.src = 'assets/ME 2110/actualrobotsidepicture.jpg.png'
"
/>
<div class="stage-caption-bar" id="stage-caption-robot">
Final Assembled Autonomous Competition Robot
</div>
</div>
<div class="media-thumbnail-strip">
<div
class="thumb-node active"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'robot',
'image',
'assets/ME 2110/actualrobotsidepicture.jpg',
'Final Assembled Autonomous Competition Robot',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/ME 2110/actualrobotsidepicture.jpg"
alt="Robot profile"
onerror="
this.src = 'assets/ME 2110/actualrobotsidepicture.jpg.png'
"
/>
<span>Assembled Robot</span>
</div>
<div
class="thumb-node"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'robot',
'image',
'assets/ME 2110/cadfinaldesignfullyannotated.png',
'SolidWorks Fully Annotated System CAD',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/ME 2110/cadfinaldesignfullyannotated.png"
alt="Annotated CAD"
/>
<span>Annotated CAD</span>
</div>
<div
class="thumb-node"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'robot',
'image',
'assets/ME 2110/cadfinaldesignfullyactuated.png',
'CAD Final Actuated Kinematic Extension',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/ME 2110/cadfinaldesignfullyactuated.png"
alt="Actuated CAD"
/>
<span>Actuated CAD</span>
</div>
<div
class="thumb-node"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'robot',
'image',
'assets/ME 2110/firstprototypeactualpicture.png',
'Early Physical Proof-of-Concept Prototype',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/ME 2110/firstprototypeactualpicture.png"
alt="Early prototype"
/>
<span>Early Prototype</span>
</div>
<div
class="thumb-node"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'robot',
'image',
'assets/ME 2110/teamcelebrationphoto.jpeg',
'Team Celebration After Taking 1st Place',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/ME 2110/teamcelebrationphoto.jpeg"
alt="Team celebration"
/>
<span>1st Place Victory</span>
</div>
<div
class="thumb-node"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'robot',
'image',
'assets/ME 2110/teampicturewithinstructors.jpeg',
'Team with ME 2110 Faculty Instructors',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/ME 2110/teampicturewithinstructors.jpeg"
alt="Instructors photo"
/>
<span>Faculty Review</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>
<!-- ================= 03: XPRIZE DRONE PAYLOAD ================= -->
<article
class="project-deck-panel"
id="panel-payload"
role="tabpanel"
>
<div class="deck-top">
<div>
<span class="deck-tag"
>BETTER PLACE DRONES // GLOBAL XPRIZE</span
>
<h3 class="deck-title">
Autonomous Fire-Suppression Drone Payload (CO2 Blowdown)
</h3>
<p class="deck-meta">
Undergraduate Research Assistant • Aug 2024 to Dec 2024
</p>
</div>
<div class="tag-row">
<span class="mono-badge">SolidWorks CAD</span>
<span class="mono-badge">Pneumatic Blowdown</span>
<span class="mono-badge">Fluid Delivery</span>
<span class="mono-badge">Subteam Coordination</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="deck-body-layout">
<div class="deck-text">
<h4>Pneumatic Blowdown Fluid Delivery</h4>
<p>
Wildfire suppression drones cannot carry heavy motorized water
pumps without sacrificing flight time. We engineered an
instantaneous, passive-pressurization blowdown payload system.
</p>
<ul class="technical-bullets">
<li>
<strong>CO2 Blowdown Delivery:</strong> Designed a regulated
pneumatic blowdown system using CO2 canisters to pressurize
a water reservoir, blasting suppressant immediately upon
valve release.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Cross-Team Alignment:</strong> Coordinated across 5
subteams (airframe, telemetry, avionics, payload, recovery)
to translate SolidWorks CAD assemblies into flight-ready
test prototypes.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Mass Optimization:</strong> Reduced fluid line mass
and lightened mounting brackets to maintain aircraft
stability in high-wind conditions.
</li>
</ul>
<div class="callout-box">
<strong>Result:</strong> Qualified in the Top 30 teams
internationally out of 300 participating entries in the XPRIZE
Wildfire competition.
</div>
</div>
<div class="deck-specs">
<div class="data-sheet">
<h4>System Parameters</h4>
<div class="data-row">
<span>Competition:</span>
<strong>XPRIZE Wildfire Semi-Finalist</strong>
</div>
<div class="data-row">
<span>Pressurization:</span>
<strong>CO2 Canister Blowdown</strong>
</div>
<div class="data-row">
<span>CAD Tooling:</span>
<strong>SolidWorks Sectional Modeling</strong>
</div>
<div class="data-row">
<span>Coordination:</span>
<strong>5 Cross-Discipline Subteams</strong>
</div>
</div>
<div class="xprize-card">
<img
src="assets/Better Place Drones/XPRIZE-Logo-Mark-Black-Square.png"
alt="XPRIZE Logo"
class="xprize-logo"
/>
<span>Global Wildfire Competition Semi-Finalist</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Large Media Viewport for Drone Payload -->
<div class="media-showcase-section">
<div class="showcase-header">
<h4>System CAD, Section Views & Airframe Integration</h4>
<span class="showcase-note"
>Click the preview image to open fullscreen high-resolution
inspection.</span
>
</div>
<div
class="main-preview-stage"
id="stage-payload"
onclick="triggerStageLightbox('stage-payload')"
>
<img
id="stage-img-payload"
src="assets/Better Place Drones/payloadattachedtodrone.png"
alt="Payload attached directly to drone airframe"
class="stage-media"
/>
<div class="stage-caption-bar" id="stage-caption-payload">
Payload Module Mounted on Flight Airframe
</div>
</div>
<div class="media-thumbnail-strip">
<div
class="thumb-node active"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'payload',
'image',
'assets/Better Place Drones/payloadattachedtodrone.png',
'Payload Module Mounted on Flight Airframe',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/Better Place Drones/payloadattachedtodrone.png"
alt="Mounted payload"
/>
<span>Airframe Mount</span>
</div>
<div
class="thumb-node"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'payload',
'image',
'assets/Better Place Drones/rocketpayloadcadpic.png',
'Payload Rocket Capsule CAD Geometry',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/Better Place Drones/rocketpayloadcadpic.png"
alt="Rocket payload CAD"
/>
<span>Capsule CAD</span>
</div>
<div
class="thumb-node"
onclick="
switchStageMedia(
'payload',
'image',
'assets/Better Place Drones/rocketpayloadsectionalviewpic.png',
'Internal Pressure Chamber Sectional CAD View',
)
"
>
<img
src="assets/Better Place Drones/rocketpayloadsectionalviewpic.png"
alt="Sectional view"
/>
<span>Sectional View</span>