David Gedney
I'm an electrical engineering student passionate about using technology (in particular robotics) to improve peoples' daily lives.
High Altitude CO2 Concentration
Measurements
Balloon Payload
I was technical lead of Team Icarus, a School of Mines team participating the Colorado Space Grant Symposium Demosat Program. Our payload was designed to survive a 3 hour flight to the "edge of space" at 100,000ft, being exposed to near vacuum conditions and -112°F external temperatures. Payload successfully made and recorded the planned CO2 concentration vs. altitude measurements of the atmosphere below 40,000ft during its flight's ascent and descent, reaching a max elevation of 98,000ft.
The design featured a 3D printed frame and an innovative closeable heated air sample intake system powered by two fans.
Along with doing the CAD work, I also designed the control, power, and heating circuitry of the payload. An Arduino compatible microcontroller, a Teensy 3.6, was programmed to record sensor data, monitor
temperatures of the electronics and incoming air sample flow, and control heating, and activation of the air sample input system.
Fruit and Veggie Vending Machine
CSM "Introduction to Design" class project was a mechanically functional vending machine for fruit. The design featured a unique motorized elevator and turntable fruit storage/retrieval system. It was built using laser cut plywood and Lego robotics elements.
This personal project which is still in the beginning stages is aimed at increasing convenient access to healthy food. It uses a novel sealed food release system. Prototype CAD was made using Onshape and prototype was cut out of wood using a laser engraver.