Operations Research | Optimizing Cell Tower Allocation | Fall 2017 (1 month)
In this project, we take a look at how to optimize cell phone allocation. That is, how can we assign cell phones to towers in order to maximize the strength of the signal (which means minimizing the distance between. To do that, we are subject to two constraints.
1) Range Paremeter: The distance between a phone and a tower must not exceed a certain distance. Otherwise, phone users will begin to experience weak signals or spotty connection. We denote this maximum range as R. 2) Load Parameter: Carriers will limit the number of phones that be connected to a tower due to capacity issues. Each cell tower can only handle a maximum number of phones which we denote as L. We use Linear Programming, a method to achieve the best outcome subject to constraints which are represented by linear relationships, to tackle this problem. Given 10 data sets, we looked to see which, if any, could make a feasible assignment of phones to towers. Present in all these data sets are the following: 1) n=50 phones 2) k=4 cell towers 3) Range parameter (R)=50 4) Load Parameter (L)=15 5) The boundaries of the city of Pasadena, which is included for visual purposes. Each data set differs in the coordinates of the phones and cell towers |
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Engineering Economy | Startup Financial Projections | Fall 2017 (3 months)
In this project, I led a team of four to spearhead technical research and business plan for real-world company (redacted) . Over the course of three months, my team and I conducted market research through due diligence and surveys to dental professionals around the Southern California area and analyzed responses for updated business plan. We utilized advanced Excel formulas and tables to conduct a financial pro forma and develop accurate financial projections to ensure profitability over a 3 year period (Unfortunately, I cannot share screenshots of those due to confidentiality). Finally, I developed a final design of our research deck and our team was chosen as three of the twenty teams in the entire class to lead the final presentation to business professionals and an industry professor. Our final grade was a perfect score of 100.
(TLRD Version) We created the following for a startup company:
1) Financial Pro Forma
2) Financial Report (10 pages)
3) Presentation Deck for a 30 min presentation
4) Break-Even Analysis Document
(TLRD Version) We created the following for a startup company:
1) Financial Pro Forma
2) Financial Report (10 pages)
3) Presentation Deck for a 30 min presentation
4) Break-Even Analysis Document
Human Factors | Sprinkles Cupcake ATM Evaluation and Redesign | Fall 2017 (1 month)
For my Ergonomics class, my group and I decided to do out field study project on the USC Sprinkles Cupcakes ATM. This consisted of a report and powerpoint presentation on both an evaluation and a redesign. Starting with the evaluation, we broke it up into the following:
The redesign phase touches on the aforementioned topics and how to improve them by focusing on three main improvements: machine capacity, sensory cues, and panel design. All in all, it was a fun and actually relevant project as an Industrial Engineer. We got to conduct real-life work measurement, connect Human Factors issues with user experience, and exercise our creativity with the redesign process.
This project made me realize how a subtle design can play such a huge role in determining a machine's intuitiveness/complexity. Consider something as simple as a door. As you walk towards a door, you immediately know what to do based on the orientation of the handle (vertical to pull / horizontal to push). As you look around, you'd be astonished to find out how much thought actually went into the design of the smallest of details.
- User Needs and Profile
- System Parameters
- Interactive Task Description and Design
- Anthropometric Analyses
- Work Study Analysis (MTM / time motion study)
- Human Factors Issues
The redesign phase touches on the aforementioned topics and how to improve them by focusing on three main improvements: machine capacity, sensory cues, and panel design. All in all, it was a fun and actually relevant project as an Industrial Engineer. We got to conduct real-life work measurement, connect Human Factors issues with user experience, and exercise our creativity with the redesign process.
This project made me realize how a subtle design can play such a huge role in determining a machine's intuitiveness/complexity. Consider something as simple as a door. As you walk towards a door, you immediately know what to do based on the orientation of the handle (vertical to pull / horizontal to push). As you look around, you'd be astonished to find out how much thought actually went into the design of the smallest of details.
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Human Factors | Traffic Safety Culture in the Philippines: An Examination of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program | Fall 2017
We were assigned a semester-long term paper in my Human Factors in Work Design class in which we have to write about anything related to the class. I decided to use my experiences from the Philippines after just spending a summer there to write about something that has always piqued my interest - how do we solve the traffic crises in the Philippines? Taking this class couldn't have had better timing. As I was trying to figure out how I can connect this topic to the class, the Philippine government was in the midst of program to modernize the jeepney, the country's most popular public transport vehicle.
In this paper, I started off by talking about the ergonomic factors of the Jeepney by taking a look at the physical design of the vehicle, identifying their contribution to traffic hazards, and analyzing specific traffic incidents in the Philippines. My aim was to evaluate the conditions of the Jeepney and the traffic they cause to emphasize the need for modernization from a human factors standpoint. I then went on to study the PUV Modernization Program itself, which mandates that all PUVs must be “modernized” by 2020, by analyzing whether the program has the potential to actually tackle the root cause of traffic and street accidents in the Philippines or whether it will serve as just another band-aid solution to this seemingly irreparable problem in the Philippines. At the end of the paper, I consolidated my findings to find sustainable ways to improve traffic systems in the global South.
While this semester was packed with projects in every class, this was by far my favorite subject. Ever since I was a little kid, I'd stare out of my family's Mitsubishi Adventure during rush hour and wonder to myself how I could fix traffic in the Philippines. And, after working and commuting there for the past two summers, it made me think even harder. Looking back at it, this project really started during a human-centered design workshop under Kaya Co. this last summer where my group and I looked into using more railways to alleviate traffic. And to top it all of, my professor emailed me a couple days ago to tell me that this was the best student paper he has read in three years and that he wants to help me work on it more to get it published. I'm stoked.
In this paper, I started off by talking about the ergonomic factors of the Jeepney by taking a look at the physical design of the vehicle, identifying their contribution to traffic hazards, and analyzing specific traffic incidents in the Philippines. My aim was to evaluate the conditions of the Jeepney and the traffic they cause to emphasize the need for modernization from a human factors standpoint. I then went on to study the PUV Modernization Program itself, which mandates that all PUVs must be “modernized” by 2020, by analyzing whether the program has the potential to actually tackle the root cause of traffic and street accidents in the Philippines or whether it will serve as just another band-aid solution to this seemingly irreparable problem in the Philippines. At the end of the paper, I consolidated my findings to find sustainable ways to improve traffic systems in the global South.
While this semester was packed with projects in every class, this was by far my favorite subject. Ever since I was a little kid, I'd stare out of my family's Mitsubishi Adventure during rush hour and wonder to myself how I could fix traffic in the Philippines. And, after working and commuting there for the past two summers, it made me think even harder. Looking back at it, this project really started during a human-centered design workshop under Kaya Co. this last summer where my group and I looked into using more railways to alleviate traffic. And to top it all of, my professor emailed me a couple days ago to tell me that this was the best student paper he has read in three years and that he wants to help me work on it more to get it published. I'm stoked.
Manufacturing - Rapid Prototyping| Twista Brush | Fall 2016 (3 months)
The Twista Brush was probably the coolest and most hands-on projects I've ever done. The assignment was simple: make a prototype of a product that hasn't been attempted.
When our group first met and we decided on our course and lab projects, we ultimately determined that we wanted to design and fabricate a device that made the toothbrushing process more efficient. We began by focusing on the background of our product during the course project to understand the market and challenges we might face in developing a product for our target audience. For our lab project, we then created a functional prototype of an all in one toothbrush. Its components include a reservoir handle that contains toothpaste within, a tongue cleaner located on the backside of the brush head, a floss dispenser attached on the bottom, and a water-fountain capability on the brush. Each of these features would eliminate a certain product in the existing marketplace. For instance, the water-fountain capability would eliminate the need for a rinse cup and the floss dispenser would eliminate the need to carry a separate floss container. Our most important feature included a toothpaste reservoir that expels toothpaste through the head via a twisting mechanism, which gets rid of the process of having to apply toothpaste into your toothbrush altogether. To start the lab project, we hand drew an ideal version of what we would strive to make by using the knowledge of the size and features of toothbrushes we had accumulated in the course project. We then used photoshop to get a more advanced feel of what our product could look like by shading and outlining select features. After we finished the drawing stage and determined proper dimensions, we proceeded to use SolidWorks to create a CAD model of our individual components and assembly. Once a successful and functional SolidWorks was created and digitally tested, we used the undergraduate FAB Lab to 3D print the pieces of our prototype and assemble the final product. The revision process proceeded in which we corrected the model in SolidWorks to be reprinted and manually sanding the ABS components for proper fit. With the individual components to our standards, we finally assembled the toothbrush and tested its functionality. The result? An amazing and functional all-in-one oral hygiene tool. |
Above are some screenshots of our drawings, CAD models, and final prototype design. No doubt a product like this can actually go into market. #JustWaitOnIt
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Introduction to Industrial and Systems Engineering | Campus Traffic Optimization | Fall 2016 (1 month)
My first taste of Industrial Engineering came with this introduction course in which we were tasked to solve a problem on campus using tools we've learned in the class. In this project we Slashed on-campus commuter inefficiencies by identifying and collecting data on localized bottlenecks, analyzed causes and solutions by implementing task procedure flowcharts, fishbone diagrams, pareto analyses, and population surveys, and calculated optimal routes based on average time of travel for various modes of transportation across different days and time blocks
One of our biggest measures of success was to reduce the number of collisions by half. After implementing some of our solutions (removing barriers and clearing parked bicycles) we managed to top that and had no collisions during our observation.
In retrospect, the ISE group project was an enriching experience for all of us. From figuring out a problem that we wanted to address, to executing our plans, we learned about various realms of ISE methods, techniques, and applications.
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One of our biggest measures of success was to reduce the number of collisions by half. After implementing some of our solutions (removing barriers and clearing parked bicycles) we managed to top that and had no collisions during our observation.
In retrospect, the ISE group project was an enriching experience for all of us. From figuring out a problem that we wanted to address, to executing our plans, we learned about various realms of ISE methods, techniques, and applications.
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