Harvard University, 2008-Present. Working with members of the Stubbs group, I have been developing the flight capabilities of a balloon-borne precision optical calibration source for calibrating the next generation of type Ia supernova surveys used to explore the nature of the cosmological dark energy.
MDM Observatory, 2006-2008. Developed a slit-viewing and monitoring system for a spectroscope used on the MDM telescopes. The system provides real-time imagery of the image plane over the spectroscope input slit using an Andor iKon camera..
Effects In Motion, 2006-Present. Provided consulting and custom-designed motion control equipment and software for major motion pictures including the 20th Century Fox films Terminator Salvation, Live Free or Die Hard, Knight and Day, and the Warner Bros movie Speed Racer. These projects involved development of motion control hardware and software, and interfacing to the Kuper motion control system to custom-designed hydraulic motion systems.
Harvard University, 2006-2008. Working with members of the Stubbs group, I developed the concept of a novel self-luminous flatfield calibration screen for astronomical telescopes. The screen uses side-emitting optical fibers excited by a tunable laser to produce a large area flatfield for precision astrophotometry. The current version of this device has been installed on the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope. More information here.
Sarnicola Simulation Systems, 1992-2007. Developed all the electronic and computer systems for the Sarnicola Motion Platform and for simulators based on the platform. This activity has involved developing mathematical models for various implementations of the unique kinematics of the system; analyzing the associated control problems; designing computer-controlled analog control systems; preparing computer software for control-file generation, both from hand-generated input and from various methods of live data capture; and designing audio and visual display systems.
US Army Benet Laboratories, 2004-2005. With Sarnicola Technical Services, provided a complete refurbishment and modernization of a Link AST motion platform to be used for tank turret force-and-motion studies. Designed the control software and the control electronics.
Continental-Teves, 2001-2006. Working with colleagues at HB Stubbs Company, Concept Propulsion Lab, and Custom Engineering I developed the control system and software for the driving simulator in the Continental-Teves Safely There Mobile Exhibit. This simulator demonstrates Continental's Intelligent Vehicle Safety system. I conducted a complete overhaul and update of the simulator motion control system, consulted on a project to update the system safety features, and provided software and hardware interface to the visual display system.
Timken Aerospace, 2002-2005. Developed a novel method of optimizing the process for assembling precision ball bearings. Developed an integrated hardware and software system to implement the method.
Cutting Edge Instruments, 2005. Analyzed the vibrational behavior of a new dental bur design in order to explain its cutting properties.
Solutions TeleComputing, 2000-2001. Provided a custom hardware control interface for the ColpoShot medical imaging suite. Participated in overhauling the patient database software and the user interface (both projects employed VB6).
C&M Technologies, 1998-2000. I developed the control system for the Submarine Mast Motion Table (SMMT) installed at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center at the Newport Naval Station. The SMMT is a large, six-degree-of-freedom hexapod motion platform (a Sarnicola Hexad) used for testing submarine antenna masts. This project involved designing the control system, develping the electronics for the controller, and writing all the user software. The software included a user interface, data aquisition and analysis components, and extensive real-time computations and visual display involving the six-degree-of-freedom system geometry. (Software in VB5 and PBDLL5.)
Innovation Associates, 2000. Evaluated a pill counting concept for an automated pharmaceutical dispensing system, and invented a method of increasing service life.
Apache Point Observatory, 1996-2000. Developed a precision pneumatic support system for the 3.5 meter primary mirror of the Astrophysical Research Consortium and Sloan Digital Sky Survey astronomical telescopes. This project involved analysis of the problem of supporting a 4,000 lb optical mirror on an array of small air pistons, and the subsequent development of a suitable servo control system to control the pistons so as to maintain mirror figure and position during pointing excursions and wind gusts. Details here.
Innovation Associates, 1994-1995. Designed the optics and sensor system for the "Oil Sense" product.
University of Washington, 1996. I designed the control system for the Palomar Observatory piezoelectric image stabilizer. This deviced used a piezoelectrically actuated x-y stage to move a CCD imager so as to track star images vibrating due to atmospheric disturbances ("twinkling") and telescope tracking errors.
AAI-SMI, 1994-96. Analyzed the performance of the SH-60 Dome Visual System and recommended strategies for improvement. This project involved extensive mathematical analysis of dome optics and the geometry of visual image projection onto spherical surfaces. Details here.
SOGITEC, 1995. Developed a flight simulation helmet loader for simulation of the high-g flight environment.
GreyStone Technology, Inc., 1994. Supported the development and application of a new simulation motion platform by providing geometric analysis, control system analysis, and design of cuing algorithms.
ABB Traction, 1992-94. Performed a wide range of functional, operational, and performance tests on a new generation of computer-controlled, high-performance railroad locomotives and passenger railcars. This work involved hardware design, development of high-speed, computer-controlled data acquisition systems, preparation of test procedures and test reports, conduct of testing, and preparation of software for specialized data reduction and analysis.
The Fredericks Company, 1992. Invented a novel "roll-insensitive inclinometer" for use in steering underground drillheads. This device is manufactured by The Fredericks Company.
IBM, 1991. Conducted a trade study of visual system vendors and products in conjunction with IBM's proposal for the Close Combat Tactical Trainer (CCTT). The task involved analyzing vendor specifications and making detailed evaluations of their proposed visual systems relative to specifications and requirements of the RFP.
Atlantic Research Corporation, 1990. Participated in an analysis of NASA's long range needs in simulation technology. This project involved surveying the research programs and expectations of NASA's research laboratories, surveying the available and anticipated new simulation technology (particularly with regard to visual and motion systems), analyzing both, and formulating recommended acquisition strategies.
SOGITEC. Assisted in the preparation of SOGITEC's proposal for the Shuttle Mission Simulator Visual Upgrade. This project involved analyzing the capabilities of the SOGITEC product relative to the specification, drafting portions of the proposal, and editing the technical sections of the proposal.
AAI, 1989. Contributed to the visual-motion integration proposals for the HH-60J and P-7 simulators, making significant novel contributions in the area of visual-motion cue synchronization.
Northrop-Grumman Aircraft, 1990-1991. Invented and develped a novel Ultrasonic Object Tracker for use in cockpit head tracking applications. US Patent 5,339,259.
USAF, Armstrong Human Resources Laboratory, 1988-92. Participated in a major study aimed at developing improved methods of simulating the aeronautical force-and-motion environment, particularly the sustained-g regime. The project, which came to be known as the "CUMOD" study, involved surveying the existing technology and the state of scientific knowledge of the physiology, psychology, and psychophysics of motion sensation and perception; developing a unified and rational method of analyzing the problem of creating an artificial motion environment; and conceiving and developing several new ideas for the advancement of motion cuing technology and research. I prepared the final report.