Kevin Chen Email & Phone Number

Redondo Beach, Ca, Us

Redondo Beach, Ca, Us

Hawthorne, California, United States

Evanston, Illinois, United States

Colorado, United States

Hampton, Virginia, United States

Developing 3D-printed crushable structures to improve occupant safety within eVTOL aircraft. These models (PLA/ABS/Nylon/FL Photopolymers) are built with the intention of replacing composite energy absorbers that have been developed in house previously. The reason for this shift in materials is due to the lengthy and involved process of molding, curing, and importing composites. 3D-Printing has enabled us to entirely conduct production and testing in-house, cutting iteration time significantly. Moreover, dynamic drop tests have revealed that our PLA/ABS specimens perform as well or above our previous composite geometries. In all, we have tested 28 samples (19 Geometries and 6 Infill patterns), and have prepared additional specimens for seat-fitted drop tests after I depart from Langley. Testing will continue, along with plans for publication.I also have been involved with composite boom fatigue analysis and solar sail folding for the upcoming ACS3 mission launching in March on a Rocket Lab Electron vehicle.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

As the environmental data team lead, I oversaw the development of revised particulate, humidity, and temperature device for deployment in forest fires, with particular emphasis on design and materials selection. I also plan to carry out field research of our detection system in partnership with controlled burn groups on the west coast.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

I am collaborating with Lurie Children’s Hospital to certify an improved infant transportation device, the X - Strap, that I have developed alongside 2 other students. This system will replace their aging restraining straps that possess numerous safety flaws. To address these issues, our design incorporates a foam-cell padded aluminum sheet, enabling the X - Strap can conform to the shape of the infant. This keeps the infant steady during turbulence. Through a school-wide research and design course during the 2020-2021 school year, our group was the sole team to be selected to continue our partnership with a client. Most recently, we have been working on a transfer of rights and potential patent for our infant restraint as Lurie partnered inventors.

Evanston, Illinois, United States

Last summer, I secured a position in the Zdeněk Bažant Material Science lab as an undergraduate researcher. My objective during this period was to design and develop a biaxial test frame to perform fracture analysis on composites like carbon-fiber. This data would be used to determine material properties to better inform manufacturers as composites become increasingly relevant. I also was tasked to machine specimens using mill, lathe, and diamond-edged band saw. These opportunities allowed me to hone my skills in SolidWorks, stress analysis through Abaqus CAE, and also gaining certification for operating shop machinery. Further publications are pending as well.

My fascination with engineering led me to join the VEX robotics club in high school. Throughout my 3 years of competition, I took on the role of our main chassis assembler and design handbook lead. In that time, we won tournament championships (9x), held the highest driver skills score in 2019, qualified for Worlds (2x), placed 1st in our Worlds division (2x), and were Worlds divisional finalists amongst more than 20,000 international teams. I believe that our craftsmanship, creativity, and fluid team cohesion allowed us to garner success. Additionally, I gained substantial experience in PID control loops, odometry, and MATLAB, while also leveraging my knowledge in engineering notebooks and manual assembly of robots.

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Mentor for Project STEM interns at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

As an intern during the summer of 2017, I was the only freshman to be admitted to Indiana Project STEM out of 100 accepted students. During that summer I worked at Stark Neuroscience in the IU School of Medicine and explored the characterization of Central Amygdala neurons and their potential role in pain-related behavior. In the following summers, I remained in my previous lab where I had established a strong foundation in hands-on research. I am 2nd author of our paper published in The Journal of Comparative Neurology. You may access it below.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Mechanical Engineering

Education record