I design and build one-of-a-kind scientific instruments—custom tools that are purpose-built, cost-effective, and often more versatile than commercial alternatives. These platforms have supported research in photoalignment, optical metrology, and material defect analysis. Through collaborative senior projects and student-led initiatives, I guide undergraduates in design, machining, automation, and testing—making scientific research an integrated part of their education. In today’s world of open-source hardware and accessible microcontrollers, students can meaningfully contribute to real experiments while gaining practical skills and confidence.

My research focuses on the structure, behavior, and applications of liquid crystals—soft matter materials that exhibit orientational order without fixed positions. In the nematic phase, molecules align but still flow, giving rise to tunable optical properties. Using photoalignment and mechanical confinement, I study how boundary conditions shape macroscopic behavior. This work explores defect structures, anchoring energy, and director configurations, often using custom-built optical and imaging tools.

Specific topics: Nematic Anchoring Strength · Pancharatnam Phase Devices · Photoalignment · Defect Loops · Interference Metrology · Director Simulation · Surface Defect Structures

I’ve helped develop a new class of fire suppression sprinklers using single-crystal shape memory alloys (SMA). These devices eliminate fragile glass bulbs by using thermomechanical phase transitions in Cu-Al-Ni alloy actuators. SMA materials exhibit the ability to recover large deformations through solid-state phase shifts, making them ideal for precision actuation. My work includes theoretical modeling, thermodynamic characterization, and automation of continuous casting systems to produce these materials at scale.

Machine Vision Optical Interference Measurement

I developed a machine vision tool to automatically measure liquid crystal film thickness in real time. The algorithm detected interference fringes in bullseye patterns, averaged radial intensities, and extracted extrema to model the optical medium. This enabled dynamic, in-situ measurement without manual intervention.

Liquid Crystal Defect Image Analysis

I wrote custom software to detect and analyze nematic defect loops in high-resolution video. The system tracked the evolution of defect perimeter and area frame-by-frame, enabling precise temporal analysis of complex topological structures.

Adaptive 3D Director Simulation

I created a flexible finite-difference simulation to compute 3D liquid crystal director fields. Using Mathematica, I generated symbolic expressions for update rules, allowing simulations to be quickly reconfigured with new boundary conditions, free-energy terms, or geometries. The compiled C backend handled intensive computations with high efficiency.

Other Areas of Experience

• Monte Carlo molecular dynamics
• Numerical ODE solving and curve fitting (C)
• FDTD electrodynamics
• 4×4 matrix-based simulation for anisotropic optics
• System modeling with MATLAB and Modelica (Wolfram System Modeler):
  • Circuit analysis
  • Motor simulation
  • Electro-optical behavior of LCDs
  • Multibody mechanical systems

Maskless Polarizing Photolithography System

Dynamic Cell System

I designed and fabricated a tunable liquid crystal cell capable of adjusting twist angle, sample thickness, and temperature in real time. Closed-loop control with piezoelectric actuators and capacitance sensors enabled precise movement. Integrated microscopy allowed live observation, while LabVIEW software coordinated actuation, sensing, imaging, and long-term time-lapse acquisition.

Other Automation Experience

• Arduino-based sensing, motor control, and system interfacing
• LabVIEW for data acquisition in physics labs
• G-code generation, CAM automation, and CNC mill programming