User:Aadhar
Contents
The Basics
Academy Information: Discoverer Class, graduated May 28, 2005
Current College: Georgia Institute of Technology
Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Emphasis: Systems & Controls, Artificial Intelligence, and Automation & Robotics
Expected Graduation Date: May 3, 2008
Employment Info: Supply Chain Management Consultant at IBM Global Business Services
While at the Academy
While at the Academy, I co-founded the Missouri Academy Model United Nations team, and the Missouri Academy Chapter of Future Business Leaders of America. I was a Community Leader, and was a Wing Representative on the Missouri Academy Student Government Association. I was also a cast member in the Musical Theatre Club production of Into the Woods, where I played Cinderella's Father.
I also worked on two research projects while I was at the Academy.
First year, I lived on Neal's wing, 2nd Floor East. Second year, I was a Community Leader (CL) on Rob's wing, 3rd Floor East.
Missouri Academy Model United Nations
I co-founded the Missouri Academy Model United Nations Team with Sasha Eckstien. In my two years leading the team, we went to four conferences:
- Mid-America Model United Nations Conference 2003 at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO
- Iowa State High School Model United Nations Conference 2004 at Iowa State University in Cedar Rapids, IA
- Mid-America Model United Nations Conference 2004 at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO
- National High School Model United Nations Conference 2005 held at the New York Hilton and at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, NY.
Missouri Academy Chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America
I also co-founded the Missouri Academy Chapter of Future Business Leaders of America with Jessica Hoffman. It was senior year by the time we were able to get this one off the ground, but we did quite well during our first year. We had members go the following events:
- District Competition 2005 at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO.
- Missouri State Competition 2005 in Columbia, MO
- National Competition 2005 in Orlando, FL
Biomass Alternative Energy Research
With Mark Herrera and Dr. Mike Bellamy
Currently, NWMSU takes all the recycled paper produced throughout the university, and makes paper pellets by crushing the paper and using water as a binding agent. These water-based paper pellets are then burned to generate energy used to heat / cool the university buildings. Since enough energy is not generated by the burning of the pellets, NWMSU usually burns Natural Gas to make up for the difference.
With Dr. Bellamy, Mark and I looked at alternative ways to bind the paper pellets. It takes energy to heat up the water in the paper pellets currently used, and the three of us had the idea that if we applied used vegetable oil as a binding agent, we would be able to get additional energy.
We collected used vegetable oil from the Student Center, filtered it, and made pellets from it. We then used Dr. Toomey's Bomb Calorimeter to test how much more energy the pellets released. Turns out the vegetable oil based pellets increased the energy output, by mass, of a pellet by about 30%. At this point, I am not sure if NWMSU ever switched to using oil-based paper pellets.
Solar Powered Water Pasturization
With Brian Troutwine, Chris Johnson, Dr. David Richardson, and Dr. Mike Bellamy
For our May Session Community Service Project in May 2005, Chris Johnson, Brian Troutwine, and I worked on making a solar powered water pasturization system.
In third world countries, a large chunk of illnesses are caused by the consumption of unsafe drinking water. This is really quite silly, since all that needs to be done to make the water fit to drink is to boil it; however, in a large part of the worlds most destitute regions, the fuel required costs too much for several families to be able to afford.
We made a system that would reflect extra light (by using solar flex coated wood panels) onto a tube of water, heating it to the desired temperature, and then empty the tube and refill to pasturize more water. By the end of May, we were getting the water to heat to the appropriate temperatures in about 75 minutes.
I am not sure whether this was ever implemented, or if there are plans for future implementation, but the Point of Contact for this would be Dr. David Richardson at the NWMSU Department of Chemistry and Physics. If you are interested, I am sure he would appreciate some help.
Summer Internships
So far, I have had four summer internships. I am still in touch with several of the people at each place, so if you are interested in a job at any of these places, email me and I'll put you in touch with the right people.
Southwest Research Institute: Student Engineer, Summer 2007
SwRI is one of the largest independent research organizations in the country. With over 1600 engineers and scientists on staff, they do applied research in a variety of different fields. Most of their money comes from the outside; about half comes from the DoD, and another half comes from industry.
In my time there, I mainly worked on two projects. One was a computer vision based surveillance system that would let a nurse at a hospital know when a patient exited their bed. Another was developing a sensor fusion system for an autonomous vehicle that would combine vision (camera) data, laser range data, and GPS / IMU data into one world model. They were interesting projects -- but I realized that I hate to code, especially in a work environment.
General Electric Consumer and Indsutrial: IMLP Intern, Summer 2006
GE C&I is the part of GE that makes the products that most consumers actually touch... all those kitchen appliance, washing machines, lightbulbs, etc. C&I also makes lots of Industrial equipment... high voltage circuit breakers and the like.
In the summer of 2006, I was in the IT Department for GE C&I, on the Global Supply Chain IT team. I looked at the software system that currently managed the assembly and production lines, and looked at other options available. By the end of the summer, I was intimately aware of all the problems with the system currently employed, and knew a fair amount about other systems available. I recommended a major IT Infrastructure change, suggesting that GE C&I consolidate its 40 Supply Chain applications to 2 major systems.
Mathews and Associates, Inc: Programming Intern, Summer 2005
Mathews and Associates is a Civil Engineering Consulting firm in Springfield, MO. A few years ago, the IT Department started messing around with AutoDesk's (the creator of AutoCAD) development tools, and started building an Interactive Facilities Management System. The goal of this system is to enable large corporations to more effectively manage their resources. It would keep track of space allocation, lease expiration, and quite a bit more. I worked on the development team for this system the summer after graduation.
This was a great experience. I was able to do some meaningful work, and got a little extra money in my pocket.
City Utilities of Springfield: Engineering Intern, Summer 2003
City Utilities of Springfield is a Municipal utilities company. The summer before joining the Academy, I was tired of sitting around at home, so I found this volunteer opportunity. I worked in the Gas and Water Planning department, forcasting usage for a ten year timeframe. I also got to go to each branch office, and see how they do business.
This was a great experience. I learned a lot about how a utilities company functions, inside and out. I got to visit a power plant, a water treatment facility, and several control rooms and customer service facilities. I also got to meet with several people in various levels of management, and got to see what each job would be like.
Currently at Georgia Tech
Previous Jobs
- Community Advisor (also known as RA's at other schools) at Georgia Tech Dept. of Housing
- Undergraduate Research Assistant with Dr. Tucker Balch
Previous Research Project
Contact Information
e-mail
aadhar [dot] garg [at] gmail [dot] com
aadhar [dot] garg [at] gatech [dot] edu
School Address:
Aadhar Garg
330593 Georgia Tech Station
Atlanta, GA 30332
Home Address:
Aadhar Garg
4681 S Mary Ann
Springfield, MO 65810
