Andrew Birkel

Building things, Learning New skills, Having fun doing it!

About Me

Project list

Friends

About Me

(Photo Credit – Deanne Fitzmaurice)

My Name is Andrew Birkel,

I am currently a Research Specialist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in the Plasma Science Fusion Center.

I graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a B.S. in Applied Physics with a concentration in Electronics and Optoelectronics.

I enjoy hiking, electronics, machining, tinkering, sailing, camping, and taking things apart to understand how they work.

Andrew Birkel

Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Research Specialist – (PSFC-HEDP)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – B.S. Applied Physics

ABirkel@MIT.edu

Favorite Projects

[Fall ’12] The Hopper: A Personal City Transportation Vehicle

[Description]: A personal city transportation vehicle, A.K.A. The Hopper. This vehicle aims at being a versatile scooter that can ride both on un-kept roads, and in-doors. The...

[Jan ’12]Chaos Pendulum: Double Pendulum

[Description]: This Project outlines the simple construction of a fascinating dynamical system; a double pendulum or Chaos Pendulum. This project aims at creating a simple, cost effective...

[ENGR-1300] Engineering Processes

[Description]: "The use of basic machine tools such as lathes, mills, drill presses, band saws, and grinders, including micrometers, vernier calipers, and various other devices...

Complete Projects, General

[3.1.16] MITERS Door

By A. Birkel 1

[Description]: The project was aimed to create a reliable system in which MIT students could find-out if the MIT Electronic Society (MITERS) was currently open. MITERS is a Student Operated club for Students, with the occasional MIT Community members (Staff, Faculty, Alumni). [Processes Applied]: Twitter API RaspberryPi Python [Github Repository] Temp …

Complete Projects, General

[3.6.16] Milkshake Machine Refurb.

By A. Birkel 0

[Description]: My Father gave me our old milkshake machine I grew up with as a christmas present. The goal of this project was to clean it up, and make it usable. [Processes Applied]: TIG Welding Training Waterjet [Summary]: The goal of this project is to refurbish and increase the usability …

Complete Projects

[8.21.15] Gear Reducer Refurb.

By A. Birkel 0

[Description]: To clean out an older thrown out gear reducer, replace the gaskets and fill with new oil. [Processes Applied]: Gasket Replacement [Summary]: The main purpose of this project was to asset the integrity of the worm-gear drive in the gear reducer and then replace the components required to get …

Complete Projects

[5.13.15] Xeon Phi Forced Air Cooler

By A. Birkel 0

[Description]: To create a durable force air system for two Intel Xeon Phi’s, to help keep them from overheating. [Xeon Phi Info link] [Processes Applied]: Laser Cutter Circuitry [Summary]: This was a straightforward project in which I used laser cuttable wooden board to create a mounting structure in which to …

Complete Projects

[5.5.15]Bike Power Grid

By A. Birkel 0

[Description]: The project is aimed to replace my current battery powered lights for my bike with a dedicated power system with more capacity and durability. [Processes Applied]: Lithium Battery Soldering Lithium Battery Balancing Soda-Bottle Armoring Circuitry soldering basic design 3D printing Machining Lathe [Summary]: The Battery: The first major consideration …

Complete Projects

[8.28.14] Precision Identical Cuboids – Junior Lab

By A. Birkel 0

[Description]: This project was aimed at creating multiple cuboids of roughly identical size. [Processes Applied]: Milling Fly Cutting Polishing Wood-Working Staining Sealing (Polyurethane) [Summary]: In science one of the most important issues you will face in experimentation is systematic error. These errors generally come from the measuring instrument or the …

Complete Projects, General

[8.2.14] Variable Temperature Box

By A. Birkel 0

[Description]: This project was aimed at creating a testing apparatus that allows you to vary the temperature between (Below Freezing) to ~100F. [Processes Applied]: Milling Tapping Temperature Sensors PID Control [Summary]: The reason for this project is to create a box which can cycle between 30F (or lower) and 100F so …

Complete Projects, General

[07.14.14]Home-made Cutting Boards: Simple Wood-working

By A. Birkel 0

[Description]: This project came out of the desire to build new things for my upcoming move and to work with wood for a change. So the project was aimed at creating a quality cutting board at an affordable price. [Processes Applied]: * Food-Safe Wood gluing * Hand-planing * Electric-planing * …

Complete Projects, General

[4.10.14] The Melting Point: CNC Wax Seals

By A. Birkel 0

[Description]: This project was designed around the use of the CNC Mill that has recently been added to the MITERS arsenal of machines. The project involves using the CNC mill to machine precise design into a piece of brass cylindrical stock. [Processes Applied]: – CNC Milling – CAD [Soldiworks] – …