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

[01.05.19]Louis of the Creek: Custom Short-staff for Christmas present

[Description]: This projects objective is to create a short-staff based off of the staff of the main character from the popular cartoon Craig of the Creek....

[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...

Complete Projects, General, Repairs and Disassembly

[7.4.16] Doubled Headed Axe

By A. Birkel 0

[Description]: Refurbishing an old Belknap Bluegrass double-headed axe that I bought for $20 at Kinzers Rough and Tumble Tractor Show flea market in Pennsylvania. [Processes Applied]: Cleaning up Old Steel Removing rust Polishing the metal sharpening the cutting edge Wood Working Trying to make a handle from scratch Fitting a …

Collaboration, Complete Projects, General

[6.30.16] 1KW Thruster [Collaboration]

By A. Birkel 0

[Description]: The goal of this project was to convert a gas-powered trolling motor into an electric powered one within a night. [Processes Applied]: Waterjet Lathe and Mill Welding Electronics Painting This project was a collaboration effort between Dane [Website] and Myself, the goal was to convert a gas power trolling …

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 …