Monica Lasquete
PD for Hire
PROJECTS
When I look at an entity, I began to think about why and how that object was created, as well as the importance of every detail included. I look at the entities around me and wonder what can improve it's functionality, what can make it more innovative?
Latest Projects
Senior Project: Hybrid Renewable Power Generation and Storage System (HRPGSS) (Group Project)
AUG 2019 - MAY 2020
The idea of this project came from a patent of our sponsor, Dr. Baldev Krishan, who thought of creating a self-sustainable, hybrid energy system that utilizes solar energy to assist wind energy. Our objective was to help prove that this project was attainable through solar energy assisting the wind turbine to improve wind power efficiency. The theory behind our project involves a solar panel assisting a wind turbine by powering a motor to keep the wind turbine within a certain speed range, between the cut-in and rated speed, that the power and efficiency curves show rapidly increasing power efficiency. The motivation to design a more efficient wind turbine would be very useful as a self-sustaining alternative energy source to replace drawing power from the electrical grid.
(Due to COVID, our prototype in the image was only 90% complete, missing electrical connections and machined pieces)
Google Hardware Product Sprint: Smart Flower Pot (Individual Project)
MAY 2019 - AUG 2019
1 of 20 students were selected for Google’s 12-week developmental program in consumer electronics. As a selected student, this program strengthened proficiency in mechanical design skills, including initial concept development, engineering design, prototyping, and device assembly.
The project objective was to created a unique product by designing a plastic enclosure in Solidworks to fit the internal components of Google’s AIY voice kit. Also created a BOM to reflect assembly intent & for ordering stock components such as self-tapping screws, foam, and 3D printed parts. In addition, we completed a fit check assembly of the device using 3D-printed enclosures.
Lastly, we were Invited to “EVT week” at Google HQ to assemble, build, and present final product & design review to Google hardware engineers and the HPS community
Technologies: Solidworks, Python, Raspberry Pi
San Jose State University, Mechatronics: Enhanced Support Cane (Group Project)
JAN 2019 - MAY 2019
The objective of this project was to ensure that blind people can safely walk and scan their surroundings more effectively when using a support cane. 3 other students and I developed enhanced support cane that utilized ultrasonic sensors for detection of distance with a vibration and sound alarm using Arduino.
With a programmable support cane, users would feel vibrations at different frequencies and hear sounds from the handle depending on the varying obstacle distances. The purpose of this project is to improve the original support cane by including varieties of sensors that can help to compensate for a users’ lack of vision.
I was assigned the position of the team leader to conduct meetings, deadlines, and contributed to the hardware piece for finalizing the wire connection.
Technologies: Arduino
San Jose State University, Mechanical Design: 180 Degree Rotating Grill Mechanism (Group Project)
JAN 2018 - MAY 2018
The objective of this project was to create a 4-bar linkage system of any choice with correct kinematic and force analysis with proper geometric design. 3 other students and I developed a four-linkage system to create a 180 degrees platform as new efficient product design for grilling.
However, our mechanism has many applications other than just grilling. The act of flipping an object or a load 180 degrees back and forth can be time effective as well as added safety. This project could aspire future creations of a 180 degrees ironing board, whiteboard, and painting of a canvas. There are many manufacturing lines that involve the act of flipping something, for example, wafers in the semiconductor industry. This design can be further developed and automated to work on a factory line.
I was assigned the position of Geometric Design Coordinator to create a bill of materials and CAD models of 10 unique parts and created an assembly build for 52 parts.
Technologies: Solidworks, Creo Parametric