Practicum Observation and Analysis ○
Going into my first day at the Combustion Lab, I had no idea what to expect since this was my first experience of its kind. I was just a freshman with barely any engineering classes under my belt, but I had the motivation and hunger to learn everything I could about combustion.
During my time at the lab, I completed over 125 hours of work across a variety of tasks, from seemingly mundane ones to complex problem-solving. I saw how all the work I did came together to help us work toward our lab's goal and the reason we existed. That goal was to push the boundaries of energy technology to create a cleaner, more sustainable and more accessible future in energy. To do that, I had to put in a lot of effort and make sure my work contributed in a meaningful way.
On a typical day, no matter what I was working on, I would be reading scientific literature and taking notes, trying not only to understand the new concepts constantly being thrown at me but also to take in inspiration for my own future designs and projects. For example, when creating my algal database, I read through previous studies and compiled chemical and nutritional compositions, along with the outcomes of different species, all in Excel. More complex tasks, like designing reactors, required deeper research into existing literature and discussions with researchers about materials and methods that led to successful results. I used SolidWorks and ANSYS to design and simulate these reactors. When it came to my microreactor, I ordered all the parts, assembling them based on my design and using tools like pipe cutters, tube benders, and drill presses to get everything in place. After assembling it, I put it to use for small-batch testing in fast hydrothermal liquefaction.
The hands-on work showed me just how much my engineering classes helped me. My CAD class, for example, taught me how to use SolidWorks for modeling and simulation, which became essential when I was designing my HTL microreactor. That prior CAD knowledge also made it easier for me to learn ANSYS Rocky, which I later used to simulate clogging in my auger reactor. Being able to apply what I had learned while expanding my skill set on the job was one of the things I loved most about working in the lab. I was constantly being pushed to learn more. While the fast pace and high expectations could be overwhelming at times, I can now look back and really appreciate how much I learned and how much I grew.
After finishing my time at the lab, I walked away with not only a deeper understanding of combustion science but also a better understanding of myself. I pushed myself to keep up with the fast-paced environment and never let a moment go to waste. Whether I was working with my hands or my head, I was always learning, applying, and moving forward. But in such a high-pressure setting, I definitely had some shortcomings. My lack of knowledge and skills showed at times, and I wish I had taken some fundamental courses before starting, like thermodynamics. That would have helped me understand a lot of the literature I was working with and rely more on myself rather than always asking others to explain concepts to me.
This experience has led me to a summer fellowship with the Department of Energy, where I will be continuing my research on combustion, specifically focusing on combustion flames. The knowledge I gained in the lab will no doubt shape my professional path, seeing as everything I learned is directly applicable. It will be useful in my upcoming fellowship, but in the long run, I hope to use this experience along with my future coursework to contribute to the energy sector by designing sustainable and efficient grids.
For most of my time in the lab, I worked independently to get my tasks done. With all the pressure and the steep learning curve, some might see the experience as a little intense and maybe not worth it. But for me, it was one of the most valuable experiences of my college career and possibly my professional career too. It opened countless doors for me, helped me land interviews, and ultimately secured my role at the DOE. I couldn’t recommend this experience enough to future Scholars students. It gives them a firsthand look at research and provides hands-on work in a controlled but professional environment. Every time I walked out of the lab, I felt fulfilled knowing that what I was doing mattered, and honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better first experience at UMD.