Exploring the Realm of Digital Studies Through Cybernetic Immersion
In the summer of 2019, Agnes Robang embarked on an exciting journey as part of the High Meadows Environmental Institute's internship programme at Princeton University. Her project focused on a robotic tuna, a creation designed to study the generated thrust force, power, and efficiency.
Under the guidance of Professor Alexander Smits and postdoctoral scholar Dr. Liuyang Ding, Agnes delved into the world of robotics and fluid dynamics. However, technical issues with the simulation led the project to veer away from simulations and towards the use of lasers and particle image velocimetry (PIV) instead.
Despite these challenges, Agnes continued her work on the robot tuna simulation, collaborating with Dr. Liuyang Ding through the fall of 2020 and spring of 2021. This period was marked by a significant shift, as the pandemic forced the project to become virtual. Undergraduate students, including Agnes, were unable to stay and work in the labs over the summer.
During this virtual phase, Agnes, along with her classmate Hayden Burt, honed their skills in Computer-Aided Design (CAD), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and used ANSYS Fluent, a fluid simulation software, to replicate the water channel experimental set-up.
This transition to virtual work highlighted the importance of flexibility and an open mind in research, lessons that Agnes carried forward. In fact, she found value in computational science and attended PICSciE's workshops and classes to further her learning.
Throughout her internship, Agnes Robang demonstrated resilience and adaptability, traits that are invaluable in the ever-evolving field of research. Her journey with the robotic tuna serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative potential of virtual research.
For more precise details about the High Meadows Environmental Institute's robotic tuna project, its pandemic-related adaptations, and student skill outcomes, we recommend consulting the institute's official internship program reports, project webpages, or contacting program coordinators directly.
Science and technology played a significant role in Agnes Robang's work on the High Meadows Environmental Institute's robotic tuna project. During the virtual phase, she and her classmate Hayden Burt used Computer-Aided Design (CAD), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and fluid simulation software ANSYS Fluent to replicate the water channel experimental set-up.
