Ian Pantagis

HELLO, I'M

Ian Pantagis

Engineering Student & Aspiring Aerospace Professional.

Bachelors Of Science in Mechatronics and Electronics Engineering at East Coast Polytechnic Institute

Download Resume

757-790-0586

Engineering Projects - I am Proud Of

Servo Controlled Robotic Arm

C++-programmed robotic arm, custom-designed and printed case, upgraded potentiometers with new soldered connections, and reconfigured wiring.

AS&M / Jacobs Data Diode Prototype as IoT Engineering Intern

This is the proof-of-concept working prototype of my data diode internship project. This video displays the physically separate Send and Receive Control circuits run by configured Raspberry Pi Zeros with SSH remote access that convert text to binary strings in Python with a successful linear signal response via infrared light for unilateral transmission. With no physical connection between the two circuits, it represents a physical response to the increasing demand for network security threats in private industry and government. Big Data Security is worth $24 billion annually and is expected to reach north of $127 billion in the next decade, paired with an exponential demand for these systems.

Aerospace Science Payloads - Fluxgate Magnetometer Working Prototype

This is a working prototype for a fluxgate magnetometer to observe and measure changes in magnetic fields like science payloads used to map celestial bodies such Mars on the Maven mission. This design, although not required, supported NASA Proposal Writing and Evaluation Experience Academy (NPWEE) for "Improved Inflight Calibrations for FGMs" our proposal placed top 5, and our design supported that our documentation that if selected for formal funding practical testing and could be preformed by our team led by myself as the principal investigator with professional oversight by professionals at NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center and experts Guoqiang Wang and Zonghao Pan.

Reverse Engineered MIT Medical Ventilator

As an engineering lab assistant, this project was requested by my engineering program director, Chris Fritzel, who now works at NASA Langely managing the 8-foot high temperature tunnel (HTT). The project's intention was to inspire high school STEM students about the potential of interactive design. Over a 6-month period, I was able to help teach these brilliant students 3D modeling principles in AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor. They first assembled prototypes in Legos and Kinex components and then transitioned designs to Inventor to design their own prototype. To serve as a high-end example, I was able to reproduce by eye the MIT ventilator design to be driven with a 9V motor to provide a life-saving device following the hardship of COVID for under $100 in comparison to the $20,00–50,000 for commercial systems that were for a time unavailable. The intention of this project was to inspire students that, through creativity and design, they could dream up and build projects that serve their community and the world.

Building Siemens PLC Trainers with a Human-to-Machine Interface

These images show the nine programmable logic controller input and output modules with human-to-machine interfaces that were built, wired, updated with current firmware and software, and configured for use by the ECPI, Newport News Campus Mechatronics and Electronics Engineering students by Allen Warden and myself and lab assistants as part of the Work/Study program. We are happy to announce that these systems have been successfully and functionally used to teach and practice the ladder logic of Siemens systems in numerous classes since their completion.

3D Printer Upgrades, Maintenance, & Configuration

When I arrived at ECPI, there was only one fully functional 3D printer, the MakerGear M2, under the guidance of my program director, Chris Fritezel. I learned how to slice, configure, optimize printing settings, build, wire, and maintain these systems. I have been able to get 4/5 systems online and fully operational, like Reach 3D, which is composed of mostly 3D-printed parts. In these pictures, I am adding a new inductive sensor, consolating wiring, installing a new heating bed and glass plate, and adding some open-source enclosures to add durability and protection to the control processors and critical components. Present day, all 3 of the printers I personally worked on get used every week by students, printing with higher detail, resolution, strength, and durability, resulting in exponentially fewer failed prints, which are now negligible.

NASA's L'Space Mission Concept Academy (MCA) Team 8 Design Submission

NASA's L'Space Mission Concept Academy (MCA) Team 8 Design Submission: NEAR Orbiter for Planetary Defense

In this spirit of the recently successful DART mission supporting planetary defense, my 2nd term apart from L'Space, our term and team were tasked with creating Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (Near) spacecraft to obtain critical science data supporting planetary defense of potentially hazardous objects. In this effort, our team completed a 142-page detailed PDR, for which I served as the project manager. Among my leadership roles, I also assumed responsibility for completing the entire CAD design and figures like function block diagrams, system risk mitigation, and N^2 charts for our team, which resulted in over 300 unique sketches and over 260 unique extruded features proclaimed to be one of the most detailed designs the program had seen to date. I have now been part of L'Space for 5 terms, 14 weeks each, and following service as a Command and Data Handling Mentor, I now oversee all engineering subsystems and mentors as the program Lead Engineering Advisor. L'Space has been a transformative experience that has helped empower me to lead teams for complex and detailed tasks with specific customer constraints, budgets, and requirements while learning to thrive producing NASA quality proposals and technical documents, further illuminating the project lifecycle as a prime vehicle in the pursuit of my aerospace ambitions and goals.

Intercollegiate Dancing Robot Competition Submission

ECPI University held a multistate/campus "Dancing Robot Competition" using the Hiwonder Robosoul H5S, where students would code, program, and choreograph a standard robot as an exploratory challenge into the world and industry of advanced robotics. As a 2nd-degree blackbelt and former martial arts instructor, I was originally inspired to do a Rocky-eque Montage but would not be able to use the traditional theme song, so we therefore created our own flavor or martial arts dance choreography. This video displays the final theatrical recording of the work produced by Joseph Walker and myself. Music attributions for Dubstep Mammoth and Nightstalker, featuring Cecilia Lindh and Splasher!

Motor Drives - Modified Temperature Display System

This was a fun assignment from my Motor Drives class, where we configured an LCD display using the Arduino directory Liquid Crystal in C++ through the Arduino IDE. In this project, we wrote the code, followed wired design schematics, performed troubleshooting, and made design modifications later, upgrading the LEDS to the RGBS in component and coding. The directions called for Celsius, but I coded temperature ranges in Fahrenheit, so I modified the code so the LCD displayed on both of its available lines to meet the grading criteria but also make the design more functional. The system is integrated with a thermistor and is taking live temperature readings from the room that could be altered by adding ambient heat, such as pressure from your fingers. To reach the 90* threshold, I utilized a heat shrink gun to confirm the coding would reach a warning threshold programmed in with a red indicator pilot light.

Senior Research Project, InMoov Robotic Arm With Wireless Control Glove & Python ASL Text to Actuation Interface

This figure shows some of the progress of my senior research project supporting a robotic arm that mimics human hand movements by designer InMoov. The arm will use a Python-based text input interface and a wireless communication glove module with flex resistors, allowing users to map American Sign Language (ASL) to actuation responses to support the learning of children with disabilities, especially among children born deaf that may not have the expanded vocabulary needed to help them thrive. The project will include a Raspberry Pi Zero-driven Python library for ASL communication that will begin with stored servo values for a basic alphabet directory. The integration of Arduino microcontrollers and NRF24L01+ wireless communication modules enables real-time interaction that can simulate movements with the glove or with text-to-actuation responses and represents a high-level summary of skills learned in my academic background from circuit analysis, material sciences, computer-iterated design, robotics, and mathematics while supporting a problem- and solution-focused product.

PLC Fill Processing System & HMI Final Project

While this isn't the most complex set of ladder logic I have worked on, it is one that I am quite proud of, and that was a memorable milestone. In this system, I created an advanced fill operation for my EET231 lab. I spent several extra hours creating a set of timers and a counter to produce a gradual increase for the water level HMI display to innovate, go above and beyond what was requested, and address the question of what the minimum requirements are and, as an expert, what should be done to ensure the system performs properly, safely, and efficiently. With this goal, I made the human-machine interface more realistic by simulating a true set point for fluid filling in a tank. I also created an additional network using a combination of timers and counters to drive visual animation of the increasing fluid level, preventing the input voltage from instantaneously reaching its maximum value. Where this was not required, it was a fun challenge that might have pushed the boundaries between passion, curiosity, and obsession that could be practically implemented within industrial and automated systems.

Engineering Passions, Curiosities, and Hobbies

As a non-traditional student, prior to my return to school, I had a successful career in sales, making over six figures. Learning that there is far more to life than just money, I learned that I wanted to spend the rest of my life pursuing profound goals relating to my interests and passions. Outside of my academics, with a history in design and art, I love to model in 3D, for which I have a small following online. I like to try new and challenging things to gain skills and attempt projects for the sake of learning and growing, like knife making, for which I have no prior experience. I enjoy tinkering with circuits and learning about cutting-edge technologies like graphene. If you are reading this, hopefully by now you have realized I didn't go back to school to be an engineer. I was always one; I just didn't have the skills or knowledge yet to pursue my passions.

5 Year Academic Goals & Capstone Presentation

In this section I have included an outline for my 5 year academic goals and a problem solution presentation outlining details for improved inflight calibrations and performance of flux-gate magnetometers in aerospace environments.

About

MY BACKGROUND

With a passion for science, mathematics, technology, and all things engineering, I have both the ambition and the developing background necessary to dive deep into the world of aerospace and become a major asset to any team or organization that I am a part of. As an upbeat, self-motivated team player with excellent communication skills, I envision an exciting future in the industry on the precipice of a golden age of space exploration. I encourage you to browse my site to gain a deeper understanding of what I have to offer.

Transcripts and Resume

He is ambitious, hard working, and applies himself above and beyond as mentor and student of growth in the pursuit of excellence in engineering, but how does he stack up quantifiably? Find out, attached are copies attached of my most current resume and transcripts.

Course Reflection & Project Samples,

Above I have included examples of academic work that has greatly influenced my personal and professional growth throughout my undergraduate program in mechatronics and electronics engineering. You may click to download these samples. Beyond academic samples the attachment includes a NASA guided final proposal for NPWEE and a full PDR for MCA outling designs for an Orbiter Design with targeted science goals as extracurricular elements.

Education & Experience

Education

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

2021-2024

East Coast Polytechnic University – Newport News, VA; Class of 2024

Bachelor of Science; Double Major Mechatronics & Electronics Engineering

GPA: 3.81/4.0

2003–2007

Jamestown High School, Williamsburg, VA Class of 2007

National Honor Society

Experience

WHERE I’VE WORKED

June 2023–Present

Analytical Services & Materials, Internet Of Things - IoT Intern, Hampton, VA: NASA Langley Research Center

May 2021–August 2035

ECPI University, Engineering Lab Assistant

2022–Present

NASA - L'Space - Mission Concept Academy, Student Accelerator Program: Command and Data Handling Mentor

Profesional Skills

WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE

3D Modeling - Autodesk Inventor, Siemens NX, Autodesk AutoCAD, Blender, SolidWorks

Circuit Analysis - Breadboard, Ni ELVIS II, Ni Multisim

Calculation Programing - MathCAD

Circuit Design - Altera Quartus II

Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems - Automation Stuido

Graphical Programing - Ni Labview

Programable Logic Computers & Human To Machine Interface - Siemens &

Allen-Bradley Systems

MATLAB

Programing Languages - C++, Python

Graphic Design - Canva, Photoshop

Skills & Languages

Explore My Portfolio

Projects aligned with purpose.

Jump To Portofio

Awards & Interests

Awards

WHERE I SHINE

2nd Degree Black Belt - World Taekwondo Federation

Dean's List

Interests

OUT OF OFFICE

Martial Arts

Tinkering

3D Printing

Cooking

Fitness

Reading

Ian Pantagis

Ian Pantagis

Engineering Projects - I am Proud Of

5 Year Academic Goals & Capstone Presentation

About

Transcripts and Resume

Course Reflection & Project Samples,

Education

2021-2024

2003–2007

Experience

June 2023–Present

May 2021–August 2035

2022–Present

Profesional Skills

Explore My Portfolio

Awards

Interests

I'd love to hear from you.