Jett is a Class of 2017 graduate of Maui Highschool. He is an upcoming third year at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, majoring in Mechanical Engineering, general concentration, with an emphasis in energy collection and conversion. The release of a new concentration in Fall 2019 has him considering a concentration in energy resources. Jett is interested in everything relating to energy and is still exploring whether he wishes to enter industry to focus on energy storage or collection. As of now, Jett has his sights on entering the renewable resources industry in hopes of finding a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to harness energy from the ocean.

Home Island: Maui

High School: Maui High School

Institution when accepted: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Akamai Project: Not So ‘Good Vibrations’

Project Site: Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope – Pukalani, Maui

Mentors: Mackenzie Stratton & Lancer Leber

Project Abstract:

The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope [DKIST] is the world’s largest solar telescope and is comprised of many moving parts including the telescope itself, the coude, and the enclosure (dome around the telescope). When operating the enclosure, there is a large clanging noise that occurs. The noise is not easily reproduced but occurs every time the enclosure is operated.  A large clanging noise is often indicative of a large impact force or energy transfer, dissipation, and/or absorption. Energy transfer due to this unknown noise was not accounted for in the enclosure’s design and may be causing unnecessary wear on the azimuth-rail system, reducing telescope lifetime. The objective of this project was to determine the general locations and magnitudes of forces felt by the bogies. We attached accelerometers in special configurations on two of the bogies that support the majority of the weight of the enclosure in order to determine the direction and magnitudes of forces felt by the bogies. Varying enclosure rotation speeds were then tested. The accelerometers provided data on displacement at various locations on the enclosure and allowed for peaks or areas of maximum deformation and direction to be observed. From the direction and magnitude of peaks, dominant directions of force (radial and normal[vertical]) as well as location on the azimuth-rail system were deduced, allowing for future specific tests to be conducted that will allow for the true cause of the noise to be determined. Future tests are recommended to focus on vertical displacement as well as radial displacement of both the bogie and enclosure itself to determine if deformation of the rails or movement of the enclosure are the cause of the noise.