ALI MOHEET

1825 Francisco St. #J Berkeley, CA 94703

Phone: (818) 288-3898

Resume (MS-WORD FORMAT): www.it-nt.com/resume/resume.doc

Resume (PDF FORMAT): www.it-nt.com/resume/resume.pdf

Welcome to my webpage. In this page, you will find the most current information regarding my projects, works, and research. Each section briefly explains the subject and, if available, a link to the corresponding website, article, or report.

1. Projects

1.1 Design and Prototyping of a Self Calibrating Robot

Fall 2007 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA

One of the drawbacks of using robots in the industries that require higher accuracy is teaching and introducing robot's correct position. It is learned that this process is very expensive and time consuming. Therefore, a self calibrating system that can automatically detect the dimension and correct position of the robot and its surroundings may tremendously reduce the cost and time of teaching process. Furthermore, self calibration system can increase the accuracy and precision of the ultimate result.

First, an articulated robot arm is designed and manufactured from scratch. Most of the parts were manufactured in Mechanical Engineering Machine Shop of University of California, Berkeley by mills, lathes, and CNC machines. Other parts and accessories were purchased directly.

The programming language is C. All PID controllers, PWM, tasks, and states are written in C. National Instrument LabView with Real Time machine processor and FPGA are used to communicate with physical environment. Photoelectric resistors are used for homing process. One Proximity sensor and one photoelectric resistor are used for self calibration. There are also 3 limit switches to prevent unwanted motions. Additionally, there is a e-stop (emergency) switch that can be pressed in case of software error. This switch cuts off the power from all motors.

There are 3 stages to acheive the self calibrating goal: 1- Homing Process: in this process, robot finds its home position. 2- Self Calibration: in this process, robot scans its environments twice. First, it performs a rough scan to find the approximate position of the "stands". Then, it performs a precise scan, in which it determines the exact locations of the surrounding "stands". 3- Process: in this state, robot locates the shelves that are not empty and moves the items from one stand to the other.

At the end, the prototype of this idea was successfully implemented and proved that automation of calibration is not only possible, but also neccessary to make this process faster, cheaper, and more precise.

For more information, please visit "Self Calibrating Robot" website.

1.2 Design and Implementation of a Characterization System for Soft I/O Using NI LabWindows/CVI 8.01

Summer 2007 Berkeley Process Control Richmond, CA

Soft I/O is a programmable input/output board, invented and designed by Berkeley Process Control (BPC). During the Summer 2007 Soft I/O was under development and therefore its characterizations were unknown. In order to calibrate this board, its characterization variables should have been found. To speed up the characterization process, a National Instrument system was used. A program was developed to assess all the characterization data and performance including analog input/output, digital input/output, and power.

I programmed the following NI boards and systems in National Instrument LabWindows/CVI 8.01:

PXI-6704 (16 channel analog output), NI PXI-6251 (Multifunction DAQ), NI PXI-4072 (6 ½ Digit FlexDMM), NI SCXI-1001 (Relay), Chroma (programmable DC Electric Load Simulator)

The program sends the signals to the corresponding pin out or pin in of the soft I/O and measures the results and compare them. Then, the program creates an Excel file with different sheets indicating different results. The data is collected and presented in Excel sheets with graphs.

NI PXI-6251 is capable of producing precision analog and digital signals and therefore used for precision characterization tests.

Since there are 25 programmable pins with variety of different tests to be performed on each pin, I designed the user interface so that it allows the operator to choose his/her desired test(s) for a range of pins.

By using National Instrument system, this program is able to find the characterization data of each board and provide calibration guidelines in a few minutes; a work that may take days if performed manually.

1.3 Risk Assessment of GT-MHR

Spring 2007 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate that the Gas-Turbine Modular Helium Reactor (GT-MHR) meets the goals laid out by the Staff as described in the Policy Statement on Regulation of Advanced Nuclear Power Plants and can be licensed as designed. The development of an actual Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR) requires several years and hundreds of experienced engineers coupled with a rigorous R&D program. This project represents a culmination of associated GT-MHR-related research publications and a preliminary conceptual design report issued by General Atomics (1999).

For more information, please read the report.

1.4 Design and Prototyping of a Palletizer Robot

2005-2007 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA

1.5 Design and Prototyping of Hydraulic CVT

Fall 2006 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA

The concept of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) has been around since the age of Leonardo Da Vinci. A CVT is essentially a device that allows infinite gear ratios between two gears. For example, the CVT is not constrained to 4 to 6 forward ratios in typical automotive transmissions. In other words, instead of having 4 speeds between 1 and 5 on a 5-speed automatic transmission, there are infinite speeds between 1 and 5 on a CVT. A CVT eliminates the unnecessary ramp ups in RPMs between gears while changing speed. This allows the engine to run at its most efficient RPM, and reduces the wear and tear from shifting. Engineers for the past century have worked extensively to incorporate this concept into various mechanisms. For example, CVT design and production has recently gained popularity due to the current demand on fuel efficiency and reduction of CO2 emissions. Credible sources such as Transmission and Driveline Symposium, SAE claim that “Because the CVT allows an engine to run at this most efficient point virtually independent of vehicle speed, a CVT equipped vehicle yields fuel economy benefits when compared to a conventional transmission…uses at least 10% less fuel than a 4-speed automatic transmission… and is more than one second faster in 0-60 mph acceleration tests.” Other sources such as Green Car Congress talk about expansion of CVT belt production by 60% indicating its rise on the s-curve in the market.

We designed and developed this revolutionary idea and manufactured all the required parts for the prototype of the system and successfully tested and proved the concept of Hydraulic CVT with the desired result.

For more information, please read the report or visit the website.

1.6 Design and Implementation of www.primekinetics.org with Drupal Technology

2005-2007 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA

PrIMe—Process Informatics Model—is a new approach for developing predictive models of chemical reaction systems that is based on the scientific collaboratory paradigm and takes full advantage of existing and developing cyber infrastructure. The primary goals of PrIMe are collecting and storing data, validating the data and quantifying uncertainties, and assembling the data into predictive models with quantified uncertainties to meet specific user requirements. The principal components of PrIMe include: a data Depository, which is a repository of data provided by the community, a data Library for storage of evaluated data, and a set of computer-based tools to process data and to assemble data into predictive models. Two guiding principles of PrIMe are: open membership—a qualified individual or industrial organization can register to participate in the project; and open source—all submitted data, tools and models will be in the public domain.

I have designed and implemented www.primekinetics.org using Drupal technology and I am currently administrating the technical section of this UC Berkeley based research community that has more than 100 scientists and researchers as members from all around the world.

1.7 Design and Implementation of IT-NT Interactive Web Technology

2002-Present IT-NT Sherman Oaks/Berkeley, CA

IT-NT Interactive Web Technology is a content management system that allows its users with least or no knowledge of web design to create and manage their e commerce or presentation websites. The base of a website will be generated by the IT-NT Interactive Web Technology in 8 to 10 very easy steps. The system provides some intuitive "forms" that asks a series of simple questions and adjusts the final result accordingly. In less than 30 minutes, an e commerce website can be created and launched online and be ready to sell items.

I started this program in Fall 2002 and wrote all the codes. This system is online since Fall 2006 and hosts about 100 e commerce or presentation websites.

Some new features are currently under development like live UPS and USPS communications and Authorize.net credit processing system.

2. Work Experience

2.1 Berkeley Process Control

Summer 2007 Berkeley Process Control Richmond, CA

Supervisor: Peter Moy - Supervisor Engineer and BPC

Position: Characterization and Test Engineer

2.2 primekinetics.org

2005-2007 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA

Supervisor: Professor Michael Frenklach - Professor at University of California, Berkeley

Position: Programmer

2.3 IT-NT

2002-Present IT-NT Sherman Oaks/Berkeley, CA

Supervisor: Self

Position: Supervisor Engineer

2.4 Free-Lance IT Specialist

2001-2003 IT-NT Sherman Oaks, CA

3. Published paper(s)

3.1 7th Annual ISME Conference - April 1999

A Method for Engineering Design of Spur Gears Using Finite Element Methods