This is my current
resume, with personal details removed for the purpose of making it
suitable to post publicly on the internet. I can be contacted at MyElectricEngine@gmail.com.
Matthew Krolak
EDUCATION
Master of
Science (MS), Electrical Engineering, GPA 3.72 - May 2007
Worcester
Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
Bachelor of
Science (BS), Electrical Engineering with High Distinction, GPA 3.38 - May 2006
Worcester
Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
Master’s
Thesis:
Optimization of Nozzle Geometry in a Magnitoplasmadynamic Thruster
Deep space
exploration missions require high exhaust velocity thrusters in order
to maintain reasonable payload mass fractions. Actively
researching plasma physics theory to better understand how to optimize
nozzle geometry for a particular power supply. Designed
and built the nozzle and the power supply prototypes.
The
result will be a high specific-impulse thruster suitable for deep space
missions which will reduce the overall cost of deep space exploration.
Senior Major
Qualifying Project: Tracker for Load
Matching and Maximum Power Transfer
Conceptualized
and created prototype device that converts power from alternative power
sources such as solar panels. This
device would help to fully utilize the power source as efficiently as
possible and incorporates a switching converter to ensure power is
transferred between the source and load at maximum power transfer point
over varying source and load conditions. Created control circuitry
prototype to be hooked to arbitrary switching power supply. Analyzed
device performance and documented results. Device
would use alternative energy sources and help reduce wasted energy and
dependency on utilities grid.
Project: Kinkajou Projector Battery
Charger – Design That Matters
Sub-Sahara
African countries low literacy rate, adult education happens at night. Utilities are limited, near pitch black
conditions with little education material. Goal
was to create low power microfilm projector to present lesson plans
visibly at night using a low power projector and low powered light.
· The
unconventional design combines phase angle dimming with a cascaded
SEPIC converter and non-linear feedback characteristics to create ar
obust unit capable of being powered by any number of low quality power
sources while remaining easily repaired with common components.
· Created
a battery charger that would recharge the battery from a number of
sources including a pedal generator, solar cell or straight from the grid. Final product was a very rugged
charger which can be repaired from simple parts and could be used by
people with little understanding of electrical
equipment.
· This
product reduced costs of presenting lesson plans and also increased the
efficiency of adult education classes for these Sub-Sahara nations.
Junior
Interdisciplinary Qualifying Project:
Fire Services Museum Audio Tour Prototype
Tasked by the
Fire Services Museum
in Victoria, Australia to preserve the
exhibit history and the personal aspects of their museum tours
currently delivered by retired firefighters. Recorded
and archived interviews with retired firefighters to be used in an
audio tour. To
ensure the museum had sufficient resources to complete the
implementation of the audio tour, established relationships with local
universities and government agencies to engage more volunteers. Also, found additional funding sources for the
project. As
a result, the limited museum staff was able to maintain the integrity
of the museum exhibit history and also leverage local resources to
deliver more informative museum tours.
EXPERIENCE
Worcester
Polytechnic Institute at National
Instruments, Austin, TX
2006
Software
Engineer
For
the high school robotics competition, programming and testing the robot
had very little time after the design and build were complete. Wrote toolkit
using LabVIEW which allowed students to simulate the
robot and interface the robot controller to the computer the simulation
was running on so
that they could program and test the robot before it was built. Completed working toolkit that accurately
modeled the robot and created
Camtasia documentation for using the toolkit. This
project enabled students to develop software and test it before the
robot physically exists. Students will have more time to
learn the software for their robots and save time and potentially
incorporate more features into their robots.
Rutgers
University, Office
of Naval Research, D.A.R.P.A., New Brunswick, NJ 2003-2006
Technical
Support Engineer
· Supported
research project on physiological indicators of deception which was a
series of interviews with law enforcement professionals and subjects
which were recorded using audio, video and physiological sensors. Sensor data was recorded to be analyzed to
train computers to recognize deception.
· In addition,
prepared equipment specifications to purchase equipment for the project. Installed, integrated and maintained audio and
video equipment and
various sensors including thermal infrared camera, heart rate sensor,
and pupil dilation sensor. Wrote software
program to display and
synchronize the data. Interviewed, hired,
and trained other technical support engineers.
Middlesex
County Community Theatre, Edison, NJ 1997-2002
Electrician /
Deck Electrician
Maintained
the electrical systems related to the lighting for the theatre and
rewired lights between shows.
· Installed
new electrical services and performed load balancing. Wired special
effects and maintained data communication between lighting systems.
COMPUTER
SKILLS
Operating
Systems: UNIX,
Linux, Windows
Programming
Languages:
C, C++, Visual C++, PIC Assembler, x86 Assembler
Packages: LabVIEW,
Matlab, Visual Studio, PSpice, Visio, Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft
Office Applications:
Word, Excel, PowerPoint
ASSOCIATIONS
AND HONORS
Institute for
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Engineering
Honors - Tau Beta Pi – Nominated
Electrical
Engineering - Eta Kappa Nu - Nominated
Theater
Honors - Alpha Psi Omega - Nominated
RELATED
COURSEWORK
Electrical
Energy Conversion
Power Systems I,
II
Applied
Control Engineering Power Systems
Applied Power/E&M in Plasma Thrusters
Control
Engineering
Heat Transfer
Foundations
of Embedded Computer Systems
Microprocessor System Design
Advanced
Computer System Design
Microelectronic Circuits I, II
Continuous
Time Signals and System Analysis
Discrete
Time Signals and System Analysis
Real-Time
Digital Signal Processing
Semiconductor
Devices
Electromagnetic
Fields
Communication
Systems Engineering
Questions?
Comments? Suggestions? E-Mail me at MyElectricEngine@gmail.com
Copyright 2007 by Matthew Krolak - All Rights
Reserved.
Don't copy my stuff without asking first.
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