User:Awong787

Andrew Wong is a fourth year engineering student at the University of Western Ontario pursuing a discipline of Mechatronics Systems and Biomedical Engineering. He has major interests in electrical systems, and has experience working with printed circuit board (PCB) design, manufacturing, and assembly. With a passion for improving human wellness, he strives to apply principles of engineering to solve issues in human health.

Mechatronics Systems and Biomedical Engineering Dual Degree (2022 - 2027)

Free Appropriate Sustainability Technology (FAST) Research Group (May 2025 - Present)

Andrew is actively involved in the development of open-source bioreactor systems aimed at supporting experimental screening, biofabrication, and biomedical research. His work emphasizes scalable, low-cost hardware to promote interdisciplinary scientific exploration. He designed a modular enclosure using CAD software to house a 6-unit Pioreactor Cluster, allowing for easy transport and flexible experimentation in scalable bioprocessing setups. Through iterative design using Onshape and rapid prototyping with 3D printing, he optimized peristaltic pump mounts and T-slot corner brackets to minimize material usage and print time without compromising mechanical integrity. Additionally, Andrew developed Python-based control software on a Raspberry Pi to operate supplementary peristaltic pumps, enabling multi-media experiments and integrating support for both stepper and servo motor control within the Pioreactor platform.

Robarts Research Institute (May 2024 - August 2024)

Andrew contributed to the development of a low-cost intraoral imaging solution for low-resource Nairobi communities alongside fellow engineering students. He designed and assembled a high-speed USB 2.0 hub PCB for the Raspberry Pi Zero W, along with an LED array PCB for lens illumination, using surface mount soldering and adhering to USB and optical design standards. In a controlled wet lab setting, he conducted a self-designed fluorescence imaging experiment to detect proteins associated with dental caries. Based on experimental results, he designed a compact PCB integrating a spectrophotometer sensor and UV LEDs, interfacing with an Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense via I2C and SPI, and used the findings to optimize sensor placement and detection thresholds.

Robarts Research Institute (May 2023 - August 2023)

Andrew developed a low-cost wireless pulse oximetry device aimed at enabling real-time patient monitoring in low-resource and remote environments. He implemented and validated real-time PPG signal processing algorithms in Python and C/C++, and explored machine learning models using TensorFlow to estimate blood pressure from biosignals. As part of the hardware development, he designed a compact PCB centered around an ESP32 embedded system to interface with various sensors and power components. He also used Onshape and 3D printing to iteratively prototype wearable enclosures. The device was evaluated in real-world conditions through supervised clinical trials to assess its performance and usability.

MSE 3302B

Andrew collaborated with a team of six mechatronics engineering students to design and prototype a 10:1 scale model of a C-arm fluoroscopy machine. He contributed to the CAD development of the system in SolidWorks and helped fabricate components using 3D printing. As part of the control system, the team programmed an ESP32 to drive three stepper motors enabling directional control of the 3-DOF C-arm and surgical table via button inputs to simulate real-world imaging workflows. He and his team also integrated Bluetooth-enabled accelerometers with the model and connected them to 3D Slicer, allowing real-time virtual simulation of physical movements.

MSE 2202B

Andrew collaborated with a team of four engineering students to design and develop a fully autonomous scavenger robot for material collection and color-based sorting within a predefined area. The team programmed an ESP32 microcontroller to manage the robot’s drivetrain, implement traversal path algorithms, perform real-time color sorting, and execute return-to-base routines upon task completion. Together, they designed the robot assembly using CAD software, created industry-standard fabrication drawings, and manufactured the chassis and collection system using 3D printing and laser cutting techniques.

BME 3201A

Andrew worked as part of a student team in collaboration with Trudell Medical International to develop solutions addressing client-specific challenges related to the use of their valved holding chamber with an inhaler. The team continuously refined product concepts using decision-making tools such as Go/No-Go analysis and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) to align with client requirements, while also outlining potential commercialization strategies and considering relevant regulatory and intellectual property factors.

ES 1050

Collaborated with a team of five to design and prototype a support device for aquafit participants at the London YMCA, following the engineering design process and client specifications. Andrew led the CAD design work to communicate and refine concepts, while the team applied project management tools such as Pugh matrices, action logs, and bills of materials to guide development.

Western Skylark CubeSat Project

Andrew is involved in the development of a satellite for tracking bird migration patterns, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of students and professors across science, engineering, physics, and project management. As part of the systems team, he helps manage the overall CubeSat system, overseeing subsystem integration, interface coordination, and project documentation. This involved compiling essential information for the Critical Design Review (CDR) and preparing clear, visual presentations including diagrams, flowcharts, and graphs to effectively communicate project progress and design details.

Western Undergraduate Engineering Society (November 2024 - Present)

Andrew represented third-year biomedical engineering dual degree students on the Undergraduate Engineering Society (UES). In this role, he actively participated in weekly meetings focused on addressing student concerns, enhancing the engineering community, and collaborating on the review and revision of UES bylaws.

Electrical Engineering Team Co-Lead (September 2024 - August 2025)

Andrew organized task plans and delegated responsibilities within the electrical subteam to promote efficient workload distribution and foster team collaboration. He worked closely with the mechanical team to ensure proper cable routing within a 3D-printed intraoral camera enclosure. Additionally, Andrew led a hands-on workshop on PCB design using Fusion 360, introducing new members to schematic creation and layout fundamentals to help them quickly become proficient with the project’s tools and workflows. He also collaborated with faculty to develop motor force sensing techniques integrated into an embedded system for a smart toothbrush designed for underserved African regions.

Electrical Engineering Team Member (September 2023 - August 2024)

Andrew collaborated closely with the electrical team lead and members on a range of electronics projects. These included researching PWM motor control, estimating torque and speed using back EMF and current measurements, and designing an inductive charging system grounded in Faraday’s Law. He also conducted research on fluorescence imaging principles for dental caries detection in handheld devices, contributing to the development of an oral imaging system through sensor evaluation and technical feasibility analysis.

Controls Engineering Subsystem Team Member (September 2024 - August 2025)

Andrew collaborated with controls team leads on both electrical and software design aspects, contributing to the development of motor control embedded systems that enabled stable autonomous flight through the application of PID control principles.

PADA Mechanical Engineering Team Member (September 2023 - August 2024)

Andrew participated in the manufacturing of duplicate Powered Autonomous Delivery Aircraft (PADA) units for testing and validation purposes. He also took part in flight tests to optimize flight routes, ensuring compliance with SAE standards.

Mechanical Engineering Subsystem Team Member (September 2022 - August 2023)

Andrew collaborated with the Wing Team to construct the wing and fuselage of the Primary Aircraft for the SAE International AERO competition. His contributions included fabricating a carbon-fiber reinforced composite wing spar using resin casting, foam cutting, and woodworking techniques. Additionally, he optimized the fuselage structure in SolidWorks, planning for future modifications in coordination with the Fuselage Team.

• Altium Education PCB Basic Design Course
• SOLIDWORKS Simulation Associate
• SOLIDWORKS CAD Design Associate (CSWA)
• Standard First Aid with CPR-C

Western Engineering Competition (January 2024)

Andrew assisted executive members and organizers in ensuring smooth operations during the competition. His responsibilities included event setup, managing food service distribution during lunch hours, and judging a select number of event categories.

Western University (September 2022 - October 2022)

During the first year design course ES 1050, Andrew assisted first-year engineering students with introductory CAD modeling using Onshape, working alongside other mentors and instructors. He also provided support for Microsoft Excel, helping students with basic functions, conditional formatting, keyboard shortcuts, and sharing tips to promote efficient work.

University of Waterloo (June 2025)

Andrew was selected to attend the 2025 WIN Summer School on Med-tech and Sustainable Nanotechnology at the University of Waterloo, where he received on-campus housing, meals, and a $500 honorarium to support travel. He participated in a three-day program that included lectures and lab tours focused on interdisciplinary applications of nanotechnology, emphasizing global challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). During the program, Andrew engaged with graduate students and faculty exploring the use of nanotechnology in next-generation energy systems, connected devices, theragnostic and therapeutics, and smart functional materials.

Category: Senior Design

Andrew participated in the 2024 Western Engineering Competition, where his team secured 2nd place in the Senior Design Category. The team designed, manufactured, and tested a remote-controlled lunar rover for a timed resource collection challenge on a defined track. Andrew contributed to the integration of DC motors with appropriate drive systems, implemented a relay-controlled electromagnet, and developed IR wireless control using Arduino programming.

Category: Junior Design

Andrew competed in the 2022 Western Engineering Competition, achieving a top 10 finish in the Junior Design category. His team designed and built a mousetrap-powered car that applied principles of classical mechanics to maximize travel distance by utilizing large wheels and a slow-speed drive to efficiently convert the potential energy stored in the mousetrap.