For my Master Thesis, I took a deep dive into Mechanical Metamaterials. In particular, I set out to find a more rigorous bridge between desired motion and metamaterial microstructure. I identified micropolar elasticity as a promising framework for the description of mechanical metamaterials from the continuum mechanics perspective, but found conflicting results in the literature. As such, during my thesis a developed an assumption free experimental method, measuring 36 independent elastic moduli of the micropolar elastic tensor. 

My main contributions relate to the fact the isotropic assumptions that are frequently made in the analysis of metamaterials do not always hold, and that further development of micropolar elasticity, especially when combined with symmetry-based derivations, might provide a strong framework for categorizing microstructures by their elastic tensor, bridging the gap from microstructure to macro-motion requirements.

Through courses like Tissue Biomechanics, Human Motor Control, Musculoskeletal Modelling and Simulation and System Identification and Parameter Estimation, I have learned the ins and outs of designing mechanical systems applicable to humans, and measuring the mechanical systems that drive humans. As such, I have learned to create and validate musculoskeletal models, the workings of human motor control system, and how we might observe task-specific neurological activity through smart design of the experiments. All of this knowledge culminates in the field of Human-Robot Interaction, where we learned all about interoperability between the man-machine interface, impedance control and cognitive robotics.

To combat the ever increasing amount of space debris, especially relating to the many small satellite constellations currently entering LEO, soft detumbling and capturing systems for small satellites are crucial. During my semester in Japan,, I worked on the end-effectors of a dual-arm-robot on an air-floating testbed. Here, I created a compliant planar 3 DOF mechanism, ensuring soft contact between chaser and target satellite. This mechanism seeks to enable non-destructive detumbling and capturing, whilst and reducing requirements on controller accuracy and speed.

In EVA-suits used by astronauts, hand mobility is a common issue, having led to many injuries. We were tasked with improving the glove of the EVA suit, finding our inspiration in nature using the ACCREx method. 

Using nature as a source of inspiration, different concepts were drafted, a final concept and design were worked out and a working principle was built. We completed the course with a grade of 8.5.

I worked on the guidance mechanism subsystem of the next generation of EUV lithography machines, commissioned by ASML. 

I also functioned as one of the system engineers to bring the different subsystems together, and in the end our team of about 20 people was crowned to have the best overall design. 

With two other students and an organiser from the VU, we developed a 4 day masterclass, in mechanics, manufacturing and design for secondary school students. I co-hosted all sessions with my peers and created parts of the lecture content. Our goal was to enthuse them for engineering education, are glad to see it back in the passion the students had.

During my second year of study, I was asked to be a Teaching Assistant for new students in the MATLAB course.  I was responsible for creating course content, checking students work and supporting the learning process. 

I helped develop a sustainable energy project: “Making Amsterdam self-sufficient” for the ME bachelor. I was tasked with data collection re-writing of the technical assignment, as well as general organization and student support during the project.

I create learning and practice content for an online tool, helping secondary school students study for physics exams.

Chair of the committee. Organizing and hosting two waterpolo tournaments within the student waterpolo association. Helped in acquiring sponsors, tournament schedule, and creating board clothing. In the end, we hosted 15 participating teams and with well over 150 participants smoothly.

Responsible for delegating tasks to volunteers, creating recipes that scale, grocery lists that scale and regularly overseeing the cooking sessions on the weekly association dinners after practise on Thursday.

As a reserve goalie, we managed to win the cup at the highest level of waterpolo in the Netherlands. I have learned many aspects from my time here, including teamwork, grit, pushing yourself and always seeking improvement, both when things work and when they don't.