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Year in Review
My first year at The Ohio State University came to a close and it was an incredible experience. My time as an engineering student, a Midshipman, and an oarsmen for Ohio State was truly one to remember. My “Year in Review” will follow two key highlights: the Advanced Energy Vehicle (AEV) project for Fundamentals of Engineering 1182 and the championship season for collegiate rowing and my experience with it.
ENGR 1182 culminated in a final Advanced Energy Vehicle Project that required an engineering group of 3-4 students to create an aerodynamic design that could be coded to run a certain course, pick up a package, and return it to the start of the course while using as little energy as possible. The metric used to determine a successful AEV consisted of efficiency, aesthetics, ease of use and maintenance, as well as its ability to complete the tasks at hand. In late April, approximately 40-50 AEV’s were selected to compete in a competition at the Physics Research Building where the groups were challenged to complete certain challenges to advance through rounds. The group I was in, which consisted of Isaac Faust, Andy Elderbrock, Yubin Choi, and myself, managed to place in the top five. The experience I had with those guys throughout the project was what made it all worthwhile.
From North Carolina, to Michigan, to Cincinnati, to Philadelphia, and to Atlanta, the championship season for the American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) is full of intense races and great moments. As an oarsmen for Ohio State, I was blessed enough to row in Ohio State’s men’s heavyweight eight boat and compete all across the Eastern part of our country. I worked hard enough to take second at the Midwest Championship Erg Sprint which was followed by a second place finish as a boat at the Cincinnati Regatta. Following a relaxing yet productive week doing Spring training at Lake Lure, North Carolina, the men’s team went on to win the State’s Cup vs. Michigan State and advance through the MACRA regional championship. During the month of May we competed at the Dad Vail Regatta, the largest collegiate regatta in the country, and edged out Georgia Tech in a very exciting match up. The season concluded with us coming in 16th in the country as a boat at the ACRA championship at Lake Lanier, just outside Atlanta, GA. On the team I made memories and friendships to last a lifetime.
G.O.A.L.S.
[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.
Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc .
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]
Career
[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career. Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]
Artifacts
The presentation above highlights the revolutionary idea put forth by engineer and entrepreneur, Elon Musk. The concept outlines a new form of transportation that focuses on incredibly fast speeds. The train, dubbed the “Hyperloop” is a system that is based on pressurized and depressurized components of the rail to move the train forward. The train presents many advantages in comparison to current forms of transportation. Most notably, the train can move at speeds of over 800 mph and can span the distance between San Francisco and Los Angeles in just a half of an hour. Additionally, the hyperloop has little carbon footprint and is powered with solar cells. Unfortunately, however, the hyperloop comes with many flaws. It has no capacity to turn as the pressurized tube must be perfectly straight. Additionally, if the tube were to become accidentally pressurized, the train could come to an immediate stop from 800 mph, a very dangerous possibility. Furthermore, the thirty minute ride will not be comfortable for its passengers and might be slightly terrifying. It is not fit for those with medical issues or for individuals that are too young or too old. Although the hyperloop is a revolutionary idea, it is simply not feasible enough to replace the tried and true method of air travel. However, Musk’s ambitious idea has opened the door for the practical application of vacuum technology in other parts of our lives.
About Me
Hello, my name is Matthew Ritzenthaler and I am an Electrical Engineering student at The Ohio State University from Sandusky, OH. In addition to my time as an engineering student here at The Ohio State University, I am also a Midshipman in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, a member of the Ohio State Crew Team, and a member of the Green Engineering Scholars program. I intend to graduate with my bachelor’s degree in engineering and commission as an officer in the United States Navy. Upon commissioning I intend to complete my training at Nuclear Power School to become a nuclear engineering officer on board a United States nuclear powered submarine. Following a career in the Navy, I intend to work in the electrical and nuclear field, focusing on creating efficient nuclear powered systems. My time at The Ohio State University will help me to develop the fundamental skills needed to be a successful engineer and the leadership qualities necessary to command forces at sea. I work well with teams and I believe that the best way to get work done is through cooperation and commitment. Most importantly, however, I believe the best way to make progress in something is to have a passion for it! This applies to my life as both an engineer and as a sailor.
