Posts

Fourth Year: 

One accomplishment during my fourth year that has allowed me to be more involved in Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Team is being elected treasurer. The responsibilities of the treasurer were to implement cost analysis, fulfill potential budgets, and track team expenses. Ultimately, this contribution towards the team allowed for the first articulated tractor build in school history. I will be attending competition this summer to oversee the tractor and compete with the improved design. Additionally, I was also elected the E-council chair of The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. The responsibilities included attending bi-weekly meetings as well as fund requesting through The College of Engineering. ASABE also hosts a Midwest Regional Rally which I attended for the first time this past spring. Purdue got to show other college students across  the Midwest through industry tours what they have to offer on and off campus. One of the highlights of this trip was exploring the Indiana Corn and Soybean Innovation Center. The 25,500 square foot facility at the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE) is the first field phenotyping facility of its kind in North America.


Third Year:

An accomplishment that has allowed for me to set my career path after my third year of college is being accepted into Agricultural Engineering in the Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department. The first semester in FABE has been an eventful one as I have already joined several organizations from Ag campus. Primarily, the one organization that has had the most impact on me is Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Team. Students are ultimately given the task of designing and building a quarter-scale tractor based on a set of rules by ASABE. The International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition allows for students to showcase their tractors to industry. I had the privilege of attending the competition this last summer and was able to determine future improvements that may need to be made to the tractor. The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers is an organization that sponsors QSTSDT as well as advances engineering in the related disciplines. Undoubtedly, I have built a better network with faculty and students by being a part of ASABE. The last organization that I have joined during my third year is Alpha Tau Zeta FarmHouse Fraternity. I was recruited by students from QSTSDT which has allowed for me to develop relationships with them inside and outside of campus. Ultimately, being part of FarmHouse will build me into a better man for my family as well as my peers.

https://fabe.osu.edu/undergraduate/clubs-and-organizations/quarter-scale-tractor-design-team

https://asabe.org/Event-Detail/international-14-scale-tractor-student-design-competition

https://fabe.osu.edu/undergraduate/clubs-and-organizations/asabe-student-branch

http://www.atzalumni.org/

Another accomplishment that I had during my third year included gaining an internship with Buckeye Ag Testing, LLC. One of the main tasks was to implement research trial execution. Specifically, I got to see the start of the seed from when it was treated with a company application all the way up to harvest of the crop. The skills that stood out of the plethora of information I gained from the internship included planting particular crops, measuring vigor ratings, as well as picking plant samples. First, I had the opportunity to run the planter in-between certain subplots. The challenges of running this piece of equipment included being able to switch between fertilizer applications from subplot to subplot as well as knowing where the planter is on the map of the field at all times. Another way in which a plot gained a specific formula application was by hand when spreading dry fertilizers onto certain subplots. The gains that the subplot attained from this dry fertilizer varied depending on the type of weather that the plot experienced  that day. Wind can spread the fertilizer unevenly depending on which direction it is moving and the amount of rain that the subplot experiences can impact how much of the fertilizer is reaching the seed. The Almaco planter was used to plant pre-treated seed that would have to be sorted into packets ahead of time. These seed packets were sorted so that they could be planted in their specific subplots and rows nonstop.

Second, the vigor ratings were a vital part of gathering data that a company wanted to see from their field trial. The primary way of measuring vigor ratings included physically looking at the plants themselves. The ratings given are based upon a company scale and are used to compare the amount of greenery present between subplots. Another way in which a vigor rating was taken included the usage of handheld GreenSeekers. These devices were used to sense the amount of greenery between subplots and diagnose if a subplot needed more fertilizer application or not. Drones are also now being used in order to take NDVI ratings as well by using high quality cameras to read the color change in the plants themselves. Most future vigor ratings are ultimately going to be made by quantitative aerial imagery.

Lastly, the different types of plant sampling were able to give me an idea on what is physically happening to the plant under certain conditions. There were certain diseases that a person could only see if the sampler dug up the root of a plant compared to taking a leaf sample. Leaf and root samples would be sent off to a lab in order to gather data about the makeup of the plant itself and why it it was growing a certain way. Undoubtedly, this internship is what truly introduced me to agriculture and its impact on the global community.

https://www.buckeyeagtesting.com/

Second Year:

One accomplishment that was significant to me during my second year of college was getting my first 3.5 GPA for any semester at college while being a full-time student. People who make the Dean’s List get a 3.5 GPA for the respective semester while taking 12 or more credit hours. The Dean’s List in college is comparable to getting on the Honor Roll in high school and is always the goal of a college student. Therefore, the accomplishment of getting on the Dean’s List has allowed for me to gain more confidence in myself and know what it takes to be on the Dean’s List.

https://news.osu.edu/assets/uploads/Deans_List___Ohio_residents_by_county.pdf

Another accomplishment that was significant to me during my second year of college was completing my Green Engineering Scholars participation at Ohio State. The Green Engineering Scholars Program is for Scholars who have an interest in relating engineering techniques to the environment by being conscious of how efficiently we can reduce the energy used in implementing the engineering techniques. For example, in our Toy Adaptation Workshops we have designed custom buttons for kids with spinal bifida that use less materials compared to buttons designed by other companies and are ultimately used as a substitute for a normal operation of a toy. More often than not, companies who sell adapted toys sell them for a very inflated price and the goal of the Toy Adaptation Workshops is to makes the toys more affordable as we work out of Katelyn’s Kloset. In conclusion, the Green Engineering Scholars Program has taught me how to be conscious of the environment as well as implement more creative engineering techniques in order to promote problem solving.

https://honors-scholars.osu.edu/scholars/programs/green-engineering

First Year:

One accomplishment that mean’t a lot to me during my first semester of college is completing a triathlon with the Triathlon Club at Ohio State. I was able to train in swimming, biking, and running in order to maximize my success in my first Triathlon Sprint. I participated in the Tiger Triathlon at Wittenberg University campus. The race consisted of a 400 yard swim, a 14.8 mile bike ride, and a 3.5 mile run. Overall, the participation in the Tiger Triathlon helped promote my physical and mental well being during my first semester.

http://www.wittenberg.edu/featured/2015/Tiger-Triathlon

Another accomplishment that was significant to me during my second semester of college is participating in my first Buckeyethon. The purpose of Buckeyethon is to raise money for cancer research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. I had the opportunity to participate in the largest student-run philanthropy event at Ohio State and witnessed how much my presence mean’t to the kids at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. In summary, the experience of Buckeyethon is something that had ultimately shaped my view on life and makes me realize how fortunate I am.

https://buckeyethon.osu.edu/

 

 

 

Global Awareness:

Global impacts are relevant in engineering education since many countries around the world are lacking in sophisticated engineering solutions to problems. For example, certain parts of Guatemala are lacking in clean sources of drinking water. Students have been sent there from Ohio State to help provide water-pumping devices that can help filter water through Humanitarian Engineering Scholars. This is something that citizens in society often take for granted as clean water is not free and a lot of engineering goes into treating water. Ultimately, it is important to protect clean sources of water and treat water in an ethical manner.

ABET Essay-w2fji2

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: The leadership I yearn for in the classroom includes being able to lead a group project in a certain class and be successful in said project. I want to be able to make a sizable impact in my classes as well as be able to make the Dean’s List each semester. The leadership I desire in my community is to be able to volunteer my time to make the community better as well as leave a permanent mark. I specifically want to be involved in projects in the community that will improve the overall quality of the environment we live in here on Earth. The leadership I prefer in my co-curricular activities is to be able to work on my own projects in a organization in order to gain meaningful experience outside of the classroom. The co-curricular activities I am involved in may lead to potential jobs in the future by giving me relevant engineering opportunities.

In terms of my classes so far I have really enjoyed taking Engineering 1182 and being able to have my own role in a project in a four person group. The Advanced Energy Vehicle our group made worked reasonably and I truly enjoyed incorporating everyone’s ideas into the final design of the vehicle. I made the Dean’s List once over my first two years. In terms of the community involvement so far I feel as if I have made an impact by being part of events in GES that involve garbage collecting, tree planting, and other activities. I was leading first years in both garbage collecting and tree planting as a member of Leadership Council for GES. In terms of co-curricular activities, I have been a member of Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Team for the past year. Furthermore, I have also joined the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Alpha Tau Zeta FarmHouse Fraternity as well as Texnikoi Engineering Honorary over the past year as well. Leadership roles I currently hold include the treasurer position for QSTSDT as well as the Ecouncil position for ASABE.

Service Engagement: I want to be involved in participating in community service events such as Buckeyethon in order to make an impact on people in need. Other events include MLK Service Day, Toy Adaptation Workshops as well as FLOW tree planting. Buckeyethon is a 24 hour dance marathon that raises money for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. MLK Service Day is a day of service in which students pay it forward by helping others in the surrounding community during MLK Day. The Toy Adaptation Workshops are events for Scholars who wish to adapt toys for people with spinal bifida. The FLOW tree planting events are days in which GES students and volunteers plant trees in the surrounding communities to promote the environment. Other service events I have done include but are not limited to participating in Spring Into Service, petting bunnies at the Ohio House Rabbit Rescue, as well as picking up trash along the Olentangy river.

Primarily, I had participated in Buckeyethon the first couple of years. The opportunity to raise money in order to find a cure for cancer has allowed me to gain knowledge about how much of an impact Buckeyethon makes on cancer patients. I have participated in MLK Day of Service the last few years. The service day has reminded me to keep helping others as well as be grateful for the life I have. I have also participated in Toy Adaptation Workshops for the first two years. These workshops have contributed to my problem solving skills as well as my view of how much these toys mean to the families of kids with spinal bifida. Lastly, I have participated in FLOW several times over the past few years. The work FLOW does has made me feel closer to the environment and feel as if I am making a direct impact on the future of Earth.

Student Involvement:

Primarily, I was the treasurer of Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Team. The responsibilities of the treasurer are to implement cost analysis, manage the organization budget, track team expenditures, update TREP report, record sponsorship checks, as well as contribute mechanical skill sets. Secondly, I was also the Ecouncil chair for the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. The main responsibility of the Ecouncil chair is to attend Ecouncil meetings as well as obtain sponsorship from the College of Engineering for the organization that they represent. I also am responsible for contributing to the Farm Science Review Fundraiser as well as attending biweekly meetings. Additionally, I am also a member of FarmHouse Fraternity under ATZ. Member responsibilities include attending member functions, recruiting new members, as well as completing house tasks. Lastly, I am a member of Texnikoi Engineering Honorary. Responsibilities include developing leadership skills, participating in philanthropy and attending monthly member meetings.

Lifelong Learning-x6uqr2

Job Experience:

Last summer, I continued my research with a large start up company called Indigo Ag, Inc. I was an Indigo Research Partner (IRP) Intern whose primary responsibility was to implement agricultural research and development. Tasks included generating soil maps, scouting client fields, and attaining a remote pilot license. I first had the opportunity to gain agricultural experience in a research internship at Buckeye Ag Testing LLC. Tasks included planting, spraying, seed treatment, soil and plant sampling, along with data collection. I was able to interact with agricultural industry leaders which enhanced my leadership and interpersonal skills.

From 2014-2017, I worked at the Aurora Parks and Recreation Department, in my hometown of Aurora, OH. I improved and maintained parks, landscaped city properties, and worked in the city boathouse. Additionally, I designed and built first inaugural “Aurora Stampede” High School Cross Country course to raise money for scholarships to give out at our high school. Lastly, I developed skilled usage of parks department machinery such as zero-turn mowers, back-hoe tractors, and utility trailers. Students at our high school had the option to intern at a local company to gain work experience outside of class. I interned at a bike shop called Kent Cycle in Kent, OH. Responsibilities included repairing customers bikes, providing customer recommendations, and building new bikes. Lastly, I found clients for my own home maintenance and landscaping business in my hometown of Aurora, OH from 2013-2014. I was able to market business, schedule projects, paint decks, landscape yards, and bill clients for services.

Tristan White Resume Spring 2020 (Handshake)

Agri-Smart Eli Rice Seeder Presentation

The primary project that I have been working on before graduation this spring is an Eli Rice Seeder for Agri-Smart and Brooklyn Bridge to Cambodia (BB2C). The Eli Rice Seeder capstone project aims to optimize the manufacturing process while investigating further improvements to both the design and material usage to reduce overall cost and time of production. The primary stakeholder for this product is Cambodian rice farmers who have been introduced to the Eli Rice Seeder, an innovation in agriculture resulting in a stronger crop, less waste, and less labor. The current production of this seeder takes a team of six approximately three days. To better understand areas for improvement and formulate ideas to begin the design process, research was conducted in four main areas: information regarding the current design, innovation in competing rice seeders, use of materials, and manufacturing.

https://www.asabe.org/Awards-Competitions/Student-Awards-Competitions-Scholarships/International-1-4-Scale-Tractor-Student-Design-Competition

Another project that I am very passionate about as an Agricultural Engineer is Brutus 319, last year’s quarter-scale tractor competition model. The link above gives an overview about how many different schools participate in the International 1/4 Scale Tractor Student Design Competition and how each tractor is evaluated at competition. We had some major changes to make after the 2018 competition. One significant change we made was to the belt on the Buckeye Variable Transmission. Last year, the belt kept slipping which severely impaired our

tractor during tractor pulls. We are trying to experiment with different textured belts as well as certain belt tensions to get the most power from the engine to the transmission. Ultimately, the tractor should be prepared for pulls as we will have been able to have tested it on a student-designed quarter-scale tractor sled. This sled was built as a capstone project that will ultimately be used for future quarter-scale tractor pull tests. This will give our team the ultimate advantage as we are well known for doing decent in the tractor pull portion of the competition. The last significant change I am going to talk about involves the design of the tractor body. Specifically, the body has been modified in order to increase the maneuverability in the tractor itself. The advantages to changing the body include being able to turn with a tighter turning radius which will help the team during the maneuverability portion of the competition. This club inspires me to want to pursue future opportunities with a larger tractor company such as John Deere. Overall, this organization as well as my engineering classes should prepare me for future challenges in the tractor industry.

Tesla Car Battery

Primarily, the presentation my group made in Scholars 1100 was specifically about the types of batteries Tesla uses for their all-electric vehicles. The main problem we researched is how to make these batteries more efficient and less harmful on the environment. The presentation first goes in depth on the background of Tesla’s Model S and Roadster vehicles. Next, the specs of the original model of the Roadster and 2015 model Roadster are then compared in the next part of the presentation. These comparison slides display the current specs of the Tesla and explains possible solutions to the problems that face the battery that the Tesla Roadster is powered by along with the specs of the battery itself. Lastly, the concluding slides explain how the Tesla battery works and where the future of Tesla’s batteries are heading. This presentation was useful to me since it emphasized my interest of wanting to be part of the automotive industry in the future. The presentation also educated me on where the automotive industry may be heading and how I could find solutions to the current problems with Tesla’s batteries. Therefore, this presentation on Tesla’s car batteries has reinforced my interest in wanting to be part of the automotive industry and be part of EcoCAR at OSU.

Advanced Energy Vehicle-2h6qjnj

One project that is deemed as being significant to my professional development is the implementation of my group’s AEV. The project took place in our Engineering 1182 course in which we learned how to use Solidworks for the design and use MATLAB to program the Arduino. The goal of the project was to be able to run the AEV successfully on a closed track given a specific set of conditions while using the least amount of energy as possible. The responsibilities I had in our group included having to collaborate with the programmer about how to change the code as well as coming up with the idea for the final physical design based upon the initial prototype designs. The reason why this project is significant to my professional development stems from my involvement with Green Engineering Scholars. I am very passionate about the use of energy in our world and the AEV project was essential for introducing ideas related to the conservation of energy emissions in our world today.

Hello, my name is Tristan and I am currently a senior at The Ohio State University majoring in Agricultural Engineering and a member of the Quarter Scale Tractor Student Design Team (QSTSDT). I was a past treasurer for QSTSDT with responsibilities including cost analysis, fulfilling budgets, and tracking expenses. Additionally, QSTSDT has given me practical experience in the design of drivetrain systems, tractor performance, manufacturing processes, as well as analysis of tractive forces, weight transfer, and strength of materials. The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, (ASABE), has developed my skills in communication, leadership, teamwork, fundraising and test & development.

Last summer, I continued my research with a large start up company called Indigo Ag, Inc. I was an Indigo Research Partner (IRP) Intern whose primary responsibility was to implement agricultural research and development. Tasks included generating soil maps, scouting client fields, and attaining a remote pilot license. I first had the opportunity to gain agricultural experience in a research internship at Buckeye Ag Testing LLC. Tasks included planting, spraying, seed treatment, soil and plant sampling, along with data collection. I was able to interact with agricultural industry leaders which enhanced my leadership and interpersonal skills.

Technical engineering courses include an Introduction to Engineering Materials course in which I was able to learn about (mechanical, thermal, diffusive, degenerative, magnetic, optical) properties , as well as the structure and processing of engineering materials, including ceramic, metals, polymers, biological, and composite materials. I have completed a C++ programming course which makes me literate in terms of understanding Unix/Linux operating systems. My classes such as Engineering 1181 and 1182 have given me a background in MATLAB programming and Solidworks 3-D modeling in the engineering field.

Other relevant experience includes participating in Toy Adaptation Workshops, led by the Green Engineering Scholars Program, in which students adapted toys for children with special needs. I have worked at the Aurora Parks and Recreation Department for four summers and have experience using machinery to complete required tasks such as using a tractor to scoop mulch into a dump truck. I have also gained knowledge through an internship at Kent Cycle in Kent, Ohio. I had the opportunity to build bikes as well as solve problems related to mechanical repairs. These experiences have given me the background knowledge and ability to apply that knowledge, which will enable me to make an immediate contribution.

Phone: 330-968-8364

Email: white.2568@osu.edu

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tristan-white-68a900140