Carleton University Globalink Research intern building electric motor for extraterrestrial use
The sights and sounds of Ottawa in the summer are not to be missed, but for Globalink Research intern Yukun Huang, it’s the city’s night skies that he most looks forward to. Yukun’s fascination with space began at a young age with the purchase of his first telescope. Over the years that interest has grown, and has led him to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at China’s Harbin Institute of Technology with the hopes of one day working in the aerospace industry.
For 12 weeks this summer, Yukun is exploring his passion as he designs and builds an electric motor with a 3D printer for extraterrestrial use. Working under the supervision of Professor Alex Ellery in the Department Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Carleton University, Yukun’s project involves using the RepRap 3D printer, a device capable of replicating mechanical parts. The ultimate goal of the project is to adapt the RepRap for use on sites such as the moon and asteroids so it can produce new machine parts and robots while in space.
The hands-on research project was exactly what Yukun was hoping for when he applied to the Globalink program.
This internship has allowed me to explore my career aspirations in a greater context while utilizing the knowledge and education I’ve acquired from my studies back home,” says Yukun.
Outside of the lab, Yukun’s been busy visiting Ottawa’s famous museums including the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian National Museum of History. He hopes to return to Canada one day to complete his Master’s and continue his career.
Mitacs thanks the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario for their support of the Globalink research internship in this story. Across Canada, the Globalink program also receives support from Alberta Innovates, the Government of British Columbia, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan and Research Manitoba.
In addition, Mitacs is pleased to work with international partners to support Globalink, including the China Scholarship Council, Campus France, India’s Ministry of Human Resource Development, Mexico’s Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education and the National Autonomous University of Mexico and Tunisia’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Mission Universitaire de Tunisie en Amerique du Nord.
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