During my final year of undergraduate study at Vellore Institute of Technology, I found an

anomaly in the field of wind turbine technology. I noticed that though Horizontal Axis Wind
Turbines produce higher power than do Vertical Axis Wind Turbines due to higher torque
exerted on the former by wind at higher elevations, to prevent structural/electrical damage at
high wind speed, they implement pitch algorithms which reduce the torque they provide to
their generators. I designed a new wind turbine which integrates a modified giro mill
mounted on the HAWTs tower. The excess torque derived at higher wind speeds is siphoned
to the VAWT using a Continuously Variable Transmission and custom gear arrangements.
Therefore, the smart interplay of these two rotors and the VAWT generators control torque
increases the rated wind speed and repowers the HAWT. After extensive design optimization
which continued for a year after my graduation in 2014, my guide, Professor Vignesh and I
have a patent pending-() for this invention. I also have a patent pending-() for the hydraulic
pitch actuation and related motion transfer of the modified VAWT. In a recently submitted/
accepted manuscript titled Increasing the operational capability of a HAWT by its integration
with a VAWT, we show that through 3-D, unsteady time-transient CFD analyses, the
aerodynamic feasibility (fact that turbulence caused by one turbine doesnt affect the other) of
this hybrid system is confirmed and that optimizing the flow of control by varying the CVT
ratio may yield an extra 500 kW for the integration of the DOWEC 2750 kW HAWT and
Sandia labs 1600 kW VAWT. I hope that I may work on similar innovative drive trains to
ameliorate the energy crisis which I believe may be primarily solved by innovation in
renewable energy technology.
Shortly after my final semester at VIT, I joined the Nano Manufacturing Technology Centre
(NMTC) at the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Bangalore in the
capacity of a graduate engineer where I learned to apply the theory of Finite Element
Analysis in a more practical sense, and in particular to small scale bio medical devices. My
main project at NMTC was the development of a low cost sphere lapping tool for ball and
socket hip joints. With practical help from the precision engineering department and guidance
of Joint Director N Balshanmugam, I designed and fabricated a swivelling attachment which
can be held in the turret of a CNC lathe and uses the rotary motion from the machines live
tool by a flexible shaft. We now have an elegant surface finishing method for hip joints which
extirpates the need of specialized machinery and power and I also have a patent pending-()
for the tool.
At CMTI, I was also given the opportunity to work on the fabrication of micro needles used
in bio potential electrodes which act as pressure sensors. I performed reiterated FEA
simulations and then tested the fatigue strength of these structures practically. I was involved
in coating the Polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA) micro needles with silver to make them
electrically conductive while retaining their bio compatibility. This helped me broaden my
spectrum in electromechanical engineering.
I volunteered at two conference cum hands on training programmes conducted by the
Metrological Society of India at CMTI to help organize the flow measurement workshops
and I learned a great deal on automation of hydraulic systems and related control theory in
the run up. This enabled me to perform some interesting calculations in testing of the LES
wing pitch actuator of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and its vibration test rig, a project
funded by the National Aeronautics Laboratory at CMTIs fluid power laboratory. Besides,
my two-month internship at the Gas Turbine Research Establishments CFD division after my

third year at college had taught me combustion and related fluid modelling and we were able
to submit a comprehensive analysis, saving a lot of monetary and temporal costs involved in
outsourcing the work.
I find the need to shift towards sustainable power absolutely critical. I would like to
emphasize that the pervasive trend of thermal power usage is simply unsustainable. Further,
use of IC engines for transport, even with hybrid technology, is wasteful and polluting.
Therefore, the shift to electric motor powered transport and secondary storage like portable
fuel cells should be given due importance. In one course at college, I proposed a design for
the implementation of a pedal powered fuel cell to run a bicycles GPS and if possible, act as
a regenerative system.
I would like to join the Energy Resources Engineering MS program as I find the
interdisciplinary nature of research most conducive to rapid progress. I closely follow the
unconventional methods devised by Stanford engineers (like the computer that runs on water
droplets and the self-driving, drifting DeLorean car). I found Dr. Dabiris work on arrays of
mutually assisting VAWTs based on the concept of fish schooling inspiring. If possible, I
would like to associate with him to further pursue the objective of providing a high density
wind power resource. As I am inquisitive about advancements in all these fields i.e.
Automation, Renewable energy engineering and nanotechnology, I would like to have an
opportunity to study and interact with the best in the field because I may be able to find
alternate, practical solutions to the challenges we face. On completing my Masters, I would
like to work as a research engineer at Stanfords Precourt Institutes labs and hasten the
progress while strengthening my concepts in the many branches of engineering they
integrate, especially in drives, control and nano manufacturing.
I have and will continue to update my concepts by attending simulation and machining
workshops (and watching Stanfordss online content) so I may be fully prepared to pursue my
prospective masters and research work at Stanford with full vigour.