Electronics mentor needed

jmshepard · 10-20-2008, 03:49 PM

My 17 year old son is required to complete a 7-10 page senior research project in order to graduate from high school. The project that he is working on involves electromagnetic force; specifically the application of electromagnetic force in rail guns, coil guns and mass accelerators. Part of the research paper requirement is a mentor. The local area isn’t “high-tech” so mentors in these fields nonexistent. We are looking for someone knowledgeable in electronics to act as an on-line mentor. I’m certain that this will not require a significant amount of time, just the ability to answer a few technical questions and perhaps a phone call or a FAX and review the paper. We are willing to reimburse the volunteer for their time.
Thanks,
Jim S.

T77911S · 10-27-2008, 07:05 AM

did you ever find someone?

jmshepard · 10-27-2008, 07:14 AM

thanks for asking...not yet

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

When I first saw it, I pinged your message to a couple of engineers that work for a related company that just finished an EM project. Unfortunately no response, but I tried.

Ian

T77911S · 10-27-2008, 07:56 AM

the bass player in my band works for metglass, they make coils or inductors, i can see if he is interested if you would like. he was telling me about the power transformers they are making, no loss.

HardDrive · 10-27-2008, 07:58 AM

I've done a little bit of work with PIC microcontrollers for robots, but really only the software side of it. Does he need to build his own boards, or can he use off the shelf controllers?

911pcars · 10-27-2008, 10:04 AM

I can't help you with the specific technologies. I can suggest your son bone up on the technology and basics of the subject (electromagnetism), if not already, so he can discuss from a known reference point using the same tech-speak terminology.

Best wishes on your son's project.

Sherwood

Porsche_monkey · 10-27-2008, 11:57 AM

#1. I would look here: Mentorship is mentioned on their web-site...

http://ewh.ieee.org/r3/enc/

#2. Beer is better than money to a real engineer. There is no beer tax. Yet.

Schumi · 10-27-2008, 01:27 PM

Hm, I'm working on a Mechanical Engineering Masters but I have had a fair share of EE experience and some grueling ME classes dealing with control systems and one specifically that dealt almost entirely with closed loop motor controls and systems modeling (with electromagnetic forces)

If he wanted to email me any scribbles or drafts of what he is working on I would be glad to look at it. No reimbursement needed.

mjedm6 AT mst DOT edu

jmshepard · 10-27-2008, 02:50 PM

Man these are great responses.

Schumi you have a PM.

Thanks,
Jim S.