Innovate: Building Solutions That Matter
Sustainable Cleaning Solution
Growing up, I often noticed window cleaners working at extreme heights, exposed to serious safety risks every day. Watching them rely on ropes and harnesses left a strong impression on me and sparked my curiosity about how technology could reduce danger while improving the sustainability of building maintenance. I began to see the built environment not just as static structures, but as systems that require safer, more efficient ways to operate and maintain.
Motivated by this interest, I sought opportunities to work directly with robotic systems used for exterior wall maintenance. Through hands-on experience with cable-driven wall-cleaning robots, I observed that their performance often declined under real-world conditions.
Changes in wind, surface angles, and height made it difficult for the robots to remain stable or position themselves precisely. While stabilization devices existed, many were unable to adapt effectively to different working surfaces, which limited their reliability and reduced their practical value in high-risk environments.
To address this challenge, I worked with a research team to design an adaptive stabilization device for the robot’s end effector. I was actively involved throughout the process, participating in design discussions, testing prototypes, and adjusting key parameters to improve performance. After multiple rounds of experimentation and iteration, we developed a multi-component system that allowed the robot to maintain stable contact with working surfaces while moving smoothly along the cable. The final design improved resistance to environmental interference and significantly enhanced operational stability during high-altitude tasks.
Through this project, I learned how careful observation, field testing, and collaboration can transform an initial concern into a practical solution. The work ultimately contributed to a successful patent application in China for an adaptive stabilization device for a cable-driven robot’s end effector. More importantly, the experience strengthened my interest in applying technology to environmental and safety challenges within the built environment—an approach I hope to continue exploring through the study of environmental science.
River Water Quality Sampling
This project focuses on improving water quality monitoring in river ecosystems, a key step in identifying pollution sources and supporting effective restoration plans. Accurate and consistent sampling provides essential data for understanding water conditions and guiding environmentally responsible decision-making.
Current sampling methods often lower a bottle attached to a rope into the water, but dense emergent vegetation, such as reeds and cattails, can entangle the bottle or rope, block the inlet, and prevent proper sample collection. These challenges reduce sampling reliability, especially in natural river environments with complex ecological conditions.
To address these challenges, I collaborated with a technical team to design an improved sampling device that allows the bottle to avoid vegetation while being lowered into the water. I actively participated in field testing, component adjustments, and prototype refinement, helping ensure reliable water collection. This solution enhances the efficiency and accuracy of river water monitoring, supporting environmentally informed management of aquatic ecosystems.