Author: Daniel Curl | Major: Mechanical Engineering | Semester: Spring 2025 

I am a Mechanical Engineering senior conducting research in the field of electronics cooling methods. This area falls within Power Electronics Engineering, which can be viewed as the intersection of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. Some of today’s leading edge technologies being developed by power electronics engineers include electric vehicles and electrified aircraft propulsion.

The research I presented at the Arkansas Academy of Science, and which is also the subject of my honors thesis, involves cooling an electric power chip using a liquid cooled heat sink. Additionally, I presented the research of Joshua Mora Sanchez, who was unable to attend the conference himself. His work closely aligned with mine, and it was a great opportunity to share both projects.

Along with other researchers from my lab, I traveled to Batesville on April 3rd to present our findings, connect with like minded researchers, and broaden our understanding of other research paths. Overall, the trip was extremely beneficial for my personal growth as an academic. I improved my skills as a presenter in several ways. Presenting in front of an audience is often an uncomfortable experience for me, but this conference was a big step in the right direction. Walking up to the podium, I was incredibly nervous, but the focus and engagement from the audience were encouraging, making the presentation smooth and even fun.

Since this was a general science conference, I expected that most attendees wouldn’t have direct experience in my field. However, to my surprise, a PhD in the audience with a background in CFD modeling was able to give me very specific and helpful feedback on my work. It was incredibly encouraging to see someone so accomplished take interest in my project and offer thoughtful suggestions for improvement.

Another unexpected highlight of the trip came in the hotel gym, where I met a biology student. We connected over our mutual interest in research and in working out, and ended up exchanging contact information. It was such a great connection and made the whole experience feel more personal. Knowing someone who thinks similarly makes the idea of attending future conferences much less intimidating.

If I could give one piece of advice to future students considering this event, it would be to absolutely go. Compared to what I’ve heard about other conferences, the AAS conference is very low pressure. It’s a fantastic opportunity to sharpen your presentation skills and meet fellow researchers in a relaxed environment. Interestingly, my business formal attire turned out to be unnecessary. Many students were dressed somewhere between casual and business casual. I was nervous on the way there, but my fears were quickly eased by how welcoming and encouraging everyone was. The people were genuinely interested in my work, which made a huge difference.

This experience was a meaningful next step in my research journey. After graduating this May, I plan to continue my studies as a graduate student in Mechanical Engineering here at the University of Arkansas. I’m especially interested in further exploring power electronics engineering, with a specific focus on motor cooling for aerospace applications. My graduate research will be funded by NASA Glenn Research Center in Ohio, and I’ll have the opportunity to travel there to conduct research alongside NASA engineers. My time at the AAS conference has primed me for future conference experiences and helped me feel more confident in the path ahead.