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He soars on the wings of a drone
Photo essay observing a mechanical engineer student in their studio
Lithium polymer batteries, neon 3D printing filament, and a medley of nuts and bolts litter the sheet metal desk found in Laboratory 102. The walls are coated with framed patents; the floor is a rat’s nest of circuit boards and cables.
But Tim Deziel doesn’t see clutter—he sees the future of flapping wing technology.
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A research assistant at Lawrence Technological University (LTU), Tim Deziel is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering. He was recruited by the school in June 2021 to design and build a drone modeled after the mechanics of a hummingbird.
“It’s a hummingbird-scale flapping-wing micro air vehicle," said Deziel. "So essentially, it’s a drone about the size of a hummingbird and it flies with flapping wings instead of a rotor, which is what is used with a quadcopter.”
​Founded in 1932, LTU is a private university centered in Southfield, Michigan. The school offers programs ranging from bachelors to doctoral in fields such as science, engineering, technology, and architecture.
“I chose Lawrence Tech because of the opportunities to learn practical engineering skills," said Deziel. "I know with a degree I can get a secure job after I graduate."
According to PayScale, LTU is ranked in the top 10% of highest graduate starting salaries for U.S. colleges and universities.
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The first building constructed on the Southfield campus was its Engineering building, where Deziel spends most of his time.
LTU's engineering building boasts 15 laboratories used to design and test mechatronic experiments.
Deziel waits in the hall of the Engineering building before his next class. He is taking a full course load of 16 hours in his final semester.
LTU's mechanical engineering classroom overlooks a scenic forest, making for a tranquil setting to learn advanced math and robotics.
Deziel’s normal workweek in Laboratory 102 averages out at around 25 hours. For the past year, he has been focused on building the mechanism for the body of the drone.
“You create it on a computer, through programs like MATLAB. Then we 3D-print it," said Deziel. You have to get everything precise, down to the decimal point, or the parts won’t fit. I also had to play around with materials, like printing with plastic or resin, to find something for the body [of the mechanism] that was sturdy enough to hold the motor but light enough to fly.”
Deziel uses programs like AutoCad and MATLAB to design his hummingbird drone. A complex coding platform is essential for the detailed construction of the device.
After 3D printing the body of the drone, Deziel brings the parts back to his lab to experiment and test the print job. A plane hangs high from the ceiling, reminding him of his aspirations in flight of any capacity.
“I started training to get my pilot's license when I was 18," said Deziel. "Even though I put it on hold to go to LTU, I definitely plan to continue lessons after I graduate.”
Even though he is nearing graduation, Deziel isn’t going too far. As of January, he has been accepted into LTU’s mechatronics master’s program.
Deziel will continue to build the flapping wing drone while pursuing his second degree. He has been accepted into LTU’s Master of Science Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering program.
“Once I graduate with my master’s, I’m going to know the mechanics of flight from the inside out,” said Deziel. “This has been an incredible opportunity for me.”
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