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Marquis Scholar Joshua Porter ’06 (Pittstown, N.J.) is completing research that may impact the use of robotics in several real-life situations.
Porter, an electrical and computer engineering major with a minor in mathematics, is working with Ismail Jouny, professor and head of electrical and computer engineering.
“Josh has been writing computer code and building a small circuit to control the arms of a robotic arm manipulator,” explains Jouny. “There are five separate motors on this robot, and he’s trying to control the mechanical finger and move it from one point in space to another.”
They are collaborating through Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, in which students assist faculty with research while earning a stipend. Lafayette is a national leader in undergraduate research. Many of the more than 160 students who participate in EXCEL each year go on to publish papers in scholarly journals and/or present their research at conferences.
“The software for this arm is written in Java and runs on a computer with the Linux operating system,” says Porter. “Since the robot does not currently provide any feedback to the computer, the computer must determine where the robot is based on where it started and how long it has been moving. Using this information, the computer can move the robot arm from one place to another using an algorithm I wrote to calculate the necessary motions.”
To further this process, he is configuring a wireless link between the robot and the computer.
Porter has the opportunity through this research to benefit the exploration of Mars and the safe defusion of land mines. He pursued the project to gain experience in conducting research in electrical and computer engineering and was eager to test the waters in the field, which he sees a potential career track.
Described by Jouny as “a quick learner who is well advanced for work of this caliber,” Porter enjoys the guidance he receives from his mentor.
“Professor Jouny has given some much-needed direction to the project. Although I do almost all the work myself, he helps me stay focused on what parts are important and what I need to do next,” he says.
Jouny has published numerous articles in academic publications, many co-authored with Lafayette students. He has served as a summer faculty fellow at the U.S. Naval Air Base in Patuxent River, Md., and Naval Underwater Warfare Center in Newport, R.I. Jouny also has a U.S. patent pending, has served as a consultant in industry, and has been listed in Who’s Who in Science & Technology.
“During this project, I’ve gained experience in Java programming and a little bit of digital logic design, as well as a better idea of the challenges involved in robotics,” says Porter. “I’ve concluded that I like robotics and might be interested in studying it further or pursuing a related career. I’ve also learned that systems like this that require human input to get them started are very susceptible to error — tiny inaccuracies in measuring or calibration can quickly turn into larger mistakes.”
Porter is pleased with the benefits of programs like EXCEL and attributes its success to Lafayette’s close community of scholars and professors.
“Professors here care about the students,” he says. “I already knew Professor Jouny before this project, even though I never had him for a class. I don’t think he was planning this project before I asked him, but he came up with something for me to do, in large part because he just wanted me to have this learning experience.”
Porter is a Bible study leader in Lafayette Christian Fellowship, member of the College Choir, reporter for The Lafayette (school newspaper), and secretary and co-chairperson of the recycling committee of Lafayette Environmental Awareness and Protection.
He is a graduate of North Hunterdon High School.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Over the past decade, an average of 34 Lafayette students have been invited to present results from research conducted with faculty mentors, or under their guidance, at the conference. Forty-two students have been accepted to present their work at April’s conference.