Hi, I'm Ashot, a Materials Chemist from UT Austin, pursuing a PhD in MSE at UW-Madison. This site highlights independent work motivated by relentless curiosity for innovation.

Check out "Wrist Mounted Flame Thrower" for more

Selected Project Pages

👉Magnetically Actuated Arc Reactor

👉3D-Printed Adjustable Fixtures for Precision Glass Cutting

In Progress Projects

Mini Robot Cymbal Monkey

Developing a miniature robotic “monkey” that autonomously detects ambient light and actuates a clapping mechanism.

Graduation Ring

Designed and fabricated a custom graduation ring via SLA 3D printing; produced silicone molds to generate wax patterns for subsequent vacuum investment casting. Currently refining silver for casting.

A Gallery of Other Projects

Physical Vapor Deposition Chamber

Designed a vacuum chamber accommodating both a thermal evaporation boat and a water-cooled magnetron sputter source (cross-sectional schematic included). The complete concept and research plan were submitted to the Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program.

Discharge Tubes of Argon, Neon, Krypton, Helium, Hydrogen

Developed spectral tubes for educational use (Texas Science & Natural History Museum): glass tubes evacuated and backfilled to pressure ranges that favor visible glow, with mA-limited kV excitation; mounted in laser-cut acrylic cases.

Electrochemical Cells

PTFE-Steel cells designed for electrochemical testing of functionalized silicon wafers, with optimized stirring patterns.

Silicon Monocrystal Cell

PTFE fixture cell for Si single crystals: defines a sealed window over the target face to support orientation-dependent surface chemistry and reproducible wet processing.

Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution Half Cell

Design and render of an illustrative animation showing photoelectrochemical HER at a functionalized silicon interface: photon absorption in Si, transport of photogenerated electrons to surface ligands, and H₂ evolution into the electrolyte.

Wooden Pipe

Fabricated a tobacco pipe from walnut burl via manual carving and progressive finishing; bowl geometry and draft hole placement tuned for efficient airflow and moderated bowl temperatures.

Artsy Glass Creations

My primary focus is on scientific glass, but I also pursue artistic work. Color work is technically demanding because different formulations vary in viscosity, working temperature, thermal expansion, and redox behavior.

Printing Molecules and Crystal Structures

Converted molecular and crystal data into print-ready geometry: modeled structures in Avogadro/VESTA, conditioned meshes in Blender, and finalized STLs in Fusion 360 for FDM printing.

Extracting Proteins from Chickpeas and Black Beans

Beans have a relatively high protein content, but humans have a hard time digesting certain oligosaccharides and fiber. Thus, I tried isoelectric protein isolation: alkaline solubilization (food-grade NaOH), clarification by filtration, and isoelectric precipitation with HCl (food-grade), followed by filtration and collection.

"Space Bar"

Turnbuckle-style adjustable rod designed as my first CAD/AM project: a segmented, 3D-printed bar with opposed (left- and right-hand) threaded stubs enabling length control by simple rotation. The rod accepts hooks/baskets to be used as storage in vertical spaces.

Model Rocketry

Used OpenRocket model rocket simulator to design functional, lightweight rockets, with parachute deployment. Optimized for weight reduction and altitude maximization

Clay Sculpture to 3D in 2 Images

Geometry recovery was performed with Stable Projectorz using two input images, producing a close-match 3D reconstruction of the sculpture. Mesh optimization steps prepared the file for 3D printing.

Custom Fume Hood

To mitigate exposure in a constrained workspace, I constructed a purpose-fit fume hood and extractor that seats directly in a window opening. The system comprises a plywood enclosure with 1×2 reinforcement, an adjustable-height sash with a clear acrylic window, and adjustable baffles to bias flow toward targeted areas. A 9-setting fan supports extraction tuning, and a top-mounted corrugated hose extends capture to distant sources with the sash closed. The fume hood has lighting, electricity, and a vacuum supply. Typical uses include soldering, abrasion processes, and solvent use.

A black fabric is used to cover the unused (closed) part of the window, helping with airflow directionality by increasing the resistance of the alternative flow path.