akamai project examples, by field and interest

Akamai interns are placed with a specific mentor and project upon acceptance to the program. Applicants are asked to identify past projects that align with their interests, which helps the selection committee make matches between applicants and mentors. Examples of projects,Ā which are often similar to projects currently offered, by major or field of study are below.

Click to see the full list of Akamai alumni and past projects.

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by location and industry.

Click to see a summary of the program experience.

Examples of projects completed by past Akamai interns, by field of interest

Applicants to the Akamai Internship Program are asked to identify past projects of interest that are of interest to them, and state why they are of interest. The selection committee uses applicant response to find matches to projects offered in current year (links in blue provide more information about the projectā€“you need to scroll down to abstract after intern bio).

Electrical engineering/electronics/computer engineering:

  • Characterizing a New Generation of Actuators for Use in Large Deformable MirrorsĀ UCO 2023
  • Developing and Prototyping a Sky Monitoring System for Capturing, Displaying, and Archiving DataĀ KBR 2022
  • Low-Level Motion and Control Systems Upgrade for Laser Guide Star Beam Steering Gemini 2019
  • Creating a Focal Plane to Detector Interpolator for TMTā€™s WFOSĀ UCO 2019
  • Feasibility Study and Proposed Installation of Replacement UPS units for Subaru TelescopeĀ Subaru 2019
  • Designing a Motor Operated Switch for a HECO Substation, HELCO 2024
  • Commissioning an Integrated SO2 and Particle Sensor for Detection of VOG at the Maunakea Summit CFHT 2024
  • Upgrading the Thermal Monitoring System with a Raspberry Pi at SMAĀ SMA 2018
  • Designing a Permanent Coude Bearing Load Sensing System for DKIST DKIST 2024
  • Scripting for Space: Creating Software to Validate the Pono Satellite Payload Privateer Space 2024

Sensors/robotics/mechatronics:

  • Creating a Camera Driver for a Space Domain Awareness Telescope KBR 2023
  • Speeding Up Wavefront Sensor Backgrounds for Robo-AOĀ IfA 2019
  • Replacing the Cryogenic Temperature Sensors for YTLA Radio ArrayĀ ASIAA 2019
  • Verifying and Characterizing the Capabilities of the Actuator Control Module for the Keck Adaptive Secondary Mirror, UCO 2024

Mechanical engineering:Ā 

  • Improving Vibration Data-Collection and Analysis Processes at DKIST DKIST 2023
  • Position Characterization and Testing of a Cryogenic Rotary Stage Assembly for SCALES UCO 2022
  • Mitigating Ice Collection on Dome Vent Door to Increase Operational Efficiency CFHT 2019
  • Developing a Finite Element Model of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescopeā€™s Primary Mirror Support System for Optical Analysis CFHT 2024
  • Mechanical Design and Analysis of a Mount Assembly for the Gemini North Adaptive Optics Laser Launch Telescopes Gemini 2019
  • Baffling Design for the Fore-Optics of the SCALES Instrument UCO 2024
  • Designing Optical Component Mounting Solutions for W. M. Keckā€™s Lens Alignment Station Keck 2024
  • Cooling & Reducing Thermocycling of YT Lee Array Field Programmable Gate Arrays ASIAA 2018
  • Redesigning the Gemini Dome Lateral Guide Rollers for Accessibility Gemini 2024

Astronomy and physics:

  • Deriving Properties of Eclipsing Binaries from Zwicky Transient Facility Time-Series and Color Data Gemini 2023
  • Deriving a Sky-Brightness Model to Establish Good Coronal Observing Conditions DKIST 2023
  • Creating an Extensive Spectral Database for the DKIST Flux Budget DKIST 2019
  • Informing DKIST Targeting Decisions for Optimal Coronal Observations Based on Solar and Sky Conditions DKIST 2024
  • Modeling Polarization Morphologies in Young Star-Forming Regions SMA 2018
  • Characterizing Linear Bias Between Galaxy and Dark Matter Distributions IfA Hilo 2024
  • Correlation or Causation: Solar Flares and Delta Sunspots with Strong Horizontal Magnetic Field Lines DKIST 2024

Computer science: Machine learning/artificial intelligence:

  • Classifying Variable Stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud through Machine Learning Gemini 2023
  • Interpretability of SatNet Machine Learning Model Centauri 2019
  • Deep Learning for Network Anomaly Detection: Building BiGAN MHPCC 2019
  • Detecting Network Anomalies with Deep Learning: Implementing BiGAN MHPCC 2019Ā 
  • Aiding Hawaiian Language Preservation Through Machine Translation UH Hilo 2024
  • Classifying Cloud-Based Threats to Telescope Operations with Machine Learning Gemini 2024

Computer science: User interfaces/web development:

  • Rebuilding the Calibration Setup Process for a High Order Deformable Mirror Keck 2024
  • Engineering a Low-Level GUI for the Telescope Mount and Coude at DKIST DKIST 2019
  • Construction of a Science Case Web Tool for TMT Science Cases TMT 2019Ā 
  • Development of an Integrated Status Monitor for the HSC Subaru 2019
  • Science Operations Specialist Group Daily Report Form Upgrade DKIST 2024

General computer science/programming/software development:

  • Implementing the Subaru Telescope Simulator Software (TELSIM) in Python3 Subaru 2019
  • Low-Level Motion and Control Systems Upgrade for Laser Guide Star Beam Steering Gemini 2019
  • Build Better: Prototyping Maven Build Tools for DKIST Software Systems DKIST 2024
  • Building a Photometric Pipeline for the Nickel Telescope UCO 2024
  • Developing a New Detection Algorithm for Optical Telescope Guider Systems IfA Hilo 2024Ā 
  • Designing a Testing Framework for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope Safety System DKIST 2024

Information technology/networking /information security:Ā 

  • Optimizing Wireless Connectivity: A Wifi Upgrade Study for Subaru Telescope Subaru 2024
  • Development and Deployment of an Open-Source Hyper-Converged Infrastructure Environment Subaru 2023Ā 
  • Comparative Analysis of Maintenance Management Systems DKIST 2023Ā 
  • Upgrading the GEN2 Observation Control System Network for Higher Network Speeds and a Failover System Subaru 2022
  • Network Monitoring Alert System: Gemini Observatory 2018
  • Designing a Mobile Device Management Solution for Gemini Observatory Gemini 2017

Optics/optical engineering:Ā 

  • Fiber-Optic Performance Requirements for Keckā€™s FOBOS Instrument UCO 2023
  • Developing the WFOS Instrument Throughput Budget and Evaluating Optical Coatings and Materials UCO 2019
  • Creating a Focal Plane to Detector Interpolator for TMTā€™s WFOS UCO 2019
  • `Imaka Atmosphere Telescope Simulator IfA 2018
  • Characterization of Near-Field and Far-Field Illumination Patterns from Multimode Optical Fibers for Fiber-Fed Spectrographs UCO 2018
  • Characterizing Optical Components of the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescopeā€™s Instruments DKIST 2017

Ā 

Other STEM fields: The following kinds of projects come up occasionally:

  • Evaluating Mitigation Methods for Non-Target Species Growth in Methanogenesis-Inhibiting Algae CulturesĀ  Blue Ocean Barns 2023 (not offered in 2025)
  • Comparative Analysis of Maintenance Management Systems DKIST 2023
  • An Analysis of Energy Usage and Reduction Strategies for Selected Keck Observatory Facilities Keck 2023
  • Cislunar Transfer Trajectory Study Centauri/PDS 2019
  • Mechanical and Structural Properties of Sintered Hawaiian Basalt Tiles PISCES 2019
  • Building a Machine Learning Training Set Using a Hyperspectral Imager to Identify Invasive Beetles, USDA 2024
  • Improving Edible Macroalgae Production and Shelf Life in Aquaculture Farming Systems KOWA 2024 (not offered in 2025)

 

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