Ryan is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama campus, after which he studied at Kapi‘olani CC, while also working as a peer mentor for the KCC STEM program. Ryan transferred to UH Manoa in Fall 2012, where he is currently majoring in Mechanical Engineering. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he hopes to attain a Professional Engineer (PE) license and work in the field of energy production. Ryan also volunteers as an assistant scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America with Troop 123. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, playing Airsoft, carpentry, and general tinkering with things.
Home Island: Oahu
High School: Kamehameha Schools Kapalama
Institute when accepted: University of Hawaii Manoa
Designing a Mirror-Cell Handling Cart
Project Site: Thirty Meter Telescope
Mentor: Virginia Ford
The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) will have three types of mirror cells for the M1, M2, and M3 mirrors. Each mirror cell consists of the mirror itself, the structure that houses the mirror, and equipment used to manipulate the mirror. Telescope mirrors need to be removed from the telescope structure and resurfaced approximately once every two years. This project focused on the transport of the M2 and M3 mirror cells. The M2 mirror cell is approx. 3.6 meters in diameter and weighs approx. 5000 kg. The M3 mirror cell is an elliptical shape, approx. 2.9 by 4.1 meters, and weighs approx. 5500 kg. Both mirror cells have different mounting interfaces. The main element of this project was to design a cart that could safely receive the mirror cells from a crane and transport them to the recoating facility. The design for the handling cart was based on the preliminary designs made by other engineers who previously worked with TMT, other observatories’ mirror-handling equipment, and handling practices for heavy equipment in the aerospace industry. An orientation of the telescope structure and the observatory dome that would place the mirrors closest to the resurfacing facility was determined to minimize risk to the mirrors. Finally, finding potential companies who could produce the mirror handling cart was also part of the research. The final cart design features its own drive system, protection screens for the mirror cell, a walk-along drive system, and a single rotating cradle that can attach to both types of mirror cells.