Calorimeter Heating System
Designed and built the user interface for a calorimeter heating system at Savannah River National Laboratory, providing real-time temperature monitoring and precise control for laboratory use.
This project involved building the software interface for a calorimeter heating system used in a laboratory setting. The system required precise temperature control and continuous data logging to support accurate experimental measurements.
Design Process
Each iteration of the interface began with a conversation with the team lead and customer to understand what information mattered most and how researchers would realistically interact with the system during a live experiment. From there I sketched layout options by hand, working out the hierarchy and grouping before touching any code. Once a direction was agreed on, I built it out in software and sent progress updates at key points so the team could confirm the design was tracking with their expectations before it was finalized.
Temperature Monitoring
The interface displayed live temperature readings from the calorimeter's sensor array, charting values over time so researchers could observe heating curves and detect anomalies without needing to watch raw instrument output.
Control Interface
Operators could configure target temperature setpoints, ramp rates, and hold times directly from the GUI. The interface communicated these parameters to the underlying hardware controller, confirming each setting change with visual feedback.
Data Logging
All readings were automatically logged with timestamps to a file for post-experiment analysis, removing the need for manual note-taking during trials and reducing the chance of data loss from observer error.