Johaneev
Sheelam

Phase-one development of a linear detonation tube test platform — a calculated stepping stone toward full RDE implementation — designed to experimentally validate a physics-based detonation model developed in-house. The program covers propulsion design, structural analysis, instrumentation, test stand construction, safety system architecture, and operational procedures from PDR through hot-fire. The numerical analysis phase is complete and published in AIAA proceedings.

The coupled Euler–finite-rate chemistry framework captured detonation-scale wave propagation within 2–3% of classical CJ velocity predictions. ANSYS CFX 3D simulations corroborated the reduced-order MATLAB solver's pressure-rise trends to within 14% after ignition kernel repositioning. Structural screening confirmed 17-4PH steel geometry supports the detonation environment with significant margin — providing quantitative justification for hardware fabrication and staged experimental testing.

• Led test stand design as primary decision-maker — owned all hardware decisions across mechanical, electrical, and propulsion subsystems. Team of four engineers with supporting roles.
• Developed the custom MATLAB 1D HLLC solver from scratch: CJ/ZND theory, Euler equations, operator-split Cantera chemistry, shock/detonation front tracking, and Lamé structural screening — all integrated into a single coupled framework. Published.
• ANSYS CFX used for 3D multidimensional corroboration: k-ω turbulence, shear-layer development, and confinement behavior not resolvable in 1D. Identified and resolved secondary wave interference via ignition kernel repositioning.
• Designed regenerative cooling architecture, high-pressure ignition system, and suppressor/wave-capture system for post-detonation safe depressurization — no vacuum chamber infrastructure.
• Full operational pipeline: PDR, CoDR, safety board reviews, formal experimental SOP authored for every stage of the test campaign.

High-speed data acquisition architecture for reactive propulsion test environments, where signal fidelity, synchronization, and EMI immunity are mission-critical. Designed around National Instruments PXI hardware, with LabVIEW acquisition feeding into a MATLAB post-processing and averaging pipeline.

• Designed sensor routing and channel synchronization for multi-sensor detonation events at high dP/dt transients
• EMI shielding architecture across ignition, sensor, and power lines to protect signal integrity during reactive events
• Live telemetry visualization with automated post-processing averaging for pressure trace validation
• All sensor channels active — thermocouple, dynamic pressure, and structural instrumentation fully integrated

Founded and led Agricultural Unmanned Aerial Systems — an independent engineering operation designing, fabricating, and deploying UAV platforms for agricultural applications. Four generations of platform development, 15–20 operational units fielded in real-world deployments, demonstrating full-lifecycle engineering ownership from first-principles design through sustained operational use.

• Applied aerospace vehicle design principles to payload capacity, endurance optimization, and operational reliability under real field constraints
• Owned full lifecycle: conceptual design → aerodynamic analysis → propulsion selection → fabrication → flight test → iterative redesign
• Four generations of evolution driven by operational data and field failure analysis
• Managed transition from prototype to production-intent platforms suitable for sustained field use

Electrical engineering internship at Canyon AeroConnect focused on avionics hardware integration, electronics validation, PCB-level debugging, and manufacturing workflows for flight-critical aerospace systems. Work includes schematic review, board bring-up, signal integrity analysis, hardware reliability improvement, and supplier/manufacturing coordination.

• Redesigned PCB filtered connector architecture to unfiltered connectors with discrete capacitor pre-stage to resolve a component lead-time constraint — maintained EMI compliance and impedance matching throughout
• Schematic review, bring-up testing, and hardware failure debugging across avionics board-level systems
• Generated ECOs, ECRs, EDRs, and Problem Reports while coordinating with suppliers, QA teams, and manufacturing contractors

The RDE program is the direct continuation of the Phase I detonation tube work. The detonation tube was built to prove detonation initiation, wave characterization, and model fidelity — providing the experimental and analytical foundation required to design a full annular rotating detonation engine running LOX/kerosene. Phase II is now underway with simulation, injector characterization, and CFD mesh work in parallel.