Aaron Lu

Portfolio: aalu1418.github.io LinkedIn: @aalu1418 GitHub: @aalu1418

From flight dynamics + control to distributed systems software

Fascinated with learning and developing complex systems

Always learning and tinkering with projects to make life better

Experience

Stealth Startup
stealth
  • Software Engineer expand_more
    • RemoteMarch 2021 - Current
    • Analyzed, integrated, and deployed distributed nodes to new blockchain families.
    • Quickly learned new topics (cryptography, new languages, etc) to facilitate integrations.
    • Co-authored proposals for scaling integrations and increasing developer velocity.
stealth
Conflux Network
conflux
  • Research Engineer expand_more
    • Toronto, ONApril 2020 - January 2021
    • Scoped and created various technical demonstrations of decentralized technology.
    • Grew the developer community through hackathons, workshops, etc.
University of Michigan College of Engineering
umich
  • Programmer expand_more
    • RemoteApril 2019 - April 2020
    • Data visualization of optimization concepts for a textbook (link) using LaTeX and python.
  • Graduate Student Instructor expand_more
    • Ann Arbor, MISep 2017 - April 2018, September 2018 - December 2018
    • Assisted in teaching 2nd-year and 4th-year students engineering design concepts through lab work.
  • Undergraduate Research Assistant expand_more
    • Ann Arbor, MIMay 2016 - August 2016
    • Assisted in preparation of X-HALE aircraft for flight & structural testing.
umich
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
lmco
  • Flight Controls Intern expand_more
    • Palmdale, CAMay 2018 - August 2018
    • Developed program for uncertainty quantification & robustness testing during multi-input multi-output (MIMO) control system design.
    • Based on the deGasaton-Safonov algorithm described here.
  • Flight Test Intern expand_more
    • Edwards AFB, CAJune 2017 - August 2017
    • Supported flight sciences on the F-35 drag-chute testing program.
lmco

Skills

Programming: Go, Rust, nix, Python, Javascript/Typescript, React, Solidity, AWS

Engineering: optimization algorithms, data visualization, SolidWorks, CATIA V5, AutoCAD, Simulink, LabView

Manufacturing: composites, metal/wood working, milling, 3D printing, soldering, microcontrollers

Web + Blockchain: React, html/JS/CSS, node.js, Conflux Network, Hyperledger Fabric, Ethereum, APIs

Software Development: git, linux/windows, agile development, docker, CI/CD

Languages: English, Chinese (beginner)

Education

George Brown College
gbc
  • Blockchain Development Program expand_more
    • Toronto, ONSeptember 2019 - August 2020
    • Full-stack and blockchain development using Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric.
    • Course work in full-stack web development, blockchain development using
    • Ethereum/Solidity and Hyperledger Fabric, and software development skills and software.
gbc
University of Michigan
umich
  • Masters in Aerospace Engineering expand_more
    • Ann Arbor, MIJanuary 2018 - December 2018
    • Specialization in flight dynamics and control.
    • Course work completed in numerical optimization and non-linear control.
  • Bachelor in Aerospace Engineering expand_more
    • Ann Arbor, MISeptember 2014 - December 2017
    • Focused on aircraft structural design and dynamics + control.
    • Minor in electrical engineering (control systems)
umich

Projects

See all the various projects I'm tinkering with on Github and Gitlab!

Highlights

Useful projects that I use on a daily basis.

  • Raspberry Pi Hub expand_more
    • Using a Raspberry Pi as a home automation tool, and hub for weather.
    • Incorporates a IR receiver/emitter, webserver, and a 10 year old Nook Simple Touch e-reader.
    • See the Go code and a picture here.
  • Weather Chrome Extension expand_more
    • Inspired by the Currently Chrome Extension for a new tab.
    • Dead simple chrome extension powered by NOAA.
    • Check it out at the Github repo.
  • RSS Aggregator expand_more
    • Super simple RSS aggregator that pulls multiple RSS feeds into single file using GHA.
    • Check it out at the Github repo.
Additional Projects

Lots of random tinkering and experimentation!

  • Automation + Scripting expand_more
      Advent of Code
    • July 2021 - Ongoing
    • Coding and logic puzzles used to learn and experiment with the basics of new languages.
    • Check it out at the repository.

      • Toronto Skating Reservations
    • January 2021
    • Script to reserve skating slots of the Toronto eFun platform using Selenium and cron jobs for automation.
    • Check it out at the repository.

      • Differential Games
    • April 2020
    • Python implementation of control system differential games.
    • The goal is to implement various types of systems starting from basic 2 body pursuit/evade games to more advanced topics.
    • Check it out at the Github repo.

      • Chipotle #Freeting
    • June 2019
    • During the 2019 NBA finals, Chipotle offered free burritos to customers.
    • Everytime an announcer said "free", a code would be posted on Twitter for the first 20 or so people to claim via SMS messaging.
    • It took 5 games to debug and get it working, but free food is a strong motivator.
    • See the collaborative project code here: here.

      • Stock Trading Bot
    • February 2019
    • An incomplete project that began with trying to automate trades with Robinhood.
    • Then transformed into a thought experiment involving NLP, AI/machine learning, data based modeling to predict stock performances.
    • Check out the paused project here.
  • Microcontrollers expand_more
      LED clock
    • January 2020
    • A simple clock colloboratively built using an arduino, LEDs, acrylic, and some nuts and bolts.
    • See the code and a picture here.
  • Blockchain & Web expand_more
      Interest Bearing CFX
    • December 2020
    • An interest-bearing ERC-20 token based on native CFX token and network staking interest of 4%.
    • Compound interest is calculated on-chain using pre-calculated values and a search algorithm to reduce computational costs and fees.
    • Check it out at the repository.

      • Conflux Staking
    • October 2020
    • Simple staking interface for Conflux Network + Conflux Portal.
    • Conflux Network is a PoW blockchain but has a staking mechanism that provides ~4% interest annually
    • Check it out at the website and the repository.

      • CFX <=> ETH Stealth Startupge
    • October 2020
    • Using Stealth Startuples to act as a bridge between Conflux Oceanus and Ethereum Ropsten
    • Check it out at on github.

      • Musings
    • March 2020
    • A simple blog site to write down various lesson and thoughts.
    • Built using Ruby + the Jekyll Gem, and for experimenting with various JS/CSS effects.
    • Check it out here or at the Github repo.
  • Blockchain Coursework expand_more
      Hyperledger Fabric + Airline MRO
    • April 2020
    • The program capstone project built using Hyperledger Fabric, ExpressJS, and React
    • Applied to parts provenance and aircraft maintenance tracking for the airline MRO industry
    • Check it out here or at the Github repo.

      • String Operations in Solidity
    • March 2020
    • A course project built on Solidity implementing more advanced solidity concepts
    • Two contracts that implement string operations that are possible in Javascript but not in Solidity
    • Check out the Github repo here.

      • Electronic Know Your Client (dApp)
    • March 2020
    • A course project built on Hyperledger Fabric with a ExpressJS API and React front-end
    • Basic concept: a system were users can login and input information and share it with specific companies.
    • Check out the Github repo here.

      • Timeshare Distributed Application (dApp)
    • February 2020
    • A course project using React, web3, and Solidity deployed on a a local Ethereum network (ganache)
    • Basic concept: a bidding system for renting weeks of a house using purchaseable tokenized shares.
    • Check out the Github repo here.

      • Simple Messenger
    • November 2019
    • A simple chat platform using various Firebase modules (functions, database, etc).
    • Also, integrates with Metamask to send ethereum to users with public keys.
    • Check it out here or at the Github repo.

      • CryptoView
    • September 2019
    • A website that displays cryptocurrency information in an updating chart.
    • And incorporates a user's metamask plug-in for showing ether balance on Ethereum.
    • Check it out here.
M-Fly SAE Aerospace Design Team

Some of busiest and most stressful times of my life but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

  • Chief Engineer - Regular Class expand_more
    • March 2016 - March 2017
    • Led the design of the M-9 aircraft from conception to competition in Ft. Worth, Texas.
    • Finished 6th of 34 teams - with 3rd place in design and top 10 finishes in all categories.
    • See the M-Fly Facebook page to learn more about the 2016-2017 season.
  • Construction Manager expand_more
    • March 2015 - March 2016
    • Led the construction of the M-8 and MX-1 aircraft for competition in Ft. Worth, Texas.
    • Successfully developed a new jig system to improve construction quality.
    • Placed top 10 for both aircraft.
    • See the M-Fly Facebook page to learn more about the 2015-2016 season.