Hi, I'm Nathan Bryant

As a key member of a five-person capstone team, I led the electrical design foundation for this innovative K-12 computer science manipulative. I designed the schematic, PCB layout, and component selection for 50 physical programming blocks that allow students to visualize and experiment with computer science concepts through hands-on manipulation.

Working under a multi-disciplinary advisory panel, I designed the technical infrastructure enabling each 2x2x2 inch block to communicate with neighboring blocks via DB-9 connectors, detect topology through handshake protocols, and integrate ATtiny461 microcontrollers with BeagleBone controller for centralized coordination.

This project addressed a critical gap in CS education by creating intuitive physical manipulatives that engage K-12 students without requiring extensive scaffolding. The solution successfully demonstrated that novice students could construct simple programs while experts competed to create complex programs using the fewest blocks. Earned recognition as 'Most Creative Senior Capstone Project' and contributed to research on building computing interest among diverse student populations.

In late 2016, Spencer Dick called me into his office for a candid conversation about why our lightweight positioner wasn't penetrating the contractor/builder market. Drawing on my background as a former general contractor, we identified the need for a portable, battery-agnostic job-site positioning system that could fit in a single duffle bag.

Our collaboration spanned nearly two years, meeting after hours and early mornings to develop a modular snap-together rack and pinion system. I designed custom embedded firmware and proprietary algorithms that maintained TigerStop's accuracy and repeatability standards regardless of assembled machine length, including wireless communication capabilities—a TigerStop first.

The patent was finalized and awarded roughly a year after we lost Spencer to his decades-long battle with cancer. This innovative modular positioning system represents both a technical breakthrough and a meaningful collaboration with a respected mentor and colleague.

Inherited a failing transformer design project from retiring mentor that had struggled for months with Bell Labs specifications. After studying transformer physics and flyback topology fundamentals, I discovered the original design incorrectly specified for peak load rather than constant load requirements.

Used Power Integrations software suite to completely redesign the switch-mode system, accounting for proper load characteristics and flyback topology optimization. Designed and built a new custom PCB to support the revised transformer specifications.

The redesigned system worked perfectly on first test, replacing months of failed prototypes with a robust power supply solution that met all original Bell Labs requirements.

Brought onto the ICS 536E program after its initial design failed compliance and safety testing. The 3.6kW liquid-cooled electric chainsaw for cutting concrete, masonry, and ductile pipe had strong mechanical foundations but lacked cohesive electrical engineering leadership.

As team manager, I stabilized a distracted and demoralized EE group through direct mentoring and collaborative workshops. Led systematic DFMEA recovery, correcting improperly framed goals and compliance assumptions. Collaborated on multiple PCBA revisions, optimized firmware for improved performance, and partnered with Southwire to redesign in-line GFCI for updated UL943 self-test requirements.

Successfully guided the saw through compliance testing to meet UL/CE standards and coordinated with manufacturing for final PFMEA updates. The result was successful market release of a highly reliable, heavy-duty cutting tool that expanded the company's product portfolio while meeting stringent compliance standards.

Assigned to assist the mechanical design engineer in developing giant precision calipers using magnetic linear encoders along aluminum extrusions, with custom lengths up to 30 feet. My role focused on translating sensor input/output systems and developing customer-facing software solutions.

Wrote a comprehensive interface program for customers who didn't want to use their own Statistical Process Control software, plus developed an API for those who preferred integration with existing systems. As the project evolved, I contributed to physical design optimization and Bluetooth communications implementation.

Beyond technical development, I became the public face of the product—modeling for release print advertisements and providing technical sales demonstrations at trade shows. This unique combination of engineering development and market-facing representation showcased both the technical capabilities and commercial viability of the precision measurement system.

As lead electrical engineer, I created firmware modifications to enable angular positioning using existing positioning amplifiers and HDMI controller. Designed the complete electrical wire harness, power systems, and control cabinet for the automated cutting system.

After advancing to head of R&D, I coached our front-end software developer on optimization mathematics for angled pieces and discovered a critical failed assumption in the mechanical design. Rather than applying a quick fix, I coached the mechanical engineering team through identifying and resolving root causes of the underlying issue.

Later co-founded a large envelope version of the same saw as a joint venture with an outside tool and die maker. This relaunch became both the company's first such joint venture and achieved the fastest time-to-market ever recorded by a large margin, demonstrating the value of systematic engineering approach and strategic partnerships.

During an open brainstorming session to select the next generation HMI, I proposed using a system-on-module on a custom PCB carrier board to run embedded Linux for faster development. When the team had trouble visualizing the concept, I requested permission to build a proof of concept.

While waiting for a 10.1 inch multi-touch HDMI screen to arrive, I programmed a Raspberry Pi to communicate over RS protocols to our existing Motion Control Amplifier and added a pulse-controlled custom communication protocol for an off-the-shelf servo motor.

I developed a simple calculator interface with go/stop buttons and a machine toggle dropdown. The entire development process took just 1 week, successfully demonstrating control of both existing machines and the new servo motor from a unified interface. This proof of concept led to the selection of an NXP i.MX6 SOM on a 12-layer custom carrier board.

While working as a test engineer at Allion during the early days of peer-to-peer display technology, I personally tested devices like Amazon Firestick and Intel's WiDi before their release. A constant bottleneck was scheduling time in expensive anechoic and semi-anechoic chambers, sometimes delaying hours of testing by weeks.

When my boss mentioned wishing interoperability had its own semi chamber but commercial kits exceeded his discretionary budget, I drew on my contractor background and proposed we design and build one ourselves. The project was greenlit as 'Project Chicken Coop' due to the semi-transparent appearance of our hybrid Faraday cage design.

Completed in under six weeks: one week for planning and sourcing, two weeks for material delivery, and two weeks for construction and testing. We delivered a much-needed test resource at roughly 20% of commercial kit cost. Even including engineering hours for assembly, total cost remained about one-third of commercial alternatives.

Undergraduate project using a PIC16 microcontroller to autonomously control a battery-powered RC car following black electrical tape paths. All code written in assembly language, with each student responsible for adapting reference designs to account for individual car variations.

Researched and implemented a custom path-finding algorithm entirely in assembly language, with passing grade requiring 100 feet of successful path navigation. My implementation achieved one of the fastest completion times for that academic year.

Earned better than 100% grade after receiving extra credit for both exceptional speed performance and successful adaptation of a SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) algorithm to assembly language, resulting in remarkably low-error navigation capabilities.