Jenny Wu

VocalPoint — Capstone Project

VocalPoint is a portable assistive listening device designed to solve the cocktail party problem. The device improves speech clarity in noisy, multi-speaker environments for hearing aid users.

The system uses a microphone array and real-time DSP techniques including beamforming and noise reduction to isolate and amplify a target speaker's voice.

I worked on the electrical design and PCB layout in Altium for a custom 4-layer Raspberry Pi CM5 carrier board integrating USB-C PD, ESP32 connectivity, multi-channel audio interfaces, and PCIe support for a Hailo-8 AI accelerator.

Project summary is available here. Source code is available on GitHub.

snailtype

snailtype is a browser-based typing game designed to make typing practice more interactive through animated gameplay and real-time user input.

The application combines keyboard interaction, scoring logic, and animated visual elements to create an engaging typing experience.

The interface and game structure were built using HTML and CSS, while JavaScript manages gameplay logic, user interaction, and dynamic updates.

Source code is available on GitHub.

Box DJ

Box DJ is a portable DJ mixing system developed during BoxBots, a 2-day cardboard robotics hackathon, as part of a three-person team.

The system combines embedded controls, real-time audio processing, and a custom web interface to create a portable music mixing platform housed entirely in cardboard.

An ESP32 running FreeRTOS reads inputs from potentiometers, push buttons, and rotary encoders, while a Raspberry Pi 5 performs audio processing including mixing, equalization, tempo control, and volume adjustment.

Processed audio is streamed to Bluetooth speakers or headphones, while a custom web application integrates the Spotify API to support song selection and queue management.

Source code is available on GitHub.

i miss my cafe

i miss my cafe is a browser-based study environment inspired by i miss my cafe and i miss my library, designed to recreate focused study spaces through ambient audio and productivity tools.

The application combines environmental sound controls with task management features to create a customizable virtual study experience.

Content structure was developed using HTML and styled with CSS, while JavaScript was used to implement dynamic audio controls, seamless interaction, and task list functionality.

The project focused on frontend development, user experience design, and creating an interactive productivity workflow.

Source code is available on GitHub.

Pomodoro Timer

Pomodoro Timer is a web-based productivity application designed to help users manage focus sessions using the Pomodoro technique, breaking work into structured intervals with scheduled breaks.

The interface was developed using HTML and CSS, featuring customizable controls and selectable visual themes.

Timer functionality was implemented in JavaScript, enabling dynamic countdown logic, work and break interval management, and interactive user controls.

The project focused on frontend development, state management, and creating a responsive user experience for productivity workflows.

Source code is available on GitHub.

Remote Controlled Car

This project involved designing and building a Bluetooth-controlled vehicle integrating embedded electronics, motor control, and custom mechanical components.

The system was built around an Arduino Uno, paired with an L298N motor driver and HM-10 Bluetooth module, with power supplied by a 9V battery.

Two DC motors provided propulsion while an MS18 servo motor controlled steering. Vehicle control was implemented wirelessly through the BLEJoyStick iOS application.

The chassis and axle assembly were designed in SolidWorks, providing a custom frame to integrate the electronics, drivetrain, and steering system.

Source code is available on GitHub.

p.s. the car can do donuts 🍩

Hand Rehabilitation Device

Developed as part of a third-year design project, this hand rehabilitation device was designed to support mobility recovery for individuals with hemiparesis.

The system assists finger rehabilitation using a cable-driven mechanism that gradually guides the fingers into a controlled grasping motion.

The device consists of a motor connected to four elastic cords attached to each finger (excluding the thumb). When actuated, the motor retracts the cords to curl the fingers while resistance and force data are monitored through an Arduino interface.

I led the mechanical development in SolidWorks, integrating the housing and internal electronics into the rehabilitation device.

Electric Bicycle

As part of Electrium Mobility, a University of Waterloo student design team focused on sustainable transportation, our team designed and built a fully functional electric bicycle from scratch.

Over the summer, our team of 15 collaborated across firmware, electrical, and mechanical development to create an integrated personal electric vehicle platform.

I worked on firmware development in C++, mechanical design in SolidWorks, and system integration. The project included motor controls, custom circuitry, battery packaging, and frame development using welded aluminum tubing.

Within four months, the team successfully produced a working electric bicycle capable of reaching speeds up to 32 km/h.

USB-C PICkit Adapter

During my internship at Attest Laboratories, I designed and built a custom adapter PCB to interface the MPLAB® PICkit™ 4 In-Circuit Debugger with USB-C systems.

The adapter converts an 8-pin header interface to USB-C, enabling compatibility with existing debugging workflows while supporting modern connector standards.

The design was developed in KiCAD, including schematic capture, PCB layout, routing, fabrication preparation, assembly, and validation testing.

SSL Certificate Checker

Developed for Flutter, this Python tool monitors SSL certificate health and identifies expired, invalid, or soon-to-expire certificates across websites.

The application reads URLs from websites.txt input file and retrieves SSL certificate information using Python networking libraries.

Websites are categorized into expired certificates, expiring certificates, unreachable websites, or valid certificates with expiry reporting.

Results are automatically exported to a results.txt report file for certificate monitoring and auditing.

Source code is available on GitHub.

FuelCell Energy

Worked as a Mechatronics Engineering Intern supporting automation, mechanical design, PCB development, and machine vision for fuel cell manufacturing systems.

Built a Raspberry Pi and Python/OpenCV machine vision system to help automate alignment and inspection workflows, improving repeatability in an assembly process.

Contributed to fixture design, pneumatic systems, control PCBs, and integration work involving sensors, PLCs, and robotic automation.

Attest Laboratories

Worked on firmware and software development for a gradient shim module used in a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system to generate controlled spatial magnetic field gradients.

My work involved developing embedded software in C, supporting system integration, and contributing to the operation of precision magnetic field control hardware.

I also designed and manufactured PCBs and adapters in KiCAD, covering circuit design, component selection, verification, BOM generation, and design-for-manufacturing reviews.

University of Hawai'i

At the University of Hawai'i, I worked on pulmonary surfactant research investigating how e-cigarette aerosols influence lung surfactant behavior and surface tension dynamics.

My work involved designing experimental setups, operating constraint drop surfactometry instrumentation, and collecting measurements to characterize surfactant performance under aerosol exposure.

I also developed a VBA-based automation tool for experimental analysis and figure generation, reducing data processing time by approximately 80%.

Impact Without Contact

I Co-founded Impact Without Contact, a student-led non-profit organization created during the COVID-19 pandemic to support local communities through remote volunteering and digital outreach programs.

I contributed to software development efforts and helped build internal digital tools, websites, and online workflows to coordinate volunteers and community engagement activities.

Worked across frontend development, project coordination, and technical implementation while collaborating with multidisciplinary student teams.

Gymnastics Ontario

Certified Artistic Gymnastics Judge responsible for evaluating competitive routines across Ontario gymnastics competitions.

Applied judging standards to assess execution, technique, artistry, and performance quality while maintaining consistency under time-sensitive competition environments.

The role strengthened attention to detail, decision making, communication, and evaluation skills.

Academy Sport and Fitness

Worked as an Artistic Gymnastics Coach, coaching recreational and competitive athletes aged 3-16 in groups of up to 10 athletes per session.

Planned and delivered training sessions focused on technical skill development, safety, and progression across varying skill levels and age groups.

Supported athlete development through instruction, mentorship, and individualized coaching approaches while fostering a positive and engaging training environment.

Optical Flow Velocimetry PCB

Designed and built a custom PCB during my internship at FuelCell Energy to measure conveyor belt speed on the fuel cell assembly line.

The board integrates an optical flow sensor and a distance sensor on one side to detect the velocity of the belt as it passes beneath. A Teensy 4.0 on the reverse side processes the sensor data and reports speed readings over serial to a PLC, enabling real-time monitoring of the assembly line.