The Olson Center provides students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in research and play leading roles in projects that take their skills and knowledge to new levels. UNH mechanical engineering student, Nick Pitkin has been conducting research at the center since the fall of 2022. This summer, Nick began the UNH accelerated master’s program. He is advised by faculty member, Professor Marko Knezeric.
Nick conducts his work with machines on the research manufacturing floor. Testing metals like titanium is one way Nick takes advantage of the Olson Center’s hands-on environment. His most recent project has been testing Grade 4 CP titanium in a process known as cyclic bending under tension using the CBT machine. The center’s CBT machine allows him to study how metals behave when subjected to simultaneous bending and tension. By studying the bending and tension of the metal, he can determine how far the metal will stretch before it breaks. Nick’s findings will help companies like Boeing, a manufacturer interested in manipulating metals, to create its products.
Nick is performing plane strain experiments using plane strain specimens. These specimens are large and require a greater amount of force than the typical samples used on the CBT. Therefore, Nick had to troubleshoot his approach to the testing and analysis.
Nick’s current plan is to complete his master’s, and then continue in the manufacturing industry before potentially starting his own company. The Olson Center would like to congratulate Nick on his accomplishments and wish him luck in achieving his master’s!
Written by Jesse Davis
Photo by UNH Photographer Jeremy Gasowski
