NOW IT'S YOUR TURN
Every project starts small — a question, an experiment, a curiosity. James Tech Garage grew from that same spark, and this timeline reflects the journey: building devices, publishing research, and learning from every setback along the way. But more importantly, it’s here to show what’s possible for you. High school isn’t too early to dive into research, join competitions, or create something new — it’s the best time. This page is both a record of milestones and an open invitation: explore opportunities, take risks, and shape your own path in science and engineering.
Below is the timeline of my scientific journey, from building mathematical models for a sustainable future to analyzing and publishing research on nanomaterials in novel renewable energy.
IMPACT & RECOGNITION TIMELINE
In-person Solution Session Presentation & Independent Exhibition @United Nations Second World Summit for Social Development
11/04/2025 - 11/06/2025
Selected to present the JTG project at the UN Second World Summit for Social Development.
Spoke at In-person Solution Session Presentation
Two-day Exhibition with UN delegates and government officials.
04/16/2024
Invitation from City University of Hong Kong to present our model and findings.
1 of 2 teams among 1000 teams in the Greater China region to advance to the Global Finals.
Achieved Honorable Mention as representative of the Greater China Region in the International Math Modeling Challenge Global Finals
05/13/2024
Establishment and Beginning Stages of Athletica 360 AI Sports Wearable Device
A sports wearable developed to help amateur sports players refine their forms and techniques to prevent injuries. Athletica 360 gives real-time sensory feedback through a six-axis gyroscope and accelerometer, a real time trajectory analysis, and a custom AI that optimizes users' motion based on independent physical data.
Purpose-driven innovation to fix my forms and techniques in badminton smashing, as I broke my shoulder ligament while playing badminton due to incorrect smashing technique.
Website: athletica360pro.com
07/07/2024
Participation in the Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) Nanotechnology
Selected as one of four students out of 36 students to conduct further research on quantum dot solar cells.
Collaborated on manufacturing quantum dots, microfluidic devices, and micropatterns with techniques including spin coating, PECVD, PVD, etching, and lithography.
Conducted SEM, STEM, optical microscopy, and optical spectroscopy for experimental data analysis and reporting.
09/23/2024
Establishment of the @mendeleevjournal instagram channel
Daily Materials Science Posts Instagram Channel with currently 5K+ followers. Explores the properties, chemical compositions, and applications of unique materials in daily lives, promoting love for materials science and chemistry in our community.
Participation in Conrad Challenge China Health & Nutrition Section with Athletica 360 Sports Wearable
03/15/2025
MicroClear Salt Purification System Presentation
11/05/2024
Presenting the MicroClear Salt Purification System—implementing electrocoagulation to separate microplastics from salt—at the school science fair.
Environmental Science & Sustainability Research.
Researching Moisture-sorption-based Energy Harvesting (MSEH) & Transpiration-induced electrokinetic power generation (TEPG) under Professor Dichiara @UW Seattle
Researched Moisture-Sorption-Enabled Energy Harvesting (MSEH) and transpiration-driven electrokinetic generation (TEPG) under Professor Dichiara, exploring battery-free nighttime power solutions for solar cells.
Investigated paper-based TEPG as a sustainable energy alternative, applying structured literature review methods to assess its integration with thin-film solar technologies
Published
-
Co-author at Q1 (IF ~30) Journal published in Fall, 2025
-
Independent Research Publication at student journal published in Summer, 2025: "Novel Nano generation Technologies for Harvesting Electricity from Water-Induced Processes"
12/15/2024
Presented the Athletica 360 Sports Wearable Device and its Business Model at Conrad Challenge China. Presented at the expo (as shown above) and an individual 20-minute business pitch.
Awarded Bronze Medal out of 50+ participating teams in the Health and Nutrition Category.
04/14/2025
"QuantaSol—Redefining Renewable Energy" geospatial QD-enhanced solar farm optimization location model development
Developed a geospatial model combining NASA GHI data, slope/aspect analysis from DEMs, and irradiance correction to identify optimal solar farm sites in high-UV regions.
Integrated quantum dot solar cell performance modeling, leveraging MEG and spectral management to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness in Sun Belt solar deployment scenarios.
Awarded:
-
1st place in IEEE HS Solar Pitch Competition
-
Finalist in Harvard Crimson Business Competition (HCBC)
05/20/2025
Completion of the Korea Cross Country Cycling Trip from Incheon (North End) to Busan (South End)
Completed Korea’s 633 km cross-country cycling route through the Four Rivers Trail
Officially certified by K-water & Korean Ministry of Land and awarded the Korean National Cycling Expedition Certificate
IEEE Photovoltaics Specialist Conference (PVSC) Poster Presentation—The Effect of CdSe Quantum Dots on the Efficiency of Si Solar Cell: A Hands-on Project-based Learning
06/12/2025
Conducted independent research at the Singh Center for Nanotechnology at the University of Pennsylvania on enhancing silicon solar cell efficiency through application of CdSe quantum dots; trained in cleanroom equipment, including reflectometry, centrifuge, spin coating, and STEM.
Co-authored “The Effect of CdSe Quantum Dots on the Efficiency of Si Solar Cell: A Hands-on, Project-based Learning,” to be published and presented at the 53rd IEEE Photovoltaics Specialist Conference under the guidance of Dr. Gyuseok Kim.
Expanded Network, Received Two Internship Offers as an international student.
Awarded Best Poster Presentation Award against ~20 Graduate students, researchers, and industry experts.
Quantifying a Household's Readiness for Pet Ownership Model Development (IMMC Internationals)
03/08/2024
01/25/2024
Reducing CO₂ Emissions in a Production Plant
Model Development (IMMC Regionals)
07/07/2025
AI & Data Analytics Intern (8 weeks)
@Spectrafy: Solar Spectral Sensors
Trained and evaluated Machine Learning models (regression, RF, shallow NN, 1D CNN) to correct solar sensor errors using real-world irradiance data.
Optimized top-performing model for microcontroller deployment by compressing inputs and converting to TensorFlow Lite Micro
Deployed and tested model on Arduino Nano BLE Sense; documented full AI pipeline from data prep to embedded inference.
Completed Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate (Coursera, 100+ hrs), Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments (UC Boulder, 10 hrs)
Currently drafting the paper "A Novel TinyML Approach for Enhancing Solar Irradiance Measurements on Embedded Hardware" to be published at the 54th IEEE Photovoltaics Specialist Conference.
08/06/2025
Carbon Neutral Portfolio Modeling Intern (year round) @Solvest (in collaboration with NRCan)
Selected to support Solvest’s consulting arm in a national pilot project commissioned by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).
Built facility-level and portfolio-wide Net Zero energy models using RETScreen Expert, focusing on greenhouse gas reduction planning across five Canadian buildings.
Responsibilities included technical self-training, analyzing archetype energy profiles, scaling and calibrating RETScreen outputs, and producing dual carbon reduction strategy reports (30–40% and 80–90% GHG scenarios).
Collaborated with energy consultants across time zones and contributed to a potential academic publication.
09/25/2025
A multi-layered network model combining logistic normalization, subjective weighting, and demographic simulation to generate a household pet fitness index based on nine input variables and four pet care factors.
Achieved Outstanding Award (Highest)
A multi-stage model using Sankey-based emissions mapping, weighted policy scoring, and an optimization algorithm to rank national CO₂ reduction strategies.
Achieved Meritorious Award
10/22/2022
01/02/2023
Establishment of Bike in Shanghai
A sustainable bike travel guide and blogging website in Shanghai and neighboring areas to promote green tourism and love for cycling.
Website: bikeinshanghai.com
Establishment of James Tech Garage
%20(1).png)
A vibrant hub for fun high school science experiments, innovative engineering projects, and fascinating real-world applications.
Invited by the school’s science faculty to lead lessons in IB Environmental Systems Studies and Grade 9 Science, introducing STEM branches, and conducting sustainability-related hands-on science experiments.
LEGACY BEGINS HERE