Lessons Learned: Researcher Collaboration from Start to Finish
As the saying goes, many hands make light work and at ASPIRE, engineers and researchers are taking it to heart. The combined effort to build a fast-charging semi-truck is moving towards the pilot phase and Mechanical Engineering Research Assistant Mackay Baugh has been part of it every step of the way.
“The main things that I work on are the mechanical side of the systems, the design,” Baugh said. “I’ve been here for five years now, and I’ve worked on designing and building this whole project from scratch.”
The project consists of building a one-megawatt charger for a Kenworth semi-truck. The main goal is to be able to charge a semi-truck in just half an hour. “Which is really fast for a full electric vehicle,” he added.
Having been with the project since the beginning, Baugh has witnessed how the many components evolved and changed throughout the problem-solving process.
“It’s a lot more fleshed out,” he said. “It has so many different components. Because of how much time we’ve put into it and how much time we’ve thought through these different problems, it’s become a lot more complex, but it’s also become a lot safer.”
Currently working through the tail end of the build phase and in preparation for testing in a pilot, Baugh emphasizes the necessity that a team makes when working on a project of this scale
“One person never could have done it. There’s just too many details to keep track of,” Baugh explained. “If you had one person working on this project, it would take their lifetime. So not only does working as a team speed up the process, but it makes it a whole lot more fun.”
Being part of the Kenworth project has also introduced Baugh to the ways in which his research at ASPIRE interacts with his courses as a USU student.
“The direct, hands-on research that I’ve been able to do has translated to classes or something I’ve learned in a class has helped me here in doing research,” he said.
Outside of the lab, Baugh hopes to grow his career and take those next steps post-graduation.
“I’m just looking for a job at this point. I’d love to stay here in Utah because I grew up here and I love it,” Baugh said. “But besides that, I’m just open to opportunities and seeing what the next phase will be. We’ll see where I end up and where life takes me.”
For the latest news, publications, and research highlights from ASPIRE, visit aspire.usu.edu.
About ASPIRE:
ASPIRE, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center headquartered at Utah State University, leads groundbreaking research and development to accelerate electrification. With over 400 global collaborators, ASPIRE focuses on creating seamless, affordable electrified transportation systems, accessible for all vehicle classes, along with the public infrastructure needed to support them. By reducing emissions, improving air quality, and fostering economic growth through job creation and workforce training, ASPIRE’s work spans engineering, social science, policy, and business. Partnering with top universities, industry leaders, and community groups, ASPIRE is driving the future of advanced transportation. Learn more at aspire.usu.edu.
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