Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/297333
62 florida.HIGH.TECH 2014 Faces of Technology David Sykes Mainstream Engineering Corporation | www.Mainstream-Engr.com Senior Mechanical Engineer Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech; M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech Company: Based in Rockledge, Mainstream Engineering Corporation develops and produces innovative products for thermal control, energy conversion and turbomachinery. It also performs quality research in cutting-edge technologies such as high-heat flux cooling, fuel cells, nanomaterials, advanced diesel engines and electric power systems. Engineers are more born than taught. At least that is the belief of David Sykes, Mainstream Engineering Corporation's senior engineer. He knew he wanted to be an engineer at age eight after years of taking apart objects around the house to (hope- fully) put them back together again. Sykes still has a heightened level of curiosity and uses it to explore new technology at work every day. One facet of the Rockledge company is research and develop- ment for government and commer- cial clients. Sykes spends his days developing new ideas to solve needs in the marketplace, such as synthetic jets which have cooling applications that allow for faster and more reliable computers, antennas and high-power electronics. "I comb industry literature and university research, validate pub- lished experiments and ask 'how can we modify this technology to fit our current need' on a regular basis," said Sykes. "Many of the problems that we are faced with simply don't have a solution yet or are difficult engineering challenges. We have to train ourselves to think differently if we are going to make innovative improvements or cre- ate new solutions." An unprecedented challenge for the company was keeping NASA elec- tronics at 70° F while on the surface of Venus, which is almost 900° F. To solve the problem, Sykes created an innova- tive thermal management system using evaporative cooling techniques coupled with a high-temperature reaction that prevents gas from escaping. Challenges similar to this are the norm for Sykes. He also works with engines, injection systems, thermal systems, electrical systems and more. Sykes' favorite part of the job is having the freedom to push the boundaries of industry standards for discovery. This freedom led him to create an automotive- style diesel engine that is reliable and durable enough to use in military generators or all-terrain vehicles. The innovative project delivers energy efficiency that indus- trial diesel engines are known for and extremely high-power density. The military and Polaris are both interested in the prototype. Looking into the future, Sykes foresees creating electronics that are wholly intertwined with daily life and industry. He believes cellphones, wearable electron- ics and smart appliances will increase in ability to intercommunicate and introduce new life management tools or apps. Until then items on his desk serve as reminders of what is important today – family photos, stacks of current literature and broken parts, each one representing a lesson that reminds him to avoid similar mistakes.