MS Mechanical Engineering · University of Toledo
Abhishek
Subedi
I design and build the instruments that measure supersonic flow, then turn what they see into numbers.
- Focus
- Experimental fluids · Thermal systems · CAD
- Location
- Toledo, OH · Open to relocation
- Available
- December 2026
About
I'm a Mechanical Engineering graduate student at the University of Toledo (M.S., expected December 2026), with a background that spans experimental fluid mechanics, thermal systems, CAD, and hands-on fabrication.
My current research investigates the aerodynamic drag of particles in supersonic flow, a problem that sits at the intersection of high-speed gas dynamics and multiphase flow. I designed and built the supersonic wind tunnel facility this work runs on, and developed its experimental techniques comprising of Schlieren imaging for flow visualization and PIV/PTV for velocity field measurement, from optical layout through calibration and validation. I also developed the facility's LabVIEW data acquisition and control system, integrating pressure and temperature instrumentation, automated valve sequencing, safety interlocks, and real-time monitoring, and I process the resulting datasets through Python and MATLAB analysis pipelines.
Before Toledo, I earned my B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Kathmandu University (GPA 3.5/4.0), where I worked across a range of hands-on projects, from fabricating a pipe-cleaning crawler robot to modeling a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain retrofit that led to a peer-reviewed publication in IOP Conference Series (2023).
One of the formative experiences of my undergraduate years was leading Team Junkiri in the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia, an international competition where student teams design and build ultra-efficient vehicles. I led the SolidWorks chassis and surface modeling, coordinated fabrication across a multi-person team, and managed the logistics of competing in Indonesia. On the powertrain side, we retrofitted the vehicle's lawnmower engine with an electronic fuel injection (EFI) system in adherence to competition guidelines and manually tuned it until the engine ran at its most efficient state. More than the result, it was an education in what it takes to take a design from a screen to a physical object under real constraints.
I'm based in Toledo, OH and graduating in December 2026, open to relocation for the right opportunity in mechanical design, thermal and fluid systems, R&D, or EV/clean energy engineering.
Experience
Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant
University of Toledo · Toledo, OH
Research
- Designed, built, and operate a supersonic wind tunnel facility for experimental study of drag in particle-laden flow; developed the experimental techniques on the facility, including Schlieren imaging for flow visualization and PIV/PTV for quantitative velocity field measurement, from optical layout through calibration and validation of results.
- Developed the facility's data acquisition and control system in LabVIEW, integrating pressure and temperature instrumentation, automated valve sequencing, safety interlocks, and real-time monitoring; documented the full system in specifications and test reports.
- Iterate hardware designs through prototype, test, and redesign cycles; correlate experimental measurements against analytical and simulation predictions.
Teaching
- Heat Transfer Laboratory: supervised conduction, convection, and heat exchanger experiments; reinforced theory and ensured safe equipment operation.
- Fluid Mechanics Laboratory: guided students through experimental setups, data acquisition, and analysis.
- Thermodynamics: assisted course instruction, held office hours, and supported grading.
Associate Engineer
Mahavir Shree International Pvt. Ltd. · Kathmandu, Nepal
- Designed, relocated, and installed baggage handling and mechanical systems for the Domestic Terminal at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA); coordinated vendors on component selection, cost, and lead times; prepared technical specifications and managed site execution.
- Supervised scheduled maintenance of Rosenbauer Panther 6×6 fire vehicles at TIA, tracking non-conformances and ensuring OEM compliance.
Engineering Intern
Sipradi Trading Pvt. Ltd. · Lalitpur, Nepal
- Supported service and maintenance of TATA vehicles; completed formal training on engine, transmission, and EV architecture.
Research
MS thesis · Fluids and Imaging Innovation Lab · University of Toledo · 2025 to 2026
Coefficient of drag in particle-laden supersonic flow
Advisor: Dr. Omid Amili · Fluids and Imaging Innovation Lab
My thesis investigates how particles behave aerodynamically in supersonic gas flows, a problem with direct relevance to solid rocket propulsion, powder deposition systems, and high-speed particulate transport. Working under Dr. Omid Amili, I designed and built the supersonic wind tunnel facility this research runs on, and developed its experimental techniques, Schlieren imaging to visualize shock structures and PIV/PTV to map velocity fields around particles, from optical layout through calibration and validation. The raw multi-modal datasets are processed through Python and MATLAB pipelines from acquisition through to drag coefficient extraction.
I also developed the facility's data acquisition and control system in LabVIEW, integrating pressure and temperature instrumentation, automated valve sequencing, safety interlocks, and real-time monitoring, all documented in full specifications and test reports, which gave me direct experience with the complete design-to-hardware cycle in a research environment.
Note: the Schlieren images shown here are preliminary. The imaging system is still being fine-tuned.
CAD portfolio
SolidWorks · CSWA certified · every model built from scratch
V6 engine assembly
Full engine from air intake to exhaust
PTO gear box
20T/40T gear pair · SKF 6214-2 bearings
F1 car
Full body and wheels · colour rendered
F-16 Fighting Falcon
Full aircraft with armaments and landing gear
Undergraduate projects
Kathmandu University · Department of Mechanical Engineering
Automatic pipe cleaning crawler
Designed and fabricated a link-and-spring mechanism enabling adaptive radial contact for navigation within variable-diameter pipelines. Covered mechanism design, materials selection, dimensional calculations, and prototype assembly.
Hydrogen fuel cell powertrain
Specified and modeled a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain integration for a Maruti 800 chassis: system-level layout, packaging, and safety analysis for the fuel cell, power electronics, and balance-of-plant components. Results published as a peer-reviewed paper in IOP Conference Series (2023).
Battery thermal management (CFD)
Simulated air cooling, mineral oil immersion, and ethylene glycol cooling (30/50/60% concentrations) of a Li-ion battery module in Ansys Fluent (transient, SST k-ω), comparing cell surface temperature and heat extraction against an uncooled baseline. Modeled FTP-75 drive-cycle heat generation in Simulink and designed the module CAD in SolidWorks with a wraparound aluminium cooling channel for the 18650 cells.
Skills
Experimental
Simulation & software
CAD & design
Programming
Publication
Y. Shrestha, A. Subedi, M. Sapkota, P. Paudel, N. K. Yadav, and B. S. Thapa, "Assessing the performance of a demonstrative hydrogen fuel cell power train in the chassis of an internal combustion engine vehicle," IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 1279, no. 1, p. 012003, Mar. 2023.
10.1088/1757-899X/1279/1/012003Awards & certifications
Outstanding TA Award
University of Toledo, College of Engineering
Spring 2026SolidWorks Associate
Certified SolidWorks Associate in Mechanical Design (CSWA)
Nov 2022 · Dassault SystèmesEV Technology Program
Capacity development program on EV technology: power electronics, charging systems, and grid integration
May 2023 · Kathmandu UniversityData Science with Python
Supervised and unsupervised ML, regression, classification, clustering, pipeline construction
Apr to Jul 2024 · Broadway InfosysLeadership
Student leadership and community engagement at Kathmandu University
Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2022
Team Junkiri · Kathmandu University, Nepal
Aug 2021 to Oct 2022
Led a student team in designing and building an ultra-efficient vehicle for the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia competition held in Indonesia. Responsible for full vehicle chassis and surface modeling in SolidWorks, coordinating fabrication across the team, and managing all international competition logistics. On the powertrain side, we retrofitted the vehicle's lawnmower engine with an electronic fuel injection (EFI) system in adherence to competition guidelines and manually tuned it to run the engine at its most efficient state.
Association of Mechanical Engineering Students
Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal
May 2020 to Aug 2021
Served as Vice President of the departmental student association, supporting organizational activities, coordinating department events, and representing student interests within the Mechanical Engineering program.
University Scholar Conference, 1st Edition
Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal
2021
Contributed to organizing the inaugural University Scholar Conference at Kathmandu University, coordinating logistics and supporting the execution of the institution's first formal academic conference.
Get in touch
I'm graduating in December 2026 and open to opportunities in mechanical design, thermal and fluid systems, R&D, and EV or clean energy engineering. I'm based in Toledo, OH and open to relocation.
Whether you have a role in mind, want to discuss research, or just want to connect, I would love to hear from you.