Eden I semi-humanoid robot (YC P26)
Mechanical and electrical integration of a semi-humanoid robotic platform for automated material-handling demonstrations.
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Engineering project portfolio
Dom Buta
Mechanical design & experimental engineer
linkedin.com/in/dombutaProfile
I am a hands-on engineer with a background in mechanical design, fluid dynamics and aerospace. I develop complex systems from early concepts through analysis, manufacture, instrumentation, testing and operation.
Selected projects
PhD project: differentially heated cavity experiments
Designed, built and instrumented experimental systems to study turbulent natural convection using 2D PIV, 4D PTV and computational modelling.
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Zola electric propellant pump
Supported the design and prototyping of an electric motor-driven pump intended to feed liquid oxygen and isopropyl alcohol to a high-altitude rocket engine.
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Gryphon II recovery system
Took ownership of a critical recovery subsystem and progressed it from an early concept through a rigorous test programme to successful flight deployment in six months.
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Gryphon I rocket
Led a team of more than 20 engineers from concept to successful flight at the Spaceport America Cup, achieving the best result by a UK team to date - out of 149 teams, we achieved fourth in our category, and eight overall, and also received a second place innovation award.
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Domestic boiler test rigs
Individually led the design of flexible methane and hydrogen boiler test rigs, including mechanical systems, PLC control and data acquisition systems.
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All projects
- Eden I semi-humanoid robot (YC P26)2026Eden Robotics↗
- Self-pressurising rocket engine test rig2025Airborne Engineering↗
- PhD project: differentially heated cavity experiments2021–2025University of Leeds↗
- Zola electric propellant pump2024Leeds University Rocketry Association↗
- Gryphon II recovery system2023–2024Leeds University Rocketry Association↗
- Louie liquid rocket engine2023–2024Leeds University Rocketry Association↗
- Little J certification rocket2022–2023Personal project↗
- Gryphon I rocket2021–2022Leeds University Rocketry Association↗
- Gryphon I-C rocket2021–2022Leeds University Rocketry Association↗
- IRIS certification rocket2021Personal project↗
- Master's thesis: computational Clauser plot method2020–2021University of Leeds↗
- University engineering challange: UAV2020–2021University of Leeds↗
- Bachelor's thesis: hybrid optimisation algorithm2019–2020University of Leeds↗
- Domestic boiler test rigs2018–2019Bosch Thermotechnology↗
- Hydrogen boiler gas mixer - patented2018–2019Bosch Thermotechnology↗
- University engineering challange: mars rover2018University of Leeds↗
- University engineering challange: glider2017University of Leeds↗