Penn State Scranton student reflects on unique experience in Barbados

DUNMORE, Pa. – Erik Kasyanov, a second-year Aerospace Engineering student at Penn State Scranton, returned this fall from an exceptional summer spent in Barbados. Originally from California, Kasyanov’s parents recently relocated to the Caribbean Island, giving him the chance to immerse himself in both engineering and island life.

“I never expected to come to Scranton,” Kasyanov said. “But I chose it because it has a mechanical engineering program that could support my Aerospace major. Penn State’s strong alumni network and high-ranking engineering program were also significant factors in my decision.”

Kasyanov found his summer in Barbados to be a mix of technical challenges and rich experiences. His primary project was constructing a valveless pulse jet engine, an innovative device that relies on the Kadenacy effect (the effect of pressure-waves in gases) to create combustion pulses without any moving parts.

“I worked on researching and building a valveless pulse jet engine,” Kasyanov said. “This type of engine uses resonant combustion to produce thrust. It was a complex project, but it was incredibly rewarding.”

His work on the pulse jet engine involved collaboration with his landlord, a former propeller repairman. “My landlord, who used to be a pirate, taught me how to work with metalworking tools and shared many tall tales about his life. We used rusty sheet metal and pipes scavenged from behind a movie theatre to build the engine,” Kasyanov said. “The 3D modeling skills I refreshed at [Penn State] Scranton were crucial for designing and modeling the engine. We cut, bent, ground and welded the pieces to match the design specifications.”

Despite the hands-on experience and creative problem-solving involved, Kasyanov and his landlord faced significant challenges getting the engine to run. “The most challenging part was getting the engine to operate correctly. We spent a month burning propane and blowing air into the engine, tweaking it each time in an attempt to hear it roar. We came close many times, especially near the end when it sounded like a rocket engine, but we never quite got it to function as a pulse jet engine,” he said. “Although we didn’t achieve perfect results, I consider the project a success. I hope to continue working on it this school year, hopefully with better tools and a more accurate construction.”

In addition to his engineering work, Kasyanov took full advantage of Barbados’s natural beauty. He engaged in activities such as snorkeling, hiking to abandoned locations and cave diving. One of his most memorable experiences was spearfishing lionfish, an invasive species in the Caribbean.

“We dived 30 feet to spear these beautiful but invasive fish,” Kasyanov said. “Returning home on a dinghy as the stars came out, but the sunset was still visible, was a surreal experience. It’s something I’ll remember for a long time.”

Kasyanov’s summer in Barbados provided more than just technical skills and adventure. It also had a significant impact on his personal development.

“The general friendliness on the island influenced me greatly. I wasn’t unfriendly before, but I wasn’t very talkative to people I didn’t know. Being in Barbados helped me become more open and approachable. I met meteorologists, ship captains, former pirates, book writers, retired soccer players and chefs. All of whom shared their life experiences and advice with me.”

The insights and experiences Kasyanov gained over the summer have influenced his perspective on his studies and future career. “My time in Barbados made me realize there is still so much more to learn,” he said. “[Penn State] Scranton teaches about gas flow in engines, material stresses and analysis, but I don’t think I will get the same hands-on experience here as I did with this personal project.”

Kasyanov’s summer was a departure from his previous experiences, which had been more conventional. “This summer was the most adventure-packed and exciting one I’ve ever had,” he said. “It gave me many fond memories and something to look forward to when I come back during the next holiday or summer.”

Kasyanov is poised to apply the lessons learned from his Barbados experience to his academic pursuits. “The project and experiences I had, have given me a renewed sense of purpose,” he said. “I’m excited to continue my studies and hope to incorporate some of the innovative approaches and problem-solving skills I developed over the summer into my coursework and future projects.”