In Prof. Nicola Tisato’s rock deformation lab, I modified and conducted experiments with a new type of experimental apparatus, an Energy Controlled Rotary device (ECoR). ECoR is unique in that it is much more compliant than a typical rotary apparatus. This is because there is a circular spring implemented between the motor and sample assembly. So, instead of forcing an “event” by imposing a slip velocity, they occur spontaneously as a function of the loading rate (units: Pa/s) and strength of the interface (units: Pa). As a result, we can perform experiments with thousands of stick-slip events opening countless exciting avenues of research (ML, thermomechanical analysis, integration with numerical modeling, etc.). With Nicola’s assistance, I modified the software and device in a few ways: updated and improved the software and electronics, implemented a granular sample holder, and equipped the machine with pressure gauges and AE sensors. We have conducted experiments investigating the frictional behavior of granular materials used in analog tectonic experiments (friction data reported in Conrad et al., 2023, under review in Tectonics & Conrad et al., 2020 presentation at AGU) and experiments on PMMA glass (Conrad et al. 2022 & Conrad et al., 2020 + 2021 presentation at AGU). The latter comprises the first publication where we worked with B. Carpenter at OU and G. DiToro at Padua to detail the ECoR device and investigate how acoustic emissions may be linked to fault strength across the seismic cycle.