Fundamentals of Undergraduate Research Program (FUTURE)
Would you like the opportunity to work with a mentor on a small project to see if research might be something you are interested in pursuing?
The Fundamentals of Undergraduate Research Program (FUTURE) is an exciting opportunity for first- and second-year BOLD scholars, BOLD society members, and Lattice scholars to gain practical research experience in engineering by linking undergraduate students with a graduate student mentor. Get hands-on experience as an undergrad working in a research lab alongside your mentor. You'll work on a research project 3鈥5 hours per week and participate in a 15-week seminar course on research practices. You'll also develop your own research hypothesis and work through the research process, culminating with a poster presentation at the end of the semester.
Applicants must maintain "Satisfactory Academic Progress" as specified by the Financial Aid Office.
Details for Undergraduate Students
- Work with a graduate mentor for 3鈥5 hours per week.
- Gain exposure and learn the fundamentals of working in a lab environment, testing a hypothesis, and analyzing data.
- Participate in a 15-week seminar course for one credit (graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory).
- Make a poster about your experience and present it at the end of the semester.
Details for Graduate Student Mentors
- Work with an undergraduate student for 3鈥5 hours per week.
- Gain leadership and mentoring experience, attend a workshop on mentoring, and learn how to productively integrate an undergraduate student into a lab environment. List this on your CV under teaching and mentoring experience!
- Gain an extra set of hands to help further your research.
- Help your mentee design a poster to present at the end of the semester.
- Lab is responsible for the cost of the poster (typically, around $75).
Aerospace Engineering Sciences
Project Description
The ionosphere is a layer of Earth's upper atmosphere where the number of electrons varies with time, season, and solar activity. During solar storms, strong ionospheric disturbances can cause GPS positioning errors and disrupt satellite and radio communications. A better understanding of the ionosphere's structure can improve models and forecasts, helping mitigate these impacts.
GNSS Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) provides a unique way to observe the ionosphere with global coverage. Receivers on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites track signals from GNSS satellites. As these signals pass through the ionosphere, they are delayed and bent, allowing us to retrieve vertical electron density profiles across the globe.
The student will select several GNSS-RO missions, characterize them, and analyze the observations to examine seasonal, solar-cycle, and geometric variations. The student will gain hands-on experience with satellite data, large-scale data processing, and space weather science.听
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Hye Yeon Chang, Post-Doc
Project Description
We are seeking a student to assist with running and supporting a human-robot teaming research study. The project uses a Unity-based virtual environment in which humans and robots collaborate to complete warehouse tasks. The primary responsibilities will involve preparing study sessions, testing the system, running human participants experiments with physiological sensors, monitoring data collection, helping ensure data quality across experimental trials, troubleshooting when problems arise, and help with data analysis.听
Special requirements: It is desirable, but not required, to have previous research experience or familiarity with Unity and MATLAB. You need to be available to work in teams and in two 2-hour blocks, as well as attend group meetings.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Coral Blanquer Pina, PhD Student
Project Description
This project is focused on the mechanical and microstructural characterization of ablative thermal protection system (TPS) materials. Ablative TPS materials are commonly used to mitigate thermal loads on atmospheric entry vehicles, such as the Orion capsule for the Artemis missions. There are ongoing efforts to better characterize these materials and their behaviors for the sake of more efficient entry vehicle design.
On this project, the student will have the opportunity to learn about lightweight carbon-phenolic composites and to assist in the preparation of samples. They will learn how to conduct mechanical tests (focusing on but not limited to compression), and how to write experimental procedures. They will get hands-on experience with digital image correlation, which is a valuable technique used in tandem with mechanical tests for tracking deformation. Additionally, the student will learn how to collect and handle large datasets for analysis.听
Special requirements: Student must qualify as a U.S. Person as defined .
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Claire Kent, PhD Student
Project Description
At the base of the Antarctic ice sheet, subglacial lakes and streams fill and drain, manifesting as changes in surface topography. Understanding this subglacial lake behavior helps to model ice sheet melt, improving climate models. However, current subglacial lake measurements are limited to only recent remote sensing datasets; still, with additional processing, historic radar altimetry data can yield prior subglacial lake behavior. This project explores simulating radar altimetry observations to develop a new algorithm to obtain subglacial lake deformations. The objectives are: (1) simulate a realistic radar altimetry case, (2) understand the surface deformation signal, and (3) use simulator outputs and radar fundamentals to identify deformed regions. The student will use an existing GPU-enabled simulator to produce synthetic radar altimetry data, then modify it for an algorithm that identifies surface deformation. The student will learn CUDA, E&M physics, and radar altimetry.
Special requirements: Familiarity with C++. Programming experience with Python, and/or MATLAB.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics
Contact
Duncan Byme, PhD Student
Project Description
The Starlink constellation is rapidly growing with recent FCC approval for a total of 15,000 active satellites in orbit. Due to the increased density of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), active monitoring of the Starlink constellation is required to maintain safe operating conditions. Although SpaceX publishes orbit information for all their satellites publicly, this information can degrade quickly over time due to mismodeled orbital dynamics and satellite maneuvers. These maneuver strategies, however, are proprietary and unknown to the public until SpaceX publishes updated orbit information. 听The goal of this project is to design and build a maneuver detection and constellation monitoring pipeline based on existing literature. The student will apply established maneuver detection approaches to public Starlink orbit data and analyze the observed constellation trends. This project is an opportunity to learn more about orbital dynamics and apply theory to solve a practical problem.
Special requirements: Ideally, the student is in the aerospace program and has strong coding skills, as one of the deliverables for this project will be a software tool. Although AI can assist in the coding effort, foundational knowledge will be helpful. Additionally, the student should have taken ASEN 2501: 听Introduction to Astronautics.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences
Contact
Alex Moody, PhD Student
Project Description
This is an unusual project which draws from both science and philosophy to deeply understand questions involving measurement in classical physics. What is a system of units and how is it constructed? What physical quantities can be measured directly, and what can only be inferred? How does measure-ability influence our beliefs about which quantities are "real"? How can different physical systems be made analogous through non-dimensionalization? How do non-dimensional parameters relate to the "scale" of a system?
An ideal candidate has both scientific and philosophical interests, with some background in physics and differential equations. We will read work from the philosophy of science and work with example problems from engineering.
*Disclaimer: Mr. Rowan takes no responsibility for the consequences of philosophical reflection on science---professional or otherwise---as a result of this project*听
Special requirements: Enjoys reading, inter-disciplinary interests, bothers friends with questions about what everything means, solid grasp of past physics and math courses
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Conor Rowan, PhD Student
ATLAS
Project Description
Computational design tools can make new forms of physical objects possible, and these tools' underlying algorithms can help users to create a range of expressive design possibilities. In this project, an undergraduate researcher will contribute a design feature to a computational tool used in fabricating objects. Two potential projects to contribute to include: a computational shelving tool designed to fit uniquely shaped objects through laser cutting and CNC milling, or a 3D design environment that generatively grows the material around user-defined empty spaces for clay 3D printing. At the end of the semester, the undergraduate researcher will program a functioning feature for computational design and validate their code through physically making an object with it. Students who have interest in programming and physical making are encouraged to apply.
Special requirements: Students are expected to have taken ATLS 1300, CSCI 1200, CSCI 1300, or have prior programming experience. Students interested in digital fabrication and design are encouraged to apply.
Desired majors: Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design
Contact
Deanna Gelosi, PhD Student
Project Description
Woven textiles in engineering represent a growing interest in human-computer interaction research, from health monitoring wearables to 3D shape changing forms. This research project will contribute a new design feature to AdaCAD, an open-source design tool for experimental textiles. AdaCAD is parametric design tool that allows users to create design files that can be woven on a computerized Jacquard loom. At the end of the semester, the undergraduate researcher will have designed and built a new feature for AdaCAD, and evaluated their design through fabricating cloth and user interviews. Students who enjoy programming and physical making are encouraged to apply; no prior weaving experience is necessary.
Special requirements: Students are expected to have taken ATLS 1300, CSCI 1200, CSCI 1300, or equivalent computing experience. We will give special notice to students with prior textile or design experience.听
Desired majors: Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Deanna Gelosi, PhD Student
Biomedical Engineering
Project Description
The Barnes Bioelectromagnetic Group is dedicated to unraveling the mechanisms of how weak EM fields alter bioenergetics and stress responses in cancer and other cell types. This research holds potential for developing innovative therapeutics and establishing better safety guidelines. This project will investigate the effects of weak, low-frequency EM fields on oxidative stress responses and metabolism in HT1080 fibrosarcoma, PC3 prostate carcinoma, A549 lung adenocarcinoma, and U87-MG glioblastoma cells. Students will be trained in aseptic techniques and wet lab skills to perform experiments on in vitro cell culture, as well as designing, building, and testing EM exposure system. Along the way, they will gain hands-on experience in mechanical design, electronics integration, bioengineering, and cellular biology, while contributing to further the understanding of how weak EM fields can affects cancer behaviors to inform future therapeutic methods.听
Special requirements: Cell culture, processing, and imaging often require a continuous 2-hour block per workday and is time sensitive. Students are required to be available to work in at least one 2-hour block per week at a consistent scheduled time every week. Some knowledge of cell biology and EM physics is preferred.听
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Nhat Dang, PhD Student
Chemical & Biological Engineering
Project Description
Sea urchins play an important role in many marine environments by grazing on algae and limiting its growth, allowing other organisms to develop on the substrate. Despite their seemingly well-defended appearance, sea urchins are vulnerable when predators overturn them and expose their less-protected underside. To recover, they perform a self-righting reflex that uses coordinated movements of their spines and tube feet, despite lacking a centralized nervous system.
To elucidate the principles underlying this self-righting behavior, the student will work with live sea urchins to record self-righting in several species with different spine morphologies. They will then analyze the resulting videos to identify the mechanical strategies used during righting. The data may help reveal general principles of animal self-righting and could ultimately contribute to the design of bio-inspired robotic systems based on similar strategies.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Dror Malul,听Post-Doc
Project Description
Ciliates are a remarkable group of single celled, eukaryotic microorganisms capable of rapid locomotion via contractile networks present in their cytoskeleton. In our research, we are studying the proteins in these networks and their capacity to form contractile networks when triggered via calcium binding. Studies have shown that selective binding to this metal produces rapid conformational changes, providing the energy for ciliates to propel themselves.
Our goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the intrinsic properties of these calcium-binding proteins found within Ciliates, and utilize them to create robust protein actuators that can be incorporated into soft-robotic applications. Through this project, students will learn microbiological techniques to produce, genetically alter, and characterize calcium responsive proteins; then utilize engineering principles to promote selective characteristics and generate materials that can be applied into development of soft-robotics.
Requirements: Available to work two 2-hour blocks, or once per week for the expected time of the program. No specific course requirements or class standing, all required material will be taught to student upon joining.
Desired majors: AAerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Arriana Bisram, PhD
Project Description
From coffee-ring stains to disease-associated patterns in dried biological fluids, evaporation can turn a droplet into a record of transport and organization. But what happens when living organisms experience a shrinking liquid environment? In this project, the student will study springtails associated with an evaporating droplet and ask how progressive confinement changes their motion, crowding, interactions, and escape behavior. The project can be tailored to the student's interests, emphasizing experiments, imaging, or computation. Students will learn to prepare reproducible experiments, record videos, track trajectories, and measure drying time, clustering, and related behavioral changes. Fiji or Python will be used for image analysis, plotting, and basic statistics, with exposure to machine learning for automated tracking or behavior classification. The project connects an everyday drying drop to soft-matter physics, biological pattern formation, and collective behavior.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Anusuya Pal,听Post-Doc
Project Description
We are interested in how root-like tangles help hold sand and soil together. Before we can study that, we need a reliable way to make sand piles of consistent size and shape. The student will work closely with two PhD students and a postdoc in the lab to design and build a simple benchtop setup, test different sand-pouring methods, and measure and photograph the resulting piles. They will meet regularly with their mentors to review the results and work through design changes. The main goal for the semester is a working setup that reliably produces sand piles with consistent height and base width. Once that is in place, there may be a chance to add filament tangles and extend the project. The student will also put together a poster to share the design iterations, successes, and failures. This is a hands-on introduction to research, with guidance throughout and the option to continue in future semesters.听
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Yufel Xiao,听PhD Student
Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering
Project Description
Resilience hubs 'existing community facilities adapted to support residents and coordinate essential service distribution during and after disasters' offer a promising solution for community-focused disaster response and recovery, especially in hurricane-prone states. Despite existing guidance, little is known about how retrofit strategies impact the hub's ability to continue provision of essential services, such as food, water, and backup power, during hurricanes.
This project will assess the function of services in 4 resilience hubs through identification of service types, operation requirements, and performance thresholds. The student will analyze each hub's facility documentation to identify retrofits, categorize services, and break them down into building system components required for operation, such as percent of interior area and use of mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems. The student may also participate in meetings with resilience hub staff to assist with their work.
Special requirements: Due to the nature of reviewing technical documents such as facility design drawings, project proposal and budget information, and operation documentation, the student would benefit from having taken a course in civil engineering or construction management. While this is not a strict requirement, it may ease the transition into project work.
Desired majors: Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Anya Dias-Hawkins,听PhD Student
Project Description
This project examines housing resilience and recovery following the 2023 Lahaina fire in Maui, with a focus on understanding the engineering and social factors that shape vulnerability and recovery after disasters.
The undergraduate student will support ongoing analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. Potential tasks include generating plots and other visuals, organizing large datasets, writing computer code for data analysis, and assisting with qualitative coding of interviews.
This position is well suited for a student interested in interdisciplinary research, data analysis, and/or disaster resilience. No prior experience is expected, as there will be opportunities to develop these skills. The mentor will be available to work alongside the student and provide guidance throughout the process.
Special requirements:
- The student should have interest in water resource management, conservation, or a related topic.
- Experience with Excel and/or Google Sheets is recommended.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Emi Boldor,听PhD Student
Project Description
We are developing a new experimental capability in the geotechnical centrifuge at 麻豆免费版下载Boulder to physically model the performance of slopes (made of soils with variable saturation degrees) under a sequence of rainfall and seismic loading scenarios. This project consists of designing the experimental setup, conducting and analyzing the tests, and analytical/numerical modeling aimed at better understanding and predicting multihazard rainfall-seismic performance of slopes. The undergraduate student researcher on this project will be heavily involved in performing the experiments and visualizing/understanding the data.
Special requirements: Students with some background and training in sensors, data acquisition, and mechanics are preferred (though all backgrounds and experience levels will be considered).
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Amir Sayari,听PhD Student
Project Description
Local agencies often manage large roadway networks with limited resources for pavement condition surveys. Many agencies use Pavement Condition Index (PCI) to describe pavement condition and support maintenance planning. Previous research at 麻豆免费版下载Boulder developed a satellite-based framework using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery and highway roadway data to estimate pavement roughness on state highways (Bashar and Torres-Machi 2022). This project will examine whether a similar approach can be used for local roads where pavement condition is reported using PCI. The student will work with pavement condition data from local agencies, prepare roadway and SAR datasets, examine relationships between SAR measurements and reported PCI, and support the development and evaluation of a model for estimating PCI. The analysis will assess whether satellite data can provide useful condition information for local road networks and identify factors that influence model performance.
Special requirements: No prior experience with SAR or remote sensing is required. Experience with Python, MATLAB, GIS, or data analysis is required. The student should be comfortable working with quantitative data and be willing to learn basic concepts in pavement engineering, remote sensing, and machine learning. The student is expected to work approximately 3-5 hours per week and meet regularly with the graduate mentor, faculty advisor, and members of the research group
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Istiakur Rahman,听PhD Student
Project Description
Local agencies are responsible for maintaining sidewalk networks, but condition assessments are often limited by the time and cost required for field inspections. Previous research at 麻豆免费版下载Boulder developed a machine-learning approach that combines Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery with sidewalk characteristics to classify sidewalk condition using data from Minnesota (Ferrer-Font et al. 2026). This project will examine whether the same approach can be applied to estimate sidewalk condition in local agencies (i.e., cities and counties) across the country. The student will help prepare sidewalk inventory and condition data, process SAR and sidewalk attributes, apply the existing model, and compare predicted condition with agency-reported assessments. The analysis will evaluate the transferability of the current model to local agencies and identify whether changes in data structure, input features, or condition rating require recalibration.
Special requirements: No prior experience with SAR or remote sensing is required. Experience with Python, MATLAB, GIS, or data analysis is required. The student should be comfortable working with quantitative data and be willing to learn basic concepts in sidewalk condition assessment, remote sensing, and machine learning. The student is expected to work approximately 3-5 hours per week and meet regularly with the graduate mentor, faculty advisor, and members of the research group.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Istiakur Rahman,听PhD Student
Project Description
The purpose of this research is to test and evaluate dynamic soil behavior (such as generation and redistribution of excess pore water pressures, strength loss, liquefaction, deformation mechanisms, site amplification, etc.) for coarse-grained soils in earth embankments. This will be done using the 400 g-ton centrifuge facility at 麻豆免费版下载Boulder and its servo-hydraulic shake table in flight. Two boundary-value problems will be examined. First, saturated, liquefaction-susceptible, coarse-grained granular soils (here referred to as the critical layer) will be simulated in free-field, level-ground conditions to determine the dynamic response of a uniform soil column (with a thin low-permeability crust) under vertical propagation of horizontal shear waves. Afterwards, we will model the response of an entire earth dam with a clay core and coarse-grained shell in the centrifuge facility. All physical models will also be numerically simulated to guide decisions regarding their mitigation.
Special requirements: Prefer engineering students in their 3rd or 4th year (though other experience levels will be considered as well). Having a background in civil engineering or electrical, mechanical, aerospace or computer science is a plus, but not necessary.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Allison Kunz,听PhD Student
Project Description
How do repaired underground pipes respond when the ground settles or shifts? This project investigates how ground movement produces bending, joint opening, and rotation in rehabilitated buried pipelines. At 麻豆免费版下载Boulder's CIEST geotechnical centrifuge, small models are tested under increased gravity to reproduce stresses in the ground. Working closely with a graduate mentor, the student will learn basic soil-pipe interaction, assist with model preparation and measurement checks, and document test observations. The student will organize sensor data and photographs, use guided MATLAB or spreadsheet workflows to plot pipe deformation, and compare joint response across selected tests. Weekly mentoring will support interpretation and troubleshooting. The student's contribution will be a documented dataset, comparison plots, and a poster for the FUTURE symposium.听
Special requirements: Open to CEAS students interested in experimental research, infrastructure, and how materials and soil respond to loading. No previous research or centrifuge experience is required. Introductory physics, statics, or mechanics of materials is helpful; the mentor will introduce the concepts needed for assigned tasks. Students should be willing to learn basic data processing, maintain organized records, and communicate questions and observations. Familiarity with spreadsheets is useful; MATLAB, CAD, or 3D modeling experience is a plus. Students must be available do the tasks, including scheduled in-person lab activities and mentor check-ins. The schedule will be agreed with the mentor. Required lab safety training must be completed before experimental work; equipment use and test support will be supervised.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Sina Golmohammadi Senji,听PhD Student
Project Description
Satellite-based monitoring has been used to estimate pavement condition from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery. Previous research at 麻豆免费版下载Boulder developed a machine-learning model using SAR imagery and pavement data from the Minnesota trunk highway network to estimate International Roughness Index (IRI) (Bashar and Torres-Machi 2022). However, the model has not been evaluated using highway data from other states. This project will test whether a model developed from Minnesota highway data can be transferred to another state highway networks in the U.S., such as Colorado or Hawaii. The student will prepare pavement and roadway datasets, process the required SAR inputs, apply the existing model, and compare predicted IRI with reported pavement condition. The analysis will evaluate model performance outside Minnesota and determine whether recalibration is needed for a new geographic setting.听
Special requirements: No prior experience with SAR or remote sensing is required. Experience with Python, MATLAB, GIS, or data analysis is required. The student should be comfortable working with quantitative data and be willing to learn basic concepts in pavement engineering, remote sensing, and machine learning. The student is expected to work approximately 3-5 hours per week and meet regularly with the graduate mentor, faculty advisor, and members of the research group.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Istiakur Rahman,听PhD Student
Project Description
Satellite remote sensing can be used to estimate pavement condition over large road networks. Previous research at 麻豆免费版下载Boulder developed a machine-learning model using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery and pavement data from the Minnesota trunk highway network to estimate pavement conditions measured in terms of the International Roughness Index (IRI) (Bashar and Torres-Machi 2022). The model has not yet been evaluated using highway data from other countries. This project will examine whether a model developed from U.S. highway data can be transferred to a highway network in another country, such as Spain, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, or Chile. The student will help prepare pavement and roadway datasets, process SAR inputs, apply the existing model, and compare predicted IRI with reported pavement condition. The analysis will assess how model performance changes across geographic settings and determine whether recalibration is needed.听
Special requirements: No prior experience with SAR or remote sensing is required. Experience with Python, MATLAB, GIS, or data analysis is required. The student should be comfortable working with quantitative data and be willing to learn basic concepts in pavement engineering, remote sensing, and machine learning. The student is expected to work approximately 3-5 hours per week and meet regularly with the graduate mentor, faculty advisor, and members of the research group.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Istiakur Rahman,听PhD Student
Computer Science
Project Description
This project explores what it would look like for the information on the phone to reach us through the physical environment instead, with delivery that adapts to the moment. Using AR glasses, the system perceives what the user is doing and estimates how much attention they have available. It then weighs each piece of incoming information by its relevance to the current activity and its urgency, and chooses how to deliver it. While you wash dishes, your hands are busy but your mind is free, so it resumes your podcast. While you're reading a recipe, it stays quiet. And when a guest texts that they're ten minutes away, the countdown appears on the dining table, where you can glance at it whenever you need to. The research asks how a system can judge when and how to interrupt, where the line falls between informative and disruptive, and how people come to trust an assistant that decides for them when to speak.
Special requirements:
- Students should be able to commit to at least one continuous 2-hour work block per week
- The following are not required, but prior coursework in HCI and/or basic AR/VR development experience is preferred.
- Relevant courses may include:
CSCI 3002: Fundamentals of Human-Computer Interaction
INFO 1121: Designing Interactions
CSCI 4616: Introduction to Mixed Reality
- Relevant courses may include:
Desired majors: Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Integrated Design Engineering
Contact
Yi Zhao,听PhD Student
Project Description
We are the research team from Computer Science and Cognitive Science Department. We are developing a CS curriculum for K-12 students in a rural community. The curriculum centers around how can students use programable sensors to collect plants growth data in their classroom or community garden, do analysis, and make recommendations on how to improved the yield. The aim is to create data literacy and sense of belonging in both CS and their community. By participating this project, you will be working on developing and refining a website for this curriculum. The website main goal is for supporting the students to understand the plants health, do data analysis and storytelling.
Special requirements:
- Taken Software Dev Class (CSCI 3308 or equivalent)
- Experience building and hosting web applications.
- Experience with front-end and back-end development, databases, and APIs.
- Experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, or similar tools.
- Ability to learn new technologies and collaborate with the research team.
Desired majors: Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering
Contact
Lita Suwattee,听PhD Student
Project Description
This research project focuses on developing an AI system that provides real-time metacognitive support in complex and high-stakes environments. The system integrates multimodal data, including eye tracking, brain activity, and speech, to identify cognitive states and deliver interventions that support cognitive awareness and regulation.
The undergraduate researcher will work closely with me to design, implement, and evaluate components of the software pipeline. Depending on the project's stage of development, tasks may include developing data processing pipelines, implementing cognitive-state detection algorithms, integrating large language models (LLMs), or testing and evaluating system components.
Desired majors: Computer Science
Contact
Amanda Hernandez Sandate,听PhD Student
Project Description
Honeybee swarms are self-assembled, cohesive structures composed of a queen bee and several thousand workers. This project aims to understand how honeybee swarms assemble and disassemble without centralized control. We will track individual bee behavior to understand how honeybees coordinate the swarm's rapid takeoff to their future nest site. The project will involve analyzing both video and thermal camera data of honeybee swarms to connect individual bee behavior to swarm-level organization.
Special requirements: Student should be comfortable working at a computer and working in a team.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Danielle Chase, Post-Doc
Project Description
A robot's motion can be perceived in two ways. If you know the robot's goal, good motion is unsurprising and matches what you imagined. If you don't, good motion lets you guess the goal quickly. When reaching for one of two nearby bottles, the efficient reach looks the same for both until the end, so the robot must exaggerate its arc to reveal its target early. We ask whether this holds when the goal is an expression/emotion rather than an object. Our arm always travels to the same Jenga tower but moves with slight, significant, or extreme hesitancy, using motions taught by dancers who guided the arm by hand. If I told you the hesitancy level beforehand, does what you watch match what you pictured? If told nothing, can you name the level from the first few seconds? Whether these properties conflict or coincide is what we measure, and either answer changes how robots should communicate through movement. Your role would be to help with the control of the robot and organize user studies.
Special requirements: No prior experience in robotics required.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Srikrishna Bangalore Raghu, PhD Student
Project Description
As satellite capabilities improve, so does their mission scope. This is particularly true with Earth Observation (EO) satellites, with just 199 EO satellites launched in 2025. Many of these satellites are used for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaisance (ISR) Operations, natural disaster monitoring, and maritime monitoring. Real-time applications stem from these capabilities such as faster F2T2EA or wild fire response.
The issue with current EO satellites is the amount of data they produce. EO satellites produce roughly 1TB to 10PB per day. To downlink this amount of information is impractical because much of the information gathered is not relevant for any mission set. Thus, it is important to select what is necessary for downlinking.
This project explores using Geospatial Foundation Models (GFMs) for EO satellites. The goal of this project is to optimize them for deployment onboard satellite(s), so they can downlink processed results in real-time situations.听
Special requirements
We request that the student be knowledgeable of the general technology skills:
- PyTorch (e.g., Dataloaders, Model Classes, Training Loops, Evaluation)
- Linux OS (e.g., Instruction Execution, Memory Management)
- CPU and GPU I/O (e.g., How GPUs communicate with CPUs, vice versa)
- Weights and Biases (e.g., Logging to W&B during training, Pulling data for graphing)
Although not necessary, these skills/understandings are a plus:
- GFMs (e.g., SatMAE, Prithvi, CROMA)
- Model Compression (e.g., Lightweight Model Design, Distillation, Quantization, Pruning)
- Computation Faults (e.g., SEE, SEU, SEL, DD)
- Edge Compute (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson Nano, Raspberry Pi)
Additional notes:
- You do not need to show full understanding of the general technology skills. Your demonstration of how these skills impact EO satellite compute is sufficient for such requirements.
- Demonstration of the current academic positions or extensive literature review in any of these requirements are a MAJOR plus.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering
Contact
Ben Herrera, PhD Student
Project Description
Robots operating in mines, collapsed structures and smoke-filled spaces often lose camera and LiDAR perception, while millimeter-wave radar continues to function. The ARPG lab at 麻豆免费版下载Boulder has developed a multi-radar sensor rig for such conditions, but to date its data is only recorded for offline analysis and does not inform robot behavior. The goal of this project is to integrate a 4D imaging radar into the lab's autonomy stack on a mobile robot (Spot or a wheeled platform) and evaluate radar-augmented against LiDAR-only navigation in a corridor under fog or darkness. The work is organized in stages: mounting and calibrating the radar on the robot, bringing up its ROS 2 driver and live visualization, incorporating its point cloud into the navigation obstacle map, and finally the controlled experiment. Each stage is a self-contained contribution; the student is expected to advance the project as far as the semester allows, with weekly guidance from a PhD mentor.
Special requirements: Proficiency in Python or C++ and familiarity with a Linux command line. Prior experience with ROS or robotics is beneficial but not required; the mentor will provide instruction on the autonomy stack. The project involves hands-on hardware work, including mounting and cabling sensors, performing calibration procedures and operating a robot during experiments. Sophomore standing or above. Expected commitment: a weekly 30-minute meeting, independent work on a flexible schedule, and approximately two 2-hour sessions per month in the ARPG lab (Engineering Center) for robot access. No prior radar experience is required.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Kali Hamilton, PhD Student
Project Description
Teachers use whiteboards for more than writing information. They may underline or circle important ideas, draw diagrams, connect concepts with arrows, erase and revise work, point to specific regions, or build solutions step-by-step while talking with students. These visual actions can provide important information about what teachers emphasize and how ideas are explained, but most computational approaches to classroom instruction rely mainly on transcripts.
This project explores computational methods for understanding whiteboard use during instruction. The undergraduate researcher will work closely with a graduate mentor to review classroom video clips, identify and annotate whiteboard actions, help refine an annotation scheme, and explore how visual actions align with classroom dialogue. Depending on interest and experience, the student may also use Python, computer vision, or multimodal AI tools to explore automatic detection of these actions.听
Special requirements: Basic familiarity with Python or programming would be helpful, but it is not required. Students should be interested in AI, computer vision, multimodal data, education, or data analysis and be willing to learn new tools as needed.
Desired majors: Computer Science
Contact
Jannatun Nalm, PhD Student
Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering
Project Description
Compute-in-memory (CIM) architectures can accelerate neural networks by performing matrix-vector multiplication directly inside memory arrays, reducing costly data movement. In this project, the student will build a mentor-guided Python/PyTorch simulation of convolutional neural network (CNN) inference on a crossbar-based CIM architecture. The student will learn how CNN layers are mapped to crossbars and how limited crossbar size requires bit slicing and input streaming. They will then model ADC-based partial-sum quantization and study how ADC precision affects image-classification accuracy. Starter code and regular guidance will be provided, with the student focusing on implementing selected simulator components, running experiments, and analyzing accuracy/precision tradeoffs. If time and interest permit, an optional extension will explore how device-level variation or computational errors influence CNN accuracy.
Special requirements: Students should have basic Python programming experience and some familiarity with PyTorch. They should understand Ohm's law and Kirchhoff's laws at an introductory circuits level and have basic familiarity with convolutional neural networks for image classification (for example, knowing the roles of convolution, activation, and fully connected layers). Prior experience with compute-in-memory, crossbar circuits, quantization, or device modeling is not required.
Desired majors: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Contact
Sohan Salahuddin Mugdho, PhD Student
Project Description
Highly critical processes are often backed-up during the operation to ensure that if an event happens (bit-flip, power-loss, etc) which would cause an incorrect solution to be found, the entire system can be rolled-back to the last good checkpoint. However, this poses a problem for multi-threaded systems where resumption may lead to different threads acquiring access to data they did not previously have access to before the rollback randomly. Another issue is if the checkpoint happened while locks on data are still held by some threads, resumption may lead to threads forgetting which locks they had access to. Both issues can result in a deviation from the true answer, or, in the worst case scenario, can lead to dead-lock and halt the program.
The undergraduate researcher will work on a method for threads of execution to deterministically acquire data locks on a schedule so that resumption of work from a checkpoint does not lead to the two scenarios described.
Special requirements: Hard requirements for this project include being familiar with C++17 or later, having taken at least one data structures and algorithms class, and having taken a computer organization class.
Favorable, but not needed, backgrounds include being a US Citizen, familiarity with C99, taken or actively taking ECEN 4313 Concurrent Programming, and/or having taken an operating systems class.
Desired majors: Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Contact
Henri Malahieude, PhD Student
Engineering Physics / Physics
Project Description
Honeybees are meticulous builders of comb for honey storage and incubating their eggs. Wax is an energy-intensive material to produce and so, they need to be economical with how they spend it.
In this project, we will provide various lattice structures (via 3D modeling and printing) to man-made bee hives and analyze the nature of the comb they build. These 芒鈧損uzzles芒鈧 and how bees solve them reveal crucial information about the rules that bees use in this marvelous collective construction.听
Special requirements: Ability to work with and have an intuitive understanding of vectors.听
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Samay Hulikal Narasimhamurthy, Post-Doc
Project Description
How does light encode the structure of an object, and how can we manipulate that information to change an image? In this beginning optics project, we will investigate these questions together by building an optical imaging system. We will begin by learning about diffraction and Fourier transforms by measuring the diffraction pattern from various objects, such as thin slits and square mesh. Then, we will expand this system to what is called a 4f imaging system, which will allow us to filter different parts of the image, changing the final image we see as a result.
Special requirements:No requirements, other than an interest in learning about free space optics! This project is specifically geared towards students with no optics background and is meant to help the student develop the experimental skills that will prepare them for future work in an optics-based research lab.听
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Molly Kate Kreider, PhD
Environmental Engineering
Project Description
Drinking water distribution systems harbor opportunistic pathogens in biofilms as chemical disinfectants decay, posing public health risks. To mitigate these risks, this project evaluates a biological control strategy based on competitive exclusion. The project asks, can we use non-harmful microorganisms to outcompete and help manage harmful microorganisms? Through pre-establishing a non-pathogenic biofilm on a simulated drinking water distribution surface, we aim to evaluate its ability to outcompete invading microorganisms for limited resources such as nutrients and physical space under simulated low nutrient tap water conditions.
The student will assist with lab experiments, including:
1. Culturing and maintaining bacterial strains under simulated low-nutrient tap water conditions
2. Quantify biofilm formation via growth curves in the simulated low-nutrient tap water
3. Use microscope techniques to visualize the competition between pre-established biofilm and invading cells
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Matthew Helms, PhD Student
Project Description
The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs) are the largest ice-free area of Antarctica. Each summer, glacial meltwater flows over the landscape through stream channels, many of which are equipped with gages that measure discharge. Despite having long records of discharge, we do not currently have any way to determine how stream width changes with discharge, which has implications for a variety of stream processes like hyporheic exchange, biogeochemical processing, and habitat availability. The goal for this project is to use 1 season of game camera images from 5 transects across a stream channel to build a record of stream width measurements to match the discharge record. These local width measurements will then be paired with a combination of remote sensing and hydrologic models to estimate how widths across the whole stream length change under varying discharge regimes. Further project directions may develop as the project develops and the student's interests become more clear.
Special requirements: No specific background is necessary, but a general interest in hydrology and modelling/remote sensing would be preferred. Our lab is located in SEEC, so the student will be expected to be available to meet/work on East Campus at least one day per week. Student can be set up with a desk and computer if needed.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Jared Collins, PhD Student
Materials Science and Engineering
Project Description
This project explores development of engineered living light materials by integrating bioluminescent microorganisms into functional soft materials. The goal is to functionalize an otherwise inert material with the natural capabilities of life to create environment-responsive living materials. This project aims to understand how the organization, stimulation, and environment of bioluminescent cells can serve as design parameters to control when, where, and how much light the resulting material produces. This is a hands-on interdisciplinary bioengineering research opportunity. Activities may include cell culture, microscopy fabrication of hydrogel-based living materials, 3-D printing, bioluminescence measurements, and experimental data analysis. Guided training in experimental design, laboratory techniques, and data analysis will be provided. No prior research experience is required. The project is well suited for students interested in the intersection of biology and engineering.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Jessica McKean, PhD Student
Project Description
This project explores the development of living materials for improving indoor air quality. Living materials combine microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, with engineered material systems to provide useful biological functions, including air purification.
The undergraduate researcher will contribute to the culturing and screening of different microorganisms and the fabrication of biomaterials incorporating these organisms or mimicking their functions. Project activities will include cell culture, biomaterial fabrication, microscopy and image analysis, dynamic vapor sorption (DVS), and other material characterization techniques.
Through this mentor-guided project, the student will gain hands-on experience in biological and materials science research, experimental design, laboratory techniques, data collection and analysis, and scientific communication. The work will contribute to the broader development of bioactive materials designed to improve indoor environmental quality.
Special requirements: No previous research experience is required. The student should have an interest in materials science, microbiology, environmental engineering, biotechnology, indoor air quality, or a related field. Previous coursework or laboratory experience in biology, chemistry, or materials science would be helpful but is not required.
The student must be able to work consistently for 3芒鈧5 hours per week during the spring semester. The student should be comfortable working in a laboratory and handling microbial cultures under supervision. All required laboratory and safety training must be completed before experimental work begins. Attention to detail, reliability, careful recordkeeping, curiosity, and a willingness to learn are essential.
Desired majors: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Creative Technology & Design, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Joy Edwin-Ezeh, PhD Student
Mechanical Engineering
Project Description
This project focuses on the 3D printing of soft crystalline responsive materials for smart electronic applications. The student will investigate how material composition and 3D printing parameters influence the structure, mechanical properties, and functional response of printed materials. Under close mentorship, the student will assist with material preparation, 3D printing experiments, optimization of processing parameters, and characterization of printed structures. The student will gain hands-on experience in additive manufacturing, functional materials, experimental design, and data analysis, with opportunities to contribute to the development of flexible sensors, actuators, and other smart electronic devices.
Special requirements: No prior research experience is required. Students with an interest in 3D printing, materials science, mechanical engineering, or smart/functional materials are encouraged to apply. Basic laboratory and data analysis experience is helpful but not required, as appropriate training will be provided. The student should be willing to learn new experimental techniques, work safely in a laboratory environment, maintain clear experimental records, and work collaboratively with graduate student mentors. A consistent weekly time commitment and availability for laboratory work are expected.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Vishnu Prasad, PhD Student
Project Description
We see clogging, or blockages, of granular materials such as sand and gravel in silos, pipes, and agricultural processes. These clogs are inconvenient and can be dangerous.
Some clogs exist temporary and clear spontaneously, while others require outside intervention to clear. In our lab, we are interested in studying the physics of temporary and permanent clogging: from formation to resolution.
This project involves the design and development of a recirculating hopper that can be usedf or scientific research and outreach purposes. Our hopper design needs to be recirculating and quasi-2D, incorporate an electro-mechanical feature to clear permanent clogs (e.g. vibrations or a poker), and feature adjustments such as different wall roughness, aperture opening and aperture angle. The hopper will be filled with photoelastic particles (our custom-designed polymer particles that reveal fringe patterns of light when stressed), and enable imaging with high-speed visualization techniques.
Special requirements: We are seeking a motivated student who, given the scope of the FUTURES project, focusses on a creating a working design and producing a technical drawing. An eager student might be able to start construction and manufacturing during the year, but this is not an absolute requirement. There might be opportunities for a follow-up project in our laboratory to use the experiment and conduct scientific experiments during a DLA or UROP placement in the future.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Rylan Hodgson, PhD Student
Project Description
This project has the goal of creating an improved coin cell holder for our lab's battery cycler. As the mentor I have already come up with a CAD model of the test stand that will be 3D printed and purchased 80% of the electronic components needed.
The design aspect of this project is refining the CAD design; researching the remaining electrical components needed to make the already purchased coin cell clips connect to the battery cycler.
The fabrication aspect will be 3D printing the test stand and mounting the coin cell clips to it, then soldering all the electronic components together.
The mentor has years of experience with CAD modelling and product design. The main role of the undergraduate will be finding the remaining electronic parts needed and helping to solder all the electronic components together.
This project would be a great introduction to low stakes troubleshooting, 3D printing, and electronic systems fabrication. 听
Special requirements: Experience soldering or the willingness to learn as this is a major part of the project. CAD basics will be helpful, but mentor is willing to teach those.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Dakota Rodriguez, PhD Student
Project Description
Honeycomb lattices are used in lightweight structures for aerospace, packaging, and impact protection. This project studies how disorder in the cell pattern, including defects similar to grain boundaries in metals, changes a honeycomb's mechanical properties under compression. We combine algorithms for geometry generation, 3D printing, mechanical testing, and simulation.
The student will work with a PhD mentor on two possible tasks. First, they can help develop MATLAB scripts that generate disordered honeycomb lattices and measure their geometry. Second, they can 3D print specimens with FDM printers, run compression tests on an Instron machine, record video of the deformation, and process the data into stress-strain curves. No prior experience is needed, though some MATLAB is helpful. The student will learn how a design goes from code to a printed part to a measured result.
Special requirements: MATLAB experience and/or 3D printing experience recommended.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Veronica Guerrero Gonzalez, PhD Student
Project Description
Blood clotting on the surface of stents and vascular grafts is still a leading cause of device failure. Our lab designs peptides to resist clotting and attaches them to a light crosslinked PEG-norbornene hydrogel coating. The open question is whether a tethered peptide actually changes how blood behaves there.
The student will prepare hydrogel coated coupons, attach candidate peptides by thiol-ene photo-click chemistry, and test them with a staged panel of in vitro assays: protein adsorption, plasma clotting time, then platelet adhesion and surface coverage measured by fluorescence microscopy and image analysis. Heparin coated, unmodified, and scrambled sequence surfaces serve as controls.
Every step is mentor guided, with protocols and training. The student will develop and test their own hypothesis about what drives thromboresistance, peptide identity or peptide density, and will present the results as a poster at the FUTURE symposium. No prior research experience is required.
Special requirements: One semester of introductory chemistry or biology. Comfort with pipetting and careful record keeping matters more than prior lab experience. Availability in at least two blocks of 2 to 3 hours per week, since several assays cannot be paused partway. The student will complete 麻豆免费版下载laboratory safety training, and bloodborne pathogen training before any work with blood products. Curiosity about biomaterials, cardiovascular devices, or medical device design is a plus.
Desired majors: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Engineering Physics, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Thy Nguyen, PhD Student
Project Description
The Xu Lab is currently developing a variety of aquatic robots, from biohybrid jellyfish to modular penguin-inspired robots. To operate effectively, these robots must maintain neutral buoyancy; however, achieving neutral buoyancy is challenging because robot weights must be precisely calibrated and can vary between saltwater and freshwater environments.
To address this challenge, this project will involve creating a self-contained buoyancy control system that allows the different Xu Lab robots to adjust their buoyancy as needed. The role will entail working with a graduate student mentor to review previous buoyancy control systems, design prototypes, select and manufacture components, and iteratively test the design using Xu Lab water tanks. Experience with CAD and microcontrollers will be beneficial.
Overall, this hands-on, interdisciplinary research project will provide experience with the research process and an opportunity to develop a useful product for aquatic robotics research.
Special requirements: Previous experience with CAD and microcontrollers is preferred.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Matticus Brown, PhD Student
Project Description
We study granular dynamics. Grains are everywhere -- soil, dune sand, mountain snow -- and when they flow suddenly the results can be severe causing landslides, desertification, and avalanches. Our lab asks the question: what makes a granular material flow, and when?
To get at that question, we use photoelasticity -- an optical technique that reveals the internal stress state of a transparent material. We cast custom polymer particles that act as photoelastic 'surrogate grains.' Under load, they reveal glowing patterns of light called force chains that map, directly and in real time, how force travels through a packing of particles.
Pressed together, particles deform under stress. At small deformation, they respond linearly where stress is proportional to strain. However, in nearly all real collisions, deformation is large and the stress-strain relationship is non-linear. A student will use and/or modify a custom autonomous load cell setup to measure these non-linear dynamics.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Brandon Hayes, Post-Doc
Project Description
Development of a surface-breaching robot capable of (i) untethered operation through joint size 'thrust' weight optimization with an onboard battery, a revised hull, and propeller optimization, (ii) quantitative analysis of underwater maneuvering performance in the horizontal plane (perpendicular to gravity) using rudder control, (iii) repeated hop cycles with controlled re-entry and attitude control in the air, where roll is unregulated, and (iv) a flying-fish-inspired variant whose pectoral-fin wings fold underwater and spread after breaching, turning each hop into a glide. Systematic field trials will follow in the habitats of the fish that motivated the design.
Special requirements: Availability of 3-5 hours per week, CAD (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or Onshape), soldering or basic electronics, Python or MATLAB, proficiency in LLM usage, and coursework in dynamics, fluid mechanics, or aerodynamics.
Desired majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Daehyun Choi, Post-Doc