Summer Program for Undergraduate Research Projects for 2025

The CU Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (CU SPUR) program takes place over 10 weeks each summer. There is funding for up to 125 undergraduate engineering students to work in research labs and only available to CU Boulder Engineering students. Students will work for ten weeks, up to 30 hours per week over the summer.

CEAS students in good academic standing were sent an email on Feb. 17th with a link to apply.


Timeline

  • Project list released: February 14th
  • Application sent to students: February 17th
  • Watch "Preparing to Apply for SPUR/DLA"
  • Deadline to apply: March 10th, 11:59PM
  • Students notified of decision: April 8th
  • Summer 2025 program dates: May 27th - Aug. 1st

Projects are listed by department or program. Review the "desired major" section of each project for eligibility to apply.

Projects for Colorado community college students only

Project Description

We will be using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). A laser illuminates water fog pumped through a recorder (kind of a flute) and imaged with a high speed video camera. The video is then analyzed to show the velocity of the air flow through the recorder. The student will assist the graduate student in making the videos and running them through the analysis. Laser and lab safety training will be provided.

Preferred Requirements: 

  • Python coding experience is preferred.
  • Must be able to meet with the grad student in the lab in the Engineering Center.

Hosting the following students: Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Jean Hertzberg, Faculty
Mechanical Engineering
Email: jean.hertzberg@colorado.edu

Abhishek Kumar, Graduate Student
Email: Abhishek.Kumar@colorado.edu

Project Description

Are you interested in the intersection of AI, education, and engineering? This internship offers a unique opportunity to develop cutting-edge research tools that transform how students learn and understand core concepts. You'll work on expanding and enhancing concept inventory materials - diagnostic tools that identify student misconceptions - initially focused on first-year computer science courses, with plans to extend to other disciplines.


The project includes adapting and refining concept inventory questions and instructional materials, improving the functionality of AI-based tutors, and researching the effectiveness of generative AI in enhancing student learning. You’ll also collaborate with faculty and peers to adapt these tools for diverse subject areas and learning environments.

This position is ideal for students with interests in computer science, engineering, education, or AI research. Curiosity, collaboration, and a desire to explore how AI drives innovation in teaching are key. Experience with programming or AI tools is helpful but not required. Join us to gain hands-on experience at the forefront of educational technology and contribute to shaping the future of learning.

Requirements: 

  • A willingness to learn and engage with generative AI.
  • Python coding is a plus but not required.
  • Familiarity with entry level programming principles is beneficial. 

Hosting the following students: Community College Student (from Colorado)

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

Robert Hodgkins, Faculty
Aerospace Engineering Sciences
Email: hodgkinr@colorado.edu

Project Description

The Integrated Teaching & Learning Program (ITLP) is seeking enthusiastic Software Engineering Interns to join our team for the summer! This is a hands-on opportunity to gain real-world experience working alongside professional software engineers in a collaborative and Agile development environment. You'll contribute to the development of a web application used by students and staff, implementing user-requested features and improving system functionality. Additionally, you'll gain experience with containerization technologies to enhance application scalability and deployment. If you're eager to sharpen your coding skills, work on meaningful projects, and be part of a team that makes an impact, we'd love to have you on board!

Requirements: 

  • Applicants should have experience with C# and a working knowledge of JavaScript. Familiarity with JavaScript front-end frameworks such as Vue.js is a plus but not required.
  • Candidates should be comfortable working in a team environment, have strong problem-solving skills, and be eager to learn new technologies.
  • Prior coursework or experience in computer science, software development, web applications, or related fields is required.
  • This internship requires availability for structured work sessions, with flexible scheduling options to accommodate student commitments.

Website: https://itll.colorado.edu/

Hosting the following students: Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Patrick Mulcrone, Faculty
Integrated Design Engineering
Email: patrick.mulcrone@colorado.edu

Nick Stites, Faculty
Integrated Design Engineering
Email: nick.stites@colorado.edu

Project Description

Water reuse and advanced nutrient removal will be imperative to meet potable water demands into the foreseeable future. The recently passed direct potable reuse regulations in Colorado encourage carbon-based advanced treatment (CBAT) trains, leveraging a multi-barrier approach to decrease the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration. In conventional drinking water treatment, the industry uses optical measurements to predict treatment efficiency. However, these interpretation methods do not translate to water reuse applications. This project will apply multi-dimensional characterization techniques and optical spectral analysis (fluorescence and absorbance) across CBAT unit operations for diverse EfOM sources. This project will systematically question, and ultimately rewrite, those rules to develop effective characterization and online monitoring tools. 

Requirements: 

An interest to work in a laboratory environment and basic understanding/interest in MATLAB programming is required.

Hosting the following students: Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering

Contact

Julie Korak, Faculty
Environmental Engineering
Email: julie.korak@colorado.edu

Emma Wilder, Graduate Student
Email: Emma.Wilder@colorado.edu

Project Description

LASP Flight Software Engineering student assistants will join LASP's Flight Software team to support the development and test of embedded software. The student will work closely with software engineering mentors to develop and test software as well as support tools.

Preferred Requirements: 

  • Some programming experience, preferably C/C++ or Python
  • Collaborating with others
  • Good written and verbal communication skills
  • Attention to detail

Hosting the following students: Community College Student (from Colorado)

Project Website: https://lasp.colorado.edu/our-expertise/engineering/

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Gregory Newcomb, Faculty
Aerospace Engineering Sciences
Email: greg.newcomb@lasp.colorado.edu

Project Description

LASP Electrical Engineering students will work under the mentorship of an experience engineer to design parts for flight or test, define tests and test hardware, and create the documentation to fabricate parts and move them through production. 

Requirements: 

  • An interest in electronics
  • An interest in figuring out how things work
  • Not afraid to ask questions

Hosting the following students: Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Integrated Design Engineering

Contact

Robyn Wing, Faculty
LASP
Email: robyn.wing@colorado.edu

Project Description

LASP Mechanical Engineering students will work under the mentorship of an experience engineer to design parts for flight or test, define tests and test hardware, and create the documentation to fabricate parts and move them through production. 

Preferred Requirements:

  • An interest in figuring out how things work
  • Some computer modeling experience
  • Not afraid to ask questions

Hosting the following students: Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Creative Technology & Design, Engineering Physics, Integrated Design Engineering

Contact

Robyn Wing, Faculty
LASP
Email: robyn.wing@colorado.edu

Project Description

Future hydrogen production will rely on electrolysis of water. This process involves two reactions at opposing electrodes, one of which produces hydrogen, while the other produces unneeded oxygen and dominates efficiency losses. Replacement of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) from water splitting with value-adding alternatives (for example, upgrading of renewable carbon-containing molecules such as from biomass) has been proposed to yield useful products at both cell electrodes. In this project, researchers will investigate electrochemical upgrading of platform chemicals derived from biomass using various electrode materials. The reactions to be studied are mainly partial oxidations of furanic molecules, which have applications in the synthesis of renewable and intrinsically recyclable plastics, among other valuable outlets. Relationships between the composition of the electrode, reaction rates, and selectivities to various products will be explored. 

Preferred Requirements:

  • Should at least have taken general chemistry.

Hosting the following students: Community College Student (from Colorado)

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/lab/holewinski/

Desired Majors: Chemical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering

Contact

Adam Holewinski, Faculty
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Email: adam.holewinski@colorado.edu

Jonathan Paul, Graduate Student
Email: Jonathan.Paul-1@colorado.edu

Project Description

This project will develop a speech-based artificial intelligence (AI) system to unobtrusively predict declines in team functioning, such as performance and cohesion. The system will automatically analyze both prosodic features (tone of voice) and linguistic content (speech patterns), model their interactions among team members, and extract influence and turn-taking statistics without requiring additional human coding. This fully automated approach enables passive, unobtrusive monitoring to predict team outcomes. Students involved in the project will annotate speech data and gain hands-on experience with machine learning methods for automatically detecting declines in team functioning using these speech-based measures.

Requirements: 

  • Student must have strong attention to detail, especially for data annotation tasks, and ability to meet deadlines.
  • Prior knowledge in machine learning is a plus but not required.

Hosting the following students: Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, 

Contact

Theodora Chaspari, Faculty
Computer Science
Email: theodora.chaspari@colorado.edu

Caroline Wendt, Graduate Student
Email: caroline.wendt@colorado.edu

Project Description

Increasingly, synthetic nucleotides are being adapted as biopharmaceuticals to target specific diseases. Upon excretion, these novel pharmaceuticals enter our wastewater system, where they could disrupt the resilience of our sewers and wastewater treatment processes. This project attempts to understand what happens to synthetic nucleotide biopharmaceuticals once they hit the sewers. This project will include both a laboratory and computational component. The student will assist in building and/or maintaining a laboratory-scale sewer system inoculated with biofilms collected from manholes on campus. The student will work with the graduate student mentor to introduce synthetic nucleotides into the simulated sewer system and measure their concentrations over time. The student will learn analytical techniques like DNA extraction and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to determine the concentration of samples at different points. Finally, and time-permitting, the graduate student mentor and student will provide a preliminary computational model to predict the concentration of synthetic nucleotides at key points in a sewer system based on laboratory results.

Requirements: None.

Hosting the following students: Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Cresten Mansfeldt, Faculty
Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering
Email: Cresten.mansfeldt@colorado.edu

Vanessa Maybruck, Graduate Student
Email: Vanessa.maybruck@colorado.edu

CU student or Colorado community college student

Project Description

Join an exciting summer internship focused on advancing engineering education through generative AI! This role involves conducting research on generative AI fundamentals and their application in engineering. The student will work closely with our team to design and develop custom AI applications tailored for enhanced engineering education, including tools that support instructional content and enhance learning experiences. Additionally, students will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and may have opportunities to contribute to publications.

Responsibilities include creating and refining generative AI models and strategies for use in engineering education studies, processing user survey responses to analyze and improve material delivery, and contributing to innovative projects that explore the intersection of AI, engineering, and pedagogy. Candidates should have a passion for technology and education, with interests in software development, AI research, and user-focused design. Familiarity with tools such as Python  is a plus but not required.

You'll gain exposure to advanced AI practices and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of engineering education.

Requirements: 

A willingness to learn and engage with generative AI.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Robert Hodgkinson, Faculty
Email: hodgkinr@colorado.edu

Project Description

The growing interest in cislunar space necessitates enhanced space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities to track and monitor space objects across the regime. Developing Initial Orbit Determination (IOD) techniques presents a key opportunity, but the chaotic multi-body dynamics and the Too-Short Arc Problem ultimately cause traditional methods to fail. This project focuses on addressing these challenges in the Circular Restricted 3-Body Problem by leveraging admissible regions theory.

The student will contribute to the development and evaluation of these IOD capabilities, with flexibility to explore multiple research directions depending on their skills and interests. Core objectives include:
- Implementing IOD algorithms across cislunar space
- Quantifying algorithm performance in measurement track association 
Potential research paths include: 
- Developing additional association and performance metrics 
- Improving current computational and visualization methods 
The project offers opportunities to develop skills in areas such as orbital mechanics, algorithm development, data analysis, and scientific computing while gaining exposure to cislunar SSA research.

Requirements: 

  • Basic understanding of calculus, linear algebra, and classical mechanics
  • Programming proficiency in Python

Highly preferred: 

  • Familiarity with astrodynamics, particularly the Circular Restricted 3-Body Problem
  • Experience with version control using Git

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Queenique Dinh, Faculty
Email: queenique.dinh@colorado.edu

Project Description

You will be using small telescopes to track spacecraft in cislunar space. The Vision, Autonomy, and Decision Research (VADeR) Laboratory operates two telescopes on the roof of the Smead Aerospace Building: the four-aperture 0.2-meter Panoptikon array and the 0.6m SITH telescope. You will be developing a tasking, collection, processing, and exploitation procedure for the detection and tracking of cislunar spacecraft with the SITH telescope. This may involve working with hardware, software, and procedures to achieve success.

Tasking: 
- How do you propagate an existing orbit state to the time of collection?
- How do you map that orbit state into the reference frame used by the telescope?
- How do you estimate the probability of successful detection?

Collection:
- What should you set your exposure time to be?
- What is the slew trajectory during the exposure time?

Processing:
- How do you detect the spacecraft in the digital imagery?
- How do you map the detection from pixel space into sky coordinates?

Exploitation:
- How do you estimate the orbit state from a series of sky coordinates?
- Can you detect the object again after propagating to the next collection time?

Requirements: 

  • ASEN 3405 (Astrodynamics) - Required, or familiarity with astrodynamics
  • ASTR 2600 (Introduction to Scientific Programming ) - Required, alternatively have familiarity with Python (https://www.learnpython.org/)
  • Adept MATLAB users OK too.

Desired:

  • ASTR 3510 (Observations and Instrumentation I)


Must be available to work flexible hours including some late nights / early mornings, depending on the moon phase. You'll always be given a minimum of 12 hours of rest between work hours.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics

Contact

Marcus Holzinger, Faculty
Email: marcus.holzinger@colorado.edu

Zachary Funke, Graduate Student
Email: zachary.funke@colorado.edu

Project Description

Passive radar sounding is an emerging remote sensing technique that uses ambient radio emissions for Earth and planetary observations. Passive sounding has been demonstrated using the Sun to measure glacier ice sheet thickness; however, further advancements in power solutions are needed to enable long-term passive radar deployments for continuous monitoring of glaciers. This project aims to design a sustainable power system capable of withstanding weather/temperature fluctuations, and extreme environmental conditions while maintaining power reliability for passive radar operation. The two main challenges to address are: (1) maintaining a sufficient charge level to ensure that all equipment required for capturing the radio signals operates continuously without interruption, and (2) minimizing potential electromagnetic interference from the power system that could negatively impact the radar system's detection. This project will require (1) programming sensors, (2) analyzing acquired data (e.g., temperature, humidity), (3) characterizing and mitigating interference sources, (4) modeling the system in CAD, and (5) applying design theory to systematically develop a resilient solution.

Requirements:

Programming experience with MATLAB (preferred) and/or Python.

Project Website: https://stpeters54.wixsite.com/my-site/research

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Sean Peters, Faculty
Email: sean.peters@colorado.edu

Thorsteinn Kristinsson, Graduate Student
Email: thorsteinn.kristinsson@colorado.edu

Project Description

We are seeking a student to assist in developing a virtual reality (VR) trainer for our research. The project involves creating a simulation of a spacecraft habitat repair and maintenance task and then validating the trainer within the operational environment. The trainer has been developed in Unity but does require some enhancements such as integrating it to the physical switches and other components present inside the habitat. You will be responsible for finishing the development of the VR trainer and helping us set up and conduct human experiments for trainer validation in a physical mockup environment. Your responsibilities will include assisting with subject recruitment, performing human subject experiments, and analyzing data. 

Requirements:

  • It is desirable, but not required, to have previous research experience, particularly with human subject experiments, or Unity programming.
  • It is also required that the student has a desire to work on teams and be willing to learn.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Allison Hayman, Faculty
Email: allison.p.anderson@colorado.edu

Prachi Dutta, Graduate Student
Email: prachi.dutta@colorado.edu

Project Description

Firn is a porous layer of compacted snow that blankets the surface of the Greenland Ice Sheet and can store surface meltwater. Monitoring changes in firn aquifer water storage is crucial for understanding its impact on ice sheet mass balance; however, these fluctuations are challenging to measure. This project explores passive radar sounding as a novel observational tool for quasi-continuous monitoring of firn aquifer properties in targeted geographic regions. The main objectives are to: (1) determine the usable Sun angles for this approach, and (2) conduct a sensitivity study to assess passive radar performance in terms of maximum integration time, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and spatial coverage. The student will use a vectorized solar azimuth and elevation angle estimation tool in MATLAB to predict the Sun's angle for specific times of day and Greenland firn aquifer locations. Additionally, the student will estimate the velocity of the Sun’s reflection point to determine the maximum integration time and expected SNR for each test site, by considering factors such as the date, time, geolocation, and firn aquifer water table depth.

Requirements:

Programming experience with MATLAB (preferred) and/or Python.

Project Website: https://stpeters54.wixsite.com/my-site/research

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Sean Peters, Faculty
Email: sean.peters@colorado.edu

Angela Wang, Graduate Student
Email: angela.wang@colorado.edu

Project Description

The project is fundamentally experimental. The goal is to develop a new protocol to test metal alloys, focusing on their fatigue properties. The student will test metal alloys with a novel geometry, using a universal testing machine (Instron, MTS) and Digital Image Correlation (Correlated Solutions). In addition for performing the experiments, the student will also process results (Correlated Solutions software, plus in-house codes in Matlab or similar languages). It might also be required to improve the experimental setup and the protocol as testing advances.

Requirements: 

  • The student should have experience with solids and structural mechanics (ideally, having taken ASEN 3712 or equivalent).
  • Experience with mechanical testing (e.g., using an Instron or MTS testing machine) is desired. Experience with DIC is a plus.
  • Experience with Matlab is desired.
  • The student should be able to work in-person at the lab.

Project Website:

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Civil Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Francisco Lopez Jimenez, Faculty
Email: francisco.lopezjimenez@colorado.edu

David Marshall, Faculty
Email: david.marshall@colorado.edu

Ankita Gupta, Graduate Student
Email: ankita.gupta-1@colorado.edu

Project Description

Ice-penetrating radar observations are critical for terrestrial and planetary studies. However, traditional ice-penetrating radars require the transmission of powerful electromagnetic pulses to measure ice thickness and subsurface conditions. These requirements increase a payload's size, weight, and power consumption. Passive radar sounders, which use radio-astronomical sources for echo detection, offer a promising approach to alleviating these constraints.

This project explores the feasibility of passive radar sounding using auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) emissions from the Gas Giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) as signal sources for echo detection. The objectives include synthesizing previous studies on AKR emissions and simulating the extraction of geophysical properties from a target, such as an icy moon, using AKR emissions.

The study will involve using frequency and correlation analysis to determine which AKR emissions are most suitable for passive radar sensing. The project will require modeling and simulating signal reflections as well as evaluating the passive radar system's performance in terms of available frequencies, bandwidth, range, and resolution.

Requirements: 

Programming experience with MATLAB (preferred) and/or Python.

Project Website: https://stpeters54.wixsite.com/my-site/research

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Sean Peters, Faculty
Email: sean.peters@colorado.edu

Jonathan Williams, Graduate Student
Email: jonathan.williams@colorado.edu

Project Description

Imagine you could just scan a 3D component via a laser scanner or x-ray imaging, click a few buttons, and get a graph showing the stress or flow field in or around the component. Or even better, the computer generates a new, optimized shape of the component.

We are only a few steps away from realizing this vision. In Prof. Kurt Maute's research group, we develop and use a software system, MORIS, to study new methods for multi-physics analysis and design optimization. However, we currently require complex and flexible user input to explore new topics and ideas. The goal of this project is to streamline and visualize the process of setting up and modifying inputs into MORIS with an improved user interface. This approach will then be tested with new MORIS simulations.

A first version of a basic graphical user interface (GUI) has been developed. This GUI will create inputs for MORIS simulations. The goal of this SPUR project is to further improve the GUI, add visualization features, and study its applicability to numerical simulations and design optimization of practical problems. The student will develop interesting and innovative application examples and create tutorial videos.

Requirements: 

This project requires programming skills, C++ and/or Python, as well as a basic background in solid and fluid mechanics. Knowledge of the qt library is desired but not required.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Kurt Maute, Faculty
Email: kurt.maute@colorado.edu

Project Description

Google has contributed toward the exploration of improving the GPS/GNSS performance, which enables ALL the position aware applications, within the Android Mobile phone through its past "Decimeter Challenge" (https://www.kaggle.com/competitions/smartphone-decimeter-2023).

The RF & SatNav Laboratory (https://www.colorado.edu/lab/rf-satnav/) has extensive experience in working with the GPS/GNSS within Android phones and working to improve the capabilities.

Participating students would be expected to have a strong programming background (C/C++/Matlab/Python are all possible as well as Java, ideally with Android Studio Development). GPS/GNSS experience is not required but definitely helpful. We expect to explore the use of the inertial sensors for position and navigation (gryo, mag, accel) as well as details of the GPS/GNSS engine (https://developer.android.com/develop/sensors-and-location/sensors/gnss)

Have a look at this for more details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN8IZgRJBSM on some of our past work.  

Questions are encouraged!

Requirements: None.

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/lab/rf-satnav/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Dennis Akos, Faculty
Email: dma@colorado.edu

Project Description

The RF & SatNav Laboratory (https://www.colorado.edu/lab/rf-satnav/) has a long history of innovating GPS/GNSS.

This project is to further that effort and many various directions are possible: (a) utilizing the latest low cost (<$100 USD) sensors to get cm level GPS/GNSS accuracies;  (b) working with the antennas & radio frequency (RF) front ends; (c) Embedded programming like that in the Xilinx Zynq (FPGA work); and (d) furthering the signal processing algorithms to make the GPS/GNSS result more accuracy and processing faster(SIMD and GPU implementations).

No experience with GPS/GNSS is required, however the candidate should be experienced in programming under Linux and proficient with C/C++, Matlab (or Python), and development tools (git, VCode, ...)

Requirements: 

Interest in satellite navigation systems/GPS, strong programming skills, experience in Linux a plus.

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/lab/rf-satnav/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Dennis Akos, Faculty
Email: dma@colorado.edu

Project Description

Essential to space exploration is the notion of trajectories and orbits, that spacecraft will fly on in order to accomplish their objectives. Therefore, planning a space mission requires a deep understanding of the dynamics at work in the system, in order to identify beneficial and useful features for the mission. Generally speaking, this translates into studying what are called N-body problems, perhaps the most famous of which is the circular restricted three-body problem (CR3BP).

This project proposes to leverage dynamical systems and differential equations theories, in the context of space and celestial mechanics, to study features of interest around the planetary satellites of the solar system. Leveraging both analytical and numerical methods, it aims at identifying families or motion (equilibria, periodic orbits, etc.) and studying their stability in models of interest for current astrodynamics research. The details of the research plan may be agreed to with the student at the beginning of the summer, in accordance with their skills and interests.

Requirements: 

  • Notions of orbital mechanics/astrodynamics (two-body problem). Experience with more complex models would be an advantage.
  • Programming experience in Matlab (preferred), Python, or Julia.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Daniel Scheeres, Faculty
Email: scheeres@colorado.edu

Adrien Legrand, Graduate Student
Email: adrien.legrand@colorado.edu

Project Description

We are seeking a student to assist in developing tasks and experimental protocols for our research. The project focus is on characterizing the effects of communication delays on team dynamics and performance.  We will be running experiments with multiple individuals performing tasks similar to those that will be executed on the Lunar surface and analyzing the effects of delays in communication during the task.  You will be responsible for task development and pilot testing.  Potential tasks include both computer-based and physical tasks.  Coding skills and experience developing experimental protocols are desired.

Requirements:

  • Experience developing tasks for human testing
  • Desire to work on teams
  • Willingness to learn

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Katya Arquilla, Faculty
Email: katya.arquilla@colorado.edu

Jasmin Chadha, Graduate Student
Email: jasmin.chadha@colorado.edu

Project Description

The focus of the project is to improve a new technique to manufacture carbon fibers with CO2. While we have a proof of concept showing that the concept works, we need to refine the current set up so that it is possible to build longer fibers, and with small variations in diameter. The main focus of the project will be to create feedback loops and refine the control algorithms for several actuators (such as servo motors, temperature) and have them work together.

Requirements: 

Junior student preferred.

Student must have experience with controls of servos and robotics.

The majority of the work will be conducted in-person at the lab.

Project Website:

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Francisco Lopez Jimenez, Faculty
Email: francisco.lopezjimenez@colorado.edu

Spencer Dansereau, Post Doc
Email: spencer.dansereau@colorado.edu

Project Description

We currently aim to collect physiological data via a suite sensors from human participants that are interacting with a simulated autonomous system "teammate". We use neurophysiological sensors (fNIRS, EEG) and psychophysiological sensors (EDA, ECG, eye-tracking, respiration). We then aim to build metrics and models from physiological data that will be able to infer and predict trust in novel participants in novel situations in near real-time. Undergraduate researchers are expected to assist in human subject testing and data analysis (mostly coding in MATLAB). 

Requirements:

  • It is desirable, but not required, to have previous research experience, particularly with human subject experiments, or programming.
  • The student should be willing to learn and work in teams.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Allison Hayman, Faculty
Email: allison.p.anderson@colorado.edu

Torin Clark, Faculty
Email: Torin.Clark@colorado.edu

Prachi Dutta, Graduate Student
Email: prachi.dutta@colorado.edu

Project Description

Stochastic optimal control is an important aspect of space mission design, particularly in complex dynamical environments such as cislunar space and near small bodies. Being able to account for and control uncertainties with both Gaussian and non-Gaussian distributions while achieving mission goals is imperative. An integral piece to this process is how measurements of the spacecraft state (navigation) can work together with the guidance algorithms to improve uncertainty quantification and the performance of the underlying guidance algorithms. This project will focus on incorporating the navigation process directly into guidance algorithms.

Requirements: 

No strict requirements, but should have a good understanding of space flight dynamics.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics

Contact

Jay McMahon, Faculty
Email: jay.mcmahon@colorado.edu

Dillon Waxman, Graduate Student
Email: dillon.waxman@colorado.edu

Project Description

We are seeking a student to assist in testing a human-autonomy teaming task for our research through human experiments. The project involves running an experiment to validate trust models with a task that requires the subject to monitor a satellite and its subsystems. The task focuses on a complex satellite whose subsystems, such as the satellite subsystems of thermal control, attitude determination and control, communications, and power, are being managed autonomously by an autonomous system, but with assistance from a human supervisor. The autonomous system monitors the spacecraft's states, but seeks assistance from the human supervisor as needed. Your responsibilities will include assisting with modifying the task as needed, subject recruitment, performing human subject experiments, and analyzing data. 

Requirements: 

  • It is desirable, but not required, to have previous research experience, particularly with human subject experiments, or programming.
  • The student should be willing to learn and work in teams.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Allison Hayman, Faculty
Email: allison.p.anderson@colorado.edu

Prachi Dutta, Graduate Student
Email: prachi.dutta@colorado.edu

Project Description

Access to high-quality image-label pairs is fundamental both for data-driven algorithms and for traditional image-processing techniques. Due to the limited number of celestial bodies that have been throughout the history of space exploration, the availability of high-quality data is limited. This adversely impacts the capability to create and train data-driven algorithms and to perform robust statistical characterization of traditional image processing pipelines.

Synthetic renderings offer a powerful alternative to generating large amounts of annotated images. CORTO is an open-access, object-oriented, python repository that exploits Blender's capabilities to synthetically generate large, annotated datasets to be used for computer vision tasks. Typical scenarios include but are not limited to minor bodies, planets, the Moon, and artificial satellites.

The student would be actively contributing to the development of the software architecture and functionalities in Python, primarily focusing on areas such as: artificial satellite renderings, procedural crater topology generation, or synthetic imagery from rovers/helicopters. 

Requirements:

  • Understanding of ray-tracing principles and image-generation algorithms
  • Familiarity with coding in Python is preferred
  • Some basic understanding of development with Git (you will be actively working together with other developers on a GitHub repository)
  • The first month of supervision will be fully remote (June 2025)

Project Website: https://github.com/MattiaPugliatti/corto

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering

Contact

Mattia Pugliatti, Faculty
Email: mattia.pugliatti@colorado.edu

Project Description

We are seeking a student to assist in developing Math and Science learning modules called "traveling trunks," which are easy-to-administer, low-resource burden lessons that use Human Autonomy Teaming as a hook to increase STEM engagement. Your responsibilities will include developing and testing lesson plans for certain topics in Math and Science that will involve classroom activities like collaborative problem solving using robot arms or solving math puzzles with the help of autonomous line follower robots. Apart from designing the lessons and activities, you will also work on programming the robots and autonomous system that the students will interact with in order to serve the lesson goals. These traveling trunks will be disseminated in rural, underserved high school classrooms across Colorado.

Requirements:

  • It is desirable, but not required, to have previous research experience, particularly with human subject experiments, or programming.
  • The student should be willing to learn and work in teams.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Allison Hayman, Faculty
Email: allison.p.anderson@colorado.edu

Prachi Dutta, Graduate Student
Email: prachi.dutta@colorado.edu

Project Description

As humans expand into the solar system, it will be necessary to have continuous knowledge about what is moving around at any given time, whether that is natural bodies (like asteroids and comets) or man-made spacecraft. Asteroids, being scattered throughout the solar system and having stable orbits, will make great platforms for building small autonomous astronomical observation platforms to gather data about moving bodies in the solar system.

In this project, I hope to start developing a plan for how many such observation platforms would be needed to make a significant contribution to our knowledge of the orbits of small bodies throughout the solar system. The student chosen will analyze various cases to determine how many, what type, and where the observation platforms should be deployed to support humanity's expansion and operations throughout the solar system. If appropriate for the student's skills, as a secondary piece we may also start looking into the design of the robotic platforms that will deploy these observation stations. 

Requirements: 

Students should have taken courses in linear algebra, differential equations, and dynamics. They will need to run simulations of orbital dynamics (integrating equations of motion in Matlab, Python, or C++) and conduct analysis that will involve a lot of geometry and different reference frames. 

Project Website:

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Jay McMahon, Faculty
Email: jay.mcmahon@colorado.edu

Project Description

In Summer 2025, we will most likely be testing and iterating upon a newly developed wearable sensor system prototype. This prototype will incorporate electrodes for ECG monitoring as well as IMUs for gait and posture monitoring.

Requirements: None. 

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Katya Arquilla, Faculty
Email: Katya.arquilla@colorado.edu

Sarah Leary, Graduate Student
Email: Sarah.leary@colorado.edu

CU student only

Project Description

The RF & SatNav laboratory (https://www.colorado.edu/lab/rf-satnav/) is continuously working to understand and expand the capabilities of radio frequency (RF) signal architectures and modern software defined radios (SDRs) for Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT). The programmability of SDRs allows them to be used to send and receive many different waveforms and signal structures over a wide range of frequencies. Current efforts are focused on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) PNT and Lunar PNT. 

Throughout this experience students will have the opportunity to build technical skills, participate in field testing events, and practice presenting their research findings.

Please reach out with any questions!

Requirements:

Students applying for this position will be working with SDRs and in software to help develop and test multiple different RF signal architectures. Desirable candidates will have experience using MATLAB, C++, and Python, and should be proficient in programming under Linux. Experience using GNU Radio is also desirable, but not required. No previous experience in GPS/GNSS is required. 

Project Website:  https://www.colorado.edu/lab/rf-satnav/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors:

Contact

Dennis Akos, Faculty
Email: dma@colorado.edu

Jacob Spagnolli, Graduate Student
Email: Jacob.Spagnolli@Colorado.edu 

Project Description

The primary aim of this project is to evaluate new AI algorithms that let a drone work with an operator in a search & rescue task. A human subject study will be set up and conducted with the help of the student where research subjects are given a drone and asked to find various objects across a large area. Students will be writing system software to control and monitor the drone. In addition, they will help setup and run the experiment with the supervisor. This includes placing objects across the search area, monitoring and potentially piloting the aircraft, and collecting subject data. Depending on the timeline, some basic data analysis will also be done to evaluate the experimental results.

Requirements: 

Students must have completed at least two classes that require writing software. They must also be able to lift and carry up to 30lbs and be available in person for the duration of the project.

Project Website: https://cohrint.info/research-projects/rinao/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Nisar Ahmed, Faculty
Email: nisar.ahmed@colorado.edu

Hunter Ray, Graduate Student
Email: hunter.ray-1@colorado.edu

Project Description

In this project, we are using Python to implement a machine learning approach for modeling G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) in pilots. G-LOC is a dangerous condition that occurs when pilots in high performance aircraft pull high G-levels.
 
Physiological data has been collected from participants in a centrifuge (e.g., Electrocardiogram, Electroencephalogram, Eye-tracking, Respiration, etc.) and is being used to predict G-LOC in advance. Machine Learning approaches being implemented include traditional machine learning approaches, such as Random Forest, Linear Discriminant Analysis, K-Nearest Neighbors, Support Vector Machine, and more. More advanced approaches are also being explored, such as neural networks and other deep learning classifiers. Over the summer, we will be exploring the forecasting time (time in advance we can predict G-LOC before it occurs) we can achieve, while retaining model accuracy. We may also be exploring the importance of each individual biosignal (e.g., Electrocardiogram or eye-tracking) in predicting G-LOC.
 
This project will involve a lot of coding in Python and working with physiological data.

Requirements: 

  • Student should have experience with Python or other object-oriented programming language
  • Ideally student has experience with machine learning and deep learning methods or experience with physiological data streams

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/faculty/anderson/research-projects

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Allison Hayman, Faculty
Email: Allison.P.Anderson@Colorado.EDU

Nicole Rote, Graduate Student
Email: nicole.rote@colorado.edu

Project Description

The Geospace Data Science Lab is starting a project that focuses on integrating existing GOLD Data Assimilation (DA) system into the Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA) JEDI open-source framework. This effort involves extensive coding to adapt the current GSI framework and optimize the assimilation process within JEDI.
 
The Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) satellite provides crucial thermospheric temperature and composition data, which are key to improving space weather models and forecasting. JEDI, or the Joint Effort for Data assimilation Integration, is a unified, community-driven software for data assimilation across Earth system models, enhancing interoperability and efficiency.

Requirements: 

  • Completed at least 2 undergraduate courses in computer programming
  • Experience working in C++ or similar
  • Interest in data assimilation, space weather
     
Highly Preferred:
  • Experience with Fortran, Python, MATLAB
  • Experience working on software with multiple people at the same time
  • Interest in orbital mechanics, satellite data processing

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science

Contact

Tomoko Matsuo, Faculty
Email: tomoko.matsuo@colorado.edu

Brandon diLorenzo, Graduate Student
Email: brdi5398@colorado.edu

Project Description

Student will be assisting graduate student research by helping to run trials of human subject experiments on a human-autonomy teaming game. Assistant will assist graduate student by helping to recruit, schedule, set up, and run trials with human subjects at the aerospace engineering building. The trials should last approximately 2 hours each where the student will help start/end sessions, verify data collection, and provide payment to the participants from lab funds. As time and expertise permit, student will help in preliminary data refinement and analysis towards graduate research. If research is fruitful, student may be asked to continue collaboration on a paper for publication following conclusion of research.

Requirements: 

Must be available to work flexible schedule depending on when participants sign up. Expecting blocks of either morning or afternoon availability. Student must complete training to run human subject experiments.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Zach Sunberg, Faculty
Email: zachary.sunberg@colorado.edu

Torin Clark, Faculty
Email: torin.clark@colorado.edu

Mark Boyer, Graduate Student
Email: mark.boyer@colorado.edu

Project Description

The objective of this study is to collect data needed to characterize the dynamic nature of longitudinal trust and develop models that can infer and predict trust across longer periods of interaction with autonomous systems. In this research, we will collect measures of human participant signals from their body such as psychophysiological responses, as well as measures of the actions that participants take while they complete simulated tasks. The task that our human testing subjects will perform in this research is flying in a cockpit simulator with an autonomous co-pilot in a contested environment. These psychophysiological measures will then be compared to traditional, validated measures of trust to verify their accuracy and subsequently used to create dynamic trust models that are transferable between tasks and can be used by systems in real-time. SPUR participants will help with running the experiment, data collection from on-body sensors, and data analysis.

Requirements: 

Must have previous coding experience.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Allison Hayman, Faculty
Email: allison.p.anderson@colorado.edu

Zach Sunberg, Faculty
Email: zachary.sunberg@colorado.edu

Lisa Ventura, Graduate Student
Email: lisa.ventura@colorado.edu

Project Description

An essential ingredient of numerical solutions to partial differential equations (PDEs) is the form of solution approximation. Just like a vector can be decomposed into a linear combination of basis vectors, the solution to a partial differential equation must be written in terms of a finite set of basis functions before the solution process can proceed. Neural networks have become a popular way to represent PDE solution owing to their excellent approximation properties. That being said, a solution to a PDE consists of two parts: satisfying the differential equation inside the domain, and also respecting the problem-specific conditions on the edge of the domain called "boundary conditions." One of the major obstacles to making neural network-based methods scaleable is difficulty in enforcing boundary conditions. In this project, the student will do a comparison of different mathematical techniques for enforcing boundary conditions on linear and nonlinear problems from heat transfer and elasticity. This will involve implementing custom PDE solutions in PyTorch and studying the performance of different methods. This project could culminate in a publication.

Requirements:

  • Familiarity with differential equations, especially boundary value problems
  • Experience coding in python
  • Enjoys math and coding
  • Familiarity with machine learning (specifically PyTorch) is a plus but not required

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Alireza Doostan, Faculty
Email: alireza.doostan@colorado.edu

Conor Rown, Graduate Student
Email: coro3440@colorado.edu

CU student only

Project Description

The project concerns approximating gradients of functions based on sampling points, generalizing standard derivative approximations in 1D (like forward or centered differences).

In particular we aim to create a "simplex gradient" method based on random points that achieves the good error rate of the centered simplex gradient method. We will use generalized eigenvalue or generalized singular value decompositions to transform the sampled points and then apply the centered simplex gradient method.

To get an idea of the spirit of the problem, look at "Adapting the centered simplex gradient to compensate for misaligned sample points" (Yiwen Chen and Warren Hare, IMA Journal of Numerical Analysis, May 2024). We are not taking this approach, but it gives a flavor of the problem.

Requirements: 

Students must have taken APPM 4650 "Intermediate Numerical Analysis 1" and APPM 3310 "Matrix Methods", or equivalent classes.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics

Contact

Stephen Becker, Faculty
Email: stephen.becker@colorado.edu

CU student or Colorado community college student

Project Description

Mechanobiology is the study of how cells sense and interact with their environment to maintain homeostasis. To understand how mechanical cues are transferred to the nucleus and alter gene expression, Dr. Corey Neu's lab has designed an imaging tool based on the CRISPR-Cas9 system which allows for tracking genomic loci in living cells in response to mechanical stimulus. In order to utilize this imaging tool, mechano-responsive genes must be engineered, and statistical analysis of the cellular biomechanical images must be conducted. This summer research project will take a quantitative systems approach to biology and biological systems where it will connect concepts learned in engineering and biology courses to better understand how mechanical cues regulate genomic architecture. The student will participate in engineering the plasmids for mechanically-activated genes and tracking the genomic movement in real time. Over the course of the summer, the student will learn techniques involved with cloning, cell culture, imaging, and data analysis using MATLAB. Basic knowledge of molecular biology along with the CRISPR-Cas9 editing system are highly recommended.

Requirements:

  • Basic knowledge of molecular biology along with the CRISPR-Cas9 editing system are highly recommended.
  • As stated in the description, this project involves techniques related to cloning, imaging, and data analysis with MATLAB, having experience with some or all of these would be highly desirable.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Corey Neu, Faculty
Email: cpneu@colorado.edu

Ellyse Schneider, Graduate Student
Email: stephanie.schneider@colorado.edu

Project Description

The Neu Lab is developing an osteochondral joint-on-chip system to study cartilage-bone crosstalk (CBC) in healthy and diseased states, with a focus on osteoarthritis (OA). This system integrates biomechanical and biochemical stimuli to mimic the joint environment, enabling the investigation of mechanical forces and inflammatory signals on cellular communication, tissue remodeling, and disease progression.
 
This summer project will focus on assessing how mechanical stimuli influence CBC using the osteochondral joint-on-chip system. The student will apply controlled mechanical loading on human-derived tissue constructs and analyze gene and protein expression. This work will address the need for lab-on-chip technologies that better mimic the dynamic mechanical and biochemical environment of human joints, overcoming the limitations of traditional in vitro models that fail to capture the complexity of joint biomechanics.
 
The student will gain hands-on experience in tissue culture, qPCR, ELISA, and confocal microscopy. This interdisciplinary project applies biomechanics and molecular biology to improve disease modeling and therapeutic development for OA.

Requirements:

  • Students interested in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, or drug discovery are encouraged to apply. 
  • Prior lab experience is preferred but not required. 
  • Availability to work in two 5-hour blocks per week in the lab.
  • At least 15 hours of availability per week

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/lab/neulab/our-people/corey-neu

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Corey Neu, Faculty
Email: cpneu@colorado.edu

Gregory Whiting, Faculty
Email: gregory.whiting@colorado.edu

Shantae Gallegos, Graduate Student
Email: shantae.gallegos@colorado.edu

CU student only

Project Description

Our lab has invented a novel material, a vaporizable droplet, that can be used to detect radiation. This project will involve determining if/how the new material could be used for radiation dosimetry and radiation exposure monitoring. The project will involve synthesizing and characterizing vaporizable endoskeletal drops (VEDs) and conducting customer discover interviews with potential stakeholders who may be interested in using VEDs.

Requirements:

  • Should be between junior and senior year.
  • Flexibility to conduct laboratory work and interviews as needed by the project, including early mornings, evenings or weekends.

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/faculty/borden/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Biomedical Engineering

Contact

Mark Borden, Faculty
Email: mark.borden@colorado.edu

Will Frantz, Graduate Student
Email: william.frantz@colorado.edu

CU student or Colorado community college student

Project Description

This collaborative project in the NSF Materials Genome Initiative (MGI), DMREF, aims at the structure prediction of hybrid organic inorganic structures (HOIS) of metal-halide perovskites from the starting materials through exploitation of recently curated X-ray structure databases with 1000+ HOIS (e.g., HybriD3), molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, machine learning (ML), synthetic and structural studies in an iterative feedback loop. We employ high-throughput MD simulations with the INTERFACE force field (IFF) to elucidate composition-structure relationships, including preferred dimensionality, distortions in the inorganic lattice, and relative stabilities. The targeted structures of metal-halide perovskites encode optical and electronic properties for applications in solar cells and LEDs.

Requirements: 

  • Should be familiar with chemistry and materials science concepts
  • Minimum GPA of 3.5

Project Website: https://bionanostructures.com/dmref-hois/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Hendrik Heinz, Faculty
Email: hendrik.heinz@colorado.edu

Leo Beck, Graduate Student
Email: leo.beck@colorado.edu

Project Description

Polymers are long-chain molecules that can organize into crystalline structures, a process that impacts everything from plastics to high-performance materials. Polymers can crystallize in unexpected ways when confined to ultrathin films (less than 100 nm), making them ideal for testing theories of crystallization and developing advanced materials for electronics, sensors, and solar cells. While many studies focus on how film thickness affects crystallization, the role of polymer-surface interactions remains unclear. This project investigates how modifying the surface properties of a substrate influences polymer crystallization.
 
This project entails preparing and characterizing thin polymer films on specially designed surfaces, tuning substrate properties using polymer brushes. Lab work will involve Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to visualize crystal structures and study growth patterns. Depending on progress, students may also explore single-molecule fluorescence techniques to track crystallization dynamics in real time. This hands-on research provides valuable experience in polymer science, microscopy, and materials characterization.

Requirements:

None.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Ryan Hayward, Faculty
Email: ryan.hayward@colorado.edu

Daniel Schwartz, Faculty
Email: daniel.schwartz@colorado.edu

Samantha Eyolfson, Graduate Student
Email: samantha.eyolfson@colorado.edu

CU student only

Project Description

In this project, photocured microparticles loaded with therapeutic drugs, also known as "cellular backpacks", will be bound to the surfaces of macrophages. Macrophages are innate immune cells with excellent tumor-homing capabilities. Because of this, our particles will have an improved capability for reaching solid tumors than particles that are unbound to any cell or free drugs, allowing for localized treatment of solid cancers and reduced toxicity. The particles will be loaded with small molecule drugs that induce anti-cancer phenotypes in tumor-associated immune cells. We hypothesize that this will result in tumor cell death.
 
The SPUR student will learn how to engineer adherent particles and assess their ability to gradually release drug, bind to macrophages, and cause anti-cancer phenotypes in vitro. The student will become trained in mammalian cell culture techniques and biosafety practices. They will then help prepare particles, engineer the particle surface, load and study drug release, and bind the particles to macrophages. This information will be vital to calculate dosage and adjust the physical properties of the particles for future in vivo testing.

Requirements:

The student must have taken college-level biology and chemistry and demonstrate a continued interest in biological sciences. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about research, capable of working independently and as a team, and willing to practice their critical thinking skills. Undergraduates from all backgrounds are welcome; however, preference will be given to applicants who have previous experience in or an outstanding desire to pursue fields related to biological, chemical, biomedical, and materials engineering.

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/faculty/shields

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Charles Shields, Faculty
Email: charles.shields@colorado.edu

Project Description

Nanoparticles have revolutionized medicine by enhancing drug performance in the body. However, when injected intravenously, biological barriers limit their site-specific accumulation. As a result, adoptive cell transfers are emerging as nanoparticle delivery vehicles. Macrophages, a type of innate immune cell, are particularly promising because they have evolved to circulate and crawl within the body towards sites of inflammation with high specificity. Despite the interest in using macrophages as nanoparticle carriers, little is known about how nanoparticles physically affect macrophage biology.
This project investigates the interactions between macrophages and nanoparticles of clinically relevant compositions (e.g., PLGA, gold). The student will be involved in various in vitro and in vivo experiments. On the in vitro side, macrophage phenotype will be studied as a function of nanoparticle material using RNA-Seq, ATAC-Seq, flow cytometry, and ELISA. On the in vivo side, the student will assess the delivery efficiency of macrophage-particle pairings to solid tumors and their effect on the local immune microenvironment. The student will various basic and advanced lab techniques.

Requirements: 

The student should have a good understanding of math and biology. The student should be self-motivated, be able to think critically, and show enthusiasm about the fields of immunology and drug delivery. The student should be emotionally prepared and comfortable working with deceased mice.

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/faculty/shields

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: , Applied Mathematics, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Charles Shields, Faculty
Email: charles.shields@colorado.edu

Matthew Kwan, Graduate Student
Email: matthew.kwan@colorado.edu

Project Description

This project focuses on the development of solid-state lithium metal batteries, with an emphasis on Li metal alloy anodes. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which use liquid electrolytes, solid-state batteries employ solid electrolytes, offering potential advantages in safety, energy density, and longevity. The undergraduate researcher will assist in building and testing solid-state batteries to evaluate and characterize their microstructure and electrochemical performance. Responsibilities include electrode preparation, micro cell assembly, electrochemical testing (EIS, cycling tests), with the potential for materials characterization and analysis. The student will gain hands-on experience with battery fabrication, data analysis, and lab techniques for energy storage research. No prior battery experience required. 

Requirements:

  • Experience with electrochemistry, materials characterization, or lab work is a plus but not required.
  • Must be comfortable working in a lab environment with glove boxes and battery testing equipment.

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/lab/toney-group/research

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Mike Toney, Faculty
Email: Michael.Toney@colorado.edu

Anne Marie McCombs, Graduate Student
Email: annemarie.mccombs@colorado.edu

Project Description

The goal of the proposed project is to derive and validate more realistic force field parameters for ions in solution, which can be applied to mixtures with high reliability, including renewable materials and medical diagnostics. The work builds on the INTERFACE force field and extensive preliminary work for several monovalent and multivalent ions. Key reference data, including parameters for metal oxides, hydroxides, and aqueous ions such as phosphates, sulfates, sodium, and potassium ions has already been published. Many other teams have also explored the subject, including earlier validation and discussion of reference data. Key issues with the existing models are that parameters for aqueous ions are missing interpretability and have incomplete evaluation, which mainly focuses on hydration free energies. Moreover, the reference values for hydration free energies are taken from experiments and a theoretical cycle which assumes formal charges that are incorrect for multivalent ions, and sometimes also for monovalent ions, leading to uncertainties in the computed properties up to 100%.

Requirements:

  • Should have background in chemistry, materials, molecular-scale properties and design, interest in computer simulations
  • Minimum required GPA 3.5

Project Website: https://bionanostructures.com/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering 

Contact

Hendrick Heinz, Faculty
Email: hendrik.heinz@colorado.edu

Sean Florez, Graduate Student
Email: sean.florez@colorado.edu

Project Description

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition of diffuse lung inflammation and edema that commonly causes acute respiratory failure. Rather than targeting the underlying pathology, most treatment options look to improve select symptoms. To inhibit inflammation on a cellular and tissue scale, we aim to deliver circular RNA encoding for IL-10, a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine. As a hydrophilic biologic drug, RNAs on their own face difficulties crossing cellular membranes. To enhance membrane permeability, the RNA will be encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). A major challenge faced with drug delivery in the lungs is the viscous mucosal barrier. Microrobot transport of nanoparticles using acoustic, magnetic, and electric fields has the potential to overcome this tough barrier, which we seek to address in this project. Therefore, the goals for the undergraduate project are to: 1) formulate and characterize LNPs containing circ mRNA; 2) synthesize and analyze LNPs attachment to biodegradable polymeric microrobots; 3) evaluate LNPs release from microrobots; and 4) compare the transfection efficiency of LNPs only and LNPs with microrobots in vitro.

Requirements: 

Must have an interest in learning nanomaterials synthesis, biomaterials, cell culture, and/or immunology. Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering majors are preferred, but we also welcome any engineering majors.

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/faculty/shields

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Charles Shields, Faculty
Email: charles.shields@colorado.edu

Bianca Santana, Graduate Student
Email: bianca.santana@colorado.edu

CU student or Colorado community college student

Project Description

Fatigue failure is an area of utmost importance in all disciplines of engineering -- it is estimated that 80% of engineering failures occur due to fatigue, costing over $800 billion a year -- but is particularly in aerospace applications where mass requirements are very low, materials are high quality and expensive, and the loading conditions are extreme. The student will join the Center for Infrastructure, Energy, and Space Testing (CIEST) on a project which is testing the effects of extreme fatigue in aircraft wings. This project will take place using CIEST's 1,000,000 lb. load frame and entails testing two aircraft wing sections up to 6 of their standard operational lifetimes to determine crack initiation and propagation. The student will help develop a test procedure for identifying and documenting cracks as they appear in the wing section and will also come up with a method for analyzing data to determine and predict propagation behavior. The student's project results will be key pieces in the formal report to the project sponsor.

Requirements:

  • MUST BE A US CITIZEN. Due to strict US military protocols, it is required that all faculty, staff, and students working on this project are US citizens.
  • Statics and basic mechanics required. 
  • A course in structural analysis preferred, but not required. 
  • Experience with MATLAB is also preferred.

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/center/ciest/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Brad Wham, Faculty
Email: brad.wham@colorado.edu

Davis Holt, Professional Research Assistant 
Email: davis.holt@colorado.edu

Project Description

Talented students are being sought to explore emerging technologies in construction. This research will likely involve visualization technologies, but may also involve other data capture or processing tools (e.g., scanning, sensing, or AI). Students may get involved with developing AR/VR applications, conducting pilot tests with previously developed AR/VR applications, analyzing previously collected data to support ongoing research, or researching existing studies in this domain. The specific objectives will be defined with input from both the selected student and the hosting team.
 
Students should expect to have their overarching work objectives defined collaboratively, but will be responsible to define specific aspects or methods of achieving these objectives individually.
 
Ultimately, the overarching aims of this work are to:
1. Enable the selected student(s) to gain exposure to the types of research experiences that might be expected of graduate students;
2. Advance ongoing research efforts to support current graduate students; and
3. Identify SPUR students with great potential who may be a good fit to pursue further work in this team as graduate students.

Requirements: 

While there is some flexibility on where students work, the expectation is that students will be able to work in-person on campus for much of the research experience. This not only provides access to help from other grad students and faculty, but also helps the student get a more immersive experience in this lab group.

Project Website: https://etbimlab.com/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering,

Contact

Steven Ayer, Faculty
Email: steven.ayer@colorado.edu

Luisa Guillermo, Graduate Student
Email: Luisa.Guilherme@colorado.edu

Project Description

We plan to build an environmental chamber placed on CU Boulder’s large, 400 g-ton centrifuge facility, to study the impact of climate change on critical infrastructure. The equipment will be a critical experimental resource that will be the first of its kind internationally: a multifunctional environmental chamber designed for increased gravitational acceleration as well as vibrations in a centrifuge. This centrifuge chamber will, for the first time, control moisture, relative humidity, and temperature from freeze to thaw, drought, and flood conditions. The device is a necessary step for designing reliable climate adaptation and mitigation techniques that protect the built environment (e.g., transportation, water, power) and different communities. The instrument will provide a unique and fantastic resource to a wide range of users, enabling transformative research and training to solve critical multi-physics problems facing our society. The undergraduate student will have a critical role in designing and constructing this box, its mechanical system, sensors, and control during the summer at Center for Infrastructure, Energy, and Space Testing (CIEST).

Requirements: 

We are looking for an engineering student with background and interest in mechanics of materials, and importantly, interest in hands-on experience, fabrication, sensor design, data acquisition, and control system.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Shideh Dashti, Faculty
Email: shideh.dashti@colorado.edu

Amir Sayari, Graduate Student
Email: Amir.Sayari@colorado.edu

Project Description

Several cities in California have passed extensive seismic retrofitting ordinances since the 1994 Northridge Earthquake to address safety and other risks from buildings constructed before recent advances in seismic-resistant building standards and practices. While there is a need for retrofitting these structures to protect the lives and safety of building users during earthquakes, there are also concerns that retrofits are too costly or produce other unintended consequences such as housing access and affordability. The purpose of this research is to explore the unintended consequences of seismic retrofitting ordinances through a focus on the Los Angeles nonductile concrete ordinance, implementation of which is ongoing. To do so, we are conducting dozens of semi-structured interviews with community stakeholders, including building professionals, property owners, and residents of nonductile concrete buildings. We are seeking an undergraduate student to assist us with reviewing and interpreting transcript data as part of a verification process. Students working on this project will gain an understanding of qualitative data analysis within an engineering and policy context.

Requirements: None. 

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Abbie Liel, Faculty
Email: abbie.liel@colorado.edu

Shideh Dashti, Faculty
Email: shideh.dashti@colorado.edu

Katharine Rhoades, Graduate Student
Email: katharine.rhoades@colorado.edu

Project Description

Engineered living materials are revolutionizing the biomaterials field.
 
By combining the fields of materials science with synthetic biology, it is possible to create sustainable living systems that can sense and respond to stimuli of the surrounding environment.
 
This project aims to leverage 3D bioprinting technology to engineer functional living constructs designed for advanced biosensing applications.
Biocompatible hydrogel formulations for 3D bioprinting will be developed, and characterized in terms of rheological and mechanical properties to optimize printability and stability.
 
Living microorganisms will be embedded into a hydrogel matrix to formulate a living bioink.
Proliferation and retention of embedded cells within 3D printed constructs will be assessed overtime through standard viability assays and advanced imaging techniques.
 
Finally, the 3D living constructs will be characterized as novel biosensors for a wide range of physical and non-physical stimuli, thus paving their way as a versatile platform for advanced biosensing applications.

Requirements:

Knowledge in biomaterials formulation and characterization preferred.

Project Website: https://livingmaterialslab.org/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Creative Technology & Design,  Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Giulia Brachi, Faculty
Email: giulia.brachi@colorado.edu

Wil Srubar, Faculty
Email: wsrubar@colorado.edu

Cheng Pau Lee, Post Doc
Email: chengpau.lee@colorado.edu

Project Description

Freshwater salinization is a growing concern in the U.S., including Colorado, impacting agriculture, ecosystems, drinking water quality, and infrastructure. Climate change exacerbates salinization by reducing chloride dilution in drier conditions and increasing saltwater intrusion in coastal areas. Elevated salinity directly affects drinking water systems by promoting corrosion, reducing corrosion control efficacy, and increasing carcinogenic disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation. The EPA's non-enforceable secondary maximum contamination level (SMCL) for chloride is 250 mg/L, while enforceable limits exist for DBPs like trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. High chloride levels can cause salty taste, promote metal release (e.g., lead, copper), and challenge water utilities lacking chloride treatment capabilities. Many utilities use corrosion control treatment (CCT) strategies, such as pH adjustment or inhibitors, to minimize metal release. The research will evaluate salinization impacts on CCT and DBP formation via coupon immersion tests and simulated distribution system tests.

Requirements:

Be available to work in 3-5 hour blocks on MWF.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Sheldon Masters, Faculty
Email: sheldon.masters@colorado.edu

Jennifer Liggett, Graduate Student
Email: Jennifer.Liggett@colorado.edu

Project Description

The urban heat island effect (UHI) is the studied effect that urbanized areas experience higher temperatures than non-urbanized areas due to the increase in buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. UHI has been seen to affect people living in areas classified as socially vulnerable disproportionately. Newer metrics, like Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), are being used instead of air temperature to more accurately capture UHI's effects on individuals as it captures air temperature along with other metrics like humidity, cloud cover, and wind speed.
The students participating in this project will take part in the heat monitoring of various parks in the Denver Metropolitan area. The monitoring includes coordinating and planning field visits, conducting UHI monitoring in the field, and examining results of WBGT and other metrics associated with the UHI using Python, R, or Excel.
Students are not expected to have previous knowledge of any of the listed activities, but the willingness to learn about them and to be in the field.

Requirements:

  • A valid driver's license and access to a vehicle that can be driven for field work (mileage will be reimbursed).
  • Some coding experience in Python or R is desirable, but there will be plenty of hands-on practice, so beginners are welcome.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering

Contact

Nicholas Guthro, Faculty
Email: nicholas.guthro@colorado.edu

 

Project Description

Legacy pipelines made of cast iron, wrought iron, and bare steel are responsible for a disproportionate number of gas leaks in the United States’ infrastructure system. Many systems have exceeded their intended design life with increasing vulnerability to failure. CIEST is investigating the performance of novel pipeline repair-in-place technologies which can be used to repair preexisting pipelines with a structural liner.
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented undergraduate student to assist with material characterization testing, primarily involving tension tests of the liner, and to analyze resulting data using MATLAB. In this role, you will perform hands-on experiments, record data, and use MATLAB to conduct thorough analyses. You will also be expected to prepare technical reports summarizing your procedures, findings, and recommendations. Ideal candidates are familiar with MATLAB and possess strong writing skills, allowing them to communicate complex results clearly and concisely. This is a great opportunity to gain practical experience in material characterization while honing your data analysis and report writing abilities.

Requirements:

  • Statics and basic structural analysis
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel 
  • Skilled in SolidWorks and/or AutoCAD are all desired
  • Experience with MATLAB
  • Prior hands-on experience (e.g., carpentry, mechanic) would be helpful

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/center/ciest/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Brad Wham, Faculty
Email: brad.wham@colorado.edu

Davis Holt, Professional Research Assistant 
Email: davis.holt@colorado.edu

Sina Senji, Graduate Student
Email: sina.senji@colorado.edu

Project Description

Cellulose (kitchen) sponge softens and swells upon water absorption and shrinks and hardens upon drying. This phenomenon is ubiquitous in all porous materials including clay, cement, gel, and plant tissues. Engineers utilize the adsorption-deformation coupling of porous materials to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy to design artificial muscles, breathable clothes, and soft actuators. The goal of this research project is to conduct simple optical and mechanical experiments to characterize the transient adsorption-swelling response of cellulose sponge column upon contacting water. The data generated from this experimental campaign will be used to calibrate and validate a large-deformation poroelastic theory that is currently under development by the PI. The new theory and data will be beneficial for the design of smart materials for energy harvesting and robotic applications.

Requirements: None. 

Project Website: https://www.yidazhanggroup.com/research/soft-nanoporous-materials

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Yida Zhang, Faculty
Email: yida.zhang@colorado.edu

Mohammadali Behboodi, Graduate Student
Email: mohammadali.behboodi@colorado.edu

Project Description

We are developing probabilistic predictive models of manifestation of soil liquefaction, a problem that often leads to significant damage to infrastructure during earthquakes (such as transportation, power, water, etc.). These models build on prior case histories of liquefaction observation, ground movements, and soil properties. In addition to innovations in the field of geo-statistics in the context of geotechnical earthquake engineering, the project requires a good understanding of the quality of available spatial data from prior earthquakes. The undergraduate student researcher will work with the PhD student to understand and classify prior case history databases from different regions globally and contribute to the development of probabilistic predictive models for future users and researchers. In parallel, we are conducting interviews with practicing geotechnical engineers to understand their research needs in seismic liquefaction modeling as well as impacts of climate change in codes and standards. The undergraduate student will participate in evaluating the outcome of those surveys and help develop recommendations for funding agencies on research priorities in this space.

Requirements:

Any engineering student interested in improving resilience of physical infrastructure during seismic and climatic hazards with some (even if limited) background/interest in data science and geo-statistics will be a wonderful addition to this project.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Shideh Dashti, Faculty
Email: shideh.dashti@colorado.edu

Jonathan Schmidt, Graduate Student
Email: Jonathan.Schmidt@colorado.edu

Project Description

As technological advancements improve water distribution systems' ability to accommodate significant ground deformations associated with earthquakes, fault rupture, landslides, liquefaction-induced lateral spreading and other natural hazards, municipalities and pipeline designers need a systematic method to classify the seismic response and capacity of new and developing pipeline systems. CIEST performs tests on 6-in. diameter PVC pipelines with several different mechanically restrained joints, with the intent to categorize the response of each PVC pipeline system into seismic performance classes. The student will help conduct full scale testing on these systems, and assess the test results to help identify its seismic performance classification. The scope of testing includes axial tension, axial compression, axial cyclic, bending, and biaxial loading. Hands-on laboratory experience will be gained through full-scale tests, including component design, construction, and wide range of instrumentation. The student will have the opportunity to analyze collected data, aggregate results, and aid in report preparation, including potential authorship on technical reports and publications.

Requirements:

  • Statics and basic structural analysis
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
  • Skilled in SolidWorks and/or AutoCAD are all desired 
  • Experience with MATLAB is also preferred 
  • Prior hands-on experience (e.g., carpentry, mechanic) would be helpful

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/center/ciest/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Brad Wham, Faculty
Email: brad.wham@colorado.edu

Davis Holt, Professional Research Assistant 
Email: davis.holt@colorado.edu

Project Description

Granular materials exhibit dual behaviors: they can sustain loads like a solid and flow freely like a liquid. Fundamentally, their mechanical behavior is governed by the dynamics of the force chain network among particles, which is influenced by the packing density and gradation of the granular assembly. Photoelasticity is a widely used and accessible method for visualizing the force chain network within 2D granular systems. However, much remains to be understood about how force chain topology varies with changes in density and gradation.
 
In this DLA project, the student will design and develop a demonstration to visualize the force chain network in a 2D granular material. This includes selecting and setting up the light panel, polarizers, and camera system. Polyurethane sheets, known for their strong birefringence effects, will be used to manufacture 2D grains of varying sizes. The project will also involve quantitative analyses, such as extracting data from the images and converting it into force or stress distributions.

Requirements: None. 

Project Website: https://www.yidazhanggroup.com/research/career-decoding-gsd-evolution

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Yida Zhang, Faculty
Email: yida.zhang@colorado.edu

Yazeed Kokash, Graduate Student
Email: Yazeed.Kokash@colorado.edu

Project Description

The student will help with wildfire research; mainly examining particulate matter. This research will be mostly online and the student will focus on data analysis of measurements collected in people’s homes during wildfire season. There will be opportunities here and there to work in the lab or the field co-locating particle measurement machines. The student will process data in Matlab looking at smoke infiltration rates and particle size distributions.

Requirements: 

  • Student must have experience in Matlab.

Project Website: https://www.colorado.edu/lab/vance/wildpm

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Marina Vance, Faculty
Email: marina.vance@colorado.edu

Rileigh Robertson, Graduate Student
Email: rileigh.robertson@colorado.edu

CU student only

Project Description

In the past 100 years, the global construction sector has relied upon a monoculture of energy- and carbon-intensive materials, namely concrete, steel, and masonry. To reach the global net-zero emissions goal by 2050, a paradigm shift towards sustainable and circular construction is critical. There has recently been renewed interest in earthen building materials, driven by a seemingly endless global supply of earth and new insights into their beneficial economic, environmental, and structural characteristics. Despite the clear advantages of earth materials, widespread adoption has been limited by their low mechanical and durability properties. To improve these properties, the addition of biopolymers derived from nature (e.g. cellulose, alginate) has been shown to be an effective and sustainable solution. Within this project you will explore new sources of biopolymer additives, characterizing their biological components (e.g. polysaccharides, proteins, lipids), exploring how they interact with earthen minerals (e.g. clays, iron oxides), and testing their mechanical properties, to determine the composition-structure-property relationships of biopolymer-stabilized earthen materials.

Requirements: None. 

Project Website: https://livingmaterialslab.org/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering

Contact

Wil Srubar, Faculty
Email: wsrubar@Colorado.edu

Samuel Armistead, Post Doc 
Email: samuel.armistead@colorado.edu

Project Description

The CSRA Safety Census and Impact Analysis project focuses on leveraging census data collected from 100+ Construction Safety Research Alliance (CSRA) member companies in construction industry to evaluate the effectiveness of various safety implementations, programs, and injury rates. This data plays a critical role in identifying statistical patterns, measuring the impact of safety interventions across the industry and benchmarking across CSRA.
 
Students participating in this project will apply advanced statistical testing methods, including simple statistics, regressions to multiple baseline testing, to analyze the data. They will gain hands-on experience in the entire data analysis pipeline, encompassing data preparation, cleaning, statistical testing and analysis, and creating impactful research outcomes. The project involves creating interim deliverables and final research products.
 
Students will utilize tools like R and Python to conduct advanced analytics and statistical modeling. Through this project, participants will develop practical skills in impact analysis and contribute to advancing safety research in the construction industry.

Requirements: 

  • Students must be available to participate in virtual advising sessions, ad hoc in-person meetings may be needed.
  • They should have completed at least one Undergraduate course in statistics and demonstrate interest and/or some experience in data analytics.
  • Familiarity with tools like R or Python for data analysis is highly preferred.
  • Students should be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and capable of managing tasks within project deadlines.

Project Website: https://www.csra.colorado.edu/

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Oguz Erkal, Faculty
Email: elog7097@colorado.edu

Matthew Hallowell, Faculty 
Email: matthew.hallowell@colorado.edu

Project Description

The SPUR student will take a lead role in running experiments to measure chemical signatures emanating from a person carrying a simulated explosive device. The student will be mentored by faculty and graduate students. Our goal is to provide an effective research training environment, and to enable the student to actively participate in research activities.
 
Many national security agencies in the US are interested in the detection of chemicals indicating the presence of explosive threats. However, little is known about where, and how quickly, odors travel from person-borne sources into the environment. This project will evaluate how factors such as wind speed and odor source location affect PBIED plume dispersion. Results from this effort will be used to inform protocols and technologies for the detection of explosive threats in national security contexts.
 
SPUR students will receive training on running instruments, acquiring, and processing data, and analyzing results. The student will attend weekly lab meetings to share progress and learn about other research projects. The student will also help provide content for a final report to submitted to US national security sponsors.

Requirements: 

  • The student should be eager to learn to use specialized instrumentation, and to write simple computer code to acquire and process data. While we will provide active mentoring (our lab was previously recognized for outstanding SPUR mentoring), the student will also need to think and work independently.
  • Experience with hands-on laboratory work, 3D printing, data processing and technical writing would be helpful.
  • Course work related to fluid mechanics is ideal but not required.
  • Our lab is a fun and friendly place to work. We try to have flexible hours, to work in a team environment when appropriate, and to produce science of the highest possible quality.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Aaron True, Faculty
Email: aaron.true@colorado.edu

John Crimaldi, Graduate Student
Email: crimaldi@colorado.edu

Project Description

In the last year, an educational platform about smart building systems was assembled in the Larson HVAC Lab. This project will complete any remaining assembly tasks, complete control system programming on the platform, and commission the sensors, actuators, and controls. The platform includes an active chilled beam, with air systems and chilled/hot water systems, as well as external sensors such as an air quality monitor, occupancy sensor, and lighting system. The final deliverable will be a set of control system programming templates that architectural engineering students will receive as assignments, as well as their solutions. This position will be supported by Larson Lab research assistants and the Larson Lab manager.

Requirements: 

None (training videos on the system are available from the industry partner, and mentoring will occur to skill-up the student on relevant topics).
  • Preferred courses: Fluid dynamics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, system dynamics, HVAC design.
  • Preferred experience: Sensors, prior research assistantships, control systems or microcontroller experience (e.g., raspberry PI/arduino).

Project Website:

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Nicholas Clements, Faculty
Email: nicholas.clements@colorado.edu

Moncef Krarti, Graduate Student
Email: moncef.krarti@colorado.edu

CU student or Colorado community college student

Project Description

Climate change impacts on local environments are complex and often the intersection of many scientific and engineering disciplines. Stress on environmentally sensitive areas, native plant and animal species decline, and ever dwindling wildlife corridors and loss of suitable habitat create conflict when it comes to the protection of these areas and policymaking local governments. Students will focus on integrating field measurements with remote sensing for prediction of crop yield, drought, and stress on sensitive habitats, leading to better prediction and prevention of long-term climate change impacts. We will develop a novel portable multispectral sensing system that will provide high-spatial resolution soil moisture, plant stress, vegetation, wind speed and surface temperature data at low cost, minimal operational and training requirements. Satellite data and drone-based measurements will be used for validation and will be incorporated to select and monitor the areas of interest. Ways to engage the public will include creating a citizen science data collection component, providing access to low-cost DIY instruments and a friendly UI.

Requirements: None. 

Project website: https://www.colorado.edu/center/spacegrant

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Barbra Sobhani, Faculty
Email: barbra.sobhani@colorado.edu

Project Description

Monitoring of environmental conditions in harsh, remote environments presents an engineering challenge. Satellite monitoring gives some time lapse picture of conditions, but a higher resolution measurement strategy is important for gathering information related to specific species impacts or local variations. This project will test a small portable sensor array that collects useful environmental information such as CO2, light intensity, particle size and density, temperature, humidity, ozone, soil properties, and other information that is geotagged and transmitted to either a smartphone or a website for display. This instrument will be used in conjunction with NASA developed hand-help spectrometers to study local environments and engage community members in becoming more aware of their environment related to climate change.

Requirements: None. 

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Barbra Sobhani, Faculty
Email: barbra.sobhani@colorado.edu

Project Description

Colorado Space Grant Consortium operates an antenna and Ground Station for satellite communication. The summer intern will work with multiple projects on establishing communications capabilities. In addition, our intern will work on the new SCOUT NanoSat team as the initial plan for the project is developed. The SCOUT Mission represents a significant initiative in the domain of event-driven sensors, aiming to harness their potential for dynamic object tracking and enhancing space situational awareness aboard our 2U CubeSat. Our primary objective is to identify objects approaching commercial satellites and notify ground services by transmitting large streams of data, thereby advancing collision avoidance protocols that could play a pivotal role in the future of space exploration.

Requirements: None. 

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Barbra Sobhani, Faculty
Email: barbra.sobhani@colorado.edu

Project Description

GLEE is a scientific and technological mission that is developing small and inexpensive sensor packages (LunaSats) that can be deployed on the surface of the Moon, in order to provide a platform for students from around the world to actively do lunar science (https://www.glee2023.org/). Lunasats will be deployed as a mesh network for distributed sensing, using radio frequency (RF) for communication. They are based upon an easily accessible and open source architecture (Arduino) and standard sensors and preparing such systems for lunar deployment requires extensive testing. This phase of development is focusing on the reliability of the accelerometer for moonquake detection and the reliability of RF communication, requiring additional Lunasat production (v7.1). The science sub-team will comparing standard seismometers with the Lunasat detection network. GLEE is a unique opportunity for students to work on a lunar mission, developing and testing hardware to be flown on a lunar flight in 2028. GLEE provides access to undergraduate research that will be presented at a professional conference as well as a statewide undergraduate research symposium.

Requirements: None. 

Project website: https://www.glee2023.org/

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Barbra Sobhani, Faculty
Email: barbra.sobhani@colorado.edu

Project Description

GLEE is a scientific and technological mission that is developing small and inexpensive sensor packages (LunaSats) that can be deployed on the surface of the Moon or other planetary bodies, in order to provide a platform for students from around the world to actively do lunar science (https://www.glee2023.org/). Lunasats will be deployed using an autonomous rover, as a mesh network for distributed sensing, using radio frequency (RF) for communication. They are based upon an easily accessible and open source architecture (Arduino) and standard sensors and preparing such systems for lunar deployment requires extensive testing. This phase of development is focusing on prototyping and testing a robotic deployment system for the LunaSats. Students will work on adapting an autonomous rover, navigating with computer vision, to safely deploy the sensor network in a remote location.

Requirements: 

  • Experience with robotics and computer vision preferred.

Project website: https://www.colorado.edu/center/spacegrant

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Barbra Sobhani, Faculty
Email: barbra.sobhani@colorado.edu

CU student or Colorado community college student

Project Description

By introducing the possibility for users to implement custom material models via User Material (UMAT) Fortran subroutines, Abaqus (Dassault Systemes) has become the most widely used commercial finite element (FE) software for solid mechanics applications. Despite its popularity, Abaqus does not natively support GPU execution, limiting its ability to handle large-scale simulations. This project aims to develop an Abaqus UMAT plugin for our open-source solid mechanics library, Ratel, which leverages finite element (FE) software optimized for performance on both CPUs and GPUs. The SPUR student will wrap UMAT subroutines in C, adapt the build system to handle Fortran source files, and evaluate FE performance gains on HPC platforms.

Requirements:

  • Familiarity with C for programming would be helpful.
  • Familiarity with FEA software and interest in solid mechanics would also be helpful.

Project website: https://ratel.micromorph.org/

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological 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

Jed Brown, Faculty
Email: jed.brown@colorado.edu

Fabio Di Gioacchino, Graduate Student
Email: Fabio.DiGioacchino@colorado.edu

Project Description

Modern software systems --- whether they are web, mobile, distributed, or AI-driven --- are complex. This project aims to investigate techniques to algorithmically reason about modern software systems to witness bugs or prove their absence.

Requirements: 

Students must be fluent in at least one programming language and interested in state-of-the-art programming language techniques (e.g., strong type systems and functional programming patterns as in Rust, Scala, etc.).

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Evan Chang, Faculty
Email: evan.chang@colorado.edu

Project Description

Honeybee swarms, made up of a queen bee and thousands of workers, hang suspended from structures in nature for periods ranging from hours to several days while they search for a new hive. During this time, the swarm is subject to wind, rain, and temperature changes. While external behaviors of honeybee swarms (such as contraction and expansion in cold and warm temperatures, respectively) are well-documented, the internal dynamics of these processes remain elusive. We aim to bridge this gap by connecting individual bee behavior to global morphological changes during swarm assembly, adaptation to environmental conditions, and disassembly. To investigate these processes, we will use a multi-faceted imaging approach. Timelapse X-ray computed tomography (CT) will capture the internal 3D structure of the swarm, allowing us to track the dynamics of individual bees as they respond to environmental perturbations. An external camera system will track the trajectories of bees joining the swarm during assembly, moving on the surface during thermoregulation, and departing during disassembly. This project will focus on designing, building, conducting, and analyzing experiments with honeybee swarms

Requirements: 

  • All majors will be considered, however, this is primarily an experimental project that will focus on building experimental setups to study honeybee swarms, conducting experiments with bees in the lab, and analyzing data (primarily image processing).
  • Skill, experience, or interest in the following would be a good fit for the project: matlab, arduino, working with honeybees, data collection, scientific imaging, and computer vision.
  • Prototyping experience including 3d printing, wood shop, and electronics/sensors would be particularly relevant.
  • Experience with honeybees is not required, but students should be open to working with bees both in the hives and in the lab. All training and necessary equipment will be provided.

Project website: www.pelgelab.com

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Orit Peleg, Faculty
Email: orit.peleg@colorado.edu

Danielle Chase, Post Doc
Email: danielle.chase@colorado.edu

Project Description

This project introduces undergraduate students to quantum computing and distributed quantum programming using Qiskit and CU Boulder's high-performance computing (HPC) resources. No prior quantum computing experience is required, though some background is preferred.

Students will begin with a rapid introduction to quantum programming using Qiskit, followed by hands-on implementation of fundamental quantum algorithms -- the "hello world" of quantum computing. They will learn to compile and execute quantum programs on both noiseless and noisy simulators.

Building on this foundation, students will explore methods to distribute quantum workloads across multiple processing cores and GPUs in CU's HPC infrastructure. The goal is to enhance quantum program scalability and efficiency using distributed computing techniques. Graduate students and faculty will provide mentorship throughout the project.

This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in quantum computing, HPC, and parallel computing to gain hands-on experience in a cutting-edge research area.

Requirements:

  • Strong Python programming skills.
  • Must have completed courses in Linear Algebra, Data Structures, and Algorithms.
  • Interest in quantum computing; prior experience is not required but preferred.
  • Willingness to learn Qiskit and quantum programming concepts.
  • Experience with HPC, parallel computing, or GPUs is a plus but not required

Project website: https://raminayanzadeh.com/research/

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors:

Contact

Ramin Ayanzadeh, Faculty
Email: Ayanzadeh@Colorado.Edu

Nicholas Papadopoulous, Graduate Student
Email: Nicholas.Papadopoulos@Colorado.Edu

Project Description

Rust is a new systems programming language that is rapidly growing in popularity, but library support for parallel and GPU-enabled scientific computing remains limited. As compared to the status quo languages of C, C++, and Fortran, use of Rust creates the opportunity to make scientific software more accessible, safe, reliable, easier to extend and maintain, and easier to package and distribute. The SPUR student will have an option of focusing on pragmatic use of Rust for scientific computing (comparing the experience to traditional languages) or fundamental primitives to ensure safety/invariant-preservation (such as dimensional consistency or parallel/GPU semantics). In both cases, the goal is to enable greater adoption of Rust and increased reliability of scientific libraries and applications.

Requirements:

Familiarity with Rust. Some experience with numerical computing, type systems, and/or parallelism would be helpful, but is not necessary.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Jed Brown, Faculty
Email: jed.brown@colorado.edu

Jeremy Thompson, Graduate Student
Email: jeremy.thompson@colorado.edu

CU student only

Project Description

Language captures meaning, which we leverage to share information, reason, and describe environments. At a high level, the objective of this project is to demonstrate the ability of natural language as an essential tool for tasking a team of multiple ground robots on a given mission. In other words, we are developing a robot, a Boston Dynamics Spot, to use words to convey information, build a plan for itself, and remember key details of the task and environment!
 
Members of this project will have the opportunity to develop vital components of the infrastructure. Such a system will require: a user interface for users to input tasks and feedback, a hierarchical data structure for the task and it's subgoals, an API for calls to LLM' with effective prompting, an API for object detection and segmentation models, merging shared information, setting up simulations, writing tests, simultaneous localization and mapping, and deploying robots.

Requirements:

Required:
  • Proficiency in Python and C++
  • CSCI 2270-4, Computer Science 2: Data Structures
  • CSCI 2400-4, Computer Systems
  • CSCI 3104-4, Algorithms
  • Self motivated and capable of working with others
 
Standout Qualifications:
  • Experience with ROS or ROS2, docker, Linux systems, ML and AI techniques, CUDA programming, networking

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Contact

Christoffer Heckman, Faculty
Email: christoffer.heckman@colorado.edu

Miles Mena, Graduate Student
Email: miles.mena@colorado.edu

CU student or Colorado community college student

Project Description

Policy-makers use sophisticated economics models to gain quantitative insights in the design of effective policy. Recent years have witnessed unprecedented advancements in the breadth and scope of these models, with the incorporation of policy-relevant sources of heterogeneity, like high-spatial resolution in climate change models. In this project we are investigating improving the computational limitations by looking into custom logic technologies to accelerate the dynamic spatial integrated assessment model (S-IAM) from the work of Rossi and Hansberg. These are spatial dynamic models that allow to assess the welfare effects of a changing climate when individuals can respond to global warming via costly trade, migration, local technological innovations, and by changing natality rates.
 
The goal of this project is to accelerate S-IAM model using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). FPGA offer the flexibility to connect hardware resources to accelerate a particular function and to address bottlenecks by changing the hardware design.

Requirements:

  • Student must have taken at least one class on digital design, such as ECEN 2360 (Programming of Digital Systems) and performed well (at least an A grade).
  • Must be familiar with the FPGA work flow.
  •  Student must be proficient in C programming.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Contact

Tamara Lehman, Faculty
Email: tamara.lehman@colorado.edu

Alessandro Peri, Faculty
Email: alessandro.peri@colorado.edu

Project Description

Policy-makers use sophisticated economics models to gain quantitative insights in the design of effective policy. Recent years have witnessed unprecedented advancements in the breadth and scope of these models, with the incorporation of policy-relevant sources of heterogeneity, like high-spatial resolution in climate change models. In this project we are investigating improving the computational limitations by looking into custom logic technologies to accelerate the dynamic spatial integrated assessment model (S-IAM) from the work of Rossi and Hansberg. These are spatial dynamic models that allow to assess the welfare effects of a changing climate when individuals can respond to global warming via costly trade, migration, local technological innovations, and by changing natality rates.
 
The goal of this project is to accelerate S-IAM model using near memory processing (NMP) devices. NMP devices offer higher memory bandwidth dividing the memory cells into sections that can be accessed in parallel by a local core. The S-IAM algorithm needs to be adjusted to map to the architecture of the NPM devices made available to use by UPMEM.

Requirements:

  • Student must be proficient in C programming.
  • Student must have taken and gotten an A in at least one programming class, such as ECEN 1310 (Introduction to C Programming).

Project website:

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Contact

Tamara Lehman, Faculty
Email: tamara.lehman@colorado.edu

Alessandro Peri, Faculty
Email: alessandro.peri@colorado.edu

Project Description

Synthetic biology designed systems have many applications in areas including environmental, manufacturing, sensor development, defense, and medicine. However, currently the progress and useful- ness of synthetic biology is impeded by the time required for literature studies and the replication of existing but poorly documented work. This project proposes to move away from post-hoc and towards integrated curation to create truly digital publications. This research has two main research aims: 1) the creation of an integrated curation framework and 2) the development of a search framework that takes advantage of the curated data provided by the interface. Upon completion of these aims, we will have made it easier for authors to submit genetic design information in accordance with the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) principles, and thus, enabling the ability of researchers to search for sequences and related genetic designs. The SPUR student on this project will work on software tools for data curation (SeqImprove), data storage (SynBioHub), and/or data discovery (SBOLExplorer).

Requirements:

Experience with programming using Python, Java, and/or Javascript would be beneficial.

Project website: http://geneticlogiclab.org

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Chris Myers, Faculty
Email: chris.myers@colorado.edu

Chunxiao Liao, Graduate Student
Email: Chunxiao.Liao@colorado.edu

Project Description

The Myers research group at the University of Colorado Boulder is developing a comprehensive plan for storing and sharing data for the Army Center for Synthetic Biology. This digital backbone will be composed of an instance of the SynBioHub data repository, and it will be coupled to various software tools via its API to both curate data being generated by the other participants, as well as provide easy access to participants for further analysis. The software tools used will include Cello, iBioSim, SynBioSuite, Excel2SBOL, Synbict, among others. The digital backbone will be connected to experimental data storage systems (BioMADE, Flapjack and Experimental Data Depot). Robust data management practices are crucial to promote a reproducible design-build-test-learn (DBTL) cycle for synthetic biology (SynBio) applications. These data management practices are built upon a set of software tools to capture information, data standards to encode the information in machine-readable formats, and digital repositories to support data sharing. The SPUR student on this project will be testing and refining this workflow using data from our collaborators.

Requirements:

Experience with software languages such as Python and/or Javascript would be beneficial.

Project website: http://geneticlogiclab.org

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Chris Myers, Faculty
Email: chris.myers@colorado.edu

Carolus Vitalis, Graduate Student
Email: carolus.vitalis@colorado.edu

Project Description

We would like to recruit a few undergraduate students to help develop automated photonic integrated circuit characterization setups. The neural network will be built and trained using Python, then deployed using Moku:Pro (https://liquidinstruments.com/neural-network/) to achieve low-latency inference and react quickly to changing experimental conditions.

Requirements:

  • Experience in FPGA programming.
  • Experience in neural network.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics

Contact

Shu Wei Huang, Faculty
Email: shuwei.huang@colorado.edu

Project Description

In this project, the student will investigate various methods of making tissue phantoms with electrical properties that match human tissues such as muscle, fat, skin, bone. Starting with a literature survey, the student will identify reasonable materials and fabricate some phantoms. They will then need to be characterized for their electrical properties in the 1-4GHz frequency range using a vector network analyzer. Some analytical work will then need to be done to de-embed the material permittivity and conductivity from S-parameter measurements. The student will start from initial work already done in the work. If successful, this can easily lead to a conference or journal publication.

Requirements: None. 

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics

Contact

Zoya Popovic, Faculty
Email: zoya.popovic@colorado.edu 

Project Description

Many microarchitectural defense mechanisms have been defined over the last two decades. However only few of them have had a rigorous security evaluation methodology. The reason for this lack of rigor is the lack of metrics available to the computer architecture community that allow developers to measure both security and performance at the same time. In this work, the student involve will investigate potential avenues for measuring the level of security of a microarchitecture design with the goal of enabling performance and security evaluation in parallel.

Requirements:

Basic understanding of computer architecture (musta have taken the computer organization class ecen3593/ csci3593).

Project website:

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Contact

Tamara Lehman, Faculty
Email: tamara.lehman@colorado.edu

Project Description

We would like to recruit an undergraduate student to help develop a long-term stabilization system for our group's newly invented counterpropagating all-normal dispersion dual-comb fiber laser. The system will include a proper design of laser enclosure (to isolate temperature, humidity, vibration, ...) for passive stabilization and an active feedback control of key laser components.

Requirements:

  • Experience in FPGA programming.
  • Experience in feedback control.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Architectural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Shu Wei Huang, Faculty
Email: shuwei.huang@colorado.edu

Project Description

Weak, low-frequency electromagnetic (EM) radiation below the thermal noise floor has demonstrated the ability to influence biological systems significantly, from cellular processes to organ-level functions. However, the mechanisms underlying these interactions remain poorly understood, requiring interdisciplinary expertise spanning quantum physics, biochemistry, and clinical medicine. The Barnes Group is dedicated to unraveling these mechanisms to explore 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 safety guidelines. This summer project will investigate the effects of weak, low-frequency EM fields on oxidative stress responses and metabolism in fibrosarcoma cells, a well-characterized connective tissue cancer cell line. The selected student will work closely with researchers, contributing primarily to laboratory tasks: cell culturing, changing media, assay processing, imaging, and setting up EM exposure systems. The student will develop hands-on experience in experiment design and research planning.

Requirements: 

Lab work and imaging session will require students to be available for 2 – 6 hours block of in-person time.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Frank Barnes, Faculty
Email: barnes@colorado.edu

Mona El Helbawy, Faculty
Email: mona.elhelbawy@colorado.edu

Hakki Gurhan, Graduate Student
Email: hakki.gurhan@colorado.edu

Project Description

The most sensitive method for detecting axions, a leading dark matter particle candidate, relies
on the measurement of microwave signals from strongly magnetized cryogenic resonant cavities. Parametric amplifiers are used to provide sensitivity close to or below quantum-limited noise levels. However, current available parametric amplifiers are detrimentally limited in frequency bandwidth and maximum operating frequency, restricting the mass range sensitivity of axion experiments. Additionally, the performance of these devices in strong magnetic fields is not well-known.
 
Our lab is working to demonstrate broadband parametric amplification applied to axion searches with a span of several gigahertz and noise near the quantum limit at much higher frequencies (10-30GHz) than existing state-of-the-art amplifiers. This will open a pathway to push these searches beyond the quantum limit by preparing broadband squeezed states.
 
The SPUR candidate will assist in this project by performing a combination of cryogenic microwave measurements in a dilution refrigerator, circuit and finite-element method simulation, and data analysis.

Requirements:

Previous hands-on and/or classroom experience with distributed-element circuits, microwave engineering, superconductivity, and electromagnetic simulation is an asset.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Corey Rae McRae, Faculty
Email: coreyrae.mcrae@colorado.edu

Logan Howe, Post Doc
Email: logan.howe@colorado.edu

Project Description

Synthetic biology has the potential to lead to new or more efficient production of medicines, fuels, and other important compounds. Crucial to the success of synthetic biology is effective standards for the storage and sharing of genetic design knowledge between researchers and institutions. This project will develop SynBioHub3, an interactive data repository that will accelerate the pace of discovery and innovation for this critical emerging field. The SPUR student on this project will work on testing and documentation for SynBioHub3.

Requirements:

Experience with programming with Python, Java, and/or Javascript would be beneficial.

Project website: http://geneticlogiclab.org/

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Chris Myers, Faculty
Email: chris.myers@colorado.edu

Daniel Fang, Graduate Student
Email: daniel.fang@colorado.edu

Project Description

The Myers research group at the University of Colorado Boulder is developing automated protocols using liquid handling robots for Synthetic Biology experiments. Synthetic Biology is an interdisciplinary field that aims to engineer biological systems. As an engineering field it uses the Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycle to create genetic circuits. The software ecosystem has only a few tools for the Build and Test stages. We are developing PUDU for closing this gap using software and robotics. For this we have to develop a workflow that takes a design as input, and outputs liquid handling robot/human instructions and captures metadata in standard formats. The SPUR student on this project will be developing protocols in Python that control liquid handling robots and capture relevant metadata in standard formats for the software tool PUDU. The development of the protocols includes a drylab and a wetlab component. In the drylab the student will develop software for automating protocols and in the wetlab the student will validate them in experiments that include DNA assembly, E. coli transformation, and experimental sample setup.

Requirements:

Experience with Python. 

Project website: http://geneticlogiclab.org

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering

Contact

Chris Myers, Faculty
Email: chris.myers@colorado.edu

Gonzalo Vidal, Post Doc
Email: gonzalo.vidalpena@colorado.edu

Project Description

A wireless powering and communication link will be implemented in an Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band, e.g. 13.56MHz or 2.45GHz. The goal is to power a sensor that uses about 0.5-1W of power. For the UHF band, the student will design an air-coupled transformer initially and investigate methods to make it less sensitive to position of the coils. For the microwave band, two antennas will be designed. Several rectifier circuits (single-ended, balanced, bridge, Dickson) will next be investigated experimentally and connected to the receiving coil (antenna). Finally a 1-W oscillator/amplifier circuit will be designed to provide the power through the transmitting coil (antenna). Time-permitting, a low-bandwidth modulated signal will be transmitted together with the power for sensor control/readout purposes.

Requirements: None. 

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Contact

Zoya Popovic, Faculty
Email: zoya.popovic@colorado.edu

CU student only

Project Description

In this project, the SPUR student will construct a system to compute the effective electromagnetic material parameters of a 2D lattice. A porous metallic parallel plate waveguide will be constructed by the student to support an additively manufactured metamaterial. A coaxial connector will be inserted into the parallel plate waveguide in order to mimic a spatial impulse excitation, leaking fields through the porous metallic walls. These leaked fields will be measured using a nearfield scanner and processed using a spatial Fourier transform to identify the index of refraction as a function of propagation angle. The characterized metamaterials will ultimately be used to build compact RF lenses for beamforming, direction-of-arrival tracking, and imaging.

Requirements:

  • Students must have taken ECEN 3400 (Electromagnetic Fields and Waves I) or equivalent.
  • Students must be available to work on-campus in Prof. Scarborough's lab to build the 2D Metamaterial Fourier Analyzer.

Project website: www.scarboroughlab.com

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Cody Scarborough, Faculty
Email: cody.scarborough@colorado.edu

Project Description

We would like to work with an undergraduate student for this summer to assist in profiling state-of-the-art workloads, such as long-read genome assembly on CPUs and large language models (LLMs) in cloud GPU environments.

This project will involve performance characterization using profiling tools such as Linux perf. The primary goal is to identify performance bottlenecks in these computationally intensive applications, focusing on runtime characteristics, memory bandwidth, cache miss rates, and other key performance metrics.

The insights gained will contribute to the hardware/software co-design of processors optimized for these workloads. After the profiling phase, the student will also have the opportunity to participate in further analysis and potential optimization efforts.
Through this project, the student will:
(1) Develop an understanding of modern genomic and LLM workloads.
(2) Gain hands-on experience with performance profiling tools.
(3) Learn how to analyze and interpret profiling data to identify bottlenecks.
(4) Contribute to discussions on potential improvements in workload execution.

Requirements:

Students should have taken (CSCI 2270) Computer Science 2: Data Structures.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Joseph Izraelevitz, Faculty
Email: joseph.izraelevitz@colorado.edu

Heewoo Kim, Post Doc
Email: heewoo.kim@colorado.edu

Project Description

The project will build upon a CU capstone project during 2024-25 in testing and environmentally hardening a unique new hyperspectral radiometer covering P-band through X-band. The radiometer will provide high spectral resolution and be calibrated to traceable standards that permit new applications in polar salinity and soil moisture mapping along with applications in irrigation management for precision agriculture. The project will involve packaging and algorithm development for several microwave circuit boards used in the hyperspectral radiometer along with field studies using the integrated sensor.

Requirements: 

  • Successful students will have taken ECEN 2420 (Wireless Electronics) and ECEN 2260 (Circuits II).
  • Experience in ECEN 3400-3410, and/or ECEN 4634/5634 or other graduate courses offered in remote sensing within ECEE (ECEN 5244, 5254, 5264) or antennas (ECEN 5134) will be especially helpful.
  • Otherwise, an interest in environmental sensing using microwave receivers and antennas and combined multi-physics (aerospace, mechanical, electrical) engineering design is essential.

Project website:

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, , Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics

Contact

Al Gasiewski, Faculty
Email: al.gasiewski@colorado.edu

Aravind Venkitasubramony, Graduate Student
Email: Aravind.Venkitasubramony@colorado.edu

Project Description

We are partnering with collaborators at Stanford and other universities to develop a C++ Open Radar Code Architecture (ORCA) that would allow researchers to rapidly prototype radar systems on Software Defined Radios (SDRs). The accepted students will be working on a team to expand the current ORCA functionality with features such as new waveforms, faster data piping, GPS stamping data, developing data writing standards, and adding support for additional SDRs. This work will streamline and speed up radar development efforts across the country.

Requirements:

  • Students must have taken an Intro to C or C++ class such as ECEN 1310 or CSCI 1300.
  • We're looking for students who are excited to learn, thrive in a collaborative team environment, and are ready to take on new challenges!

Project website: https://orca.radioglaciology.com

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Nicole Bienert, Faculty
Email: bienert@colorado.edu

Project Description

This project supports ongoing research to develops control policies (rules/algorithms that use sensor data to decide how to actuate a system in real time) for multi-agent systems. The dynamics of the individual subsystems are inherently coupled and/or coupled through a control policy. Thus, system-wide behavior will change when this "coupling structure" is modified. We aim to identify which structural changes will maximally impact performance of the system, motivated by applications like power networks, satellite constellations & robot swarms. This project will develop case studies as a step toward understanding more fundamental properties. Analysis will be related to a range of recent and classical results in control theory including the concepts of fixed-modes and distributed control through closed-loop design. This work is primarily theory-based. Day-to-day, a student should expect to develop examples through mathematical equations with pencil and paper and computations with Python or Matlab. Basic code will be developed to streamline analysis. Hours are flexible, but students are expected to work on campus to collaborate with graduate students a minimum of 2 days per week. 

Requirements:

  • Students must be comfortable with linear algebra (concepts like null space, eigenvalues, etc.) and with differential equations.
  • Students must be proficient in programming in Matlab or Python. 

Project website:

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Emily Jensen, Faculty
Email: ejensen@colorado.edu

Project Description

The project will seek to operate the CU Center for Environmental Technology's Hyperspectral Scanning Radiometer in a U.S.-wide survey of radio frequency emissions at K- and V-bands. The survey is being conducted to understand the amount of potential radio frequency interference that could be occurring to our Nation's passive microwave weather satellites. The HSR will be operated on a specially equipped van configured for long-distance operation to survey RFI originating in multiple cities across the country. The completion of the van installation and development of software and hardware used in the survey will be undertaken.

Requirements:

  • Successful students will have taken ECEN 2420 (Wireless Electronics) and ECEN 2260 (Circuits II).
  • Experience in ECEN 3400-3410, and/or ECEN 4634/5634 or other graduate courses offered in remote sensing within ECEE (ECEN 5244, 5254, 5264) or antennas (ECEN 5134) will be especially helpful.
  • Otherwise, an interest in environmental sensing using microwave receivers and antennas and combined multi-physics (aerospace, mechanical, electrical) engineering design is essential.
  • Travel within the U.S. to participate in the survey effort will be required.

Project website:

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Al Gasiewski, Faculty
Email: al.gasiewski@colorado.edu

CU student or Colorado community college student

Project Description

The Building a Legacy in Engineering (BLE) project broadens participation in STEM through participatory learning, decolonizing education practices, and community engagement by integrating research, hands-on experiences, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
 
As an undergraduate student contributing to the Building a Legacy in Engineering (BLE) project, you will play a key role in data management and dissemination, focusing on data recording and website management, both critical to the project's success.
 
Key Contributions:
 
Data Recording & Transcriptions: Transcribe weekly two-hour class sessions, capturing insights from faculty, students, and community partners. This work ensures accurate documentation of discussions and research findings, supports the analysis of the PALAR methodology, and maintains data integrity.
Website Management: Update and maintain the BLE project website, ensuring it is a platform for sharing research findings, event updates, and resources with the academic community and beyond. This ensures transparency and accessibility and keeps stakeholders informed about the project's progress.

Requirements: 

Remote work mostly, must have a laptop or access to a computer.

Project website: www.stemlegacy.org

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Jessica Leeker, Faculty
Email: jessica.leeker@colorado.edu

Laura MacDonald, Faculty
Email: laura.a.macdonald@Colorado.edu

Lex Hunter, Graduate Student
Email: Alexis.Hunter@colorado.edu

CU student or Colorado community college student

Project Description

This project involves analyzing drinking water and distribution pipe scales for water utility companies. Pipe scales form on the inside of the pipe surface and passivate it to prevent further corrosion. This is extremely important, especially for lead service lines to minimize consumer exposure to lead. By analyzing these scales the utilities are able to make more informed decisions about their water treatment processes. In the lab the student will be helping prepare lead and iron pipe samples to analyze via pXRD, SEM, and XCT. The student will be trained on and use all of these instruments to analyze the pipe scale samples. To make samples for SEM the student has to be prepared to be cutting/ sawing pipes, setting the samples in epoxy, and polishing them. For pXRD it involves a fairly tedious process of manually separating out the layers of the scales.

Requirements: None. 

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Sheldon Masters, Faculty
Email: Sheldon.masters@colorado.edu

Mike Toney, Faculty
Email: michael.toney@colorado.edu

Claire Boronski, Graduate Student
Email: claire.boronski@colorado.edu

Project Description

This project will include both fieldwork and working in a lab. In the field, students will assist in quantifying masses of piles planned to be burned in the winter of 2025-2026. Quantifying masses of piles involves weighing the piles by hand using a luggage scale as well as using LiDAR technology to scan piles. The goal of this fieldwork is to validate models to predict masses developed this year by doing further mass measurements. The fieldwork will take place mostly within Boulder County. In addition to fieldwork, students will be helping process filters in the lab. This will include running the filters through an EC/OC analyzer and extracting filters to run through the GCMS. This is a great opportunity to gain both field and lab experience. Additionally, this project would allow students to be able to work on some preliminary data analysis and gain experience working with large datasets.

Requirements: 

Must be able to drive and have a car, as this work requires fieldwork off campus.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering

Contact

Michael Hannigan, Faculty
Email: michael.hannigan@colorado.edu

Annamarie Guth, Graduate Student
Email: annamarie.guth@colorado.edu

Project Description

This research examines differences in innovation behavioral components (i.e., questioning, experimentation, observing, idea networking, and associational thinking) among our neurodivergent engineering students. This effort will be accomplished through an analysis of our existing survey data. This research is critical for preparing neurodivergent students to achieve their full potential in the workforce. As an undergraduate research assistant, you will play a key role in analyzing quantitative data and contributing to the qualitative phase of the study which includes conducting interviews. Our survey data indicated that 13% of students self-identified as neurodivergent, with an additional 19% possibly identifying as neurodivergent.
 
Key Responsibilities:
  • Assist in the analysis of quantitative data generated from pre- and post-surveys conducted in the study.
  • Conduct interviews with study participants, following ethical research guidelines.
  • Collaborate with the research team to synthesize findings and contribute to research publications.
  • Assist in the preparation of presentations and reports for dissemination of research findings.

Requirements:

  • Strong interest in innovative educational practices, neurodivergent experiences, and curriculum development.
  • Experience with data analysis, both quantitative and qualitative, is preferred.
  • Proficiency in survey software (e.g., Qualtrics) and data analysis tools.
  • Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail and accuracy. 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team.
  • Previous research experience is a plus but not required.

Project Website:

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors:

Contact

Azadeh Bolhari, Faculty
Email: azadeh.bolhari@colorado.edu

Angela Bielefeldt, Faculty
Email: angela.bielefeldt@colorado.edu

CU student only

Project Description

In coordination with a number of governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations, our team has been studying the inflow of trace metals and rare earth elements into an alpine stream that eventually drains into the Roaring Fork River. There have been recent fish kills in this river, which may be due to accelerated acid rock drainage associated with warmer summers in the alpine across the Colorado Mineral Belt. This research will involve one or two 2-day field trips to this site in mid-summer to collect samples of the stream and its biota in an area located above a surface inflow from an abandoned mine. These samples will then be analyzed in the laboratory for trace metals, rare earth elements and other water quality parameters. In addition to water samples, samples of stream insects will be collected and identified to species to assess the health of the stream above the mine inflow. These results will be compared with information about insects typically found in alpine streams. The results will be shared with the study partners and members of the community.

Requirements:

  • The students should have taken a course in one of the following areas-hydrology, water chemistry, applied ecology, environmental microbiology or environmental geology.
  • The students must have flexible schedules, in particular must be able to spend two days at a time in Basalt on the days of the field trips, which will be scheduled in coordination with other groups studying the stream system. There will be housing provided by the Roaring Fork Conservancy in Basalt, or another local non-governmental organization.
  • The students must be able to hike short distances in the field.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering

Contact

Diane McKnight, Faculty
Email: diane.mcknight@colorado.edu

Adam Odorisio, Graduate Student
Email: Adam.Odorisio@colorado.edu

Project Description

Water reuse treats wastewater to high standards before re-introducing the treated water back into a potable water supply. Whether it is implemented as direct or indirect potable reuse, recycling water alters the water chemistry compared to the sources used prior to reuse. Changes in water chemistry can increase corrosion in distribution systems. For utilities with cast iron pipes, corrosion destabilizes the iron scale layers leading to discolored or "red water" events. This project will develop a new method for proactively assessing the presence of toxic metal release and the susceptibility of release due to changing water conditions.

Requirements: 

Students must be willing to work in a laboratory environment for full work days (8 hours with lunch break)

Project website:

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering

Contact

Julie Korak, Faculty
Email: julie.korak@colorado.edu

Leah Flint, Graduate Student
Email: leah.flint@colorado.edu

Project Description

Our project focuses on the critical role of engineering in maintaining water quality for public health through innovative disinfection methods. Specifically, we aim to study the impact of UV irradiation in the FAR-UVC range (222 nm) on different water types using cutting-edge lamp technology. This research investigates how water characteristics influence microbial inactivation, a key factor in wastewater treatment. 
We are seeking a student to assist with lab work involving microbiology and UV disinfection of microorganisms. The student will work alongside a master's student and post-doc, helping set up and run UV treatment experiments as well as performing standard microbiology lab techniques such as culture methods. An interest in microbiology, drinking water, and treatment systems is essential; prior lab experience is preferred but not required. This project integrates microbiology and engineering to demonstrate the feasibility of UV-based purification in wastewater treatment plants, offering participants hands-on experience in improving water treatment systems while contributing to public health advancements.

Requirements:

  • An interest in microbiology, drinking water, and treatment systems.
  • We are looking for long-term students for our laboratory.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Karl Linden, Faculty
Email: karl.linden@colorado.edu

Dana Pousty, Post Doc
Email: dana.poustylakritz@colorado.edu

CU student only

Project Description

In 1960, after several years of planning, 440,000 American high school students in grades 9-12 participated in Project Talent - the largest and most comprehensive study of teenagers ever conducted in the U.S. The study included a 5 percent random sample of all U.S. high schools (public, private, and parochial) from every state except Alaska. Students from all economic, cultural, and social backgrounds participated in the base year data collection. Noteworthy in the study's design was the assumption that girls and boys had different aptitudes and interests, meaning that the full set of results was tabulated, analyzed, and normed with "sex differences" in mind.
 
What did Project Talent reveal about differences in STEM abilities, interests, and educational and career aspirations between girls and boys? To what extent did parents and family background impact a young person's sense of who they could be? What social and cultural norms inflected the study's design? The student will work with supervising faculty (a historian and a computer scientist) to analyze, visualize, and interpret the data set. The student will also collaborate as a co-author on a research article for publication.

Requirements:

  • Data analysis and visualization skills in R and/or Python.
  • Familiarity with social science methodologies a plus.

Hosting the following students: CU Boulder students

Desired Majors: , Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design

Contact

Roshanna Sylvester, Faculty
Email: roshanna.sylvester@colorado.edu

Robin Burke, Faculty
Email: robin.burke@colorado.edu

CU student or Colorado community college student

Project Description

This project will be supervised by two first year materials science and engineering PhD students in the Toney Group who explore solid state batteries and sodium ion batteries.
 
Solid state batteries are the potential next generation of lithium ion batteries, with better safety and higher energy density in comparison to the current suite of Li-Ion batteries with liquid electrolytes.
 
Sodium ion batteries are similar to current lithium ion batteries, but mitigate issues associated with the high cost, low abundance, and safety. Because of sodium's larger ionic radius, we will be exploring a carbon electrode material which can accomodate this larger size.
 
This student will be come well versed in battery cell construction and electrochemical testing. This involves working in a glove box and operating a potentiostat for performance measurements. The techniques of cell construction vary between sodium ion batteries and solid state, providing exposure to both.
 
In addition to electrochemical testing, this project will involve characterization techniques available to us at CU, such as SAXS, XPS, and XRD.

Requirements:

Some exposure to python is preferred but not required.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Nicholas McKalip, Faculty
Email: nicholas.mckalip@colorado.edu

Project Description

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, or quantum dots, show rapidly increasing promise for a multitude of applications in solar photovoltaics, biological imaging, light emitting devices and enabling quantum photonics.
 
The optoelectronic properties of these nanocrystals, emission, absorption, and charge transfer have high sensitivity to particle size, shape, and surface chemistry. To this end, detailed characterization of atomic structure is critical to unveil complex interactions between charge carriers, the crystal lattice, defects, and the resulting optoelectronic properties.
 
This project will leverage a number of beam characterization techniques to study the structure of colloidal quantum dots across length scales, utilizing in-house instrumentation at CU and potentially national user facilities. These insights will be combined with computational modeling and spectroscopy efforts toward defining structure-property relationships in this exciting new class of semiconducting materials.

Requirements: None. 

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Michael Toney, Faculty
Email: Michael.Toney@colorado.edu

Dylan Ladd, Graduate Student
Email: dylan.ladd-1@colorado.edu

CU student or Colorado community college student

Project Description

Personal exposures to air pollution in urban areas are impacted by many sources including local industry, highways and other transportation sources, regional air pollution and meteorology, and indoor air quality in homes. This project supports local communities to better understand their local air and personal PM2.5 concentrations in disproportionately impacted communities due to these sources. The goals are to 1) support a local Mobile Home Park in understanding the air quality issues that they encounter in their neighborhoods, as they go about their daily lives; 2) give CU students "real life" experiences of how their science and engineering research and/or social justice activism, can benefit people's lives and affect public policy; and 3) raise awareness about air quality specifically affecting Mobile home residents.

Requirements:

  • It is preferred if students have taken chemistry and done a lab based course.
  • They should also have taken data analysis or statistics.

Project website: https://outreach.colorado.edu/program/partnering-with-the-san-lazaro-community-on-air-quality-and-art/

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Shelly Miller, Faculty
Email: shelly.miller@colorado.edu

Project Description

Our lab, in the mechanical engineering department, focuses on the design, fabrication and testing of materials and structures. We use a variety of imaging techniques including high-speed photography and refraction index matching scanning to generate large amounts of data in 2D and 3D. We use a variety of methods for image analysis (filtering, thresholding, digital image correlation, feature tracking, object recognition) but the large amount of data we recently produced requires more advanced analysis methods. In this project you will implement new analysis capabilities for this data including image processing, labeling, object recognition using AI and motion analysis in 2D and 3D. You will work in close collaboration with graduate students in our group, and present your results at weekly group meetings.

Requirements:

A course in computer vision or equivalent.

Project website: https://www.colorado.edu/lab/barthelat/

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Integrated Design Engineering,

Contact

Francois Barthelat, Faculty
Email: francois.barthelat@colorado.edu

Project Description

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. Coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular diseases are the three most common Cardiovascular disease conditions and are often treated with a vascular stent. More than two million people get some type of vascular stent implanted each year and failure rates for different stenting procedures can vary from 5% to a staggering 75% in the 1st year. Depending on the anatomic location of the diseased blood vessel, metallic stents can vary in their geometrical and structural designs but still share similar failure points: restenosis (lumen narrowing induced by vascular injury and inflammation) and thrombosis (blood clotting). Our coatings offer a unique solution to reduce the inflammation and thrombogenicity associated with vascular stents. Through the integration of precision polymer chemistry and micro-structure design, we aim to further optimize the interaction between a metallic stent and blood vessel.

Requirements:

Student must have taken a biomaterials or biochemistry course, have a good class standing, and be available to work in multiple 5-hour blocks,

Project website:

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Creative Technology & Design, Engineering Physics, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Wei Tan, Faculty
Email: wei.tan-1@colorado.edu

Anh Thy Nguyen, Graduate Student
Email: anng8974@colorado.edu

Project Description

Photoelasticity is the change in optical properties of a material under mechanical deformation. This gives a way to use imaging to determine the stresses and forces acting on an object. In practice, deforming a photoelastic particle creates a fringe pattern that is unique to the mechanical loading. We study granular flow by using high-speed imaging to analyze the stresses and forces on 2D cylindrical particles interacting with each other and their environment. The key phrasing here is “2D cylindrical particles.” Complex particle shapes will lead to photoelastic fringe patterns that are difficult or impossible to mathematically define a closed form solution. In this project, a student will develop and use custom MATLAB code to study the photoelastic response of 2D complex particle shapes, such as a square, trapezoid, triangle, and custom shapes. The sample will be placed between two polarizers and loaded into a mechanical tester to apply forces. Images will be taken at discrete amounts of mechanical load to measure the photoelastic response of the samples. This project is computationally and theoretically intensive involving code development, some experimental work is needed.

Requirements:

A student should be well-versed in MATLAB and coding practices in general. The project involves developing and utilizing custom MATLAB code. Experimental data collection is not the main goal of this project and instead the coupling of experimental image data to MATLAB analysis codes for "fringe inversion" is most important.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Nathalie Vriend, Faculty
Email: Nathalie.Vriend@colorado.edu

Krishnaroop Chaudhuri, Post Doc
Email: Krishnaroop.Chaudhuri@colorado.edu

Brandon Hayes, Graduate Student
Email: brandon.hayes@colorado.edu

Project Description

Tracking microbubbles in contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a highly effective approach for improving blood flow visualization and enhancing diagnostic precision. These microbubble contrast agents significantly increase the clarity of ultrasound images, allowing for more accurate tracking of red blood cells and the extraction of hemodynamic data. Developing an advanced tracking algorithm for microbubbles requires image processing techniques to capture their trajectories over time. This project aims to implement computer vision techniques to design and validate a robust tracking model that can accurately analyze flow patterns from ultrasound videos. As part of this project, you will develop and optimize a tracking model through simulation, implement image processing techniques to extract microbubble motion data and explore the practical application of the method to validate its effectiveness.

Requirements:

Programming experience in Python or MATLAB required. Any experience with computer vision algorithms is a plus.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Nick Bottenus, Faculty
Email: nick.bottenus@colorado.edu

Somaye Babaei, Graduate Student
Email: Somaye.Babaei@colorado.edu

Project Description

The purpose of this project is to design an interface that allows users to provide input to control parameters in real time while they are walking on a treadmill with an exoskeleton, ideally with a mechanical input that provides a signal that can also be visualized to the user as it is changed. This interface will be integrated into an existing exoskeleton control system, allowing us to measure how user-selected parameters affect walking performance. 

Requirements:

  • This project will require experience with programming and circuits.
  • More senior undergraduate students (3rd year or above) will be prioritized.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Cara Welker, Faculty
Email: cara.welker@colorado.edu

Olivia Felton, Graduate Student
Email: olivia.felton@colorado.edu

Project Description

The student researcher will assist in studying the crystallization kinetics of supersaturated waters produced during desalination processes. The variables include studies of material surfaces and mixing phenomena. The research includes operation of 3d printers to produce novel material shapes for use in the crystallization reactors.

Requirements:

Project website:

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

John Pellegrino, Faculty
Email: john.pellegrino@colorado.edu

Ajeet Singh, Graduate Student
Email: ajeet.singh@colorado.edu

Project Description

Join the Precision Laser Diagnostics Lab in exploring the impact of greenhouse gases with advanced laser technology. You will analyze spectroscopic and meteorological data from two unique sites: a thermokarst lake in Alaska and a landfill in California. These systems are generating a wealth of data, and that is where you come in!
 
This role involves processing and interpreting complex datasets to derive insights on carbon emissions, bridging the gap between data and environmental impact. You will gain valuable skills in data analysis, coding with Python, data visualization, and presentation while contributing to meaningful environmental research. Potential projects include analyzing atmospheric data like wind, improving spectroscopic data processing, and comparing data from multiple sensor types.
 
By joining this project, you'll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge environmental sensing techniques while making a real contribution to climate research.

Requirements:

  • Basic coding skills, familiarity with Python, pandas, and plotting. 
  • Willingness to learn and handle large datasets.
 
Nice-to-Have: 
  • Knowledge of git and GitHub, experience with data processing and visualization, interest in atmospheric science, and previous work with spectroscopic or meteorological data.
 
If you're curious if your experience applies, please reach out! We're happy to discuss project specifics with potential candidates.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Geg Rieker, Faculty
Email: greg.rieker@colorado.edu

Eli Miller, Graduate Student
Email: eli.miller@colorado.edu

Project Description

Vascular grafts play a critical role in the contemporary management of a wide range of clinical conditions, including atherosclerosis, aneurysm, congenital malformation, vasculitis and stroke. The use of synthetic polymer for graft fabrication, however, has been associated with thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia, resulting from platelet accumulation, blood clotting and tissue overgrowth, respectively. Therefore, there remains a substantial unfulfilled need for regenerative materials that provide long-term patency of vascular grafts. Herein, we are developing regenerative vascular implants or implant coatings made of electrospun co-axial nanofibers. Building on our existing fabrication process, we are further examining how several manufacturing parameters influences implant materials properties, which are important for the preclinical translation. In particular, the addition of an amphiphilic stabilizer and anticoagulants are being explored for their respective impact on increasing the layer adhesion and hemocompatibility performance of implant materials.

Requirements:

Student must have taken a biomaterials or biochemistry or physiology or an equivalent course, have a good class standing, and be available to work in several 5-hour blocks,

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering

Contact

Wei Tan, Faculty
Email: wei.tan-1@colorado.edu

Aurora Battistella, Graduate Student
Email: Aurora.Battistella@colorado.edu

Project Description

Traditional granular materials based on spherical grains (e.g. sand) have low shear strength and no tensile strength. In contrast, bundles of particles with branches, hooks and barbs geometrically entangle and generate high tensile strength. How the geometry of individual particles governs entanglement, and in turn translates into strength, provides a rich landscape in terms of mechanics and offers intriguing possibilities in terms of structural design and sustainable construction. In this project you will design and fabricate particles with hooks and barbs using combinations of precision laser cutting and 3D printing. You will then assemble these particles into entangled structures using vibrations. You will perform mechanical tests to measure the stiffness, strength and toughness of these structures, to compare these mechanical performances with existing engineering materials. You will present your results at weekly group meetings.

Requirements:

  • A course in solid mechanics with a minimum grade of B+
  • A strong interest in mechanics of materials.

Project website: https://www.colorado.edu/lab/barthelat/

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Francois Barthelat, Faculty
Email: francois.barthelat@colorado.edu

Project Description

Typical granular materials (e.g. sand) are far from optimal in terms of mechanical performance: The load transfer between individual grains is highly localized to small contact areas, and stresses in granular media are only transferred along highly localized force lines. The randomness of typical granular materials also makes it hard to design and achieve high stiffness, high strength, or any other advanced structural features or functionalities. We have recently assembled millimeter-scale 3D printed grains of specific geometries, which are at least 10 times stronger than traditional granular materials. They also display a rich set of mechanisms: Nonlinear deformations, crystal plasticity, geometric strain hardening, micro-buckling. In this project you will work in collaboration with a PhD student on the fabrication and testing of granular crystals. Fabrication involves 3D printing, injection molding and vibration-assisted assembly. Experiments include compression tests, puncture tests and impact tests using high-speed photography and image analysis. You will present your results at weekly group meetings.

Requirements: 

  • A course in solid mechanics with a minimum grade of B+
  • A strong interest in mechanics of materials

Project website: https://www.colorado.edu/lab/barthelat/

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Francois Barthelat, Faculty
Email: francois.barthelat@colorado.edu

Project Description

This project involves materials science primarily in the fabrication and characterization of conducting, composite membranes. These membranes will be tested in electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells and electrophoretic bioseparations. The student researcher will assist in executing variations in the fabrication recipes and initial characterization testing of the membranes.

Requirements:

  • Student should be available to work in at least 5 hours blocks of time.
  • Completion of basic chemistry and physics courses are desired.

Project website:

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

John Pellegrino, Faculty
Email: john.pellegrino@colorado.edu

Caleb Song, Graduate Student
Email: caleb.song@colorado.edu

Project Description

This project will evaluate bone chips collected from healthy human patients and from patients with osteoarthritis. We will evaluate the fragments for the chemical makeup of the bone tissue using Raman spectroscopy. Measurements using this technique have been shown to correlate to bone mechanical properties and are predictive of fracture risk. The student will prepare samples for analysis, conduct spectroscopy measurements, use Matlab and other code to analyze results, and perform statistical analysis (possibly using machine learning) of the results to evaluate how patient characteristics (e.g., smoking, BMI, disease status, etc.) along with osteoarthritis status correlate with changes in bone material chemistry.  The results of this work will be used to prepare a scientific manuscript and may also be presented at a national orthopaedics conference by the student. 

Requirements:

  • Students must have completed 1st year college level chemistry, calculus 1 and 2, and a college level programming course.  
  • Optional - students will have completed courses in organic chemistry, probability and statistics, and/or machine learning.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Virginia Ferguson, Faculty
Email: virginia.ferguson@colorado.edu

Project Description

Bone metastatic cancer is devastating and incurable. Many cancers, including breast, preferentially spread to the skeleton. In the skeleton, physical activity (e.g., exercise) causes mechanical stresses to arise in bone tissue and these stresses regulate bone strength. Research in our lab showed that heightened mechanical stresses can inhibit metastatic tumor formation, but we do not know the mechanisms by which stresses in bone affect tumor cells directly. To this end, we are investigating how compression and fluid flow, the forces that occur in the skeleton, regulate breast cancer cells in an in vitro bone environment. This project will involve i) learning cell culture and general wet lab endpoint biological assays, ii) generating the bone organoid system, and iii) applying mechanical stresses to the organoid using our custom bioreactor to analyze cancer cells behavior/phenotype. There is also an opportunity for some design work on our current fixtures if the SPUR student would like. This project is part of a larger PhD research project-the grad student will work with the SPUR student in the lab. The SPUR student will meet the PI regularly. No prior biology knowledge is required.

Requirements: 

The student will have to complete some online safety training upon joining the lab.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Maureen Lynch, Faculty
Email: maureen.lynch@colorado.edu

Project Description

In medical ultrasound, it is essential for many diagnostics to track blood flow using acoustic signal processing. While it is simple to measure flow along the direction of the ultrasound beam, it is surprisingly difficult to measure flow across the beam. We are envisioning a change to the sensor design that would allow the encoding of this flow information into the single-sensor measurement, or even the addition of this information to more complex ultrasound arrays. In this project you will validate this principle through simulation, develop the required signal processing to extract the flow information, and consider the practical implementation of the technique for tracking blood flow to the brain.
 
You will be tasked with modifying example MATLAB code to simulate the acoustic fields and echo signals for the design. You will then be tasked with interpreting the echo signals (in MATLAB code) to extract flow velocity. You will work with a graduate student/postdoc to implement these methods experimentally on our ultrasound research scanner in the lab.

Requirements: 

Students should have some experience coding in MATLAB and familiarity with linear systems (correlation, Fourier transforms, etc). No direct experience in ultrasound or imaging is necessary.

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student, Community College Student (from Colorado)

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Nick Bottenus, Faculty
Email: nick.bottenus@colorado.edu

CU student only

Project Description

Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas, and its emissions from the anaerobic decomposition of organic waste in landfills have significant environmental consequences. To better understand these emissions, we deployed a network of 30 low-cost air quality sensors (Lpods) across a landfill in Los Angeles at the beginning of 2025. Each Lpod is equipped with two metal oxide VOC sensors (Figaro TGS 2600 and TGS 2602) and a CO-B4 Hâ‚‚S B4 sensor (Alphasense). Additionally, they collect environmental data such as temperature and humidity. The data is recorded locally on a micro-SD card and transmitted to the cloud approximately every 10 seconds. Each pod is powered by a 12V lead-acid battery, recharged via a 12V (20W) waterproof solar trickle charger. For Summer 2025, we are seeking an undergraduate student passionate about climate change and environmental data analysis. The intern will work with us to analyze data from the deployed sensors. Proficiency in MATLAB or Python is required, as the role will involve data processing, visualization, and statistical analysis. This is an opportunity for students interested in air quality research, environmental monitoring, and data-analysis.

Requirements:

  • Be available to work in person and independently.
  • Strong interest in environmental science.
  • Experience with data analysis using MATLAB or Python.
  • Familiarity with air quality monitoring is a plus but not required.
  • Ability to travel out of state (Los Angeles)

Project website: https://www.colorado.edu/lab/hannigan/meet-team

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Gabriela Cortes, Faculty
Email: gabriela.cortes@colorado.edu

Project Description

This position is on the Hannigan Air Quality Lab's development team. In particular, projects on the development team can include coding, PCB, test engineering, etc. These are diverse objectives, but they all mainly aim to improve the low-cost environmental monitors that our researchers and outreach programs use for investigating issues - particularly regarding air quality. There will be opportunities for field-work, and there might be potential avenues for paper co-authorship in the lab space.

Requirements:

Students must be able to work in-person for the vast majority of their hours. They also must have an interest in environmental issues, but no background is explicitly necessary.

Project website:

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Architectural Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental Engineering, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Mike Hannigan, Faculty
Email: hannigan@colorado.edu

Percy Smith, Graduate Mentor 
Email: percy.smith@colorado.edu

Project Description

Our project integrates tissue mechanics, cell signaling, and laser ablation of extracellular matrix (ECM) fibers. Specifically, we want to extend our methodology that uses a femtosecond laser to ablate collagen fibers in situ to other ECM (e.g. elastic fibers) and measure the response of cells to changes in local mechanics. Our lab has a custom testing rig that is integrated with the Light Microscopy Core’s Olympus multiphoton microscope, which enables the visualization of fiber deformation while measuring changes in force. Currently, we are using this platform to load a freshly harvested mouse tendon to a prescribed force, laser ablating individual collagens fiber within the tendon and imaging the deformation of the fiber and how perturbations in the surrounding ECM affect the response. For the SPUR project, we want to quantify how far the cells sense the ablation by simultaneously imaging intracellular Ca2+ transients as a marker of cell mechanotransduction. The SPUR will work with graduate students in the lab develop the methodology to visualize Ca2+ transients using multiphoton microscopy as well as assist in tissue harvest, mechanical testing and image analysis. 

Requirements:

  • Students must be able to work in 4+ hour blocks of time.
  • Students should be comfortable working with animals (mice) and harvesting tissues (or be willing to learn).

Project website:

Hosting the following students:CU Boulder Student

Desired Majors: Applied Mathematics, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Technology & Design, Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Integrated Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Sarah Calve, Faculty
Email: sarah.calve@colorado.edu

Hannah Larson, Graduate Student
Email: hannah.larson-1@colorado.edu