MechE News - April 2020
You are invited to our online projects showcase, celebrating the achievements of over 250 engineering capstone design students from April 27–May 1. Learn about their projects, leave a comment, and see how these talented engineers are already making an impact.
Alumni Spotlight
Ruhan Yang and teammates win first place at Georgia Tech's Moog Hackathon
ME alumna Ruhan Yang, who is now pursuing a Creative Technology and Design master's degree with ATLAS Institute won first place for her team's e-Trombone at Georgia Tech's annual Moog Hackathon.
A new approach to robotics
Timothy Morrissey, co-founder and CEO of Artimus Robotics graduated in 2019 with a PhD in mechanical engineering from CU Boulder. He and his team launched Artimus Robotics alongside Assistant Professor Christoph Keplinger.
Alumni place in top 7 of NSF Idea Machine competition
Two CU Boulder alumni, including ME alumna Chelsea Heveran submitted a big idea to combat fixed and aging infrastructure that placed in the top seven out of more than 800 submissions in the National Science Foundation 2026 Idea Machine competition.
NOAA motion stabilization system, a capstone design project success
A motion stabilization system designed by capstone design students in 2019 spent nearly two months in operation aboard National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ship, Ronald Brown. Recent tests of the device revealed success.
Research Spotlight
Coronavirus drifts through the air in microscopic droplets – here’s the science of infectious aerosols
Professor Shelly Miller discusses aerosols, tiny particles of liquid and material that float around in our environment. When they come from an infected person, they may be a significant source of coronavirus transmission.
It has to work: Sub T Challenge sharpens students’ skill in the field
CU Boulder is one of several funded teams in the Subterranean Challenge, a competition launched by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to stimulate and test ideas around autonomous robot use in difficult underground environments.
From insects to robots: Jayaram takes inspiration from nature
Assistant Professor Kaushik Jayaram sees nature as a giant catalogue of design ideas. Engineers can “leaf through” it to see how various species have overcome problems–many of the solutions exquisitely developed over time to perfection.
Former athlete is working to understand effects of soft tissue injuries
Postdoctoral Research Associate Kristine Fischenich tore her ACL three times as a young athlete. Now she works to characterize the soft tissues of the lower limbs to better understand injury and potential tissue-engineered replacements and therapies.
Continued CO2 emissions will impair cognition
Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations will cause urban and indoor levels of the gas to increase. This may significantly reduce our basic decision-making ability and complex strategic thinking, according to a new CU Boulder-led study.
Student Spotlight
Students help to see the brain in a new way
FieldLine Inc., a company that grew out of research conducted at CU Boulder, is building sensors to image the brain using magnetic fields. For the second consecutive year, capstone design students will help to advance FieldLine's innovative concepts.
Two million square feet of networking, two days at an amusement park expo
ME undergraduate Emily Page wants to design experiences in the themed entertainment and experience design industry. She attended the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo in Orlando, Florida and shares her takeaways.
Ladder up: how EmergenTek is automating firefighting inefficiencies
Gary Marshall, a mechanical engineering and engineering management MS student is on a mission to give back to those who protect us—firefighters. He founded EmergenTek in 2018 and developed a system that automates fire truck ladder operations.
COVID-19 test, PTSD treatment take top honors at New Venture Challenge
Six NVC finalists, including Soulutions, a mechanical engineering senior design, left the event with at least $10,000 or more in their pockets. They were selected from a starting pool of 146 competitors, a record for the NVC.
Outreach & Education Spotlight
Labs use 3D printers to create face shield parts for health care workers
As coronavirus cases mount in Colorado, several dozen 3D printers have roared back to life on the CU Boulder campus. They’re making personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers on the frontlines of the crisis.
Industry tours provide a valuable look at future engineering careers
During February and March, over 250 mechanical engineering students trekked across the Front Range to tour one of 17 different companies. The tour series was a collaboration between Design Your Career and Instructor Janet Tsai’s manufacturing class.
16 CU Engineering students earn NSF Graduate Research Fellowships for 2020
Sixteen undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Engineering and Applied Science have earned prestigious Graduate Research Fellowships from the National Science Foundation including mechanical engineering's Ellen Rumley.