奶糖直播 PROJECT SUMMARIES
SPRING 2025
Chenfeng Xiong
Civil and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering
This project will utilize a large number of data sources, including transportation data, climatic data, extreme event (e.g., flooding, hurricane, etc.) observations, environmental records (e.g. areas, water depth of flooding), and land use characteristics, to comprehensively evaluate the magnitude of impacts from climate change on human mobility. The study-focused areas include Philadelphia, PA (for urban flooding analyses), Louisiana/Texas (where hurricanes are more frequent), and Nigeria (for rural flooding analyses). The outcomes of the project are statistical models and/or AI/Machine Learning models that analyze and predict short-term/long-term influence of climatic events, as a result of climate change, on human mobility and its indication on quality of life.
The Match student will be paired with a postdoc/PhD student to first comprehensively understand available data sources and then complete one analysis for a selected climatic event using example datasets.
Kelly Good and Erica Forgione
Civil and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering
Many recent publications have shown that microplastic particles (MPs) (1-碌m to 5-mm) are ubiquitous in the environment, found in the most remote locations of the globe as well as in the human body. This has caused concern about potential resulting health effects, especially because MPs may have other associated pollutants attached to them, including trace metals and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This makes accurate quantification and characterization (what type of plastic) of MPs in the environment, as well as better understanding of their fate and transport, immensely important. One critical area of research for MPs is urban stormwater runoff. Anthropogenically-produced, MPs emanating from urban areas mix into stormwater during rain events and then may enter green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) systems, which have a goal of removing pollutants. However, it is yet unknown how well GSI can remove MPs. For this project, the top layer of several GSI systems will be collected and MPs will be extracted from different depths to determine the number, size, morphology, and characterization of MP particles with depth of GSI media to estimate the historical removal of MP particles. Additional water and/or air deposition samples may also be collected to contextualize the media results.
The student will use a visual stereomicroscope and additional micro-specimen tools to carefully count and categorize extracted MP particles that are collected on a filter. Images of the filter and/or individual particles will also be taken, and microscope software tools will be used to measure particle dimensions. Data will be collected via handwritten notes and/or in Microsoft Excel with specified organizational structures. The student must be able to conduct meticulous, repetitive work that requires high levels of precision, patience, and attention to detail.
Deeksha Seth
Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Bio-inspired educational robots play a crucial role in bridging the gap between biology and engineering by providing interactive and tangible demonstrations of complex biological concepts. These robots help make abstract scientific phenomena more accessible and engaging for learners of all ages. The student will support the development of such robots. These robots will be designed to replicate biological processes accurately and illustrate clear causal input-output relationships, offering visitors an immersive learning experience. The project is an opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary work at the intersection of biology, engineering, and education, contributing to the creation of impactful educational tools.
The student will play a key role in designing new and revising existing bio-inspired educational robots. Specific responsibilities include:
- Design and Modeling: Create detailed 3D solid models of robots using CAD software
- Programming and Electronics: Develop and implement control systems and software to operate the robots and show causal input-output relationships
- Manufacturing: Use additive and subtractive manufacturing to fabricate functional prototypes
- Collaboration: Work with museum educators and staff to ensure that the robots are effectively integrated into existing educational programs
- Testing: Conduct thorough testing and iterative refinement based on feedback from museum staff and users
- Documentation: Produce complete design documentation to facilitate replication and future modifications of the robot(s)
Deeksha Seth
Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
In response to the growing national need for skilled geoscientists, this project aims to develop an innovative online educational program that integrates geography, mathematics, biology, and physics through geoscience and paleontology applications. By demonstrating how these disciplines intersect in real-world contexts, the program seeks to enhance high school and early college students' understanding and interest in geosciences. This interdisciplinary approach not only addresses the anticipated shortage of geoscientists but also highlights the critical role of geoscience in solving global challenges.
The project involves creating and refining engaging learning materials that will effectively teach complex concepts by showing their practical applications. The student will play a crucial role in reviewing existing learning materials, creating new content, embedding media from geological fieldwork, and assisting in the design and implementation of the online program. Additionally, the student will communicate with various stakeholders, including educators and paleontologists, to ensure the content is accurate, relevant, and aligned with educational goals.
The student will play a key role in enhancing the educational content and ensuring the program effectively engages high school and early college students. Specific responsibilities include:
- Evaluate existing educational material to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with the program鈥檚 goals. Provide feedback for improvements.
- Develop new learning materials that integrate geography, math, biology, and physics, incorporating real-world applications from geoscience and paleontology.
- Integrate multimedia elements, including images and videos collected from geological fieldwork conducted in the summer of 2024, to enhance the interactive and visual aspects of the program.
- Assist in the design and implementation of the online educational platform, ensuring that it is user-friendly and effectively delivers the integrated curriculum.
- Coordinate with educators, paleontologists, and other stakeholders to gather insights, validate content, and ensure the program meets educational standards.
- Ensure that all materials are aligned with educational objectives, are accessible to the target audience, and offer a holistic educational program.
Bo Li
Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Nanocoatings have emerged as a transformative technology, offering unprecedented control over material properties at the nanoscale, enabling the development of highly functional devices with enhanced mechanical, thermal, and electrical characteristics. This project focuses on the innovative assembly process for nanomaterial coatings, which leverages real-time techniques to coat various substrates with precision and uniformity. By integrating advanced 3D printing methods, we plan to achieve simultaneous deposition and patterning of nanomaterials, facilitating the creation of complex, multifunctional structures. This approach not only enhances the performance and durability of coated materials but also opens new avenues in the fabrication of next-generation devices, including sensors, wearable electronics, and biomedical implants. The impact of this work lies in its potential to transform the manufacturing of high-performance, customizable materials, driving forward applications in fields such as healthcare, aerospace, and environmental monitoring.
The undergraduate student鈥檚 responsibilities include:
- Prepare the solution for coatings and slurry-based 3D printable ink
- Perform the assembly/coating (in-situ/ex-situ) process and DIW printing using the bioprinter
- Design the structure using 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks and also create/modify G-Codes using 3D Printing Slicing software
- Characterize the coated substrates/samples using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, etc
- Read and summarize literature and generate reports (weekly/biweekly)
- Perform data sorting, treatment, plot and present the results
Andrew Lee
Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Additive manufacturing has revolutionized our ability to produce prototypes and functional engineering parts. The primary advantage to additive manufacturing is its ability to create specialized geometries previously inaccessible by traditional subtractive manufacturing. While the technology has found widespread consumer adoption for decorative and functional items, it has also begun to permeate the industrial sector. For example, metal additive manufacturing has already found its way into rockets, aircraft, and automobiles. However, when it comes to academic and industrial research, the potential of additive manufacturing has not been fully realized.
Experimental research has historically been limited by access to expensive testing equipment. With the recent revolution of additive manufacturing, anybody can make high-performance parts affordably. While 3D-printed components can be found in many laboratories across the world, there is no repository of designs for research equipment or consolidated information about the research-relevant properties of commercially available 3D-printer filaments.
This project aims to lay the foundation for a 3D-lab, an affordable, versatile laboratory accessible to anyone with fundamental knowledge in engineering and a passion for discovery. By driving down the cost of equipment, we can increase research accessibility to more brilliant minds around the world.
The first stage of the project consists of constructing and tuning a fused filament 3D-printer capable of printing engineering-grade components. The first stage also consists of documenting research-relevant properties for commercially available polymer filament. All processes and testing will be documented and made available online through open-source repositories.
In coordination with the advisor, the match student will be responsible for two primary tasks. The first task will be to construct, tune, and calibrate a Voron 0.2 3D-printer using publicly available tutorials and guides. The student will also document the build process. The student will be expected to ensure adequate print quality at reasonable speeds for PLA components. If time allows, the student may also explore the emission of VOCs and particulates from the printer and develop mitigation strategies, such as filters or ventilation.
The second task is to document relevant properties of commercially available filaments, such as ASA, Polycarbonate, carbon-fiber reinforced nylon, and others. Examples of relevant properties include tensile strength, heat resistance, and chemical resistance. At least two sets or printing parameters will be explored, including a 鈥渓ightweight鈥 parameter set which emphasizes low weight for components where structural loads are low, and a 鈥渉eavyweight鈥 parameter where structural strength is critical for the functioning of the component. The student will document relevant properties and share the results in an online repository.