{"id":1944,"date":"2016-06-02T15:01:17","date_gmt":"2016-06-02T15:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eng.ufl.edu\/graduate\/?page_id=1944"},"modified":"2025-10-08T10:00:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T15:00:19","slug":"mechanical-and-aerospace-engineering","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.eng.ufl.edu\/graduate\/current-students\/undergraduate-research\/research-projects\/mechanical-and-aerospace-engineering\/","title":{"rendered":"Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>New Classes of Fluid Instabilities in 3D Printing of Soft Matter
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Thomas E. Angelini, t.e.angelini@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> Tapomoy Bhattacharjee, tapomoy@ufl.edu<\/a>, Christopher O\u2019Bryan, csobryan@ufl.edu<\/a>
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior; 1-2 students per term
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  none
Stipend:<\/strong> none unless selected for University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, UF unofficial transcripts, faculty interview; email one pdf file of your application materials to Thomas E. Angelini, t.e.angelini@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> March 1 for Summer and Fall terms; November 1 for Spring Term
Website:<\/strong>  http:\/\/plaza.ufl.edu\/t.e.angelini\/people.html<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Technology for 3D printing with hard materials is in a very mature state; hobbyists can 3D print hard thermoplastics with high precision at low costs. Many important applications in medicine require the use of soft materials, like hydrogels and elastomers, which have the feel of Jell-O or soft rubber. The recent invention of a soft matter 3D printing technique at the University of Florida has opened the door to 3D printing precise objects made from soft matter.  However, the new combinations of complex soft materials involved in this 3D printing technique have generated unanticipated fluid instabilities.  The physical principles that control these instabilities have not yet been determined, limiting the ability to advance the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Center for Compressible Multiphase Turbulence
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Sivaramakrishnan \u201cBala\u201d Balachandar, bala1s@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> TBD
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Sophomore, Junior, Senior; 1 student per semester
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  Fluid Mechanics, >3.80 GPA
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> $10 per hour up to 10 hours per week
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Basic online application, resume, UF unofficial transcripts, faculty interview; email one pdf file with all application requirements to bala1s@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> none
Website:<\/strong>  https:\/\/www.eng.ufl.edu\/ccmt\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Center for Compressible Multiphase Turbulence (CCMT) is one of the six new PSAAP-II centers of excellence whose primary focus will be on the emerging field of predictive science The intellectual objectives of the proposed work are To radically advance the field of compressible multiphase turbulence (CMT) through rigorous physics-based understanding and To advance very large-scale predictive simulation science on present and near-future platforms. We are looking for outstanding undergraduate students interested in fluid mechanics and large scale modeling and simulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Understanding the Physics of Heat Transfer Using Atomistic Simulation
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Youping Chen, ypchen2@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> TBD
Terms Available:<\/strong> Spring
Student Level:<\/strong> Junior, Senior; 2 students per semester
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  Calculus II, Thermodynamics, Computer Programming
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> None unless selected for University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> resume, UF unofficial transcripts, statement of research interest, faculty interview; email one pdf file with all application requirements to ypchen2@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> March 1 for Summer and Fall terms; November 1 for Spring term
Website:<\/strong>  http:\/\/www2.mae.ufl.edu\/chenlab\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Advances in time-resolved experimental studies of phonon transport have opened a new realm of phenomena and posed a great challenge for the simulation community to interpret the experiments. This project uses atomistic and multiscale simulation methods to simulate, visualize, and predict phonon transport processes and phenomena in nonmetal materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Development of Autonomous Mobile Agents (Robots)
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Carl Crane; ccrane@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> N\/A
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior; 5-15 students per semester
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  A desire to learn and work with others
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> None unless selected for University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Faculty interview; visit Dr. Crane at MAE-B 326
Application Deadline:<\/strong> None
Website:<\/strong> www.mil.ufl.edu<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> CIMAR and MIL provide cross-disciplinary synergistic environment dedicated to the study and development of intelligent, autonomous robots. We conduct research in the theory and realization of autonomous mobile agents covering topics such as machine learning, real-time sensor integration (including computer vision, LADAR, sonar, radar, IMU, etc.), optimization, and control. Applications of MIL research (that have produced functioning robots) include autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), autonomous water surface vehicles (ASVs), autonomous land vehicles (ALVs), and autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Device fabrication for microfluidic studies and applications
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Hugh Fan, hfan@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> PhD Students or Postdocs
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Sophomore or Juniors, 1-2 students per term
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  none
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> University Scholars, REU, SURF, or others
Application Requirements:<\/strong> resume, unofficial transcripts, faculty interview; a brief email stating your research interest, with attached resume and unofficial transcript, to hfan@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> Anytime, generally at the beginning of the semester
Website:<\/strong>  https:\/\/mae.ufl.edu\/hfan\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Microfluidics and BioMEMS lab involves (1) the fabrication of microdevices using semiconductor fabrication approaches and both traditional (e.g., molding) and nontraditional (e.g. printing) manufacturing processes; (2) the study of fluid behavior in the micro-scale, including flow controls, mixing, and simulation; or (3) the applications of microfluidic devices, including chemical analysis, environmental, and biomedical applications.  You will be paired with a PhD student, working on a project related to your interest and lab needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title #1: <\/strong>Surface Finishing of Medical Components Made with Direct Metal Laser Sintering
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Hitomi Greenslet, hitomiy@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> none
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Junior, Senior, 1 student a term
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  Mechanics of Materials, Materials, Design and Manufacturing Laboratory
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> none unless selected for University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, faculty interview; email one PDF file with all application requirements to Hitomi Greenslet, hitomiy@ufl.edu<\/a> to request an interview
Application Deadline:<\/strong> None
Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/faculty.eng.ufl.edu\/non-traditional-manufacturing-laboratory\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Additive manufacturing technology enables the manufacture of complex-shaped components. Selective laser melting (SLM) attracts a high level of interest in medical and aerospace industry because of the process capability and flexibility. This project involves polishing metallic components made using SLM and studying the polishing characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title #2: <\/strong>Interaction Between Needle Surfaces and Tissues During Biopsy
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Hitomi Greenslet, hitomiy@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> none
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Junior, Senior, 1 student a term
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  Mechanics of Materials, Design and Manufacturing Laboratory
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> none unless selected for University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, faculty interview; email one PDF file with all application requirements to Hitomi Greenslet, hitomiy@ufl.edu<\/a> to request an interview
Application Deadline:<\/strong> None
Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/faculty.eng.ufl.edu\/non-traditional-manufacturing-laboratory\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Needle-biopsy procedures are used to extract tissue samples for cancer diagnosis. This project aims to clarify the mechanism that determines the needle-insertion force by analyzing the interaction between the needle surface and the tissue during the biopsy using a newly developed coaxial needle biopsy system called the Aspiration-Assisted End-Cut Coaxial Needle Biopsy System.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title #1: <\/strong>Machining of Advanced Engineering Materials
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Yong Huang, yongh@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> TBD per research topics
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong>  Junior, Senior; Up to 2 students per semester
Prerequisites:<\/strong> N\/A
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> none unless selected for University Scholars; future stipend depending on initial performance
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, Statement of research interest, Faculty interview; email one pdf file with all application requirements to Yong Huang, yongh@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> Best before the end of preceding semester or within the first two weeks of each semester
Website:<\/strong>  http:\/\/plaza.ufl.edu\/yongh\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Machining, in particular, turning is the most versatile material removal process. At the Florida Advanced Manufacturing and System Integration Lab, we are particularly interested in 1) machining of advanced engineering materials such as 3D printed metals, and 2) study of chip formation process during turning using high speed imaging. Each student may study one of the above topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title #2: <\/strong>Process and Material Development for 3D Printing Applications
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Yong Huang, yongh@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> TBD per research topics
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong>  Junior, Senior; Up to 4 students per semester
Prerequisites:<\/strong> N\/A
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> none unless selected for University Scholars; future stipend depending on initial performance
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, Statement of research interest, Faculty interview; email one pdf file with all application requirements to Yong Huang, yongh@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> Best before the end of preceding semester or within the first two weeks of each semester
Website:<\/strong>  http:\/\/plaza.ufl.edu\/yongh\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Additive manufacturing (AM), the process of joining materials to make objects from three-dimensional (3D) model data, usually layer by layer, is distinctly a different form and has many advantages over traditional manufacturing processes. Commonly known as \u201c3D printing,\u201d AM provides a cost-effective and time-efficient way to produce low-volume, customized products with complicated geometries and advanced material properties and functionality. At the Florida Advanced Manufacturing and System Integration Lab, our AM\/3D printing interest includes: 1) printing process automation (for intersecting jets printing or laser-induced forward transfer), 2) material development for the printing of engineering structures and biological constructs, and 3) organ-on-a-chip development using 3D printing. Each student may study one of the above topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Biological Control Systems
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Amor Menezes, amormenezes@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> Project-Dependent
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Sophomore, Junior, Senior; 1-2 students per semester
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  Interest in Robotics\/Mathematics\/Biology\/Space
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> none unless selected for University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Explanation of student interest in a single project area that is described on the SYBORGS lab website, resume, UF unofficial transcripts, faculty interview; email one pdf file of your application materials to Dr. Amor Menezes, amormenezes@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> None
Website:<\/strong>  https:\/\/syborgs.mae.ufl.edu\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Talented and capable undergraduate students are always sought to help realize SYBORGS, which are SYstems\/SYnthetic Biological Optimization, Regulation, or Generation Systems. The SYBORGS lab engineers novel regulation and autonomy into biological processes for medical and science applications. We use modeling, system identification, control, and optimization methods to address open problems in the fields of systems biology and synthetic biology, thereby developing robotic biological systems (cybernetic organisms or cyborgs). We have four active project areas: (1) coagulation control; (2) evolutionary processes; (3) genetic control modules; and (4) space synthetic biology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title #1: <\/strong>Graphene Oxide Nano-laminates for Energy, Water Filtration and Biomedical Applications
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Saeed Moghaddam, saeedmog@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> Richard Rode, rpr2@ufl.edu<\/a>
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Senior; 2 students per semester
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  none
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> $500 per semester
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, letter(s) of recommendation, statement of research interest, faculty interview; email one pdf file with all application requirements to Saeed Moghaddam, saeedmog@ufl.edu<\/a> to request an interview
Application Deadline:<\/strong> none
Website:<\/strong>  http:\/\/web.mae.ufl.edu\/saeedmog\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> We have recently developed a very comprehensive understanding about the transport characteristics of species through graphene oxide (GO) laminates. Our results (e.g. Paneri and Moghaddam, Carbon, 2015) suggest that GO laminates have exceptional transport properties and can be very suitable for energy, water filtration and biomedical applications. Under this research, we evaluate the effect of different synthesis conditions on membrane characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title #2<\/strong>: Impact of Micro- and Nano-textured Surfaces on Physics of Heat and Mass Transfer in Microchannel Flow Boiling Process
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Saeed Moghaddam, saeedmog@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> Abdy Fazeli, abfazeli@ufl.edu<\/a>
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Senior; 2 students per semester
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  none
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> $500 per semester
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, letter(s) of recommendation, statement of research interest, faculty interview; email one pdf file with all application requirements to request an interview to Saeed Moghaddam, saeedmog@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> none
Website:<\/strong>  http:\/\/web.mae.ufl.edu\/saeedmog\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> In this research, a new measurement approach in utilized to understand the physics of different microscale heat transfer mechanisms involved in flow boiling in microchannels and to measure their relative contributions to the overall surface heat transfer. Such knowledge is essential to advancing the science and technology of compact and high performance two-phase flow heat sinks for applications such as cooling high performance electronics. The measurement approach involves a high-resolution measurement of the thermal field (temperature and heat flux) at the fluid-solid interface in microchannels. The unique aspect of the measurement approach (Bigham and Moghaddam, Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 2015 and Bigham and Moghaddam, Applied Physics Letters, 2015) is the implementation of a composite wall with embedded micro-sensors that allow the surface heat flux to be determined. The thermal field measurements are synchronized with the high-speed imaging of bubbles as well as the thickness of the liquid film formed between the vapor and solid phases. The laser interferometry method is utilized in measuring the liquid film thickness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title #3: <\/strong>Nanostructured Graphene Oxide Based Electrolyzer for Renewable Energy Storage
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Saeed Moghaddam, saeedmog@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> Richard Rode, rpr2@ufl.edu<\/a>
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Senior; 1 students per semester
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  none
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend: <\/strong>none unless selected for University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, letter(s) of recommendation, statement of research interest, faculty interview; email one pdf file with all application requirements to request an interview to Saeed Moghaddam, saeedmog@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> none
Website:<\/strong>  http:\/\/web.mae.ufl.edu\/saeedmog\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> In this research, a graphene oxide laminate developed in Nanostructured Energy Systems (NES) Laboratories will be utilized to develop the next generation electrolyzer membrane electrode assembly for H2 production. This high efficiency system allows to store intermittent solar and wind energies to H2 fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title #4:<\/strong> Wearable Kidney System Design and Fabrication
Department:<\/strong> Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Saeed Moghaddam, saeedmog@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> Richard Rode, rpr2@ufl.edu<\/a>
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Senior; 2 students per semester
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  none
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> $500 per semester
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, letter(s) of recommendation, statement of research interest, faculty interview; email one pdf file with all application requirements to Saeed Moghaddam, saeedmog@ufl.edu<\/a> to request an interview
Application Deadline:<\/strong> none
Website:<\/strong>  http:\/\/web.mae.ufl.edu\/saeedmog\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Under an NIH project, we have developed nanoengineered membranes that promise to transform dialysis systems reducing their size from a large cabinet to a device that can fit in palm of hand. We are currently in the system design, fabrication and testing stage and can benefit from talented students with great interest in nanoscience, microfluidic, multiphase flow and flow systems engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Drug Delivery and Fluid Flows in the Brain
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Malisa Sarntinoranont, msarnt@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> Magdoom Kulam, mkulam@ufl.edu<\/a>, or Julan Rey, jrey1009@ufl.edu<\/a>
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Junior, Senior; 2 students per term
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  Mechanics of Materials or Fluid Mechanics
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> none unless selected for University Scholars; will assist with process
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, faculty interview; email your resume to Malisa Sarntinoranont, msarnt@ufl.edu<\/a> and drop by my office hours
Application Deadline:<\/strong> March 1 for Summer and Fall terms; November 1 for Spring Term
Website:<\/strong>  http:\/\/web.mae.ufl.edu\/~msarnt\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> The brain is buoyant within and surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid.  This fluid has similar properties to water, protects the brain from impacts, and acts to transport molecules into and out of the brain. In the fields of Alzheimer\u2019s disease and sleep, there is increasing interest in how interior brain flows contribute to drug delivery and waste clearance into cerebrospinal fluid.  Student projects will focus on some aspect of delivering drugs through interior flows or investigating the role of brain pulsations on flows.   Computational models of the brain are developed from magnetic resonance images.  Experimental models are developed with hydrogels.  Students can focus on either computational or experimental studies.  Since tissue flows are too slow to be measured non-invasively, these studies will provide one way to better understand the physics driving flows and drug delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Flow Analysis in a Mach 6 Inlet
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Corin Segal, cor@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> N\/A
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall
Student Level:<\/strong> Senior, 2 students per term
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  Thermodynamics
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> none unless selected for University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Faculty interview; email expressing your interest to Corin Segal, cor@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> None
Website:<\/strong> None
Project Description: <\/strong>This project will use Solidworks Flow package to analyze the 3-D flowfield inside a generic hypersonic inlet at Mach 6. angle of attack effects will also be evaluated. The purpose of the project is educational to introduce undergraduate students to aspects of internal compressible flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Atomistic Simulation of High Rate Behavior of Materials
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Douglas Spearot, dspearot@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> none
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Sophomore, Junior, 1-2 students a term
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  Core courses in Materials, Engineering Mechanics and Mechanics of Materials; programming experience is highly useful
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> none unless selected for University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> resume, faculty interview; email resume to Douglas Spearot, dspearot@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> March 1 for Summer and Fall terms; November 1 for Spring term
Website:<\/strong>  http:\/\/web.mae.ufl.edu\/~dspearot<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Atomistic simulation is a computational technique used to study the mechanical behavior of materials with atomic scale resolution. This project involves an analysis of dislocations and grain boundaries in metallic materials under high-rate loading conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Development of Autonomous Mobile Agents (Robots)
Department: <\/strong>Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentors:<\/strong> Eric Schwartz, ems@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> N\/A
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior; 15-50 students per term
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  A desire to learn and work with others.
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN4912
Stipend:<\/strong> None unless selected for University Scholars or Emerging Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Faculty interview; send email to Dr. Schwartz at ems@ufl.edu<\/a> to set up an appointment
Application Deadline:<\/strong> ASAP<\/strong>
Website:<\/strong>   www.mil.ufl.edu<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> MIL provides a cross-disciplinary synergistic environment dedicated to the study and development of intelligent, autonomous robots. We conduct research in the theory and realization of autonomous mobile agents covering topics such as machine learning, real-time sensor integration (including computer vision, LADAR, sonar, radar, IMU, etc.), optimization, and control. Applications of MIL research (that have produced functioning robots) include autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), autonomous water surface vehicles (ASVs), autonomous land vehicles (ALVs), and autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs). MIL regularly competes in international robot competitions (and has previously earned five world championships).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Cancer Mechanics, Imaging, and Nanotechnology
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Xin Tang, xin.tang@ufl.edu<\/a>, PI of Integrative Mechanobiology Laboratory
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> Duy Nguyen, nguyenduy2308@ufl.edu<\/a>
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior; 1-2 students per term
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  none
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN4912
Stipend:<\/strong> none unless selected for University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, UF unofficial transcripts, faculty interview; email one pdf file of your application materials to Dr. Xin Tang, xin.tang@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> March 1 for Summer and Fall terms; November 1 for Spring Term
Website: <\/strong>http:\/\/www.mae.ufl.edu\/node\/1256<\/a>
Project Description: <\/strong>Our interdisciplinary projects with focus on cancer research are at the interface of mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology. We aim to train the next generation of leaders in mechanical engineering, bioengineering, and biophysics. We combine quantitative fluorescent imaging, nanofabrication, electrophysiology, computational modeling, and genome editing tools to tackle important problems in cancer, but also have other available projects towards other human diseases, including cardiovascular malfunction, tissue regeneration, and brain disorders. We apply our discoveries to developing of innovative technologies and medicines to improve human health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Examination of the Dynamics of Large Scale Structures in Turbulent Shear Layers and Their Control
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Lawrence Ukeiley, ukeiley@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> N\/A
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Junior, Senior; 1 student per term
Prerequisites: <\/strong>Preference given to MAE students interested in graduate school who have taken Fluid Mechanics or Aerodynamics
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN4912
Stipend:<\/strong> none unless selected for University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, Faculty interview; email one pdf file of your application materials to Lawrence Ukeiley, ukeiley@ufl.edu<\/a> to request and interview
Application Deadline:<\/strong> N\/A
Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/faculty.eng.ufl.edu\/unsteady-fluid-dynamics-group\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Examination of turbulent shear layer flow to understand how the dynamics of large scale structures can generate detrimental characteristics like noise and drag. Experimental studies augmented with the development of reduced order modeling of the turbulent flows. Applications can include free shear layers such as jets and cavities of bounded shear layers such as high Re turbulent boundary layers. Experimental efforts will involve particle based optical diagnostic techniques and analysis involves stochastic and probabilistic techniques such as Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and Stochastic Estimation among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title #1: <\/strong>Biomedical Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles
Department: <\/strong>Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Carlos Rinaldi, carlos.rinaldi@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> varies
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Sophomore, Junior, 2-5 students per term (new students when positions open)
Prerequisites:<\/strong>  Passion for science and engineering, interest in research and in advancing technology, self-driven. Students from Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering encouraged to apply.
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> none unless selected for University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume and statement of research interest; email one pdf file with all application requirements to Carlos Rinaldi, carlos.rinaldi@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> March 1 for Summer and Fall terms; November 1 for Spring term
Website:<\/strong>  http:\/\/www.bme.ufl.edu\/labs\/rinaldi\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> The Rinaldi lab is interested in biomedical applications of magnetic nanoparticles. We combine particle synthesis, modification, and characterization and fundamental understanding of response to magnetic actuation to advance applications in biomedical imaging, therapeutic delivery, and nanoscale thermal therapy. The research is interdisciplinary, combining concepts from biomedical, chemical, electrical, and materials science and engineering. Current efforts focus on developing tracers for magnetic particle imaging (MPI), an exciting new biomedical imaging modality that allows for non-invasive, unambiguous, and quantitative imaging of the in vivo distribution of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle tracers. This research involves nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, cell culture, animal studies, image analysis, 3D printing, and computer programming. Students interested in any of these aspects are encouraged to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Bio-nanotechnology for Medical and Environmental Applications
Department: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor:<\/strong> Jing Pan, jingpan@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> Samantha Harris (harris.samantha@ufl.edu<\/a>)
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level:<\/strong> Sophomore, Junior, or Senior; up to 2 students per term
Prerequisites:<\/strong> None
Credit:<\/strong>  0-3 credits via EGN 4912
Stipend:<\/strong> none unless selected for University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Please send application materials through email to Dr. Pan. In your email, please also state your research interests and how you envision your interests align with the lab\u2019s research
Application Deadline:<\/strong> Rolling
Website:<\/strong>  www.pan.group<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Undergraduate research positions are available under the broad topic of molecular\/nanorobotics and bio-inspired diagnostics\/therapeutics. In the Pan Lab, we aim to create and program molecular robots using biopolymers and nano-materials. We use the most state-of-the-art tools, such as computational microscopy and next-generation sequencing, to study these tiny machines and robots. We currently have projects focusing on DNA-encoded molecular robots, synthetic minimal cells, and real-time sensor platforms for health monitoring. All projects in our lab involve wet-lab experiments, advanced imaging, statistical analysis, and stochastic modeling. The outcome of the projects will be translational to applications in healthcare, the environment, and agriculture. You will learn knowledge and skills in molecular programming, optical instrumentation, biophysics, biochemistry, and medical technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Operation and Control of Experimental Mechanics in Tribology
Departments: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentors: <\/strong>Alison Dunn, alisn@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s): <\/strong>N\/A
Terms Available: <\/strong>Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Level: <\/strong>Sophomore, Junior, Senior;  2-4 students per term
Prerequisites: <\/strong>Declared engineering major, demonstrated self-starter
Credit: <\/strong>N\/A
Stipend: <\/strong>None unless selected for University Scholars; will assist with process
Application Requirements: <\/strong>Resume, Faculty interview, contact Prof. Dunn
Application Deadline: <\/strong>Rolling deadline
Website(s): https:\/\/faculty.eng.ufl.edu\/bio-materials-tribology-laboratory\/<\/a>
Project Description: Surface contact and sliding performance are often influenced by the properties of the materials in contact. In this project, students can help tailor instrumentation to measure friction appropriately for the materials of interest such as soft gels, metals, or ceramics. Tasks can include component design, hardware\/software integration and control of motors, and GUI interface design using Python.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Optimizing Grinding Processes for Thermoplastic Composite Matrix Materials
Departments: <\/strong>Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentors:<\/strong> Curtis Taylor, curtis.taylor@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> Ben Srodka, benromeo.srodka@ufl.edu<\/a>
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall, Spring
Student Level:<\/strong> Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior; 2 students per term
Prerequisites:<\/strong> N\/A
Credit:<\/strong> N\/A
Stipend:<\/strong> None unless supported by University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, faculty interview, interested students should send an email and resume to curtis.taylor@ufl.edu<\/a>
Application Deadline:<\/strong> N\/A
Website(s):<\/strong> curtisrtaylor.com<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> The student will work alongside of senior researchers to design, fabricate, and test advanced fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite materials for aerospace applications. This involves hands on experiments and operation of lab equipment including conducting experiments to grind semi-aromatic polyamides into fine powders; investigate how process parameters (e.g., grinding time, batch size) influence particle size distribution and process effectiveness; analyze how powder characteristics influence the mechanical properties of the final thermoplastic matrix material. This requires the molding and testing of specimens through tensile tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Co-Design of Structures and Processes for Atomically Precise and Scalable Manufacturing of Semiconductor Heterostructures
Departments:<\/strong> Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentors:<\/strong> Youping Chen, ypchen2@ufl.edu<\/a>
Ph.D. Student Mentor(s):<\/strong> Nicholas Taormina ntaormina@ufl.edu<\/a>; Emir Bilgili, emir.bilgili@ufl.edu<\/a>
Terms Available:<\/strong> Fall
Student Level:<\/strong> Junior, Senior; 2 students per semester
Prerequisites:<\/strong> Mechanics of Materials, Vibrations, Numerical Methods, Introduction to Material Science (EMA 3010).
Credit:<\/strong> N\/A
Stipend:<\/strong> University Scholars
Application Requirements:<\/strong> Resume, UF unofficial transcripts, statement of research interest, and faculty interview. Email one pdf file with all application requirements to ypchen2@ufl.edu<\/a>.
Application Deadline:<\/strong> N\/A
Website(s):<\/strong> https:\/\/chenlab.mae.ufl.edu\/<\/a>
Project Description:<\/strong> Heterostructures represent the basis of advanced semiconductor devices. Epitaxy is the only tool for manufacturing semiconductor heterostructures with atomically sharp interfaces. Silicon chips are now rapidly reaching their theoretical limit. To develop new technologies that can go beyond silicon electronics, future manufacturing is expected to predict and make mesoscale heterostructures with atomic-scale precision. Currently, no such a predictive capability exists. Consequently, there is no sufficient fundamental understanding to predict and control the formation of defects during manufacturing processes and there is no well-established methodology and tools for co-design of materials, structures, and manufacturing processes to achieve multiple and competing objectives.

This research aims to develop a convergent approach, building on the foundation of mechanics, to holistically understand the challenges. We propose to develop (1) a unified simulation tool that can predict and visualize highly nonequilibrium processes across length and time scales, including heteroepitaxy, direct bonding, defect formation, phonon scattering, strain-induced polarization, or any nonequilibrium processes or phenomena that can be described in terms of atoms, with no assumption of mechanisms or rules or parameters, thereby contributing to the enable foundation of a predictive science of manufacturing, and (2) a co-design of GaN heterostructure and the epitaxial process to achieve a minimum defect density and minimum thermal resistance\u00a0 as well as a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms underlying growth mode, dislocation formation and evolution, and phonon scattering by interfaces and defects in heterostructures, thereby addressing two universal challenges for electronics: defect control and thermal management.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Project Title: New Classes of Fluid Instabilities in 3D Printing of Soft MatterDepartment: Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Thomas E. Angelini, t.e.angelini@ufl.eduPh.D. Student Mentor(s): Tapomoy Bhattacharjee, tapomoy@ufl.edu, Christopher O\u2019Bryan, csobryan@ufl.eduTerms Available: Fall, Spring, SummerStudent Level: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior; 1-2 students per termPrerequisites:  noneStipend: none unless selected for University ScholarsApplication Requirements: Resume, UF unofficial transcripts, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19875,"featured_media":0,"parent":1782,"menu_order":11,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/page-section-nav.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"featured_post":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-1944","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ufl.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1944","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ufl.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ufl.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ufl.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19875"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ufl.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1944"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ufl.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1944\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18093,"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ufl.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1944\/revisions\/18093"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ufl.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eng.ufl.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1944"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}