Abdullah Amin – Reduce Defect and Improve Part Quality for Metal Additive Manufacturing

The Research Objective:

Dr. Amin leads the ‘Smart Manufacturing Advancement and Logistics Technology (SMALT) laboratory’ in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department. His research aims to advance the technologies involving smart manufacturing by focusing on the process of metal additive manufacturing (AM). It has been well understood that the variation in the input process conditions— laser power, scan speed, spot diameter, hatch spacing, and layer height significantly affects the formation of molten regions in metal AM. Metal AM, although promising, has imperfections such as porosity and defects within the part and rough surfaces that require extensive post-treatment. Such imperfections significantly affect the part's usability, service life, and fatigue performance, making metal AM a non-ideal solution to commercial manufacturing. A desired solution to solving this issue is to have control over the process conditions when the manufacturing process is ongoing (in-situ). There are in-situ monitoring systems through a multitude of sensors such as thermal imaging cameras, high-speed cameras, and ultrasound detection that can aid in closed-loop control of the AM process and thus maintain the desired quality of the part. Dr. Amin directs efforts to understand the how the input process conditions vary the molten metal zone and how to better control them and in effect a quality part can be manufactured utilizing metal AM techniques.

The Student Will:

Learn to use engineering technologies involving computational mechanics, programming, software development, manufacturing, and solid mechanics that will help them find better opportunities out in the professional world or in graduate school research.

Sharon Bommer – Cognitive Workload Modeling for Effective Human-Systems Integration

The Research Objective:

At the forefront of cutting-edge research in mental workload analysis, the Human Performance and Cognition Laboratory in the Department of Engineering Management, Systems, and Technology utilizes cognitive modeling to pioneer advancements in human cognition and productivity. The overarching objective is to extend human performance and well-being limits across various domains using cognitive modeling to improve work design. These models have practical applications in enhancing manufacturing products in areas like human factors, engineering, and the design of computer games and user interfaces.

The Student Will:

Acquire valuable technical research skills for academia and other professional fields to include effective project management skills. Also, the laboratory work gives the student real-world research experience, a highly valued skill in graduate programs and various employers.

Don Cao – Carbonless Electric Aviation (CLEAN)

The Research Objective:

Existing aircrafts consume Jet fuels which generates a lot of CO2 that cause extreme weather. NASA started an initiative of developing future zero emissions aircraft to eliminate the CO2 from the exhaust of the jet engines. It is possible to utilize Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) and clean fuels such as liquid H2 or NH3 as fuel for future aircraft engines. By utilizing the SOFC to generate electricity, a hybrid electric aircraft could be designed that is more efficient than the existing solution without generating CO2. Smart Power Electronics, Electric-aviation, and Drive - SPEED Group was awarded a 4 year $8M NASA University Lead Initiative Project “Carbonless Electric Aviation” (CLEAN) along with four other universities. The goal of the project is to design and develop a hybrid electric power train for a Boeing 737 size aircraft using Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Power Electronics Converters and Electric Machines. Our Lab will conduct the hybrid electric aircraft power train the design process from scratch that includes the literature survey, power system design and analysis, system level simulation, circuit design and prototyping, thermal design and analysis, hardware prototype design, development, testing and validation. The SURE program students will have the opportunity to join the SPEED research group with multiple PhD students and master’s students for this cutting-edge research, train hands-on experience on the circuit analysis, simulation, PCB board design, prototyping, testing, etc.

The Student Will:

Work with Dr. Cao and his Ph.D. and Master’s students on the cutting-edge research on power electronics area, such as the electric aircraft design, or related area such as renewable energy source grid integration, electric vehicle, and more efficient data centers depending on the interest of the students. The students will learn hands-on experience in the lab from the circuit analysis, simulation to the hardware prototyping using PCB and testing.

Li Cao – Additive Manufacturing of Advanced Materials

The Research Objective:

Current structural challenges in aerospace applications in critical environments demand development of advanced high-performance materials to meet specific requirements under extreme conditions. Modern state-of-the-art high-temperature materials for hypersonic flight mainly include superalloys and ceramic materials. Nickel-based superalloys have been widely used for hypersonic components but are heavy and have limited maximum use temperatures. Ceramic materials like silicon carbide are lightweight but challenging to manufacture. Modern aerospace applications require breakthrough advances in materials and their rapid prototyping and manufacturing. One of the promising solutions is the development of nanocomposites for improving material properties. Over the past decade, additive manufacturing, so-called 3D printing, has emerged as a transformative fabrication approach for producing elaborate structures while minimizing waste.

In this program, students can choose one of the two types of high-temperature materials based on their interests. They will use the prepared feedstock materials for 3D printing. Depending on the selected type of material, they will receive hands-on training in state-of-the-art 3D printing techniques, including VAT Photopolymerization, Direct Ink Writing, and Laser Powder Bed Fusion. Students will also gain access to advanced instruments to analyze the 3D-printed specimens.

The Student Will:

Receive training in interdisciplinary research in materials development. They will gain hands-on experience in advanced 3D printing technology and enhance their problem-solving skills. Furthermore, students will be encouraged to participate in preparing potential scientific publications and giving technical presentations at conferences for their research findings.

Swapnajit Chakravarty – Fiber-Optic Packaging Interface to Silicon Photonic Circuits

The Research Objective:

Silicon chip integrated photonic circuits are gradually making inroads in applications ranging from high performance classical and quantum computing and telecom to chemical and biological sensors. 

While the photonic chip is an essential design element, photonic devices tend to be a couple of orders of magnitude larger than comparable electronic devices. Photonic devices circumvent this bottleneck by transmitting several bits of information over several wavelengths unlike other methods such as electronic charge carriers that can only transmit a bit at a time. In parallel, thanks to extremely advanced optical fiber connectivity, photonic chips can be efficiently connected for multi-chip processing. The challenge however is to achieve a packaged solution where the optical fiber is packaged with high coupling efficiency and high precision/alignment accuracy to micron-scaled grating and edge couplers. 

The Student Will:

Work in an electro-optics lab and develop a packaged fiber optic interface with a photonic chip. Knowledge in optics or semiconductors is not required. However, experience in using CAD design software and Python scripting would be very helpful. Experience with 3D printing would be helpful since we may need to build an actuated dispenser of polymers that would be UV-cured for packaging. During the course of the project, students will gain exposure to PICs and semiconductors and demonstrate chip to chip fiber optic connectivity. There may be some activity in the UD cleanroom. Any engineering major with an interest in semiconductors, optics/photonics, circuit layout, 3D printing. 

Erin Gibbemeyer – Creation of K-12 Sustainable production Modules (ETHOS Sponsored)

The Research Objective:

Create projects that can be adopted in K-12 classrooms that allow the children to create sustainable products with methods that are safe for use in standard classrooms along with discussion of how these products might be more ideal than other products. Current ideas include making bioplastic, making Swedish dishcloths (hopefully using actual clothing scraps), natural dyes, and a comparison of margarine from palm oil vs butter from cream. I need help finding out how feasible these are to do with children (do they work every time, are they able to be done without lab equipment, etc.) and I'd also like help finding more possible projects. I’m working with a faculty member in the School of Education to work with local public school teachers to create lesson plans around these STEM principles, but I need a SURE student to help develop the projects and test methods for creating these projects.

The Student Will:

Have the valuable experience of performing a literature review to see what classrooms currently use and what projects are appropriate for different ages. The SURE student will also spend significant time experimenting to see what will work with the equipment we expect to have available in public school classrooms. So, while they may find a project that works well in the lab, they may face difficulties duplicating projects outside of the lab. Experimentation with different raw materials and processing techniques will build their wet lab experiences but also perseverance as they tackle approaching projects in a new way, where there may not be a known reliable procedure. In addition to developing the projects, it is hoped the SURE student will have the opportunity to interact with K-12 teachers and students in Dayton Public Schools, providing them with guidance but also the chance to help shape these projects. I hope the SURE student would then see the value of community engagement in the research process. The student would also have a great opportunity to research the areas they find interesting since they will have the opportunity to create their modules, I'm happy to let their creativity drive what sort of products we aim to develop modules for.

Sidaard Gunasekaran – Design and Control of a Novel Cambered Morphing Wing Design

The Research Objective:

Birds have remained an enduring inspiration to achieve optimal flight for centuries. With the recent surge of UAVs and small-scale drone usage in a variety of industrial, commercial, and military applications, maintaining the stability and reliability of the vehicles remains a challenge. Small-scale drones are largely affected by gusty winds which cause a lack of stability and increase in power usage. This project focuses on the design, development, and testing of a morphing wing that we will be exposed to unsteady aerodynamic loads in the UD wind tunnel. A closed-loop control system will be designed for effective mitigation of sinusoidal periodic gusts through changes in camber.

The Student Will:

Gain valuable experience through a hands-on real-world project that meets the current needs of the field. He/she will also learn the skillset necessary to operate and test in a wind tunnel. The project has also the potential to become an undergraduate thesis and a stepping stone for the student to pursue a grad program. We will also interact with researchers from AFRL which fosters networking and connections that might lead to better opportunities for the student.

Elif Elcin Gunay – Risk Assessment for Global Supply Chains

The Research Objective:

Modeling and analysis of systems that include uncertainty. Specific focus on how the dynamic environments of real-world problems can be modeled and solved using non-deterministic approaches. Focus will be on global supply chain risk assessment during the program. Global supply chains are more fragile than other supply chains due to their dependencies on suppliers in various locations. Specifically, the main research questions that will be investigated during this research program are: (i) what risks do global supply chains encounter? (ii) how to describe these risks? (iii) how data related to these risks can be acquired? and (iv) how these risks can be measured. Considering the large body of text data stating many risks of different countries, such as news and reports, what methods and tools can be used to understand the risk factors and their magnitude from the text? Given the recent developments in artificial intelligence, how AI can be used to capture the risks from unstructured data will be investigated during the project. We will develop a tool to support decision-makers that helps them understand the risks for their suppliers to build more resilient supply chains.

The Student Will:

Learn how to make a literature search, conduct data analysis, create a model that integrates various risk indicators into a single unit, and write a conference paper.

Krishna B. Kidambi – Dynamics and Control of Quadrotors Using ROS

The Research Objective:

Focus on developing control algorithms for autonomous systems under uncertainty. Specifically, this work focuses on quadrotor control using Robot Operating System (ROS). Quadrotor control using ROS has emerged as a dynamic and influential field in robotics research. ROS provides a flexible and open-source framework that facilitates the development and implementation of complex control algorithms for quadrotors, which are unmanned aerial vehicles with four rotors. My research leverages ROS to enhance the autonomy and stability of quadrotors through various control strategies, such as Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers and robust control. This framework enables seamless communication between different components of the quadrotor system, including sensors, actuators, and the control algorithm, fostering a modular and collaborative approach to development. By employing ROS, the research will focus on refining control algorithms and experimenting with diverse sensors and multi-robot coordination, ultimately advancing the capabilities in tasks ranging from surveillance to environmental monitoring.

The Student Will:

Engage in research on Quadrotor control using ROS that offers students a multifaceted learning experience with significant practical and theoretical advantages. Firstly, students will gain hands-on exposure to cutting-edge technologies, honing their skills in programming, control theory, and robotics. The open-source nature of ROS encourages collaborative problem-solving, allowing students to contribute to and draw from a vast community of researchers worldwide. This research experience fosters critical thinking as students grapple with real-world challenges in autonomous systems, enhancing their problem-solving abilities. Additionally, diving into Quadrotor control provides a unique intersection of software and hardware, offering a holistic understanding of robotics systems. The multidisciplinary nature of the research equips students with versatile skills applicable across various engineering domains. Overall, this experience not only cultivates technical expertise but also instills a sense of innovation and adaptability crucial for future careers in the rapidly evolving field of robotics.

Cori Mowrey & Yooneun Lee – Optimal Mix of Food for School Backpack Program (ETHOS Sponsored)

The Research Objective:

Over 15% of local children are at risk for food insecurity, meaning they lack regular access to enough nutritious food for normal growth and development. School-based food backpack programs distribute food to children at the end of the school week to supplement their food intake and sustain them over the weekend. Bags of food are assembled at local food banks and often include single-serve items such as macaroni and cheese, fruit cups, and cereal bars. The Foodbank in Dayton, OH partners with local school districts and community centers to provide a bag of shelf-stable food to food insecure children every week throughout the school year. In fiscal year 2023, The Foodbank distributed 36,910 Good-to-Go Backpacks to children in our community. Foods included in the backpack program vary in nutritional quality, cost, and size. Selecting the right mix of foods is challenging, especially when you consider how many combinations of shelf-stable food are available. One approach to selecting the best mix is to represent the problem as a set of mathematical expressions, which we can use to find the optimal solution. An initial optimization model has been developed that aims to maximize the nutritional value of the food in the backpack while adhering to a variety of constraints including calories provided, cost, weight, and food variety. The goal of this project is to collect data on available food and use it in the optimization model to determine the best mix of food items to be included in the Foodbank’s Good-to-Go backpacks.

The Student Will:

Have the opportunity to participate in community engaged learning while being paired with a community partner. Through interactions with the Foodbank’s Chief Knowledge Officer, the student will learn about warehouse operations and how food banks support the fight to end hunger. The student will also gain a better understanding of mathematical modeling and improve their ability to write and understand general math notation. The student will have the opportunity to use optimization software ranging from simple applications, such as Excel Solver, to more complex applications, like the python-based Gurobi.

Robert Lowe – Nonlinear Dynamics of Soft Electro-Active Materials Under AC Voltages

The Research Objective:

Dielectric elastomers are a promising class of electro-active materials that deform when subjected to applied voltages. Their strong electro-mechanical coupling has been leveraged to enable emerging technologies such as biomimetic robots, bioinspired artificial muscles, soft active vibration control systems, and wearable electronics. Presently, there is significant interest in exploring the dynamic response of dielectric elastomers to time-dependent AC voltage profiles. Accordingly, this project is focused on experimentally investigating the mechanical response of dielectric elastomers (e.g., 3M VHB) under the action of time-dependent voltage profiles (e.g., sinusoidal, square pulse) across a broad range of frequencies and amplitudes. This project will be hands-on and involve the design-build-test process, selection and installation of instrumentation, and acquiring experimental measurements using mechanical and electrical test equipment and software (e.g., machine vision cameras, ImageJ, high-voltage AC power supply, LCR meter). A desired outcome of this project is the generation of experimental data to both calibrate and validate existing models developed by the research team.

The Student Will:

Benefit from participating in the proposed research by being exposed to:

1. Soft functional materials – an emerging class of engineering materials that couple mechanics (strain) to electricity (voltage)
2. State-of-the-art laboratory facilities in the UD SOE and UDRI, including cutting-edge synthesis and characterization equipment at UDRI and an Instron 3365 load frame with digital image correlation in the UD SOE dedicated to testing soft materials over a broad range of deformation modes and strain rates
3. Advanced graduate-level mechanics theory, including large-strain nonlinear elasticity

Students will also learn valuable research-related soft skills, including how to read and interpret technical literature, how to deliver an effective technical presentation, and how to disseminate research findings through effective technical writing.

Rydge Mulford – Design and Testing of CubeSat Radiator Prototype

The Research Objective:

The DaTA Lab is currently designing and building a CubeSat radiator prototype involving phase change material surfaces actuated by bimetallic springs. Our task is to design how the radiator fin will fit within the CubeSat and how it will be thermally connected with the bimetallic spring, its actuating component. Tasks will involve construction of CubeSat radiator prototypes and testing architecture construction, testing of radiator prototypes and thermal modeling of potential ideas.

The Student Will:

Gain hands-on experience with thermal vacuum testing for spacecraft applications, design and analysis of heat transfer systems and working in a team environment.

Erick Vasquez – Bio-based Nanoscale Disinfectants for Bacteria Eradication

The Research Objective:

According to the US Department of Agriculture, bacteria pathogens generate 9.4 million episodes of foodborne illnesses with an annual economic burden of 15.5 billion dollars. New technologies are needed to address the worldwide demand for producing disinfectants that are non-toxic but capable of destroying pathogens. Vasquez’s research group has experience working with bio-based nanoscale materials and producing nanocomposites with multiple functionalities using surface or chemical modification techniques. This SURE research experience will focus on investigating novel non-toxic disinfectant materials at the nanoscale that can treat and eradicate potential bacteria from surfaces. Another project of interest is the preparation of responsive bio-based films for self-cleaning/disinfectant-containing surfaces. Both goals align with the United Nations' sustainable development efforts. Many experimental characterization techniques will be used to assess the as-produced materials, including but not limited to microscopy, spectroscopy, conductivity, total dissolved solids, pH, and contact angle measurements, which determine the hydrophobicity of hydrophilicity of a surface after a chemical treatment. The SURE student will potentially collaborate with other Faculty and student members in Biology or Chemistry.

The Student Will:

Obtain training directly from Dr. Vasquez or his students. The student will also learn various experimental techniques not found in a typical curriculum that will help pursue the research. Students will be free to work independently but with guidance from the mentor and graduate students.

Hui Wang – Digital Twin Enabled UD Building energy Efficiency Analysis

The Research Objective:

In this research project, the student will extensively utilize open-source photogrammetry software to create digital twins of structures/buildings on campus. The primary goal is to analyze the energy efficiency of these buildings over time. To achieve this, the student will employ 3D reconstruction software such as openMVG and openMVS to generate a precise 3D point clouds of the target buildings/structures. Subsequently, they will employ our in-house developed thermal reprojection software tools to create a twin model, incorporating data captured from a thermal camera.
Data collection will be conducted using a state-of-the-art camera system and an industry level drone system capable of capturing both conventional and thermal images simultaneously. The objective of this experiment is to obtain Multiview RGB and thermal images used to create multiple 3D thermal models, enabling an analysis of temperature changes on the surface of the target structure/building. This analysis will shed light on its thermal efficiency and assist in identifying possible thermal leakages and hence streamlining current maintenance processes.

The Student Will:

Receive research training in the Greg and Annie Stevens Intelligent Infrastructure Lab and work with fellow graduate and undergraduate lab partners in a dynamic and diverse environment. This training will encompass various tasks, including learning Vizard, our Python-based virtual reality software, collaborating with the department's industry partners, and conducting lab demonstrations to summer school students and visitors.

Alex Watson – Flexible, Stretchable, and Wearable Electronics

The Research Objective:

This project is investigating a stretchable conductive ink comprised of gallium-indium liquid metals alloys for use in flexible, stretchable, and wearable electronics applications. Students will learn how to design and fabricate circuits that use this new ink with flexible and stretchable substrates. They will create test samples and conduct experiments to quantify the stretchable ink's response under various states of strain. They will also explore combining this liquid-metal ink with other flexible / stretchable conductive inks and standard surface mount electronics devices. A successful project will culminate with a wearable electronics demonstration.

The Student Will:

Learn an advanced fabrication technique for flexible and stretchable electronics. They will also learn how to design and conduct experiments to collect and analyze data while mitigating error.