2024 Research Projects

Projects are posted below; new projects will continue to be posted. To learn more about the type of research conducted by undergraduates, view the archived symposium booklets and search the past SURF projects.

This is a list of research projects that may have opportunities for undergraduate students. Please note that it is not a complete list of every SURF project. Undergraduates will discover other projects when talking directly to Purdue faculty.

You can browse all the projects on the list or view only projects in the following categories:


All Research Projects (16)

 

AAMP-UP Task 6: Developing Pulsed Laser Imaging Techniques for Explosive Event Analysis  

Description:
The objectives of this research project are to explore the development of a pulsed laser imaging system suitable for capturing bright events, such as the detonation of chemical explosives. Particular emphasis will be placed on reducing the laser speckle seen in ARL’s existing imaging systems, which limits the ability to image blast fields with high spatio-temporal resolution, as well as investigating trade-offs in source laser characteristics for optimizing image contrast and spatio-temporal resolution. The proposed work will enable a significant advance diagnostics of energetic reactions over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. This project is from the AAMP-UP summer program, which provides STEM undergraduates the chance to participate in national defense and military research. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Aberdeen, MD.
Campus:
West Lafayette
Research categories:
Chemical Unit Operations, Material Processing and Characterization, Other
Citizenship requirements:
U.S. Citizen
Preferred major(s):
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
  • Physics
  • Chemical Engineering
Desired experience:
AAMP-UP asks that each student applicant have finished 1 semester of higher education, be currently enrolled in a college or university, and graduate after August 2024. In addition, students must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Persons. No prior experience with the U.S. military is required. No summer classes are allowed.
School/Dept.:
School of Mechanical Engineering
Professor:
Terrence Meyer

More information: https://www.meyerresearchgroup.com/

 

AAMP: Polymer Derived Ceramics Additive Material Systems for SHM 

Description:
Additive manufacturing and real-world applications have been seen in the past as two
separate entities that are increasing coalescing over the years. With more recent advancements in 3D-printing technology, the two paths have now come to an intersection. Specifically, in the case of resin 3D-printing, the amount of detail possible allows for practical components to
be manufactured from advanced engineering materials for a wide variety of applications. In
this particular work, the focus has been is to define manufacturing methods that allow for the
embedding of sensors into ceramic media as well as show the feasibility of doing so.
The ADAMs lab is currently exploring techniques to create multi-functional material systems utilizing SLA. Candidate projects include embedded piezoelectric actuator for sensing applications and shape memory alloy sheets to create localized structural changes in a ceramic structure. The created systems will be tested to see if they can detect real itme ballistic events. Student will aid in the manufacture and testing of specimens.
Campus:
West Lafayette
Research categories:
Material Modeling and Simulation, Material Processing and Characterization
Citizenship requirements:
U.S. Citizen
Preferred major(s):
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
Desired experience:
Matlab, 3d Printing SLA, FDM, CAD
School/Dept.:
School of Mechanical Engineering
Professor:
James Gibert
 

Additive Manufacturing in Civil Engineering  

Description:
This project will offer an exiting Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) opportunity at Purdue University, where students will collaborate with faculty from Civil Engineering (CE) and Materials Engineering (MSE). Set against the backdrop of Columbus, IN, renowned for its architectural prowess, participants will engage in hands-on research involving a robotic arm and large-scale concrete 3D printing to construct a house. Working alongside graduate students and industry experts, students will delve into the vibrant architectural scene of Columbus, contributing to the creation, testing, and analysis of materials and structural components. This immersive experience promises to be a transformative journey into the forefront of engineering innovation, combining academic rigor with real-world application in the dynamic field of concrete 3D printing.
Campus:
West Lafayette
Research categories:
Engineering the Built Environment, Material Processing and Characterization
Preferred major(s):
  • No Major Restriction
Desired experience:
CE335, CE297 or similar (mechanics of materials, knowledge on concrete is desired).
School/Dept.:
Lyles School of Civil Engineering
Professor:
Pablo Zavattieri

More information: https://www.youtube.com/@purdueconcrete3dprintingte774

 

Advancing Eco-Friendly Plastic Coating from Potato and Corn Thermoplastic Starch 

Description:
This research project aims to develop a sustainable and environmentally friendly thermoplastic starch (TPS) derived from potato and corn for coating applications. The primary objective is to enhance the protective capabilities of TPS coatings against moisture, oxygen, and other gases, with a specific emphasis on protecting sensors and other electronic components utilized in rocketry electronics. By leveraging the inherent hydrophobic properties and elasticity of TPS film, the coating will act as a conforming shield, ensuring the integrity and functionality of critical electronics exposed to challenging environmental conditions.

Students selected for this project will carry out the following research tasks:

Task 1: Develop formulations for TPS coatings with enhanced moisture barrier properties, focusing on corn and potato TPS formulations. Students will measure hydrophobicity via contact angle and optimize formulations to maximize hydrophobicity using Bayesian optimization. They will also gain experience in instrument use and statistical machine-learning methodologies for adaptive experimental design.

Task 2: Evaluate coating processes on TPS aerogel and other substrates, assessing various delivery mechanisms for uniform and controlled gel application. Evaluate dip, spin, spray, and brush coating methods on substrates like TPS aerogel, paper, and cardboard. Gain familiarity with coating technologies.

Task 3: Characterize TPS-coated materials utilizing mechanical testing protocols and characterization techniques, including quasi-static tensile testing, XRD, FTIR, and GC/MS. Students will gain experience in mechanical testing and structural analysis of coated materials.

Task 4: Design and evaluate a cell prototype for larger-scale TPS coating fabrication, including proof-of-concept evaluation through simulation and economic analysis of scaled operation.

Research categories:
Chemical Catalysis and Synthesis, Deep Learning, Material Processing and Characterization
Preferred major(s):
  • No Major Restriction
Desired experience:
No previous research experience is required.
School/Dept.:
School of Mechanical Engineering
Professor:
Andres Tovar
 

Applied Data Science for Software Supply Chain Security 

Description:
The Trustworthy Software Ecosystems Lab is building a data-science driven approach to assess risks in the software supply chain. In collaboration with Google, CitiBank and Kusari they have developed the Graph for Understanding Artifact Composition (GUAC) project. The GUAC project allows researchers to identify hidden relationships between software products and identify whether an attacker can transitively compromise software by attacking its hidden dependencies. This project requires understanding of software development as well as data science.

SURF students will participate in developing data acquisition pipelines for different data sources, as well as develop algorithms and methods to identify possible attack targets in the software supply chain.
Campus:
West Lafayette
Research categories:
Big Data/Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT)
Preferred major(s):
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer and Information Technology
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
Desired experience:
A successful student needs to be proficient with: 1. programming for data science (ideally python) 2. Systems programming (ideally go or python) 3. cyber security concepts (e.g., risk, vulnerability, compromise, attack vector) 4. Familiarity with software supply chain concepts (e.g., dependency, software composition, software bills of materials)
School/Dept.:
Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Professor:
Santiago Torres-Arias

More information: https://guac.sh

 

CISTAR: High temperature catalysts for conversion of ethylene and propylene to gasoline and diesel fuel 

Description:
The Center for Innovative and Strategic Transformation of Alkane Resources (CISTAR) is an NSF supported Engineering Research Center, one of 15 in the US. CISTAR's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program matches undergraduates in the SURF program with faculty and graduate student mentors to conduct cutting-edge research in catalysis, separations, process design, decarbonization, and electrification. Students will be part of a research team with collaborators from across five universities and meet with corporate partners in the energy sector for information sessions, tours, and informal mentoring. The program is only open to students who are not at Purdue. Housing and travel will be provided. New for this year, participants can apply for additional funding to attend a professional conference (for example, AIChE or ACS) during the 2024-2025 academic year.


CISTAR's vision is to convert natural gas liquids, for example, ethane and propane, to fuels and chemicals by two catalytic steps. The first requires dehydrogenation of alkanes to olefins, which are subsequently converted to final products. This project investigates a new class of catalyst for conversion of ethylene and propylene to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons suitable for blending into gasoline or diesel fuels. These reactions occur at high temperature and pressure in a fixed bed reactor. The research plan is to synthesize catalysts and test these to determine the rates, selectivity and stability.

Campus:
West Lafayette
Research categories:
Chemical Catalysis and Synthesis
Preferred major(s):
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry
Desired experience:
None, but reaction engineering is desirable.
School/Dept.:
Chemical Engineering
Professor:
Jeff Miller

More information: https://cistar.us/

 

COATING GRANULAR MATERIALS TO CONTROL THEIR MECHANICAL RESPONSE 

Description:
Granular materials are ubiquitous and play an important role in many industries. Their mechanical response is determined by a number of factors including particle size distribution, packing arrangement, and the characteristics of the grains themselves. Control of these attributes provides opportunities to functionalize them.
Current research in Purdue’s geotechnical engineering lab is exploring the use of soft coatings to control the stiffness and attenuation properties of granular assemblies. A method has been developed for coating model grains (glass beads ~ 4 mm I diameter) with a silicone-based paint. Preliminary experiments using the resonant column apparatus indicate that a silicone coating as thin as 10-15 microns is effective in significant in enhancing the damping characteristics of the material.

Responsibilities of the SURF student will include:
- Performing coating experiments on both the model beads and natural granular materials (fine gravels)
- Characterizing the coated grains through microscopy and measurements of the coefficient of rebound
- Measuring the packing characteristics of the grains as a function of different thicknesses of the coating
- Possibly exploring coating with an additional material.
Campus:
West Lafayette
Research categories:
Engineering the Built Environment, Material Processing and Characterization
Preferred major(s):
  • Materials Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Agricultural and Bio Engineering
School/Dept.:
Lyles School of Civil Engineering
Professor:
Marika Santagata
 

Machine learning support for semiconductor nanodevice design 

Description:
Simulating semiconductor nanodevices in quantum mechanical and atomistic resolution is numerically expensive. Semiconductor researchers and industry (Intel, TSMC, Samsung, etc.) are applying low rank approximations to reduce the simulation costs, but those approximations require device-specific basis representations. Purdue's quantum code library offers tools that create such basis representations, but these tools require human's ability to recognize patterns to assess the representations' quality.
The task of this project is to create a sufficiently large database of device-specific basis representations to train an AI to 1) run the quantum code library tools fully automatically and 2) once ready to predict basis representations without any tools involved.
After some training, team members will be responsible to run Purdue's quantum code library on Purdue's community clusters and mid-size supercomputers to create basis representations. Once the number of available basis sets is sufficient, machine learning algorithms will be trained on reproducing basis representations first with the quantum code library and later directly from the device structures. Prof. Kubis, his team members of students and staff will guide the team on all steps involved.
Campus:
West Lafayette
Research categories:
Deep Learning, Material Modeling and Simulation, Nanotechnology
Preferred major(s):
  • No Major Restriction
Desired experience:
Some Linux experience will be helpful but can be picked up during the training phase.
School/Dept.:
Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Professor:
Tillmann Kubis

More information: www.group.tkubis.com

 

New materials for photonic integrated circuits 

Description:
Transmitting and processing information traditionally involves electronic circuits, which use electrons to do the job. The research in this project uses photons instead, which are individual units of light. These photons have some properties that make them ideal for handling information. They can move fast and carry a lot of data. However, there are still some challenges to overcome when using light for these circuits, like directing it where we want it to go, preventing it from interfering with other light, and switching it on and off when needed.
Campus:
West Lafayette
Research categories:
Advanced Packaging, Microelectronics
Preferred major(s):
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
Desired experience:
Requirements: Experience with programming in Python, C/C++, and/or MATLAB Desired experience: Enthusiasm for scientific programming. Understanding of electromagnetism (e.g., it's helpful to have previously taken ECE 30411 or equivalent). Academic Years Eligible: Juniors and seniors with the desired experience will be preferred, but all undergraduates are also eligible to apply.
School/Dept.:
Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Professor:
Peter Bermel

More information: https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/AboutUs/News/Spotlights/2023/2023-1004-nsf-ece-mse-wang

 

Novel Non-Destructive NIR Spectral Imaging Spatial Dynamics of Bone Quality 

Description:
The risk of bone fractures escalates with age, various health conditions, and the usage of specific medications like acid-suppressive drugs, steroids, and high-dose bisphosphonates. Traditionally, research on factors influencing bone fracture risk has centered on assessing bone mineral density (BMD), which falls short in fracture risk prediction. Nonetheless, multiple studies have highlighted additional contributors to fragility beyond BMD, such as alterations in bone collagen and water content. This study will expand the utility novel Fourier Transform near-infrared spectral imaging (FT-NIRSI) in discerning the spatial distribution and proportion of water and organic constituents across complete bone cross-sections throughout modulation of each individual component of bone. This will allow us, for the first time, to understand the dynamics as they relate to spatial distribution of these bone quality components and determine when changes become mechanically relevant (related to fracture risk).
Research categories:
Biological Characterization and Imaging, Deep Learning, Medical Science and Technology
Preferred major(s):
  • No Major Restriction
School/Dept.:
Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
Professor:
Rachel Surowiec
 

SCALE RH 1: Modeling radiation effects on semiconductor diodes 

Description:
One of the important limits for device operation is the space-charge limit, which corresponds to the maximum allowed current before no more electrons can be emitted into a diode. This limit is given by the Mott-Gurney law in a trap-free solid or the Mark-Helfrich law for a solid with traps distributed exponentially in energy. Because ionizing radiation will create electrons and ions in a semiconductor device, this project will involve elucidating the effect of these charges on these limits. This may include using simulations to characterize behavior or adapting analytic theories to include ionizing radiation effects.

This project is one of multiple SCALE-SURF research projects. SCALE is a microelectronics workforce development program that spans 20 universities, 50 government and industry partners, and all years of an undergraduate or graduate student’s collegiate program. In order to be eligible for a SCALE-SURF Project, you must:
1) Be a US Citizen
2) Maintain a GPA>2.80
3) Major in a field relevant to SCALE (first-year engineering or an eligible engineering major: Electrical & Computer Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering and First-Year Engineering)
If accepted, your SCALE membership will extend past Summer 2024 and provide you with numerous other opportunities. You do not have to apply to SCALE separately; if accepted, you will be fast-tracked through the SCALE admissions process.
For further questions, please reach out to scalestudentsupport@purdue.edu

Be sure to name any specific SCALE projects you’re interested in while writing your letter of interest, and include information about how you meet the required and desired experience and skills for each of these projects.
Campus:
West Lafayette
Research categories:
Radiation Hardening, Other
Citizenship requirements:
U.S. Citizen
Preferred major(s):
  • No Major Restriction
  • Nuclear Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
Desired experience:
All Engineering majors can apply. Experience with programming in Python, C/C++, and/or MATLAB. Knowledge of Mathematica is helpful, but not required. Enthusiasm for scientific programming. Understanding of radiation transport and electromagnetism. Helpful to have previously taken (or at least signed up for) NUCL 200 or 205 as well as ECE 20001 and ECE 20007. Juniors and seniors with the desired experience will be preferred, but all undergraduates are also eligible to apply.
School/Dept.:
School of Nuclear Engineering
Professor:
Allen Garner

More information: https://research.purdue.edu/scale/

 

SCALE RH 3: Hybrid radiation shielding design and multi-objective optimization 

Description:
Since there are multiple types of radiation in space environments, it is important to shield against these different sources. However, different materials have different levels of shielding against different radiation sources. In this project, we will devise a hybrid shielding material to protect against multiple sources of radiation (e.g., neutrons and protons). Enabling simulation tools for this study will primarily include Stopping Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) and Geant4.

This project is one of multiple SCALE-SURF research projects. SCALE is a microelectronics workforce development program that spans 20 universities, 50 government and industry partners, and all years of an undergraduate or graduate student’s collegiate program. In order to be eligible for a SCALE-SURF Project, you must:
1) Be a US Citizen
2) Maintain a GPA>2.80
3) Major in a field relevant to SCALE (first-year engineering or an eligible engineering major: Electrical & Computer Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering and First-Year Engineering)
If accepted, your SCALE membership will extend past Summer 2024 and provide you with numerous other opportunities. You do not have to apply to SCALE separately; if accepted, you will be fast-tracked through the SCALE admissions process.
For further questions, please reach out to scalestudentsupport@purdue.edu

Be sure to name any specific SCALE projects you’re interested in while writing your letter of interest, and include information about how you meet the required and desired experience and skills for each of these projects.
Campus:
West Lafayette
Research categories:
Radiation Hardening, Other
Citizenship requirements:
U.S. Citizen
Preferred major(s):
  • No Major Restriction
  • Nuclear Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering Technology
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Engineering Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Materials Engineering
Desired experience:
All Engineering majors can apply. Experience with programming in Python, C/C++, and/or MATLAB. Enthusiasm for scientific programming. Understanding of radiation transport and electromagnetism. Helpful to have previously taken (or at least signed up for) NUCL 200 or 205 as well as ECE 20001 and ECE 20007. Juniors and seniors with the desired experience will be preferred, but all undergraduates are also eligible to apply.
School/Dept.:
School of Nuclear Engineering
Professor:
Allen Garner

More information: https://research.purdue.edu/scale/

 

Seismic behavior of column-foundation connection 

Description:
Column-to-foundation connections are the most common type of connection in both building and bridge structures. These connections require meticulous design to withstand routine loads and, importantly, to endure extreme forces like those encountered during earthquakes. In this project, the undergraduate student will cultivate an in-depth understanding of earthquake-resistant design principles, focusing specifically on column-to-foundation connections. Collaborating with graduate students, lab technicians, and faculty member, the student will actively contribute to the development of an experimental setup, fabrication of test specimens, and the testing of small- and large-scale structures until failure. Additionally, the student is expected to showcase their findings through a poster presentation and, upon achieving the desired results, contribute to the authorship of a research paper.
Campus:
West Lafayette
Research categories:
Engineering the Built Environment, Material Modeling and Simulation, Other
Preferred major(s):
  • No Major Restriction
  • Civil Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
  • Aeronautical Engineering Technology
  • Construction Engineering
  • Construction Management Technology
  • Mechatronics Engineering Technology
  • Engineering (First Year)
  • Materials Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Multidisciplinary Engineering
Desired experience:
Willing to do hands-on work in a large-scale structural testing laboratory.
School/Dept.:
Lyles School of Civil Engineering
Professor:
Akanshu Sharma

More information: https://www.akanshusharma.com/portfolio/seismic/

 

Synthesis of energetic materials and high nitrogen compounds 

Description:
Student will be involved in the synthesis of energetic materials, and related compounds
Research categories:
Other
Citizenship requirements:
U.S. Citizen
Preferred major(s):
  • Chemistry
  • Materials Engineering
  • chemical engineering
Desired experience:
Organic synthesis lab experience necessary
School/Dept.:
School of Materials Engineering
Professor:
Davin Piercey

More information: www.davinpiercey.com

 

Synthesis of tailored carbon supports for non-oxidative methane conversion 

Description:
The student will be involved in technical and experimental training and skills for catalyst material synthesis, characterization and testing for the development of routes to form lower-CO2 footprint fuels and chemicals.
Research categories:
Energy and Environment
Preferred major(s):
  • No Major Restriction
School/Dept.:
IN
Professor:
Rajamani Gounder

More information: https://sites.google.com/site/rgounder/

 

[TEST PROJECT] - Testing Bug functionality 

Description:
This is a test project description
Research categories:
Human Factors, Internet of Things (IoT)
Citizenship requirements:
International, DACA Status
Preferred major(s):
  • No Major Restriction
Desired experience:
Any, this is a test
School/Dept.:
Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Professor:
FirstTest LastTest

More information: www.google.com