VIP Teams - Vertically Integrated Projects - Purdue University

3D Printing Ceramics

3D Printing Ceramics - This team will conduct 3D printing of ceramics and metallic materials. The students will use the ceramic printer in the lab and/or the metal printer in the Purdue MMRL to manufacture functional components.

A-Camera

A-Camera: Our team aims to invent next-generation cameras and visual sensors by designing novel optics, electronics, and computer vision algorithms.

AAMED: Aero Astro MEDicine engineering

AAMED: This team will support skill development for students who are interested in space medicine, human performance, space biology, and astrobiology, with the parallel goal of producing meaningful engineering and scientific results in these fields.

ABC-PV: Agri, Building, Car Integrated Solar Photovoltaics

ABC-PV: The survival of our planet depends on, among other things, the effective generation and use of renewable energy. In this project, we will explore experimentally and theoretically how solar modules can be integrated with cities, cars, building, agricultural land, to create a vast/vibrant energy resource for the humanity.

AERO: Aerodynamic research

AERO: Aerodynamic research team goal is to gain thorough knowledge of the state of the art in experimental aerodynamics research through publications and gain hardware skills for further discovery in an academic or industrial research laboratory.

AFM: Pharma LPRC Atomic Force Microscopy

This student team will focus on cutting-edge pharmaceutical research in the discovery/development areas, aiming to advance global healthcare and to benefit patients worldwide. The team will have access to advanced research technologies and will develop tools and protocols to address critical research inquiries while working with faculty affiliated with the Eli Lily and Company and Purdue University Research Alliance Center (LPRC).

AI for Software Verification

AI for Software Verification: This project will design and build software verification environments that leverage AI techniques to generate required specifications. To be considered for this team, please click this card and send your resume/CV to the faculty mentor.

AI4DR: AI for Disaster Response

AI4DR: AI for Disaster Response uses machine learning and deep learning techniques to analyze social media posts, including text and images, for disaster response tasks.

AI4SMA: Artificial Intelligence for Social Media Analysis

AI4SMA: This team uses machine learning and deep learning techniques to analyze social media posts, including text and images, for disaster response tasks.

AIDA3 - Research: AIDA3 Research AI for Autonomous Aviation

AIDA3 Research: This research project explores and develops machine-learning models to solve real-world problems in fixed-wing uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and participates in national and international competitions to advance the future of autonomous aviation that are organized both virtually and physically in your unique testing. The project is open to students from all colleges and majors (assuming that they have some basic programming and machine learning skills or have interest in organizing large scale technical competitions).

AIE: AI for Education

AI for Education: The AI in Education (AIE) team investigates the broad potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) in education, ranging from AI chatbot tutor to adaptive learning systems, intelligent content creation, and automated assessment.

AIM: Artificial Intelligence in Music

AIM: Using Artificial Intelligence to Transform Music Performers' training and practice. This project will investigate how AI technology could transform the work of future music performers for both individual practice and collaborative practice.

ARES: Autonomous Race-Engineering Systems

ARES: In ARES (Autonomous Race-Engineering Systems), we explore robotics, perception, controls, AI-ML methods, and adversarial racing strategies to develop solutions to address a variety of multi-disciplinary problems in high-speed. Autonomous Racing (AR) with real world applications across multiple modes and platforms.

ASME Wind Energy

ASME Wind Energy: The team blends mechanical design, aerodynamics, electrical systems, and business planning, making it a great option for anyone interested in renewable energy and hands-on prototyping.

Aerodynamic Design of Pikes Peak Vehicle

Pikes Peak racing is one of the most open aerodynamic motorsports series. This project will design a vehicle for Pikes Peak racing. This is a design project with simulation testing but not fabrication.

Alle IoT - Improving Battery Life in IoT Security Solutions

AlleIoT: The Allegion Improving Battery Life in IoT Security Solutions team (ALLE-IoT). In security/access control applications the preferred energy source is battery power. The ALLE-IoT team works to improve battery life by working on other sources besides the primary cell.

AutoIC: Automation and Intelligent Construction

AutoIC: This team leverages computer vision techniques (e.g., object detection, object localization, and object tracking) to support automation in engineering data analytics and construction operations using robots.

AutoVeh: Autonomous Vehicles

AutoVeh: Experience real Autonomous Racing, the Autonomous Karting Series brings together students and industry professionals to push the boundaries of innovation and showcase the future of motorsports.

Automated Layered Materials and Structures Lab (LMSL)

This team works on nanomaterial research: working with Purdue’s LMSL to synthesize and characterize novel layered materials, such as 2D MXenes via the development of an automated laboratory environment.

Autonomous Motorsports Purdue

AMP: Bridging motorsports and autonomy, AMP VIP works together with the AMP Student Club to build and autonomize go-kart platforms for autonomous go-kart racing. One of the main competitions AMP participates in is the Autonomous Kart Series (AKS), an inter-college go-kart race that takes place at the Purdue Gran Prix track, where teams test their autonomous kart and compete with each other pushing the limits of their creation at the track. The building, development and implementation of such platforms involves challenging hardware, software and mechatronics problems that students can choose to work on with highly applicable skills for industry.

BAJA

Purdue Baja Racing: This team designs, builds, and races a single-seat off-road buggy. Restricted to BAJA racing members with approval from instructor. Must have recommendation.

BDAM: Business Data Analytics in Advanced Manufacturing

BDAM: An interdisciplinary team focused on applying data science and business analytics to optimize advanced manufacturing processes using real-world datasets from MMRL.

BEFM: Biological and Environmental Fluid Mechanics

BEFM: The goal of this team is to use engineering to solve biological and environmental problems with fluid mechanics. This project will collaborate with a professor in the veterinary school by designing and fabricating an experimental setup to mimic the equine airway for measurement of particle transport in the pulmonary pathway.

Beehive Knowledge System (BEEKS)

Last year, commercial beekeepers lost 60% of their colonies from a combination of factors including varroa mite infestation, starvation, and queen death. This project works on solutions to beehive early decline using machine learning models and embedded systems.

Beyond 5G

Beyond 5G: In this VIP team, the students will lead the efforts of prototyping and evaluating various technologies that could be used in the next generation wireless communication systems.

BoilerBird

This team will develop avian-inspired, flapping-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with embedded autonomy for agile, energy-efficient flight in complex environments.

CQEM: Computational Quantum Electromagnetics

CQEM: This team will support the development of large-scale quantum information preserving computational electromagnetics modeling methods to improve the design/optimization process of a wide range of quantum technologies.

CVGM: Computer Vision and Generative Models

CVGM: Computer Vision and Generative Models team will investigate methods of generative artificial intelligence to produce images or videos based on inputs that may include text, image, video, or music. This team will define metrics that evaluate generative models' abilities and limitations to produce desired outputs.

Cage Design - Measuring Brain Activity

This team works to develop a flexible, acrylic, live animal (rat) caging system and wire tether support system to enable measurement of EEGs (brain electrical activity) during epileptic seizures.

ChainVisor

ChainVisor: The ChainVisor uses cybersecurity tools to understand and study how IoT devices are made and how they can be hacked by analyzing the security posture of IoT device software.

CubeSat Lab

CubeSat Lab: This team will design, build and test various subsystems of nanosatellite. To be considered for this team, click this card and email faculty mentor with resume/CV and statement of interest for approval.

Earth History Visualization

EHV: This team will focus initially on making our planet's history easily accessible to both public and scientific audiences.

EdTechDev: Educational Technology Development

ETD: This team develops innovative tools to enhance online learning in engineering, focusing on AI-enhanced automated grading systems, interactive content delivery, and personalized assessments.

Formula E

Formula E: Kiro Race Co. races in Formula E. The race team is based in Silverstone England but is owned by an American company, The Forest Road Company. Kiro Race Co. Formula E powertrain.

Formula SAE

FSAE: This organization has the goal of designing, testing, and manufacturing a competitive racecar. Restricted to FSAE racecar members with approval from instructor. Must have recommendation.

GAINS: Game-Dev AI NPC Simulation

GAINS: This team uses Unreal Engine to develop AI-driven NPCs and interactive environments for use in simulating complex human behaviors and dynamics. Students will develop skills in NPC and environment/level scripting, perception, and interactivity through machine learning based NPC performance trials.

Hand Assessment - Post-stroke Therapy Measurement using Webcam/Smartphone

This project aims to develop measurements using phone/webcam video capture to enable at-home assessment of hand function to determine the effectiveness of post-stroke therapy.

Humanoid Robot

Humanoid Robot: This team will engineer a walking humanoid robot with space exploration capabilities.

Indoor Vertical Farm

A fully contained vertical farming system, housed within modular containers, that enables complete control over crop growth conditions.

LAP: Laser-Assisted Processing

LAP: This team is to perform research work in the laser-based manufacturing and materials processing area. To be considered, click this card. Email resume/CV and statement of interest to faculty mentor for written approval.

Land Speed EV

Students will design a complete electric land speed record vehicle. It will be a multi-year design project involving testing and simulation but not fabrication.

Lunabotics

Lbot: The team will design, build, test and prepare an autonomous robot for a lunar mining competition sponsored by NASA.

MEPRO: Maximizing Engineering Performance Racing Organization evKart

MEPRO evKart: In collaboration with the Maximizing Engineering Performance (MEP), the GoKart team will design, build, and test go-karts for Purdue's Grand Prix competition.

Machine Learning and Polymers

Machine Learning and Polymers: Machine learning-driven experimental design of thermoplastic starch film.

Mechanical Testing Chamber for Cell (BME Team)

All cells in the body exist in a mechanically active environment. This team will design and build a sterile chamber that can be used to test different types of mechanical stress on various cell types.

NDS VTOL: Purdue National Defense Society Vertical Take Off and Landing

This team will work with the Purdue National Defense Society to build an autonomous VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) drone. To be part of this team, active participation in Purdue National Defense Society is required.

NanoHUB: Growing Global Impact Data Analytics and Machine Learning

NanoHUB: NanoHUB has served millions of visitors with online lectures and tutorials and enables 18,000 users annually to run over a million simulations. We have gathered millions of historical data sets over the last 10 years and are leaders in the world of science gateways. To be considered for this team, click the card and send resume/CV and statement of interest the faculty mentor. An interview is required for approval.

NextGW: Power Grid Hosting Capacity Visualization

NextGW: Power Grid Hosting Capacity Visualization develops interactive geospatial visualizations of power grid hosting capacity for new electrical loads, including AI data centers and EV charging stations, across U.S. transmission networks, using open-source grid models, ISO generation data, and interconnection queue datasets to assess present and future capacity.

Operations Research (ORSOL)

ORSOL: Operations Research (ORSOL) This team will work with industrial stakeholders to build prototype analytical solutions. To be considered, click this card and email resume/CV and statement of interest to faculty mentor.

OptiChat: Making Optimization Models Explainable with Agentic AI (in collaboration with Chewy)

OptiChat: This project explores how agentic AI, optimization, and data analysis can be combined to make large-scale decision models more interpretable in real-world settings. In collaboration with Chewy, students will help extend the OptiChat framework, which uses large language models and structured tool use to explain optimization results, compare model runs, interpret sensitivity information, and draw insights from historical solutions without requiring repeated re-solves. The project is especially relevant for students interested in optimization, machine learning, and practical decision-support systems, and offers hands-on experience at the intersection of optimization, AI, and industry applications.

PER: Purdue Electric Racing

PER: This team will design, build, and tests electrical systems and power electronics for an electric vehicle. Restricted to PER members with approval from instructor. Must have recommendation.

PURT-UAS: Purdue UAS Research and Test Facility - Unmanned Aerial System

PURT-UAS: Formerly AFRL-UAS is hands-on Unmanned Aerial Systems research at Purdue’s world class indoor motion capture environment, Hangar 4. Direct collaboration and support from AFRL (Air Force Research Labs) Aerospace Systems Directorate.

Pharma LPRC - Atomic Force Microscopy

AFM: This student team (Atomic Force Microscopy) will focus on cutting-edge pharmaceutical research in the discovery/development areas, aiming to advance global healthcare and to benefit patients worldwide. The team will have access to advanced research technologies and will develop tools and protocols to address critical research inquiries while working with faculty affiliated with the Eli Lily and Company and Purdue University Research Alliance Center (LPRC).

Pharma LPRC - Chemical Microspectroscopy

This student team will focus on development and application of instrumentation using ultrafast lasers for studies of materials and interfaces. A key emphasis is on the role of chirality (molecular handedness) in driving both biological function and microspectroscopy observables.

Pharma LPRC - Image Anal. Drug Injection Therapeutic Transp.: Enhancing Image Analysis for Characterizing Drug Injection and Therapeutic Transport

This student team will focus on cutting-edge pharmaceutical research in the discovery/development areas, aiming to advance global healthcare and to benefit patients worldwide. The team will have access to advanced research technologies and will develop tools and protocols to address critical research inquiries while working with faculty affiliated with the Eli Lily and Company and Purdue University Research Alliance Center (LPRC).

Pharma LPRC - Microfluidic Sys Therapeutics Transp.: Microfluidic system for studying the transport of therapeutics.

This student team will focus on cutting-edge pharmaceutical research in the discovery/development areas, aiming to advance global healthcare and to benefit patients worldwide. The team will have access to advanced research technologies and will develop tools and protocols to address critical research inquiries while working with faculty affiliated with the Eli Lily and Company and Purdue University Research Alliance Center (LPRC).

Pharma LPRC - Pregnancy Therapeutics Transp.: Fluidic device for studying the transport of therapeutics during pregnancy

This student team will focus on cutting-edge pharmaceutical research in the discovery/development areas, aiming to advance global healthcare and to benefit patients worldwide. The team will have access to advanced research technologies and will develop tools and protocols to address critical research inquiries while working with faculty affiliated with the Eli Lily and Company and Purdue University Research Alliance Center (LPRC).

Pharma LPRC - Robotics. Contact-Physics Mobile Picker

This student team will focus on cutting-edge pharmaceutical research in the robotics area, aiming to advance global healthcare and to benefit patients worldwide. The team will have access to advanced research technologies and will develop tools and protocols to address critical research inquiries while working with faculty affiliated with the Eli Lily and Company and Purdue University Research Alliance Center (LPRC).

Pharma LPRC - Robotics. Geometry-First AMR: Robotics. Geometry-First "Scoop, Cage, Slide" AMR

This student team will focus on cutting-edge pharmaceutical research in the robotics area, aiming to advance global healthcare and to benefit patients worldwide. The team will have access to advanced research technologies and will develop tools and protocols to address critical research inquiries while working with faculty affiliated with the Eli Lily and Company and Purdue University Research Alliance Center (LPRC).

Pharma LPRC - Subcutaneous Injection Dynamics: Analyzing subcutaneous injection dynamics in situations

This student team will focus on cutting-edge pharmaceutical research in the discovery/development areas, aiming to advance global healthcare and to benefit patients worldwide. The team will have access to advanced research technologies and will develop tools and protocols to address critical research inquiries while working with faculty affiliated with the Eli Lily and Company and Purdue University Research Alliance Center (LPRC).

Pharma LPRC – CIPHER: Cellular Immuno-engineering, Physiological systems, and Healthcare-driven Research

CIPHER aims to advance next-generation immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders, by combining immunoengineering with advanced manipulation of the immune system for therapeutic use. Through the design and analysis of cellular and tissue systems and models, including immune cells and their interactions with tissues and diseases, the research seeks to deepen understanding of immune function and enhance therapeutic efficacy. In parallel, the project develops physiologically relevant organoid systems, including brain-like tissues, to study interactions between engineered immune cells and complex disease microenvironments. Together, these complementary approaches provide a robust framework for uncovering disease mechanisms, optimizing immune-based strategies, and accelerating the translation of innovative therapies.

Pre-trained Models: Pre-trained Models in Deep Learning and Software Engineering

Pre-trained Models: This team's goal is to develop new measurements and techniques for working with pre-trained models.

Program Analysis as a Service

This group works on integrating security education into programming courses. Specifically, we focus on developing frameworks and infrastructure to use existing security tools in the curriculum.

Purdue Aerial Robotics Team (PART)

Purdue Aerial Robotics Team (PART): This team works with the IEEE chapter's PART committee to develop autonomous UAV platforms with computer vision and machine learning applications.

Purdue National Defense Society Vertical Take Off and Landing

NDS VTOL: This team will work with the Purdue National Defense Society to build an autonomous VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) drone

Purdue Solar Racing

Over the decades, Purdue Solar Racing has grown from humble beginnings into a successful and innovative collegiate solar car team. Our mission to build world class solar vehicles while spreading the benefits of sustainability has continued to push us to innovate. We have designed 11 vehicles to date and competed in races including: Formula Sun Grand Prix, American Solar Challenge, and Shell Eco-Marathon.

Python2TikZ

Python2TikZ: The team will develop open-source python code to convert figures into TikZ code for laTeX documents.

Race to Zero (R2Z): Supply Chain of Critical Minerals Needed in the Energy Transition for a Sustainable Future

R2Z: Supply Chain of Critical Minerals Needed in the Energy Transition for a Sustainable Future: The energy transition, which is increasing demand for critical minerals and metals, is putting pressure on the mining sector. Key to managing the critical minerals supply gap is assessing the inherent risks and opportunities. To hit net-zero emissions globally by 2050 (Race-to-Zero), the energy industry will require six times more mineral inputs by 2040.

RoBoat: Autonomous Maritime Maneuvers (formerly NSWC AIMM)

RoBoat: RoBoat participates in the AIMM ICC competition, where students build an autonomous boat and develop the software to pass a series of challenges given by the competition. This project involves hands on problems, development of the sensor suite for the boat, algorithms capable of autonomizing the boat, including perception, path planning, controls, localization, integration and simulation.

RoboMaster

RoboMaster: This team will develop computer vision and artificial intelligent systems for the robots in RoboMaster Club.

SMART MAT: Self-Sensing Materials and Structures

SMART MAT: This team will create and analyze smart materials capable of intrinsically assessing their condition.

Semiconductors@Birck

Semiconductors@Birck: This team will work on semiconductor materials and device fabrication and characterization at Birck Nanotechnology Center. This team does NOT accept first-year students. To be considered, please click for details to complete the Semiconductors@Birck Questionnaire.

Smart Cities: Data Science for Smart Cities

Smart Cities: This project aims to conduct interdisciplinary research to develop data analytics tools using robotics and autonomous sensing.

SoCET - System on Chip Extension Technologies

SoCET: The SoCET team provides students with a comprehensive System on Chip design, fabrication and testing that is as similar to industry practice. To be considered, please click for details to complete the SoCET Application.

TML: Trustworthy Machine Learning

TML: In Trustworthy Machine Learning the students explore the space of trustworthy machine learning including requirements such as privacy, fairness, and robustness. The students will evaluate attacks and defenses in this space, and build a system to understand their interactions with each other.

Video Analytics for Understanding Animal Behavior

VAA: This team image and video processing to analyze animals in their habitat.

Virtual Twins@Birck

Virtual Twins@Bick: Virtual Twin Development for Semiconductor Fabrication students will be involved in developing VR-based experiences to gain an understanding of cleanroom operations and simultaneously learn details of semiconductor fabrication equipment & processes. To be considered for this team, please click for details to complete the Virtual Twins@Birck Questionnaire.

WMS - AR/VR/Meta

MWS AR/VR/Meta: The project will entail building a new world in Horizon world that emulates a social space for students in Purdue to experience using VR headsets.

WMS - EVKart Marketing

WMS - EV GoKart: Work as a team to modify and optimize the Krannert/IBE EV Go Kart. Strategize marketing tactics and sponsorship opportunities. Participate in community outreach projects. Combining all to have a chance to win the EV Go Kart Race.

WMS - EVKart Operations

WMS - EV GoKart: Work as a team to modify and optimize the Krannert/IBE EV Go Kart. Strategize marketing tactics and sponsorship opportunities. Participate in community outreach projects. Combining all to have a chance to win the EV Go Kart Race.

WMS - IoT

WMS - IoT: Work with Laser Scanners, 3D Printers, and Virtual Reality to integrate technologies together to develop an end result.

WMS - UAS: Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Certificated Remote Pilot

WMS - UAS: Learn the ins and outs to pass the FAA’s initial aeronautical knowledge exam: “Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG). You will earn your certificate drone pilot license during the semester and work with corporate partners to do test flights.

WMS EmpRet: WMS Employee Retention

WMS Employee Retention: This team will work with a global manufacturing company to develop a new employee retention system that includes digital Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs) and other means of connecting relevant employee and demographic data.

WMS ManufOpt: Optimization of manufacturing processes through data

Working to improve manufacturing processes through data collection for tool life and part quality.