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.

ACDA: Agricultural Crop Damage Assessment

ACDA: This team will design a rotary impact device to cause impact damage to agricultural crop materials then measure the degree of damage.

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.

AI Omics: Omics and AI for Disease Biomarker Discovery

AI Omics: This team uses mass spectrometry-based proteomics, machine learning and data visualization strategies to discover disease biomarkers from biofluids for certain diseases

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.

AI4DR: AI Use in Disaster Response

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

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.

AI_Industrial IoT Implementation (AI IIOT)

AI IIoT: AI IIOT team will implement sensors and internet of things (IoT) solutions at local manufacturing companies for data collection, visualization, and AI-based predictive analytics.

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.

ASOL: Adaptive Systems and OPtimization Lab

ASOL: Adaptive Systems and Optimization Lab will focus on advancing real-time state estimation, control, and optimization techniques by integrating systems engineering principles with cutting-edge machine learning methodologies.

Accessibility and Usability Research

Conduct accessibility and usability research and analyze research data to make web-based tools, specifically CATME, more accessible.

Advanced Engineering Calculator

This team will work on developing a scientific calculator from scratch that will enhance the efficiency of how engineering students interact with calculators.

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.

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.

Bechtel IoT

Bechtel IoT: Research and Development in IoT and Edge Processing in the world of Industry 4.0

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.

Bio-Inspired Digital Twins

Bio-inspired digital twins (BioTwins) - The team will continue previous work on bio-inspired designs of the morpho butterfly and snake skin to update functional designs, manufacture, and test bio-inspired structures.

BioNanoTech (not offered Fall/Spring 2025)

The Biomedical Nanotechnology team will explore the use of nanotechnology to assist nerves with data communication in biomedical applications, such as vision restoration, cancer treatment, and nerve communication.

Biotransport

The Biotransport team uses machine-learning approaches and physical models to enhance biotransport for medical and pharmaceutical applications.

Build My Startup

This team provides opportunities for student entrepreneurs to work with experienced entrepreneurs and build the students’ startup companies.

CAST: Child Automated Speech-to-Text Team

CAST: The focus of this project is developing an automated speech-to-text program that works with young children (ages 3-5). The team will develop the algorithms for transcription and a functional interface that is user-friendly.

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.

Computational Quantum Electromagnetics (CQEM)

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.

Digital Forest Measurement

DFM: Digital Forest Measurements team will collect ground measurements, set up permanent plots, and compile existing ground and digital datasets for the ArborAmerica Walnut Thinning test plots near West Point, IN. This builds upon work that a previous student has already done on the sites.

Dynamics of Sociotechnical Systems in DIDM for College Student Success

ECELabs.io

ECELabs.io: This team maintains and develops a website to provide online access to hardware used in various ECE (and other) labs.

EHealth

We develop mobile and web-based digital health applications to improve health care operations so that community residents can maintain/improve their health outcomes and community-based care providers can plan their workforce in a more cost-benefit manner.

Earth History Visualization

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

Earth Remote Sensing with Signals of Opportunity

ERS: Design instrumentation and conduct field experiments to collect VVHF/P-band and S-band satellite signals.

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.

Electric & Autonomous Vehicles

This course aims to create a collaborative learning environment in which students will learn, discuss, and practice various aspects of electric and autonomous vehicles. Through popular open-source projects and other activities in support of evGrand Prix, students will apply their knowledge and gain real-world experience specific to the industry.

FEMTA Suborbital Spaceflight Test

FEMTA team will design and develop the hardware and software for a microgravity experiment to be flown in space on a reusable suborbital vehicle.

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.

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.

GE Robotics and Autonomous Systems

GE AI: Manufacturing robotics: This team will work with GE research to develop innovative technologies to improve the scalability, flexibility, and agility of manufacturing automation platform with robotic operations.

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 Club

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

Imaging Processing and Analysis with Applications(IPAA) I & II

IPAA: This team merges two previous VIP teams --Image Processing and Analysis (IPA) and Image-Based Mobile Phone Applications (APPS) --to balance the number of students in each section. Students can choose either Section I or II and work on similar projects. This team is eligible for senior design.

Integrated Photonics and Applications

Integrated Photonics: This team will use data from benchtop quantum optics experiments and EM simulations to design photonic integrated circuits for quantum networking

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.

Laser-Assisted Processing

LAP: This team is to perform research work in the laser-based manufacturing and materials processing area.

Lunabotics

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

MEP: GoKart

MEP eKart: In collaboration with the Minority Engineering Program (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.

Machine Learning in Motion (MLM)

MLM: This team uses machine learning to build a system that detects humans, shapes, and motion in 3D space, with the objective to create an interface that all can use in the realm of dance performance and choreography. This team will work with Purdue Division of Dance DANC 351 students to develop this new technology.

Market Failure in Legal Research

There are benefits and pitfalls to the current method of law journal publication when compared to traditional systems of peer review. The result is that scholars from historically underrepresented groups or from under-resourced schools are priced out of this market. Purdue students will engage in direct research to map out this market failure and will help propose and design possible solutions.

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.

Milestones

Milestones teams allow first-year and sophomore students to gain skills and knowledge within the context of three different areas: 1) automotive; 2) autonomous systems; and 3) grand challenges. After completing the a semester of Milestones, students will be prepared to effectively contribute to VIP teams that align with their interests and goals.

NHDRP: Hydrogen Drone Refueling

NHDRP: The Hydrogen Drone Refueling team will work with the Qiao Research group to build and test a hydrogen drone refueling station that produces hydrogen from water.

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. Can we use these data sets and make the user experiences better and grow the number of users? Can we develop business models that could help sustain NanoHUB in the long run?

Operations Research (ORSOL)

ORSOL: Operations Research (ORSOL) This team will work with industrial stakeholders to build prototype analytical solutions.

PDE-STH: Plant Disease Epidemiology Sensor Technology Hub

PDE-STH: Plant Disease Epidemiology Sensor Technology Hub team uses advanced sensor-based technologies to better characterize plant disease epidemics.

PPML: Privacy-preserving Machine Learning

PPML: This team will build a prototype for privacy-preserving machine learning to perform inference computations on the GPU without revealing sensitive data.

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.

PetroML

PetroML: Machine learning for accelerating the optimal solution of oil blending problem

Pharmaceutical research with the Eli Lilly and Company and Purdue University Research Alliance Center (Pharma with the LPRC)

Pharma with the LPRC: Students in this team will work on forefront pharmaceutical innovation questions aimed at advancing medicine and patient care to change lives around the world.

Posse: Securing Open-Source Software Ecosystem

Posse: The high-level goal of the team is to secure an open-source software ecosystem using state-of-the-art tools and techniques. There are three main thrusts (i.e., groups) in this project: static vulnerability analysis and CI best practices and hardening.

Pre-Trained Models in Deep Learning

Pre-Trained Models in Deep Learning: This team’s goal is to develop new measurements and techniques for working with pre-trained models.

Privacy-preserving Machine Learning (PPML)

PPML: PPML team will build a prototype for privacy preserving machine learning to perform inference computations on the GPU without revealing sensitive data.

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 Electric Racing

PER: This team will design, build, and tests electrical systems and power electronics for an electric vehicle.

Purdue Solar Racing (PSR)

PSR mixes aerodynamics with solar energy and mechanical design to build a solar powered car to race across America.

Python2TikZ

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

Quantum Algorithm Development

QuantAlgo: The team collaborates with IQPARC@Purdue and industry partners to create educational demonstrations and develop algorithms involving quantum information and science.

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.

Railside Robotics

Railside Robotics: This team will work on developing autonomous combat robots that interact and react to changing settings in an arena.

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.

Robotic Exploration

The team will design, build and test a set of land and water-based robots to monitor the physico-chemical conditions of watersheds.

S3: Surgical Scene Segmentation

S3: Surgical Scene Segmentation goal is to develop a Graphic User Interface (GUI) and associated backend system that can automate and visualize semantic segmentation of intraoperative imaging in keyhole surgery.

SMART MAT: Self-Sensing Materials and Structures

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

SWARMS: Multi-Agent Control Simulation Platform

SWARMS: Multi-Agent Control Simulation Platform: Creating a customizable drone swarm control and simulation platform utilizing the cloud.

SafeRegex

Enhance the regex engineering tools relied on by millions of open-source software projects.

Semiconductors@Birck

Semiconductors@Birck: This team will work on semiconductor materials and device fabrication and characterization at Birck Nanotechnology Center

Sigstore (Project Rekor)

Software Supply Chain Transparency: this team will work with industry and open source partners to build software infrastructure to cryptographically verify provenance of software

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.

Smart Water Use for Smart Cities

This team will work with researchers from CE, EEE, and IE to model and visualize industrial water use.

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.

Solar Sail

Solar sail is a technology to propel spacecrafts using the optical pressure from the sun. Two video cameras will monitor the shape of the sail to estimate the optical pressure and the acceleration.

Space-Based LyoHUB/Pharma Mfg

LyoHUB/Pharma Mfg: Participants will leverage cutting-edge technologies like CAD, virtual reality, and advanced systems to develop models and new technology in order to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing, crucial for making medicines more efficiently and accessible.

SpaceLaw: Legal Issues in Manned Spaceflight

SpaceLaw: This project involves research into legal issues arising in connection with manned spaceflight activities, with a particular focus on lunar exploration.

Study Spot Availability Tracker

The Study Spot Availability Tracker team is working on project that will make finding study spots easier for students by allowing them to check the availability of study spots on campus in real time.

TensorFlow Model Garden

This team's goal is to create a standard for worldwide machine learning model development. We are creating high-quality implementations of state-of-the-art machine learning models.

Trac-Sat

TracSat: This team will build and test various subsystems of nanosatellite and laser communications systems.

Urban Tree Canopy (project on hold)

(Project on hold for Fall 2025) Urban Tree Canopy: students will analyze urban tree canopies using Google earth photos and machine learning to determine the health and growth of urban forests.

VIP Team Name

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 Processing students will gain an understanding of cleanroom operations through VR-based experiences and learn how to design virtual twin models of semiconductor equipment and processes.Virtual Twin Development for Semiconductor Processing Team Acronym (12 characters or less): Virtual Twins@Birck Short Description: In this new course, students will gain an understanding of cleanroom operations through VR-based experiences and learn how to design virtual twin models of semiconductor equipment and processes.

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 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 - EVKart: Daniels/IBE EVKart

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 - EmpRet/IoT

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

WMS - PROLIM: Implementation of Mendix Software for Dashboard Creation

WMS - PROLIM: Utilize Mendix to develop a visual Internet of Things (IoT)/Dashboard platform to monitor and measure chiller/heater performance.

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 French Knot

WMS French Knot: Students in this VIP course will discover the key principles of effective warehouse space utilization and process optimization in the context of a design and shipping company.

WMS ManuOpt: Optimization of manufacturing processes through data

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