Events

SURE Student Researchers

Spring 2025 will showcase 68 students and over 40 unique research projects at the SURE Poster Fair. Meet the 2025 SURE students and preview their research below.

Note: you can filter projects by department/major.

All Atmospheric ScienceChemical and Biological EngineeringCivil & Environmental EngineeringElectrical and Computer EngineeringMechanical EngineeringSchool of Biomedical EngineeringSystems Engineering
SURE presentor photo

Assessing the Effectiveness of Machine Learning for Rainfall Prediction Using Radar Data

Isabel Rowan
Precise rainfall predictions enable timely decision-making to prevent damage from sudden weather changes, ensuring better preparedness and resource management. RainNet, a machine learning model designed to predict short-term rainfall using radar data, has been widely used in weather prediction systems. However, its effectiveness on different radar datasets has yet to be thoroughly evaluated. This project aims to assess whether applying RainNet to our radar data provides useful and accurate predictions. By preparing the radar data to match the model’s input format and running the model, we will analyze its predictions, identify any challenges or areas for improvement, and determine if RainNet is a viable tool for rainfall prediction for our radar data.
Department:
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Venkatachalam Chandrasekar
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Advancing Transportation Engineering: Sustainable and Equitable Innovations

Jenny Gutierrez
Have you ever wondered what Transportation Engineering is? Well, good news, we plan on incorporating it into our classes so students can better understand what it is and where we use it. Transportation engineering shapes the way people move, from roads and traffic signals to the public transit networks that connect communities. Although as cities grow and technology advances engineers must design systems that are not only efficient but also sustainable. Transportation must continuously adapt to meet sustainability and accessibility demands, but at the same time, it remains one of the biggest contributors to air pollution and climate change. Impacting both the environment and public health. Poor air quality from vehicle emissions has also disproportionately affected communities near highways and freight corridors, linking transportation design to broader issues of environmental equity. Studies have shown that residents living in high traffic areas experience higher exposure to pollution which leads to increased risks of various health risks. For engineers, addressing these challenges requires solutions that not only reduce emissions but also promote a more sustainable and equitable transportation system.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Pinar Omur-Ozbek
SURE presentor photo

Advancing Transportation Engineering: Sustainable and Equitable Innovations

Maegan Griffin
Have you ever wondered what Transportation Engineering is? Well, good news, we plan on incorporating it into our classes so students can better understand what it is and where we use it. Transportation engineering shapes the way people move, from roads and traffic signals to the public transit networks that connect communities. Although as cities grow and technology advances engineers must design systems that are not only efficient but also sustainable. Transportation must continuously adapt to meet sustainability and accessibility demands, but at the same time, it remains one of the biggest contributors to air pollution and climate change. Impacting both the environment and public health. Poor air quality from vehicle emissions has also disproportionately affected communities near highways and freight corridors, linking transportation design to broader issues of environmental equity. Studies have shown that residents living in high traffic areas experience higher exposure to pollution which leads to increased risks of various health risks. For engineers, addressing these challenges requires solutions that not only reduce emissions but also promote a more sustainable and equitable transportation system.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Pinar Omur-Ozbek
SURE presentor photo

Advancing Transportation Engineering: Sustainable and Equitable Innovations

Solomon Baum
Transportation engineering shapes the way people move, from roads and traffic signals to the public transit networks that connect communities. Although as cities grow and technology advances engineers must design systems that are not only efficient but also sustainable. Transportation must continuously adapt to meet sustainability and accessibility demands, but at the same time, it remains one of the biggest contributors to air pollution and climate change. Impacting both the environment and public health.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Pinar Omur-Ozbek
SURE presentor photo

AI use in Engineering

Alex Ek
The research is import as AI grows more and more protonate with each year, with each year AI becoming more accessible for any user such as engineers. We've observed several Engineering students using AI and this led to the question as to why do engineers use AI and how it might possible affect them either as a assistant or a crutch or maybe even neither; we want to analyze the possible affects of AI and why someone might use it to help those who find this research decide what AI is to them and or compare to their experience with AI.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Becki Atadero
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An Analysis of Atmospheric Precision and it's Effects on Atmospheric Backtracking and Weather Prediction

Curtis Sims
In colorado the vast majority of precipitation falls on the western slope while the vast majority of water users reside east of the continental divide. Because if this ensuring that the State can satisfy water needs relies on accurate prediction of the ammount of water that will fall and where it falls in colorado. Currently in colorado, precipitation inducing chemicals are being seeded and inducing small ammounts of rainfall. To see which of these chemical seeding locations are most effective we can use atmospheric backtracking to see which weather patterns deliver these chemicals to where we want them. Because of the complex nature of this research, the more accurate the data we input, theoretically the more accurate the output. Therefore it is vitally important to compare and contraste different accuracies to acheive the desired result.
Department:
Department of Atmospheric Science
Faculty Mentor:
Sonia Kreidenweis
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Anaerobic Digestion Kinectics Model

Hannah Katzer
Anaerobic digestion is a crucial biochemical process in which diverse microbial communities break down organic waste, producing valuable products such as methane and volatile fatty acids (VFAs). These VFAs, particularly short-chain and medium-chain fatty acids, serve as important precursors for biofuels, making anaerobic digestion a promising avenue for sustainable energy production. However, optimizing this process to enhance fatty acid yield remains a challenge due to the complex microbial interactions and reaction kinetics involved. To address this, kinetic modeling using Python provides a powerful computational approach to understanding and optimizing anaerobic digestion. By simulating microbial activity and biochemical pathways, models can help identify key factors influencing fatty acid production and suggest engineering strategies to improve efficiency. This research focuses on developing and optimizing a kinetic model for anaerobic digestion using computational workflows in Python. The overarching goal is to enhance the production of valuable fatty acid products, ultimately contributing to advancements in biofuel technology and sustainable waste management.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Joshua Chan
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Analyzing Data from Rivers to Understand Historical and Future Flood Risks

Rob Iliff
Analyzing data from rivers is important because it allows us to understand the timing, frequency, and duration of floods in various places. This is done by taking USGS (United States Geological Survey) data from 247 different water sheds over the past 30 years from Colorado and studying them. These sites are analyzed to understand how characteristics of a river, such as size, influence other aspects, like flood duration. One question this project explores is how much water is provided during floods and whether this water is important for the water supply. With this information we can see how much water is available at certain seasons, how much water will be accessible in the future, and much more.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Frances Davenport
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Artificial Neural Network of the Ultraviolet Advanced Oxidation Process for Desalination Energy Efficiency

Darwin Schindler
The goal of this research is to create a digital twin in the form of an artificial neural network of an ultraviolet advanced oxidation process implemented by a water desalination facility in order to mimic dynamic operations. This will allow us to optimize the process and evaluate costs related to chemical and energy expenses.
Department:
Department of Systems Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Steve Conrad
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Assembly and Testing of Custom High Vacuum Chamber for Soft X-ray Magnetic Imaging

Richard Freddy Alania Canto
Soft x-rays, due to their shorter wavelength than visible light, can be used for increased spatial resolution to image magnetic materials. The problem is soft x-ray lasers are easily absorbed in air, so its environment is critical to its usefulness. We need a low enough vacuum level in order to make sure the soft x-rays can hit our magnetic samples mounted on specialized stepper motors and be read by our detector. Therefore, the goal of this project is to build and test a vacuum chamber and integrate our vacuum compatible motorized stages.
Department:
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Jorge Rocca
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Assembly and Testing of Cybersecurity Devices

Sylvia Ingegneri
The goal of this project was to assemble the UTHP cybersecurity device and document our process. The device hasn't been assembled before and we were the first to do so, so documentation was essential.
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Jeremy Daily
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Biodegradation of Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater: Bioreactor Optimization

Cynthia Lam
Modern wastewater is contaminated with numerous pharmaceuticals resulting from improper disposal or incomplete processing by patients. These drugs, even at minuscule concentrations, can pose serious risks to both aquatic ecosystems and public health. While mechanical and chemical removal processes exist, they are not effective for all drugs. Our goal is to improve future research through increasing biomass yield without disruption to pharmaceuticals consumption in wastewater microbiomes. In this experiment, differently fed bioreactors are monitored for the degradation of two common contaminants, acetaminophen and estradiol, in addition to bacterial culture growth.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Susan De Long
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Biodegradation of Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater: Bioreactor Optimization

Vivian Berens
Our current wastewater system is broadly contaminated with hundreds of different pharmaceuticals. These drugs, even at minuscule concentrations, can pose serious health risks to both aquatic ecosystems and public health. While there currently exists a body of effective removal processes to help eliminate these contaminants from wastewater, our goal is to improve an alternative method of biodegradation. Through this study, we hope to better understand the behavior and genetic potential of a mixed microbe culture capable of pharmaceutical degradation. In this experiment, the biodegradation of two common contaminants, acetaminophen and estradiol, were tracked throughout a 14-day trial in aerobic bioreactors. While biomass was collected and sampled to extract activated DNA for further research testing.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Susan De Long
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Biomolecular Crystal Engineering

Helen Goldberg
In pursuit of a biomolecular scaffold crystal, the Snow lab is growing variants of DNA Protein co-crystals with large solvent channel pores. These crystals contain DNA struts that are exposed to these solvent channels. The project goals are to (1) grow crystals containing DNA-binding sites for protein guests, (2) soak in guest proteins capable of binding specifically these DNA struts, and (3) determine the structure of these guest proteins via X-ray diffraction. This family of high-precision biomaterials has diverse applications in structural biology, bionanotechnology, and therapeutic delivery. In all of these applications it would be very useful to have a variety of DNA-binding protein guests. My contribution to this project has been crystallizing a DNA sequence corresponding to a small protein guest, transcriptional activator GNC4 (mini coiled coils). We achieved this by precisely mixing designed proteins with DNA and precipitants to grow biomolecular crystals. We then load the guest protein (mini coiled coils) using diffusion through the host crystal.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Christopher Snow
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Classification of Radar Images Using Machine Learning

Jesse Kiedrowski
When radars receive data, some of that data is of interest, while some of it is not. When someone sorts this data manually, it can be difficult and time-consuming to do it accurately. This problem is more challenging with weather radars. One potential solution is to develop an AI model that can classify data points based on different radar products. Our research aims to determine how effective an AI model is at sorting radar data into information we are interested in, precipitation or not interested in, bugs, mountains, or noise.
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Venkatachalam Chandrasekar
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Comparing OBM Material and Scaffold Properties for Cell Growth Potential

Tanner Looney
Cell cultures must be kept in an ideal environment to allow for their growth and mimic the body. They must also be handled with great care to avoid contamination throughout all stages of the process. This research project aims to grow osteoblasts and conduct a cell study to determine the cytotoxicity of our deproteinized ovine bone mineral (OBM) and compare the proliferation and differentiation of the cells on 3-D printed OBM scaffolds vs injection molded OBM solid material (slabs).
Department:
School of Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
David Prawel
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Creating Nano-Structured Targets to Increase Laser Absorption and Ion Acceleration in Petawatt Lasers

Jay Suthar
Laser ion acceleration is of particular importance for inertial fusion energy research as the ultra-intense plasma conditions are conducive for fusion processes. This can be studied by engineering nanowires through a process of complex chemistry and nanowire growth. After development, the quality is verified using a Scanning Electron Microscope. The nanowires then get irradiated by high-power lasers to observe the laser-matter interactions which are conducive for fusion.
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Jorge Rocca
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Design and Fabrication of a Custom Microplate Cassette for Quantitative Measurement of Intracrystalline Fluorescent Guest

Luis Alfredo Cortes Rodriguez
This project aims to design a custom microplate cassette capable of time-resolved measurements of fluorescence changes in a solution containing crystals that absorb fluorescent guest molecules. The design follows the ANSI/SBS standard 96-well microplate footprint dimensions. The modifications of the footprint strive for the betterment of crystal handling as well as the localization of the crystals within the well. Minimization of the liquid volume solution while simultaneously maximizing the signal. The front and back of the main volume should be optically clear for the path light to perform top or bottom readings. These constraints guided the design to be manufactured on clear resin, modeled and structured by a 3D printer. The idea is to incorporate custom inserts into the microplate footprint. Finally, the device will be tested with biomolecular crystals and solutions of fluorescent nucleic acid to obtain a binding isotherm. This work will allow us to characterize the ability of crystals to grab guest molecules from solution in pursuit of applying crystals for bio sensing, drug capture, and DNA barcoding.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Christopher Snow
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Developing a Sustainable System for Hydrogen Energy Production

Jason Furman
Hydrogen power is a source of renewable energy which continues to be researched and improved upon every day. This project focuses on the installation and development of a system which will produce hydrogen to use as an alternative source of renewable energy to power facilities, automobiles, and other systems.
Department:
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Bret Windom
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Developing an Automated Testing Bench for Integrated Silicon Photonics

Andrew Weskamp
Our project aims to develop a testing bench that can be utilized to research integrated silicon photonics. Silicon photonics are devices used in silicon integrated circuits where light is used to relay signals rather than electricity. This allows for a much faster processing time since light travels significantly faster. We hope to develop an application program interface or API that will allow us to move our hexapod station more freely and independently from the current software being utilized. The significance of being able to develop our testing bench is that it allows for many more degrees of freedom when testing a silicon photonic and provides many more testing applications for future endeavours involving the test bench.
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Mahdi Nikdast
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Development of a Laser Diode-Pumped Pre-Amplifier for Fusion Studies

Maxwell Wall
At CSU, we utilize chirp-pulse amplification in the research of fusion energy at out laser lab. In this project we aim to develop an improved pre-amplifying setup. Custom laser diodes will be used to pump a slab of Neodymium-doped yttrium lithium fluoride (Nd YLF) to boost a seed laser to achieve the energy needed to pass through a laser diode-pumped amplifier. The Nd YLF slab had already been obtained, and the pre-amp assembly will be designed in correlation to the existing slab using SolidWorks CAD. The parts will be machined using SolidWorks CAM designs and the Haas VF-series CNC machines at the ERC.
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Jorge Rocca
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Development of a Standardized Protocol for Extensometer-Based Strain Measurement in Tensile Testing

Sarah Goudjil
The Prawel lab aims to regenerate bone in cases with extreme bone loss, such as in trauma cases or bone cancer. This approach allows for highly porous bone regeneration scaffolds that will enable a structural foundation and optimized conditions to maximize the rate and maturity of new bone growth. To accomplish this goal, many aspects need to be studied, which comprise the main research goals of the lab. I am contributing to the research effort by conducting mechanical testing using an extensometer to measure strain and stress. My work involves collecting and analyzing data to evaluate if the extensometer is a good way to measure stress and strain in comparison to a Tinius Olsen machine. Additionally, I am documenting the procedure and results to be able to contribute to the lab's ongoing research efforts.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
David Prawel
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Development oF A Stratospheric Balloon Hyperspectral Microwave Radiometer for Planetary Boundary Layer Observation

Dmitri Gorely
This project will help advance the research monitoring the planetary boundary layer. Current techniques of doing this are limited by their microwave radiometer, only catching a small spectrum. The goal of this project is to attempt to broaden the spectrum of the microwave radiometer in hopes of more accurate reading of the planetary boundary. This project will be sent up in a weather balloon and collect data, before eventually getting put into Satellite that get sent to space. This data will be used for a variety of things, such as predicting weather and looking into hurricanes.
Department:
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Steven Reising
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Effects of Plowing on Snowpack Density

Evan Gouldey
Snowpack is a critical source of water for communities in the West, but snowpack can vary substantially in space and time. Thus, accurate estimation of snow water equivalent (SWE) across watersheds for water resources planning remains difficult. Cosmic ray neutron rovers have been proposed as a method for mapping SWE. These sensors can be mounted on vehicles and used to estimate the snowpack within a radius of about 200 m around the vehicle along a plowed highway corridor. However, the measurements of such sensors are affected by snow plowing on the roads. As such, the impacts of plowing on the snowpack need to be understood, especially the density of snowpack, as snow depth is straightforward to measure. This understanding will allow for more accurate estimates of the undisturbed SWE. This study aimed to quantify the effects of snow plowing and augering on the shape, size, density, and SWE of snowbanks and how they vary throughout the winter season.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Jeffrey Niemann
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Electrochemical Conversion of Nitric Oxide into Ammonia.

Maisa Volk
Nitric oxide is a component of acid rain and can damage the environment. It is a major pollutant to the environment causing harm to organisms and the surrounding but has the potential to be converted to ammonia through an electrochemical process. Ammonia is a major component of fertilizers, cleaning products, and wastewater treatment. There are countless positive influences of ammonia, and through a multi-step electrochemical conversion process nitric oxide can be converted. Using metal catalysts electrons can be transferred through the anode and cathode, adjusting factors such as the catalysts, pressure difference, and the hydration of electrolytes alters the amount of ammonia recovery of the process.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Reza Nazemi
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Electrochemical Nitrous Oxide Reduction

Alex Guthrie
Wastewater, specifically in agricultural areas, tends to have nitrogen pollution as a result of runoff. Although this pollution is generally harmful to the environment and organisms in the surroundings, specifically contributing to climate change. However, it has the potential to be harnessed and reused. This process not only cleans polluted water, but can green ammonia-based fertilizers or clean energies when recovered. Especially because green ammonia is such a widely internationally produced chemical, finding ways to sustainably recover ammonia from wastewater can revolutionize fertilizer and renewable energy production. Using an electrochemical reactor cell, electricity can be sent through anode and cathodes plates to recover ammonia or nitrogen from water in various forms. Changing the catalyst of the solution can improve the energy efficiency and ammonia recovery levels to make this the most efficient system possible.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Reza Nazemi
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Elucidating Microbial Interactions in Soil Microbial Communities

Leila Rinaldis
Bacteria Bacillus subtilis is beneficial to plant life and could be utilized further in the microbial community. B. sub is a model organism present in the soil, efficient in producing xylanase, an important enzyme during the process of lignocellulose degradation. Our primary question is how does B. sub interact with other bacterial strains? When testing how B. sub interacts with different species, we monitor the xylanase secretion of B. sub and the synthetic community. We then use luminescence emitted from a luciferase-fused xylanase and xylanase assay to understand how well B. sub performs in this community. This will tell us if B. sub is compatible with certain species, and how we can use compatibility to our advantage in the future. This research will provide basic knowledge of interactions between microorganisms which play a pivotal role in the environment and its function.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Joshua Chan
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Elucidating Microbial Interactions in Soil Microbial Communities

Ashley Tieszen
Bacteria Bacillus subtilis is beneficial to plant life and could be utilized further in the microbial community. B. sub is a model organism present in the soil, efficient in producing xylanase, an important enzyme during the process of lignocellulose degradation. Our primary question is how does B. sub interact with other bacterial strains? When testing how B. sub interacts with different species, we monitor the xylanase secretion of B. sub and the synthetic community. We then use luminescence emitted from a luciferase-fused xylanase and xylanase assay to understand how well B. sub performs in this community. This will tell us if B. sub is compatible with certain species, and how we can use compatibility to our advantage in the future. This research will provide basic knowledge of interactions between microorganisms which play a pivotal role in the environment and its function.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Joshua Chan
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Engineering Uniformity Masks for Ion Beam Deposition System for Optical Coating

Carson Ritvo
The project aims to enhance the lens coating process for the Spector Ion beam-assisted deposition system used in research at Colorado State University. These lenses play a critical role in our high-power laser lab. My specific research focus is on designing uniformity masks to improve coating consistency, addressing the current issue of uneven deposition. Additionally, I am developing a hollow axle for the planetary system to integrate real-time layer detection, enhancing coating precision in the future. My research will specifically examine the design and fabrication of these uniformity maks to ensure their effectiveness in achieving optimal lens coatings. Faculty mentor: Prof. Carmen Menoni
Department:
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Jorge Rocca
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Enhancing Wind Resilience in Solar Tracker Systems: A CFD Simulation Approach

Murtazokhon Abdulkhakimov
The efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems can be significantly improved through the use of solar trackers, which optimize the alignment of solar panels with the sun. However, these systems, especially single-axis trackers, are vulnerable to high winds due to their relatively low torsional stiffness. This project aims to enhance the resilience of solar tracker systems to wind-induced stresses by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to analyze the impact of wind on the tracker’s structural integrity. By identifying effective aerodynamic mitigation strategies, we aim to improve the wind speed tolerance of solar trackers, ensuring greater stability and reliability in variable weather conditions.
Department:
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Yanlin Guo
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Enhancing Wind Resilience of Single-Axis Solar Trackers Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Ellen Raad
As demand for renewable energy grows, solar energy from photovoltaic systems has become a promising renewable energy source. Photovoltaic systems achieve the highest energy efficiency when sunlight strikes them at normal incidence, or perpendicular to the panel. However, traditional fixed solar panels only reach this optimal angle once a day, limiting their overall energy efficiency. Solar tracking systems address this challenge by dynamically orienting the panels towards the sun throughout the day, optimizing energy production. Among various tracking mechanisms, horizontal single-axis trackers are widely used in large-scale solar farms. However, these structures are sensitive to wind loads, including aerodynamic loads that can induce instabilities such as vortex-induced vibration, flutter, and galloping. These instabilities can compromise the structural integrity of the trackers, leading to damage or mechanical failure of the trackers under strong winds. This study focuses on increasing the resilience of solar trackers to high wind speeds by enhancing their critical flutter speed through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Yanlin Guo
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Equilibrium MD Simulations of Tiling Patterns Formed by ABC Stars Using Automated Workflow

Thomas Miller
Block copolymers can self-assemble into a variety of nanostructures, making them highly valuable for applications in nanotechnology, materials science, and drug delivery. Understanding their self-assembly and morphological transitions is crucial for designing these materials with tailored properties. In this project, we use the automated workflow developed in our group to perform molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of ABC mikto-arm star triblock terpolymers (i.e., stars). The workflow uses an Excel worksheet to input the simulation parameters, performs simulations in parallel using HOOMD-blue, calculates various quantities (e.g., the mean-square chain radius of gyration, interaction energy, pressure tensor, and order parameter), plots the data, and finally summarizes important simulation results back into the worksheet. The primary goal of this project is to investigate the structures and thermodynamic properties of the [8.8.4] and (3.3.4.3.4) tiling patterns formed by ABC stars. Furthermore, by directly comparing the simulation results with the self-consistent field (SCF) predictions of the same model, we unambiguously quantify the consequences of the mean-field approximation employed in the latter, providing deeper insights into the self-assembly of ABC stars.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Qiang Wang
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Fort Collins Intelligent Traffic Light System (ATMS Model)

Cecilia Neuheardt
This system is an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) designed to optimize traffic flow and improve signal control in Fort Collins. It integrates intelligent traffic signals, vehicle detection sensors, pedestrian signaling, and a fiber-optic communication network to enable real-time monitoring and adaptive traffic control. A centralized Transportation Management Center (TMC) oversees operations, using data from cameras, radar, and inductive loop sensors to adjust signal timing as necessary. Additionally, I will model the integration of a preemptive system that allows emergency vehicles to safely pass through intersections by prioritizing their passage with automatic signal adjustments. The purpose of this system is to optimize traffic flow and improve safety in Fort Collins through intelligent traffic signals and real-time monitoring. It will also compare the impact of adding a preemptive system for emergency vehicles, assessing how it enhances response times and intersection efficiency. The scope covers the Fort Collins traffic network, including a centralized TMC, vehicle sensors, pedestrian signals, and fiber-optic communication, with an evaluation of the preemptive system’s effect on emergency vehicle prioritization.
Department:
Department of Systems Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Daniel Herber
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Generative AI Assistant for Enhancing Drinking Water Treatment Operations

Noah Liming
Drinking Water Treatment Plants (DWTPs) rely on extensive physical documentation, such as reports, manuals, and operational procedures, which are essential for informed decision-making in treatment processes. However, due to the sheer volume and complexity of these documents, operators often struggle to access and interpret critical information efficiently. This can lead to delays, inefficiencies, and increased risks in plant performance. This research explores the potential of Generative AI as an AI-powered assistant to enhance the accessibility and usability of DWTP documentation. By leveraging OpenAI’s latest ChatGPT model, the study aims to develop a prototype AI agent capable of providing accurate, context-aware responses to treatment operators. Specifically, the AI will be trained using open access data available from water utilities and expert-driven Q&A data to support the coagulation-flocculation treatment process.
Department:
Department of Systems Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Steve Conrad
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Harnessing Chitin as a Feedstock for Microbial Jet Fuel Production

Jessie Stong
The De Long lab focuses on using food waste and inoculum, groups of microorganisms, to produce Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) which are precursors to produce jet fuel. In this research project we worked on analyzing a different feedstock, crab shells. The seafood industry generates a large amount of waste in crab shells which go unused. These shells contain chitin which is a type of carbohydrate molecule which humans can’t process but certain microorganisms can. In previous literature, chitin has been found to inhibit methane production which is a less desirable and profitable product compared to VFAs. This research project aims to deepen our understanding of chitin digestion, measure VFAs and methane production, and identify the dominant microorganisms that thrive in the presence of chitin. This project was done in collaboration with Elsie Morris.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Susan De Long
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Harnessing Chitin as a Feedstock for Microbial Jet Fuel Production

Elsie Morris
The De Long lab focuses on using food waste and inoculum, groups of microorganisms, to produce Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) which are precursors to produce jet fuel. In this research project we worked on analyzing a different feedstock, crab shells. The seafood industry generates a large amount of waste in crab shells which go unused. These shells contain chitin which is a type of carbohydrate molecule which humans can’t process but certain microorganisms can. In previous literature, chitin has been found to inhibit methane production which is a less desirable and profitable product compared to VFAs. This research project aims to deepen our understanding of chitin digestion, measure VFAs and methane production, and identify the dominant microorganisms that thrive in the presence of chitin.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Susan De Long
SURE presentor photo

Harnessing Self-Replication: Optimizing Microbial Growth through Adaptive Model

Gillian Delgado
Looking at the effects of self-replication in microbial cells and to relate back to challenges that could be fixed by anticipating the reactions by improving the model. My research is looking into how the change in k-maintenance( the Michaelis Constant) will affect how the cell replicates modeled by python code. The code is able to learn every time it is run and be able to find what is positive within the cell in order to replicate stronger.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Joshua Chan
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Harnessing Self-Replication: Optimizing Microbial Growth through Adaptive Modeling and Split Volume Dynamics

Calvin Baum
Microbial growth is a complex process that involves various physiological and environmental factors. The cell shape and the split volume size play an important role in determining the rate of the cell growth and nutrient allocation. The cell shape heavily impacts surface area to volume ratio which can influence the metabolic rates and the nutrient efficiency. The split volume is the size at which the cell will divide into two daughter cells, this impacts the nutrient allocation as well as the growth rate. This study is looking to explore how the split volume and cell shape in combination can influence these effects, and allow us to deepen our understanding in order to make predictions for the metabolic interactions.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Joshua Chan
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High-Resolution Microwave Observation of the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL)

Jacob Racine
Current weather systems sample a small percentage of frequencies below 200 GHz, significantly under sampling the structure of the boundary layer atmospheric temperature and water vapor. With the development of a Stratospheric Balloon Hyperspectral Microwave Radiometer for Planetary Boundary Layer Observation, we can observe frequencies of 18-183 GHz, providing higher spatial resolution and spectral coverage. Additionally, the development of a Radiometric Scene Generator (RSG) will use a scanning laser system to illuminate an engineered surface to be able to create large thermal contrasts at tiny levels. This can be used to imitate an atmospheric scene to test microwave radiometer responses.
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Steven Reising
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Immobilizing Cyanobacteria in a Gel Matrix

Noelle Caulfield
Cyanobacteria can be modified to secrete products normally sourced from petrochemicals, However, in order to make this process cost-competitive, it must be made much more efficient. Situating cells in a gel matrix rather than suspended in liquid allows for larger cell densities, less water waste, and a smaller required space.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Christie Peebles
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Impact of Scaffold Orientation on Dimensional Shrinkage During Sintering

Will Roessmann
The primary goal of the Prawel lab is to regenerate bone in cases of significant bone loss, such as bone cancer or trauma. The approach is to create highly porous bone regeneration scaffolds that provide structural foundation and optimized conditions to maximize rate and maturity of new bone growth. To accomplish this goal, many different aspects of the challenge need to be studied, which comprise the main research of the lab. The part of the lab that I am focused on is examining the consistency of scaffold production, specifically the process that takes place within the sintering oven. Based on prior lab data, not all scaffolds shrink the same way when sintered, exhibiting different changes in the x, y, and z dimensions of the scaffold. This can cause issues, as many experiments done on scaffolds require the scaffolds to have certain dimensions. To identify what part of the sintering process could cause these discrepancies, my specific SURE project is testing the location and orientation of the scaffolds within the oven to determine whether these variables have a significant effect on how the scaffolds’ dimensions shrink. Data of how the scaffolds shrink can inform decisions on the protocol for future sintering and scaffold experiments.
Department:
School of Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
David Prawel
SURE presentor photo

Introducing Stakeholders Analysis to Students Through Stakeholder Mapping

Jonathan Arceo
In order to create an assignment that properly educates future engineers about the importance of stakeholder consideration within projects we needed to research and evaluate aspects of multiple trial assignments hosted by different universities.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Becki Atadero
SURE presentor photo

Ion Flux and Energy Distribution of Plasmas Created by Irradiating Nanowire Arrays with Relativistic Petawatt Laser

Natalie Ingegneri
CR39 is a plastic that absorbs damage from ions penetrating its surface. This plastic can be developed to count the number of ions that penetrate it. High pass filters that filter ions of different energies were placed in front of this plastic and sets of CR39 and filters were placed at different locations surrounding nanowire targets. We compared the ion energy and flux of nanowire strip targets, nanowire forest targets, and flat solid targets.
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Jorge Rocca
SURE presentor photo

Kinematic Ti:Sapphire Crystal Heatsink for the Main Power Amplifier in a Few-cycle Beamline

Jakub Bisaillon
In this lab, we are using a high intensity laser to research whether a shorter (6-7 femtoseconds) laser pulse couples to a target more efficiently than a longer pulse (~30 femtoseconds). In the lab we investigate the effects of a shorter pulse on flat targets, and nanowire targets. We believe that a shorter pulse will avoid creating a plasma cloud around the target, so that more of the energy of the laser can transfer to the target material. Applications of high intensity lasers include but are not limited to fusion energy, particle beam generation, and bright x-ray flashes. Within the laser there are many different components that frequently need to be precisely aligned, and many of those components tend to require constant heat dissipation. This semester, I was tasked with designing a mount for a titanium doped sapphire crystal that effectively cools the crystal, and simultaneously allows for precision adjustment of 3 axes of motion.
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Jorge Rocca
SURE presentor photo

Linking Nuclear Glucocorticoid Receptor Abundance to DUSP1 Expression Using Single-Cell Imaging.

Sai Srikakolupu
Using steroids long-term leads to glucocorticoid resistance (GR) resistance, requiring higher steroid doses that cause harmful side effects and setup future problems. The GRβ isoform is thought to drive this resistance, but current methods cannot clearly detect and distinguish between GRα and GRβ isoforms. Our research will use statistical analysis to correlate nuclear GR levels in unstimulated HeLa cells with DUSP1 transcriptional activation to infer GRβ levels. Glucocorticoid receptors regulate stress response, metabolism, and inflammation, and their isoforms differ slightly from the original receptor. We combine two experimental methods, smFISH (Single Molecule Fluorescence in situ Hybridization) and ICC (Immunocytochemistry) to detect DUSP1 mRNA levels and total GR localization respectively. This is done simultaneously. We hypothesize that high nuclear abundance of total GR inversely correlates with DUSP1 transcriptional activity, reflecting increased nuclear-localized GRβ. Our primary goal is to statistically link the GRβ isoform to GR resistance by analyzing the presence of the DUSP1 mRNA and presence and localization of the GR receptor.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Brian Munsky
SURE presentor photo

Mechanical and Biological Characterization for Orthopedic Tissue Engineering Implants

Taia Nykerk
As people age the fibrocartilage in the TMJ joint degrades leading to jaw pain. The goal of this project is to provide a less invasive surgical option to treat TMJ pain, by tissue engineering artificial cartilage to replace the fibrocartilage in the TMJ joint. Previous research led to the conclusion that hydrogels are the best material to replace the fibrocartilage in the TMJ joint. Additionally, lyocell fibers have been identified as a potential material that can be used to implant the hydrogel in the TMJ joint. The hydrogels and fibers that have been engineered have experienced some degradation, and displacement from the location it was implanted because the lyocell fibers attachment failed. The goal of this project is to research the best annealing process for the hydrogel and lyocell fibers. The parameters being tested are the amount of time and temperature the hydrogel and fibers are annealed, and the location of the hydrogel and fibers in the oven when it is annealed. The failure mechanisms of the fibers and hydrogels will be analyzed to determine the best annealing procedure.
Department:
School of Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Kevin Labus
SURE presentor photo

Model-Based Systems Engineering for Satellite Application

Gibson Roberts-Brysh
Modern model based systems engineering is at the forefront of organizationally representing the complex structure and order of things in our universe. This project in particular saw the use of software and tools such as Magic Systems of Systems Architect to create an advanced model of the entire mechanical, electrical, and data driven components of a satellite designed to travel to Mars. The goal of this research was to develop a working representation of the construction, use cases, mission parameters, and activities necessary to invent and manufacture a satellite bound for the stars.
Department:
Department of Systems Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Daniel Herber
SURE presentor photo

Modeling Anaerobic Digestion Kinetics in the Python Environment

Leah Roseberry
This lab is part of a larger DOE project involving anaerobic digestion. In anaerobic digestion, microorganisms convert waste like food scraps and manure into products like methane and volatile fatty acids. The overarching goal of the larger project is to increase the production of short and medium-chain fatty acids to be used as precursors of biofuels. This lab attempts to use Python to create a model of the processes taking place in the anaerobic digestion reactors. The model will contribute to the larger project by suggesting engineering strategies for optimal production of fatty acids.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
School of Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Joshua Chan
SURE presentor photo

Nano-Structure Targets for Enhanced MeV X-Ray Generation

Elias Faughn
High intensity laser matter interactions drive a host of important phenomena such as the generation of high energy density matter similar to the center of the sun and the generation of ultra bright beams of x-rays, neutrons and charged particles. . Research has shown that nano-structures like nano-wire arrays are far more effective at absorbing lasers than flat targets. The goal of this project is to develop nano-structures that will create a super dense plasma and guide its shape upon being hit by an initial laser pulse. By firing a second pulse through the plasma, it can be focused to extract as many x-rays as possible in order to image super-dense solids.
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Reed Hollinger
SURE presentor photo

Nowcasting Thunderstorm-Induced Extreme Winds for Solar Tracker Damage Mitigation

Nicholas Goebel
The increasing adoption of sustainable energy sources, such as solar farms, is crucial for reducing reliance on fossil fuels. However, extreme wind events, particularly those generated by thunderstorms, pose a significant threat to solar panels and tracking systems. This research aims to mitigate damage to solar trackers by developing a nowcasting model that predicts extreme wind speeds with sufficient lead time to activate protective stow mechanisms. This study focuses on nowcasting high winds associated with thunderstorms using machine learning models and historical storm data from ASOS stations. These models leverage meteorological variables closely linked to thunderstorm-induced winds, such as atmospheric pressure and wind direction, to enhance extreme wind nowcasting. Since thunderstorms are thermodynamically driven, incorporating these variables improves prediction accuracy. By increasing the lead time and reliability of extreme wind forecasts, this approach aims to minimize solar farm downtime and enhance the overall resilience of solar energy generation.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Yanlin Guo
SURE presentor photo

Optical Density Sensing of Algal Health

Esther Ambrose
Colorado's wildlife and ecosystems are threatened by severely diminished water quality, particularly from industrial, textile, and agricultural runoff, which harms bacteria, fish, and large game. However, algae offers a promising, natural alternative for water treatment, functioning as a biological filter. In this research, we developed an LED and IR sensor to measure the optical density of algae, correlating it with its health and life stage. To test the sensor’s effectiveness, we will analyze "sick" algae exposed to recreated heavy metal and nutrient mixtures to assess its potential for real-world water monitoring.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Kenneth Reardon
SURE presentor photo

Optimizing Observations of Mitochondrial Function with Fluorescence Imaging

Mia White
Fluorescence imaging is widely used to understand mitochondrial health and function to study cancer, mitochondrial diseases, and more. NAD(P)H and FAD autofluorescence imaging is commonly used for measuring redox (ratio of oxidized and reduced molecules) at the input of the electron transport chain, and Rhodamine 123 fluorescence is often used for measuring the electric potential of the inner mitochondrial membrane at the output of the electron transport chain. Digitonin (a mild detergent) is widely used in mitochondrial research to permeabilize the cell membrane to allow chemical manipulation of mitochondria. In live cell imaging, concentrations need to be high enough to allow mitochondrial substrates (such as pyruvate, malate, and succinate) to pass through, yet low enough to avoid damaging or killing the cells. Therefore, we are imaging autofluorescence and Rhodamine fluorescence in cells exposed to substrates and varying concentrations of digitonin to find the right balance. Further, we are exploring new methods of combining NAD(P)H, FAD, and/or Rhodamine fluorescence for potentially more sensitive measurements than the conventional method of imaging NAD(P)H/FAD and Rhodamine separately.
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
School of Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Jesse Wilson
SURE presentor photo

Optimizing Observations of Mitochondrial Function with Fluorescence Imaging

Quinn Taucher
Fluorescence imaging is widely used to understand mitochondrial health and function to study cancer, mitochondrial diseases, and more. NAD(P)H and FAD autofluorescence imaging is commonly used for measuring redox (ratio of oxidized and reduced molecules) at the input of the electron transport chain, and Rhodamine 123 fluorescence is often used for measuring the electric potential of the inner mitochondrial membrane at the output of the electron transport chain. Digitonin (a mild detergent) is widely used in mitochondrial research to permeabilize the cell membrane to allow chemical manipulation of mitochondria. In live cell imaging, concentrations need to be high enough to allow mitochondrial substrates (such as pyruvate, malate, and succinate) to pass through, yet low enough to avoid damaging or killing the cells. Therefore, we are imaging autofluorescence and Rhodamine fluorescence in cells exposed to substrates and varying concentrations of digitonin to find the right balance. Further, we are exploring new methods of combining NAD(P)H, FAD, and/or Rhodamine fluorescence for potentially more sensitive measurements than the conventional method of imaging NAD(P)H/FAD and Rhodamine separately.
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
School of Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Jesse Wilson
SURE presentor photo

Predicting Bridge Deterioration: Machine Learning Model using NBE data

Ben Deng
Accurately predicting bridge deterioration is important for proactive maintenance and infrastructure longevity. Most bridge prediction models rely solely on NBI (National Bridge Inventory) data, which is collected by visual inspections and gives broad condition ratings. However, NBI ratings lack detail compared to ratings in NBE (National Bridge Elements) data, in which an accurate data value called the HI (Health Index) is calculated from multiple conditions states and bridge health is analyzed with precision. In our research, we develop a machine learning model using key bridge characteristics such as: (age, traffic, and environmental conditions) to predict NBE condition states. These condition states precisely analyze the structure health, from which HI can be calculated. Our goal is to strengthen prediction accuracy and support data-driven maintenance decisions by combining diverse structural and operational factors.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Yanlin Guo
SURE presentor photo

Purrfect Catmosphere in Virtual Reality

Denzel Hlazo
For this project, we are developing a Virtual Reality Cat Café, where individuals can enjoy a relaxing VR coffee experience while being surrounded by virtual cats that they can pet or hold. The Cat Café serves as a comfort zone space designed to help users de-stress and unwind. As SURE students, we have learned how to integrate 360-degree videos into the Unity Game Engine, which we use to create the Cat Café. Our development process combines 3D modeling in Unity with C# programming in Visual Studio to bring the experience to life. Grady, Emily, and I have been working together to transform our vision into a fully functional VR game. Beyond our work in the lab, we have dedicated time to expanding our skills through Unity tutorials, including 3D modeling and coding lessons tailored to VR game development. Each of us has taken on specific roles within the project: • Emily has been responsible for 3D modeling various elements of the café, such as chairs, tables, and the outdoor area. She has also worked on coding a functional menu system in C#, allowing users to order items, receive their orders, and clean up afterward. • Grady has focused on designing arcade game machines to be placed in an upstairs game room, enhancing the overall experience. He has also completed numerous Unity tutorials to refine his understanding of game development and C#. • I have worked on AI integration, developing an NPC (non-playable character) that simulates a real customer experience. This NPC interacts with the café environment just as a human would—ordering coffee, playing with cats, and utilizing the café’s services. Our goal is to create a dynamic and immersive atmosphere by adding multiple NPCs engaging in different activities, making the café feel lively and bustling, just like a real-life establishment. Through our combined efforts, we are bringing the VR Cat Café to life, creating an engaging and interactive space for users to enjoy in virtual reality.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering,
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Marie Vans
SURE presentor photo

Purrfect Catmosphere in Virtual Reality

Emily Brown
For this project, we are developing a Virtual Reality Cat Café, where individuals can enjoy a relaxing VR coffee experience while being surrounded by virtual cats that they can pet or hold. The Cat Café serves as a comfort zone space designed to help users de-stress and unwind. As SURE students, we have learned how to integrate 360-degree videos into the Unity Game Engine, which we use to create the Cat Café. Our development process combines 3D modeling in Unity with C# programming in Visual Studio to bring the experience to life. Grady, Emily, and I have been working together to transform our vision into a fully functional VR game. Beyond our work in the lab, we have dedicated time to expanding our skills through Unity tutorials, including 3D modeling and coding lessons tailored to VR game development. Each of us has taken on specific roles within the project: • Emily has been responsible for 3D modeling various elements of the café, such as chairs, tables, and the outdoor area. She has also worked on coding a functional menu system in C#, allowing users to order items, receive their orders, and clean up afterward. • Grady has focused on designing arcade game machines to be placed in an upstairs game room, enhancing the overall experience. He has also completed numerous Unity tutorials to refine his understanding of game development and C#. • I have worked on AI integration, developing an NPC (non-playable character) that simulates a real customer experience. This NPC interacts with the café environment just as a human would— ordering coffee, playing with cats, and utilizing the café’s services. Our goal is to create a dynamic and immersive atmosphere by adding multiple NPCs engaging in different activities, making the café feel lively and bustling, just like a real-life establishment. Through our combined efforts, we are bringing the VR Cat Café to life, creating an engaging and interactive space for users to enjoy in virtual reality
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Marie Vans
SURE presentor photo

Purrfect Catmosphere in Virtual Reality

Grady White
For this project, we are developing a Virtual Reality Cat Café, where individuals can enjoy a relaxing VR coffee experience while being surrounded by virtual cats that they can pet or hold. The Cat Café serves as a comfort zone space designed to help users de-stress and unwind. As SURE students, we have learned how to integrate 360-degree videos into the Unity Game Engine, which we use to create the Cat Café. Our development process combines 3D modeling in Unity with C# programming in Visual Studio to bring the experience to life. Grady, Emily, and I have been working together to transform our vision into a fully functional VR game. Beyond our work in the lab, we have dedicated time to expanding our skills through Unity tutorials, including 3D modeling and coding lessons tailored to VR game development. Each of us has taken on specific roles within the project: • Emily has been responsible for 3D modeling various elements of the café, such as chairs, tables, and the outdoor area. She has also worked on coding a functional menu system in C#, allowing users to order items, receive their orders, and clean up afterward. • Grady has focused on designing arcade game machines to be placed in an upstairs game room, enhancing the overall experience. He has also completed numerous Unity tutorials to refine his understanding of game development and C#. • Denzel has worked on AI integration, developing an NPC (non-playable character) that simulates a real customer experience. This NPC interacts with the café environment just as a human would— ordering coffee, playing with cats, and utilizing the café’s services. Our goal is to create a dynamic and immersive atmosphere by adding multiple NPCs engaging in different activities, making the café feel lively and bustling, just like a real-life establishment. Through our combined efforts, we are bringing the VR Cat Café to life, creating an engaging and interactive space for users to enjoy in virtual reality.
Department:
Department of Systems Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Marie Vans
SURE presentor photo

Real-time Mechanical Stimulation of Bone Regeneration Scaffolds Within a Cell Culture Environment

Reina Crowley
The primary goal of the Prawel lab is to regenerate bone in cases of significant bone loss, such as in bone cancer or trauma. The approach is to create highly porous bone regeneration scaffolds that provide structural foundation and optimized conditions to maximize rate and maturity of new bone growth. To accomplish this goal many different aspects of the challenge need to be studied, which comprise the main research of the lab. The part of the lab that I am focused on is the mechanical stimulation given to the scaffolds to simulate ideal mechanobiological growth conditions for the body to grow bone in these scaffolds. Part of an ideal environment includes full-time, compressive force on the scaffold as bone cells grow. The scaffolds are placed in cell culture environments for extended periods of time where they are housed in devices called bioreactors, which enable full-time perfusion of growth media for gas, nutrient and waste exchange. My specific SURE project is redesigning the bioreactor to enable constant cyclic compression of the scaffolds for long periods of time within the incubator.
Department:
School of Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
David Prawel
SURE presentor photo

Solventogenic Medium Development for C. Pasteurianum

Ella Winthers
C. pasteurianum DSM 525 (“C. past”) Known producer of n-butanol and 1,3-PDO Reported to be capable of extracellular electron uptake Our lab has not seen butanol production from C past If we can make biobutanol, we can determine the effect of an applied potential on solventogenesis in C. past.  Bioelectrochemical systems applied to C.past provide opportunity to use sustainable energy to produce biofules.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Kenneth Reardon
SURE presentor photo

Specialized Spectrometer For CSU’s Cryo Cooled YB:Yag Laser

Joy Akintola
The leading edge of modern laser research is focused on obtaining high intensity facilities. One way to get the high laser intensity is to temporally compress the existing high power laser pulse. One of the common high power laser facilities is based on YB:Yag crystal. The disadvantage of this type of laser is its narrow spectral bandwidth leading to the long pulse duration (5 ps), Hence, there is much interest in the broadening of YB:Yag’s spectrum. But due to CSU’s laser being cryo cooled, its bandwidth is as short as 0.3 nm. A lack of spectral lines in common calibration lamps at 1030 nm (YB:Yag’s lasing wavelength) makes it difficult to resolve our laser’s broadening using off the shelf spectrometers. In order to get around this, we can build our own spectrometer and calibrate using theoretical means. Using a slit, 1,800 lines per millimeter grating to concave mirrors, one could be built for cheaper than most market spectrometers.
Department:
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Jorge Rocca
SURE presentor photo

Splash Mountain as a System: Ensuring a Smooth Ride

Avery Turner
Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), through the language of SysML, is a powerful tool that can break down a complex system into simpler pieces. Barriers such as requirements and risk mitigation are more easily tackled and performance is increased. Splash Mountain, a popular water ride on multiple Disney park properties, is a complex system that has a large number of parts. It is an attraction that is prone to malfunctions, break-downs, and overcrowding. Using MBSE to model the daily patterns of the ride can not only make these issues either to overcome, but could prevent them entirely.
Department:
Department of Systems Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Daniel Herber
SURE presentor photo

Standardizing Geophysical Data Image Rendering with a Singularity Container and AI tools

Jackie MacGuire
Geophysical data is essential to weather forecasting. However, the process of handling, rendering, and converting the data into usable formats require multiple dependencies and systems. This complexity often leads to inefficiencies and errors in the results across different environments, which can hinder research progress. To address this challenge, we are developing a Singularity container that centralizes all necessary libraries and dependencies. This will ensure that the process of rendering geophysical data is consistent, reproducible, and portable across computing systems. By unifying the data conversion workflow into a single, standardized format, the container will streamline data processing and reduce the risk of errors related to system-specific configurations. In addition, the project aims to evaluate the potential of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to assist in automating the container's creation and optimizing scientific workflows.
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Venkatachalam Chandrasekar
SURE presentor photo

Sustainable CO₂ Recycling: Growing Algae using Flue Gas from Coal Power Plants

Benjamin Williams
Flue gas emissions from fossil fuel power plants pose significant threats to air quality and human health due to the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other pollutants. Addressing this issue requires innovative carbon capture and utilization strategies to reduce environmental impact while creating valuable products. One promising approach involves using algae to convert CO₂ emissions into high-value bioproducts, such as ink and carbon nanofiber supercapacitor electrodes. This research focuses on maximizing CO₂ dissolution in the effluent to promote algal growth, improving carbon transfer efficiency, and minimizing CO₂ concentrations in exit the gas. To achieve these objectives, different gas-liquid mass transfer methods will be explored, including the use of a hollow fiber membrane or an orifice, which improves gas-liquid interaction, helping to dissolve more CO₂ and increase algal growth. This research aims to improve algal biomass production, mitigate environmental pollution, and contribute to sustainable carbon utilization solutions by enhancing the carbon transfer rate.
Department:
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Kenneth Reardon
SURE presentor photo

Testing of Liquid-Fueled Gas Turbine with High EGR Fraction to Support Carbon Capture System Integration

Frankie Gaytan
The expected outcome of this research project was to implement an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system on a Solar Centaur 40 Liquid Fueled Gas Turbine. The plan for the EGR was to increase CO2 concentration and lower onboard carbon capture. The purpose of the research was to determine limits of operations with liquid fuels, gas turbine performance with EGR implemented, and measure exhaust CO2 concentrations. With tested CO2 levels and exhaust production, environmental aspects and manufacturing production could be improved based on efficiency and effectiveness.
Department:
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Bret Windom
SURE presentor photo

The Automated Testing of Photonic Integrated Circuits

Liam Cornish
The goal of this project is to create an automated testing station for silicon photonic chips. Photonic chips are silicon chips that contain extremely small pathways for photons to travel through, allowing for circuits to be optimized to an incredible level, both in efficiency and in space saved. Work with these is delicate and precise, so the need for an efficient yet precise way to test these is important for properly analyzing them, yet is equally challenging.
Department:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Mahdi Nikdast
SURE presentor photo

Ultimate Truck Hacking Program

Alexandra Sequeros
Preventing cyber security attacks is very important, especially inside bigger trucks, which often transport important materials. That heavy cargo can be expensive and/or hazardous. To prevent these attacks we are building a box that will connect to the trucks with a code provided by our graduate students that will instill protective software.
Department:
Department of Systems Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Jeremy Daily
SURE presentor photo

Understanding Lake Level Variations Through Precipitation and Temperature Data

Brigid Neuheardt
Lake levels are crucial for understanding ecosystem health and water management, especially in the context of climate change. This study focuses on Lake Mendota in Wisconsin, exploring how daily precipitation and temperature affect its water levels. Using data from the SWOT satellite and PRISM datasets, the research aims to analyze the relationship between weather patterns and lake levels. The goal is to provide insights into how precipitation over different time scales influences lake dynamics, aiding in better environmental monitoring and management. Additionally, this study evaluates the accuracy of SWOT satellite data by comparing it to ground-based measurements, aiming to determine if SWOT can be a valuable tool for monitoring lake dynamics in regions without extensive historical data.
Department:
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Frances Davenport
SURE presentor photo

What's in the Air? Developing & Applying a Back Trajectory High Resolution Modeling Tool

Xander Plumm
The atmosphere is comprised of many different components, many of which are sourced locally on the Earth's surface. Having good knowledge of these components, such as that of moisture, trace gases, and aerosols, can help us make informed decisions about many things we care about, from the status of the climate, to weather patterns, to human health. When air masses move, however, it naturally causes these local components to move around the world. Knowing where our local components get moved in the face of this blowing wind, then, is instrumental to understanding how it will affect the areas it goes. Conversely, understanding where the newly introduced components in our areas of interest come from is useful to determine what influences led to the path taken. Back trajectories are a useful tool to help figure out these paths, and the goal of this research is to further develop the meteorological tools we have as well as making new ones to model these paths out.
Department:
Department of Atmospheric Science
Faculty Mentor:
Sonia Kreidenweis
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