The Scott Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) pairs Scott Scholars and first generation engineering students with faculty researchers to provide a unique research experience to undergraduates not commonly found at large universities.
Identifying a true research experience as a first or second year student, let alone a paid opportunity, can be very difficult. SURE helps students and faculty make connections, resulting in exciting and educational research opportunities for students.
Benefits of participating in SURE:
- Learning how classroom work applies to real world issues
- Mentoring by faculty and graduate students
- Getting paid to do engineering work
- Learning about direct engineering applications
Donor Support
The SURE program is made possible by support from alumni and donors. Visit our Alumni & Giving page if you are interested in supporting this program.
Spring 2021 SURE Virtual Poster Fair & Celebration
See the tremendous results of the program at the virtual SURE Poster Fair & Celebration! Students in the program will present their hard work and discuss their incredible research.
Live sessions April 30, 2021
3:30 - 5 p.m., MDT
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Search the 2021 project list here for topics and keywords
| Title | Department | Student Name | SURE Faculty Mentor | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D printing for fibrocartilage regeneration (intervertebral disc and temporomandibular joint) | Mechanical Engineering | Steven Mendoza | Jason Kuiper | Fibrocartilage cannot regrow or heal, injury or disease like osteoarthritis and other diseases damages this tissue can lead to permanent disability. The aim of this research project is to make a replacement for the fibrocartilage in the jaw and back using a special 3D printer that prints with polymers. The 3D printer we are using is very new technology that uses electricity to make the polymers into a printable substance. This new method of printing will replace other procedures that do not fix the problem making this a very innovative way to fix fibrocartilage. |
| Adaptive Soft Robotic Finger | Mechanical Engineering | Clint Middlemist | Jianguo Zhao | In the world of prosthetics, there has always been the challenge of replacing that of an actual human hand and finger. The aim of this research project is to design and develop a soft robotic finger which can be remotely controlled and utilized in countless different applications, including prosthetics. |
| Algae Cell Immobilization | Chemical and Biological Engineering | Madison Hill | Kenneth Reardon | The use of biofuels as a renewable energy source is increasing, however, it can be an expensive alternative due to its requirement of additional energy and water. Cyanobacteria is a specific type of algae that can convert carbon dioxide into useful products and reduce the use of fossil fuels. The goal of this research project is to increase the efficiency of the algae cells in producing these beneficial products that can then be used as energy sources. To accomplish this goal, the algae cells are immobilized and then grown in thin gel films where they are monitored daily in order to determine the best conditions for algae growth and maintenance. Methods to collect their products effectively are also being determined and studied. By analyzing their growth and requirements, more information about the algae can be collected and utilized to improve techniques and understanding. |
| ALPINE | Mechanical Engineering | Sam Vaughan | Anthony Marchese | As emission requirements increase in response to climate change, different fuels will likely become a necessity. Liquified propane gas (LPG) is a potential option, but requires in-depth analysis to match the efficiency of traditional gasoline engines. This project aims to thoroughly analyze the behavior of LPG in a rapid combustion machine, while controlling and changing variables. |
| Canal Seepage Mitigation by Biopolymer Sealants | Civil and Environmental Engineering | Cecilia Brockett | Joseph Scalia | Earthen canals are a common way of transporting water for agriculture. However, flow losses from canal seepage have been estimated to be 17-70%. In addition, canal seepage degrades soil and water quality. The goal of this project is to improve water quality and quantity through the reduction of canal seepage with biopolymer sealants. By understanding the performance of biopolymers and the factors that influence their effectiveness as a canal sealant, we aim to understand the viability of using a greener biopolymer in reducing canal seepage. |
| Canal Seepage Mitigation by Polymer Sealants | Civil and Environmental Engineering | Angelita Chavez-Cazarez | Joe Scalia | Earthen canals are a common way of transporting water for agriculture. However, flow losses from canal seepage have been estimated to be 17-70%. In addition, canal seepage degrades soil and water quality. The goal of this project is to improve water quality and quantity through the reduction of canal seepage with biopolymer sealants. By understanding the performance of biopolymers and the factors that influence their effectiveness as a canal sealant, we aim to understand the viability of using a greener biopolymer in reducing canal seepage. |
| CdTe Photovoltaic Research | Mechanical Engineering | Elaine Smith | Kevan Cameron | An ongoing research project aimed at improving the efficiency of Cadmium Telluride solar panels by testing different combinations of materials deposited on glass. |
| Cell interaction with nanomaterials for medical device applications | Biomedical Engineering | Richard Morales-Villalva | Professor Popat | In this project, over many years many researchers in the medical industry have tried to find materials for implants that not only are safer but also better than the ones already in the market, the aim is to make biomaterials that are safer and more effective for implants and in this research project a surface modification strategy using natural biopolymers on titanium is proposed to improve bone healing and promote rapid and successful osseointegration of orthopedic implants. |
| CO2 Enzyme Membrane Project | Chemical and Biological Engineering | Bridget Ediger | Kenneth Reardon | Large-scale algal cultivations, such as those used for biofuel production, are normally conducted in open ponds. Algae obtain and consume dissolved CO2 needed for growth from the air above the pond surface and from industrial sources added to the pond. Normally, the added CO2 is simply bubbled into the water. However, this is extremely inefficient and more than 85% of the CO2 added to the pond simply goes into the atmosphere. In a project sponsored by the Department of Energy, we are developing a more efficient method of adding CO2 gas to ponds via a porous membrane. My subset of the project is focused on simulating and understanding the limitations of storing dissolved CO2 in tanks prior to being added to the pond. This includes studying how factors such as salinity, pH and concentration affect CO2 storage. My current work also focuses on measuring the rate of CO2 transfer to water through the membrane being researched, both with and without the enzyme carbonic anhydrase used as a membrane coating. Carbonic anhydrase is found in lungs and red blood cells, and is being used in this project to increase the rate at which CO2 is transferred to water for storage. |
| Compound meandering flume experiment with variable floodplain vegetation densities. | Civil and Environmental Engineering | Anna Wikowsky | Peter Nelson | This research project will help gain a better understanding of how the density of vegetation in the floodplain affects the velocities of the water in the channel and the floodplain. Methods to conduct this experiment and take measurements include large scale particle imaging velocimetry (LSPIV) and acoustic doppler velocimeter (ADV). The results of this project will help in determining the risk of damage structures and vegetation in a flood plain, and can thus aid in flood mitigation planning. |
| Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines | Chemical Engineering | Darwin Cortes | Bret Windom | The goal of this project is to optimize the composition of bio-blendstock in order to reduce soot emissions which has been found to negatively impact health and the environment (like lake acidification). All while keeping the composition energy efficient. |
| Correlations of Material Properties | Mechanical Engineering | Alistair Mayfield | Chris Weinberger | Materials have been a very important cornerstone of technological development, and there is currently a large number of materials that have properties that are not yet fully understood. A greater number of materials with unusual properties are being explored and utilized as time progresses. The main objective of this research project is to utilize computer programming and statistical analysis in order to understand the properties of different metals and metalloids. These methods of material exploration, seeking potential correlations between any of the numbers of properties present in the materials and the factors that play into those correlations, can aid in developing a better understanding of the materials with greater analysis. |
| Creation of Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) from Commercial Polymer Surfaces for Resistive Heating Applications | Department of Mechanical Engineering | Kyle Pinto | Mostafa Yourdkhani | With the growing popularity of the extremely versatile material graphene, ranging in application from extremely-dense energy storage mechanisms to enhanced building materials for mechanical applications, many methods of graphene production have been explored to make this material more available and cheaper to use. One of the biggest problems with graphene today is its extremely high cost of production due to extremely low yields through most methods of creation, including exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition, or nanotube slicing, to name a few. The aim of this research is to explore a much more scalable and cheaper method of graphene production: laser irradiation of polymer precursors, or more specifically, the usage of a very cheap blue laser that can be readily acquired and simple Kevlar fabric sheets to manufacture small samples of graphene that can be replicated relatively easily. Though the quality of this graphene would not be the same as more traditional methods of manufacturing, it would be a much more versatile and scalable method of production that could be used for applications such as resistive heaters for integration into vehicle chassis or curing of composite materials via local heating. |
| Designing a loop system for testing materials under flow for blood contacting medical devices | ME/BME | Edna Barcenas Ramirez | Ketul Popat | The development of medical devices and treatments require extensive testing to ensure quality and safety. I was working on the design of a three-dimensional printed hemocompatibility chamber. A key part of the chamber was that it had to have the ability to rotate to test stents at a velocity that simulated blood flow in the body. This part rotated by attaching to a shaft driven by a motor. In order to improve efficiency, the 3-D printed center of the disk had to be redesigned to match the shaft shape. |
| Designing a Regenerative Implant to Help Heal Critical Bone Defects in Canine Radii | Mechanical Engineering | Erik Christoffersen | David Prawel | The current treatment for critical bone defects in canine extremities involves very invasive surgeries that involve implanting metal plates and screws that can cause a multitude of post operative complications including infection and chronic pain. This intention of this project is to aid the development of a 3D printed device that will house a scaffold that will promote osteogenesis and eventually complete healing of the bone. |
| Dimethylformamide Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Model | Chemical and Biological Engineering | EmmaKate Raisley | Brad Reisfeld | Dimethylformamide (DMF) is a common solvent used in the manufacturing of synthetic fibers, leathers, films, and surface coatings. Exposure to this chemical can result in a variety of adverse effects, including liver toxicity. The aim of this research is to develop pharmacokinetic ( "what the body does to the chemical") and pharmacodynamic ( "what the chemical does to the body") models for DMF exposures in humans. We expect that these models, underpinned by exposure data from a partnering company, will facilitate prediction of the severity of effects resulting from DMF exposure and help inform strategies to lessen the toxic effects to workers in these industries. |
| Direct Write 3D Printing | Mechanical Engineering | Genevieve Reyland-Slawson | Mostafa Yourdkhani | While 3D printing has become more popular, newer techniques have emerged to create more efficient and easier to produce. While the traditional methods of producing 3D models work well, newer techniques to produce products with different materials and different methods of curing can be more efficient and easier. In this research project we are trying to find a material that acts as a mold that cures the 3D printed material on a mold. By creating a mold that is able to heat up substantially enough and conduct that electricity towards the 3D printed material, the curing step in a drying oven can be skipped to save time. The overall goal of this research is to find a material that is able to conduct electricity without overheating while also curing a 3D printed material on the bed. |
| Distraction Osteogenesis | Biomedical Engineering | Colton Moore | Ben Gadomski | Bone defects greater than 8 cm long will not heal on their own. Distraction osteogenesis is a method used to solve these issues. Distraction osteogenesis is a process of bone lengthening with many applications. As a research team, we are focused upon using distraction osteogenesis as a method for the purpose of healing. This happens by removing the dead or defected bone segment, cutting the healthy bone on a side of the removed segment then transporting the new section of healthy bone 1mm per day until it reaches the other side. It grows new bone behind it as it is transported. |
| Drone Pearching | Adaptive Robotics Lab | Joshua Nez | Jiangao Zhao | Flying drones only have a certain fly time due to their limited battery capabilities. To help the drones finish their job, they can maintain the same height using a perching technique. This can help the drone conserve it's energy and allow it to stay on the field longer. The purpose of this research is to create a compliant mechanism to achieve a perching of the drone. |
| Electro Stimulated Fermentation | Chemical and Biological Engineering | Amanda Mohrlang | Kenneth Reardon | Metabolites such as butanol are useful molecules for biofuels, industrial solvents, and many other applications. However, they are most often produced petrol-chemically; a process that has many harmful environmental side effects and is unsustainable. Currently, microbial production of metabolites is limited by high costs and low production yields due to a low reducing power from electrons. These limitations drastically decrease the process's sustainability. The goal of this research project is to improve the yield of metabolites from microbial production by increasing the flux of metabolic electrons into microbes through electro stimulated fermentation. |
| Environmental Fluid Mechanics at CSU | Civil and Environmental Engineering | Sarah Dann | Karan Venayagamoorthy | The first aim of this research project is to evaluate the efficacy of random packing material (RPM) to distribute water evenly in small water systems, which make up the majority of water systems in the US, thus ensuring sufficient chlorination time and preventing byproducts and improving public health. The second aim of this research project is to study the fluid mechanics of a model weir at varying angles to be applied to a real weir and ensure that it is structurally sound. Both focuses of the research will be validated with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). |
| Generating a Scaffold for Rotator Cuff Tendon Repair | Biomedical/ Mechanical Engineering | Jason Jackson | Kirk McGilvray | Injuries to the rotator cuff afflict millions annually. Current treatments often fail to minimize a high re-tear rate, and considerably lowered post-operation muscle quality and shoulder function. The aim of this research project is to perform a material analysis of different polymers which could be used as a cell-hosting scaffold for potentially more effective cell therapies and treatments of the rotator cuff. |
| Implementation of Asymmetric Illumination Phase Contrast Microscopy | Electrical and Computer Engineering | Vivia Van De Mark | Randy Bartels | Advances in histopathology, the study and diagnosis of tissue disease, frequently occur concurrently with advances in bioimaging and computational microscopy. Phase contrast microscopy, in particular, has great potential as a diagnostic tool as it does not require extensive cell preparation (staining) and/or cell death. Here, we apply contemporary progress in asymmetrical illumination phase contrast imaging, utilizing an LED array microscope, toward gathering not only more precise morphological data but quantitative data often overlooked by traditional histopathology techniques. |
| Mathlab | Mechanical Engineering | Juan Saucedo | Daniel Herber | I learned how to code to be able to solve a problem that was about finding the best way to build a computer that was under the budget of 800 dollar by regular coding then building a equation/function that would be easier to do. |
| Mesenchymal Stem Cell Mechanical Memory at Cytoplasm and Nucleus | School of Biomedical Engineering | Abigail Fennell | Soham Ghosh | Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer a promising new frontier in regenerative and anti-aging medicine. However, large-scale manufacturing of MSCs causes gradual deviation from MSC phenotype and loss of multipotency, thus limiting their scalable applications. This can be attributed to mechanical properties of the cell culture environment. Interestingly, MSCs have an ability called mechanical memory where they display a certain degree of plasticity to define their own phenotype during its expansion process on substrates with various stiffness. The aim of this research is to investigate the mechanism of mechanical memory in MSCs through the hypothesized mechanism of the differential dynamic response of cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins. Specifically, we have explored the role of actin and lamin proteins in this complex interplay through MSC culture on different substrate stiffness, confocal microscopy, image analysis and mathematical modeling. Elucidation of the mechanisms of mechanical memory in MSC can be exploited to maintain MSC phenotype during large scale expansion culture. |
| Nanowire Development | Mechanical Engineering | Ben Fagerstrom | Reed Hollinger | CSU's Advanced Beam Laboratory has devised several experiments to study the effects of energizing arrays of nanowires, and how applying large amounts of energy can reorganize the electron orbitals of the atoms within the wires. One result of this process is the scattered of photons at wavelengths in the X-ray range, which suggest that this process could result to much faster imaging technologies in the future. |
| Perfluorinated Compound Analysis using Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Data | Environmental Engineering - Center for Contaminant Hydrology | Jenna Salvat | Jens Blotegovel | Perfluorinated compounds have proliferated in use and production as a result of developments in chemistry and thus are increasingly found in many aqueous substrates. Methods are being formulated by scientists to attempt to degrade, neutralize, or completely destroy these compounds and the efficacy of such techniques may be determined through sample processing and the use of quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry. The focus of my work was to assist in manual processing of QTOF mass spectrometry data from various projects for data acquisition and analysis. |
| Polyoxymethylene Ethers (POMEs) as a High Cetane, Low Sooting Biofuel Blendstock for Use in MCCI Engines | Mechanical Engineering | Alayna Gilbert | Bret Windom | In the next several years, petroleum fuel consumption and heavy-duty freight will continue to grow. While the engines used in heavy-duty freight (MCCI diesel engines) are highly thermal efficient, they produce a large amount of NOx and Particulate matter emissions that require high energy and costly exhaust aftertreatment systems. The aim of this research project is to create a POME biofuel that will reduce carbon emissions, target fuel properties that will enhance the engine performance and reduce emissions, will be renewably sourced, and have acceptable lower heating values, oxidative stability, and water solubility. |
| Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships | Chemical and Biological Engineering | Caroline Loewecke | Brad Reisfeld | As the field of pharmacology develops, the number of chemicals investigated for therapeutic uses also develops. Screening drugs for specific therapeutic applications is very expensive and time consuming. The use of quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) is an extremely beneficial way to discover drugs that might be candidates for different therapeutic uses. These QSARs turn chemical structures of very similarly configured molecules into descriptor values. These descriptors are then used to measure an endpoint (receptor binding affinity, toxicity, etc.) for the group. Then, once validated, the QSAR can be used to predict the effects of other similarly structured chemicals that are not a part of the original set. Using this method, researchers are able to narrow down a group of chemicals to the ones with the most potential success regarding their given target. This saves time and resources by allowing screening without the need for in vivo or in vitro experiments on all of the possible candidates. |
| Response of Stem Cells to High Oxidative Environment | Biomedical Engineering | Isabelle Lemma | Soham Ghosh | Stem cells are known for their self-renewal and differentiation abilities, which changes over time as they age to the point where they eventually stop replicating by being senescent. High oxidative stress is one of the reasons for stem cell senescence in culture and in vivo. Specifically, the oxidative stress affects the telomerase activity in the cells and that negatively affects the cells' ability to replicate. The aim of this project is to create an experimental platform and a mathematical model to predict the oxidative stress induced senescence in the stem cell. The framework will not only be useful for cells for understanding stem cell aging but also the aging of other cell types. |
| Steel Crack Detection | Civil Engineering | Alexis Diaz | Yanlin Guo | Bridges are inspected yearly with multiple cracks being found year after year. These cracks continue to develop over year and if not found, these cracks can create a dangerous situation that could end up in the bridge possibly collapsing. The aim of the research was to develop a neural network that could take images taken from a drone and detect steel crack in the bridge. The neural network would be able to detect the crack in the steel taking away the need for a person to spend hours looking at the structure of a bridge. |
| Super-resolution 3D imaging microscopy | Biomedical Engineering | Audrey Bankes | Diego Krapf | Thus far, the focus of infertility problems has been on the female reproductive system despite causes of infertility being equally split between males and females. The aim of this research is to better image the three-dimensional structures of sperm cells in hopes of better understanding male infertility issues and male birth control options. The research begins with the imaging of the sperm cells using microscopy and super-resolution 3D imaging. |
| Super-resolution microscopy | Electrical Engineering | Elliot McCormick | Diego Krapf | Conventional optical microscopy is limited by the diffraction limit. Super-resolution microscopy is looking to overcome that limit. The goal of this project is to be able to image beyond the threshold of diffraction in three dimensions. This ability will then be applied to studying sperm cells to greater understand infertility issues. |
| The Effects of COVID: Air Quality Research | Mechanical/Civil/Chemical | Chris Cordero | Shantanu Jathar | Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the composition of aerosol pollutants has significantly shifted. However, these shifts have varied from location to location. The aim of this project is to analyze the change in airborne pollutants to identify the effects of a widespread change to human activity on the environment. |
| The testing and Analysis of Permeability of Hydroxyapatite-Polycaprolactone Scaffolds | Biomedical Engineering | Madison Shafer | David Prawel | Osteogenesis, commonly known as the growth of bone, depends on many key factors. In order for man-made bone scaffolding to accurately assist in the regrowth of bone, it must first mimic the characteristics of bone. The movement of fluid and particulates through the bone is one essential attribute to this process. The aim of this research project is to understand the permeable characteristics of the 3D printed Hydroxyapatite-Polycaprolactone Scaffolds generated in the Prawel Bone Lab. The movement of fluid through the tested scaffolding will be telling in how true biologically formed bone will react in its presence. Along with this, it will provide an estimation for the best percentage of porous scaffold should be places in the body. |
2021 SURE participants and projects
Audrey Bankes
Biomedical Engineering
Super-resolution 3D imaging microscopy
Thus far, the focus of infertility problems has been on the female reproductive system despite causes of infertility being equally split between males and females. The aim of this research is to better image the three-dimensional structures of sperm cells in hopes of better understanding male infertility issues and male birth control options. The research begins with the imaging of the sperm cells using microscopy and super-resolution 3D imaging.
Faculty Mentor:
Diego Krapf
Edna Barcenas Ramirez
ME/BME
Designing a loop system for testing materials under flow for blood contacting medical devices
The development of medical devices and treatments require extensive testing to ensure quality and safety. I was working on the design of a three-dimensional printed hemocompatibility chamber. A key part of the chamber was that it had to have the ability to rotate to test stents at a velocity that simulated blood flow in the body. This part rotated by attaching to a shaft driven by a motor. In order to improve efficiency, the 3-D printed center of the disk had to be redesigned to match the shaft shape.
Faculty Mentor:
Ketul Popat
Cecilia Brockett
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Canal Seepage Mitigation by Biopolymer Sealants
Earthen canals are a common way of transporting water for agriculture. However, flow losses from canal seepage have been estimated to be 17-70%. In addition, canal seepage degrades soil and water quality. The goal of this project is to improve water quality and quantity through the reduction of canal seepage with biopolymer sealants. By understanding the performance of biopolymers and the factors that influence their effectiveness as a canal sealant, we aim to understand the viability of using a greener biopolymer in reducing canal seepage.
Faculty Mentor:
Joseph Scalia
Angelita Chavez-Cazarez
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Canal Seepage Mitigation by Polymer Sealants
Earthen canals are a common way of transporting water for agriculture. However, flow losses from canal seepage have been estimated to be 17-70%. In addition, canal seepage degrades soil and water quality. The goal of this project is to improve water quality and quantity through the reduction of canal seepage with biopolymer sealants. By understanding the performance of biopolymers and the factors that influence their effectiveness as a canal sealant, we aim to understand the viability of using a greener biopolymer in reducing canal seepage.
Faculty Mentor:
Joseph Scalia
Erik Christoffersen
Mechanical Engineering
Designing a Regenerative Implant to Help Heal Critical Bone Defects in Canine Radii
The current treatment for critical bone defects in canine extremities involves very invasive surgeries that involve implanting metal plates and screws that can cause a multitude of post operative complications including infection and chronic pain. This intention of this project is to aid the development of a 3D printed device that will house a scaffold that will promote osteogenesis and eventually complete healing of the bone.
Faculty Mentor:
David Prawel
Chris Cordero
Mechanical/ Civil/ Chemical
The Effects of COVID: Air Quality Research
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the composition of aerosol pollutants has significantly shifted. However, these shifts have varied from location to location. The aim of this project is to analyze the change in airborne pollutants to identify the effects of a widespread change to human activity on the environment.
Faculty Mentor:
Shantanu Jathar
Darwin Cortes
Chemical Engineering
Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines
The goal of this project is to optimize the composition of bio-blendstock in order to reduce soot emissions which has been found to negatively impact health and the environment (like lake acidification). All while keeping the composition energy efficient.
Faculty Mentor:
Bret Windom
Sarah Dann
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Environmental Fluid Mechanics at CSU
The first aim of this research project is to evaluate the efficacy of random packing material (RPM) to distribute water evenly in small water systems, which make up the majority of water systems in the US, thus ensuring sufficient chlorination time and preventing byproducts and improving public health. The second aim of this research project is to study the fluid mechanics of a model weir at varying angles to be applied to a real weir and ensure that it is structurally sound. Both focuses of the research will be validated with computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
Faculty Mentor:
Karan Venayagamoorthy
Alexis Diaz
Civil Engineering
Steel Crack Detection
Bridges are inspected yearly with multiple cracks being found year after year. These cracks continue to develop over year and if not found, these cracks can create a dangerous situation that could end up in the bridge possibly collapsing. The aim of the research was to develop a neural network that could take images taken from a drone and detect steel crack in the bridge. The neural network would be able to detect the crack in the steel taking away the need for a person to spend hours looking at the structure of a bridge.
Faculty Mentor:
Yanlin Guo
Bridget Ediger
Chemical and Biological Engineering
CO2 Enzyme Membrane Project
Large-scale algal cultivations, such as those used for biofuel production, are normally conducted in open ponds. Algae obtain and consume dissolved CO2 needed for growth from the air above the pond surface and from industrial sources added to the pond. Normally, the added CO2 is simply bubbled into the water. However, this is extremely inefficient and more than 85% of the CO2 added to the pond simply goes into the atmosphere. In a project sponsored by the Department of Energy, we are developing a more efficient method of adding CO2 gas to ponds via a porous membrane. My subset of the project is focused on simulating and understanding the limitations of storing dissolved CO2 in tanks prior to being added to the pond. This includes studying how factors such as salinity, pH and concentration affect CO2 storage.
My current work also focuses on measuring the rate of CO2 transfer to water through the membrane being researched, both with and without the enzyme carbonic anhydrase used as a membrane coating. Carbonic anhydrase is found in lungs and red blood cells, and is being used in this project to increase the rate at which CO2 is transferred to water for storage.
Faculty Mentor:
Kenneth Reardon
Ben Fagerstrom
Mechanical Engineering
Nanowire Development
CSU’s Advanced Beam Laboratory has devised several experiments to study the effects of energizing arrays of nanowires, and how applying large amounts of energy can reorganize the electron orbitals of the atoms within the wires. One result of this process is the scattered of photons at wavelengths in the X-ray range, which suggest that this process could result to much faster imaging technologies in the future.
Faculty Mentor:
Reed Hollinger
Abigail Fennell
School of Biomedical Engineering
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Mechanical Memory at Cytoplasm and Nucleus
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer a promising new frontier in regenerative and anti-aging medicine. However, large-scale manufacturing of MSCs causes gradual deviation from MSC phenotype and loss of multipotency, thus limiting their scalable applications. This can be attributed to mechanical properties of the cell culture environment. Interestingly, MSCs have an ability called mechanical memory where they display a certain degree of plasticity to define their own phenotype during its expansion process on substrates with various stiffness. The aim of this research is to investigate the mechanism of mechanical memory in MSCs through the hypothesized mechanism of the differential dynamic response of cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins. Specifically, we have explored the role of actin and lamin proteins in this complex interplay through MSC culture on different substrate stiffness, confocal microscopy, image analysis and mathematical modeling. Elucidation of the mechanisms of mechanical memory in MSC can be exploited to maintain MSC phenotype during large scale expansion culture.
Faculty Mentor:
Soham Ghosh
Alayna Gilbert
Mechanical Engineering
Polyoxymethylene Ethers (POMEs) as a High Cetane, Low Sooting Biofuel Blendstock for Use in MCCI Engines?
In the next several years, petroleum fuel consumption and heavy-duty freight will continue to grow. While the engines used in heavy-duty freight (MCCI diesel engines) are highly thermal efficient, they produce a large amount of NOx and Particulate matter emissions that require high energy and costly exhaust aftertreatment systems. The aim of this research project is to create a POME biofuel that will reduce carbon emissions, target fuel properties that will enhance the engine performance and reduce emissions, will be renewably sourced, and have acceptable lower heating values, oxidative stability, and water solubility.
Faculty Mentor:
Bret Windom
Madison Hill
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Algae Cell Immobilization
The use of biofuels as a renewable energy source is increasing, however, it can be an expensive alternative due to its requirement of additional energy and water. Cyanobacteria is a specific type of algae that can convert carbon dioxide into useful products and reduce the use of fossil fuels. The goal of this research project is to increase the efficiency of the algae cells in producing these beneficial products that can then be used as energy sources. To accomplish this goal, the algae cells are immobilized and then grown in thin gel films where they are monitored daily in order to determine the best conditions for algae growth and maintenance. Methods to collect their products effectively are also being determined and studied. By analyzing their growth and requirements, more information about the algae can be collected and utilized to improve techniques and understanding.
Faculty Mentor:
Kenneth Reardon
Jason Jackson
Biomedical/ Mechanical Engineering
Generating a Scaffold for Rotator Cuff Tendon Repair
Injuries to the rotator cuff afflict millions annually. Current treatments often fail to minimize a high re-tear rate, and considerably lowered post-operation muscle quality and shoulder function. The aim of this research project is to perform a material analysis of different polymers which could be used as a cell-hosting scaffold for potentially more effective cell therapies and treatments of the rotator cuff.
Faculty Mentor:
Kirk McGilvray
Isabelle Lemma
Biomedical Engineering
Response of Stem Cells to High Oxidative Environment
Stem cells are known for their self-renewal and differentiation abilities, which changes over time as they age to the point where they eventually stop replicating by being senescent. High oxidative stress is one of the reasons for stem cell senescence in culture and in vivo. Specifically, the oxidative stress affects the telomerase activity in the cells and that negatively affects the cells’ ability to replicate. The aim of this project is to create an experimental platform and a mathematical model to predict the oxidative stress induced senescence in the stem cell. The framework will not only be useful for cells for understanding stem cell aging but also the aging of other cell types.
Faculty Mentor:
Soham Ghosh
Caroline Loewecke
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships
As the field of pharmacology develops, the number of chemicals investigated for therapeutic uses also develops. Screening drugs for specific therapeutic applications is very expensive and time consuming. The use of quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) is an extremely beneficial way to discover drugs that might be candidates for different therapeutic uses. These QSARs turn chemical structures of very similarly configured molecules into descriptor values. These descriptors are then used to measure an endpoint (receptor binding affinity, toxicity, etc.) for the group. Then, once validated, the QSAR can be used to predict the effects of other similarly structured chemicals that are not a part of the original set. Using this method, researchers are able to narrow down a group of chemicals to the ones with the most potential success regarding their given target. This saves time and resources by allowing screening without the need for in vivo or in vitro experiments on all of the possible candidates.
Faculty Mentor:
Brad Reisfeld
Alistair Mayfield
Mechanical Engineering
Correlations of Material Properties
Materials have been a very important cornerstone of technological development, and there is currently a large number of materials that have properties that are not yet fully understood. A greater number of materials with unusual properties are being explored and utilized as time progresses. The main objective of this research project is to utilize computer programming and statistical analysis in order to understand the properties of different metals and metalloids. These methods of material exploration, seeking potential correlations between any of the numbers of properties present in the materials and the factors that play into those correlations, can aid in developing a better understanding of the materials with greater analysis.
Faculty Mentor:
Chris Weinberger
Elliot McCormick
Electrical Engineering
Super-resolution microscopy
Conventional optical microscopy is limited by the diffraction limit. Super-resolution microscopy is looking to overcome that limit. The goal of this project is to be able to image beyond the threshold of diffraction in three dimensions. This ability will then be applied to studying sperm cells to greater understand infertility issues.
Faculty Mentor:
Diego Krapf
Steven Mendoza
Mechanical Engineering
3D printing for fibrocartilage regeneration (intervertebral disc and temporomandibular joint)
Fibrocartilage cannot regrow or heal, injury or disease like osteoarthritis and other diseases damages this tissue can lead to permanent disability. The aim of this research project is to make a replacement for the fibrocartilage in the jaw and back using a special 3D printer that prints with polymers. The 3D printer we are using is very new technology that uses electricity to make the polymers into a printable substance. This new method of printing will replace other procedures that do not fix the problem making this a very innovative way to fix fibrocartilage.
Faculty Mentor:
Jason Kuiper
Clint Middlemist
Mechanical Engineering
Adaptive Soft Robotic Finger
In the world of prosthetics, there has always been the challenge of replacing that of an actual human hand and finger. The aim of this research project is to design and develop a soft robotic finger which can be remotely controlled and utilized in countless different applications, including prosthetics.
Faculty Mentor:
Jianguo Zhao
Amanda Mohrlang
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Electro Stimulated Fermentation
Metabolites such as butanol are useful molecules for biofuels, industrial solvents, and many other applications. However, they are most often produced petrol-chemically; a process that has many harmful environmental side effects and is unsustainable. Currently, microbial production of metabolites is limited by high costs and low production yields due to a low reducing power from electrons. These limitations drastically decrease the process’s sustainability. The goal of this research project is to improve the yield of metabolites from microbial production by increasing the flux of metabolic electrons into microbes through electro stimulated fermentation.
Faculty Mentor:
Kenneth Reardon
Colton Moore
Biomedical Engineering
Distraction Osteogenesis
Bone defects greater than 8 cm long will not heal on their own. Distraction osteogenesis is a method used to solve these issues. Distraction osteogenesis is a process of bone lengthening with many applications. As a research team, we are focused upon using distraction osteogenesis as a method for the purpose of healing. This happens by removing the dead or defected bone segment, cutting the healthy bone on a side of the removed segment then transporting the new section of healthy bone 1mm per day until it reaches the other side. It grows new bone behind it as it is transported.
Faculty Mentor:
Ben Gadomski
Richard Morales-Villalva
Biomedical Engineering
Cell interaction with nanomaterials for medical device applications
In this project, over many years many researchers in the medical industry have tried to find materials for implants that not only are safer but also better than the ones already in the market, the aim is to make biomaterials that are safer and more effective for implants and in this research project a surface modification strategy using natural biopolymers on titanium is proposed to improve bone healing and promote rapid and successful osseointegration of orthopedic implants.
Faculty Mentor:
Ketul Popat
Joshua Nez
Adaptive Robotics Lab
Drone Pearching
Flying drones only have a certain fly time due to their limited battery capabilities. To help the drones finish their job, they can maintain the same height using a perching technique. This can help the drone conserve it’s energy and allow it to stay on the field longer. The purpose of this research is to create a compliant mechanism to achieve a perching of the drone.
Faculty Mentor:
Jiangao Zhao
Kyle Pinto
Mechanical Engineering
Creation of Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) from Commercial Polymer Surfaces for Resistive Heating Applications
With the growing popularity of the extremely versatile material graphene, ranging in application from extremely-dense energy storage mechanisms to enhanced building materials for mechanical applications, many methods of graphene production have been explored to make this material more available and cheaper to use. One of the biggest problems with graphene today is its extremely high cost of production due to extremely low yields through most methods of creation, including exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition, or nanotube slicing, to name a few. The aim of this research is to explore a much more scalable and cheaper method of graphene production: laser irradiation of polymer precursors, or more specifically, the usage of a very cheap blue laser that can be readily acquired and simple Kevlar fabric sheets to manufacture small samples of graphene that can be replicated relatively easily. Though the quality of this graphene would not be the same as more traditional methods of manufacturing, it would be a much more versatile and scalable method of production that could be used for applications such as resistive heaters for integration into vehicle chassis or curing of composite materials via local heating.
Faculty Mentor:
Mostafa Yourdkhani
EmmaKate Raisley
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Dimethylformamide Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Model
Dimethylformamide (DMF) is a common solvent used in the manufacturing of synthetic fibers, leathers, films, and surface coatings. Exposure to this chemical can result in a variety of adverse effects, including liver toxicity. The aim of this research is to develop pharmacokinetic ( “what the body does to the chemical”) and pharmacodynamic ( “what the chemical does to the body”) models for DMF exposures in humans. We expect that these models, underpinned by exposure data from a partnering company, will facilitate prediction of the severity of effects resulting from DMF exposure and help inform strategies to lessen the toxic effects to workers in these industries.
Faculty Mentor:
Brad Reisfeld
Genevieve Reyland-Slawson
Mechanical Engineering
Direct Write 3D Printing
While 3D printing has become more popular, newer techniques have emerged to create more efficient and easier to produce. While the traditional methods of producing 3D models work well, newer techniques to produce products with different materials and different methods of curing can be more efficient and easier. In this research project we are trying to find a material that acts as a mold that cures the 3D printed material on a mold. By creating a mold that is able to heat up substantially enough and conduct that electricity towards the 3D printed material, the curing step in a drying oven can be skipped to save time. The overall goal of this research is to find a material that is able to conduct electricity without overheating while also curing a 3D printed material on the bed.
Faculty Mentor:
Mostafa Yourdkhani
Jenna Salvat
Environmental Engineering - Center for Contaminant Hydrology
Perfluorinated Compound Analysis using Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Data
Perfluorinated compounds have proliferated in use and production as a result of developments in chemistry and thus are increasingly found in many aqueous substrates. Methods are being formulated by scientists to attempt to degrade, neutralize, or completely destroy these compounds and the efficacy of such techniques may be determined through sample processing and the use of quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry. The focus of my work was to assist in manual processing of QTOF mass spectrometry data from various projects for data acquisition and analysis.
Faculty Mentor:
Jens Blotegovel
Juan Saucedo
Mechanical Engineering
Mathlab
I learned how to code to be able to solve a problem that was about finding the best way to build a computer that was under the budget of 800 dollar by regular coding then building a equation/function that would be easier to do.
Faculty Mentor:
Daniel Herber
Madison Shafer
Biomedical Engineering
The testing and Analysis of Permeability of Hydroxyapatite-Polycaprolactone Scaffolds
Osteogenesis, commonly known as the growth of bone, depends on many key factors. In order for man-made bone scaffolding to accurately assist in the regrowth of bone, it must first mimic the characteristics of bone. The movement of fluid and particulates through the bone is one essential attribute to this process. The aim of this research project is to understand the permeable characteristics of the 3D printed Hydroxyapatite-Polycaprolactone Scaffolds generated in the Prawel Bone Lab. The movement of fluid through the tested scaffolding will be telling in how true biologically formed bone will react in its presence. Along with this, it will provide an estimation for the best percentage of porous scaffold should be places in the body.
Faculty Mentor:
David Prawel
Elaine Smith
Mechanical Engineering
CdTe Photovoltaic Research
An ongoing research project aimed at improving the efficiency of Cadmium Telluride solar panels by testing different combinations of materials deposited on glass.
Faculty Mentor:
Kevan Cameron
Vivia Van De Mark
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Implementation of Asymmetric Illumination Phase Contrast Microscopy
Advances in histopathology, the study and diagnosis of tissue disease, frequently occur concurrently with advances in bioimaging and computational microscopy. Phase contrast microscopy, in particular, has great potential as a diagnostic tool as it does not require extensive cell preparation (staining) and/or cell death. Here, we apply contemporary progress in asymmetrical illumination phase contrast imaging, utilizing an LED array microscope, toward gathering not only more precise morphological data but quantitative data often overlooked by traditional histopathology techniques.
Faculty Mentor:
Randy Bartels
Sam Vaughan
Mechanical Engineering
ALPINE
As emission requirements increase in response to climate change, different fuels will likely become a necessity. Liquified propane gas (LPG) is a potential option, but requires in-depth analysis to match the efficiency of traditional gasoline engines. This project aims to thoroughly analyze the behavior of LPG in a rapid combustion machine, while controlling and changing variables.
Faculty Mentor:
Anthony Marchese
Anna Wikowsky
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Compound meandering flume experiment with variable floodplain vegetation densities
This research project will help gain a better understanding of how the density of vegetation in the floodplain affects the velocities of the water in the channel and the floodplain. Methods to conduct this experiment and take measurements include large scale particle imaging velocimetry (LSPIV) and acoustic doppler velocimeter (ADV). The results of this project will help in determining the risk of damage structures and vegetation in a flood plain, and can thus aid in flood mitigation planning.
Faculty Mentor:
Peter Nelson
Key program details
Each fall, all first and second year Scott Scholars and first generation students will receive email inviting them to apply for the SURE program, so be sure to watch your @colostate.edu email account!
A matching fair is held so eligible students can meet with faculty to understand the research opportunities available.
Any student who believes they are eligible for SURE but does not receive an email invitation should contact Susan Benzel.
Our goal is to match all students who apply to SURE with a research opportunity.
If we have more than 45-50 students apply, some students may not be placed. Susan will work with any students not placed to find other potential research options.
Students and faculty mentors will be matched in the fall, and research work will start in the spring semester.
SURE culminates with a poster fair and celebration at the end of the spring semester
SURE program results to date
Percentage of students who feel the SURE program helped them clarify what they want to do after graduation
Yes
71%
Percentage of students who plan to continue to work with their SURE faculty sponsor after the SURE program ends
Yes
76%
Percentage of students who will be more likely to request mentoring from their faculty sponsor in the future
Yes
85%
Percentage of students who feel more connected with the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering after participating in SURE
Yes
95%
Percentage of students who have strengthened their desire to pursue an engineering degree as a result of participating in the SURE program
Yes
90%
Percentage of students who would recommend SURE to their fellow students
Yes
100%
Percentage of faculty/GRAs who are interested in participating in the SURE program in the future
Yes
100%