Professional Development

Interning at Xtreme Power Conversion Corporation

Katherine Pickens McConnell — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 00:19:21 +0000

Interning at Xtreme Power Conversion Corporation Katherine Pick… Mon, 01/13/2025 - 17:19

Bryce Sohayda is an undergraduate student in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering. He interned at Xtreme Power Conversion Corporation during summer 2024.

Where did you intern over the summer and what was exciting for you about that opportunity?

Bryce Sohayda during his summer internship with XPCC.

This summer, I had the opportunity to work at Xtreme Power Conversion Corporation (XPCC) in Denver, Colorado. They specialize in Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) to create power solutions for customers of all types. What excited me the most about this company was the opportunity to work for a supervisor with both entrepreneurial business skills and an engineering background. I appreciated being able to learn from his journey through different areas of engineering and gain an insight into the fast-growing industry of battery back up.

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on over the summer?

This internship was very hands-on and allowed me to work on several different projects. At the beginning of the internship, I worked on recharge and repair for the on-hand inventory and I used my basic circuits background to know voltage and current loads for an efficient recharge and restock system. Through the middle of the summer, we worked on a large value project including over 400, 3-part units where I got to rewire a user plug-in for modular enclosures and private label each unit. Toward the end of the summer, I switched to building 120V battery trays for large backup power units, where 40 of the trays go into one power unit. I got a very in-depth understanding of the UPS world and how many solutions there are to meet growing customer demand.

How did what you learned look different than the way you learn engineering in class?

One thing I learned from our engineering classes is that they teach us to problem solve more than anything else. There is no specific formula to use on some of these projects and it is up to you to figure out the process needed to complete the project. Unless you are in a position specific to a topic from class, don’t worry too much about the nitty gritty parts of that class. Instead, think about what processes and skills you gain from learning that subject.

What has been the most impactful part of your internship experience?

The most impactful part of my internship was understanding the model of an engineering company and learning what it takes to manage, build, or run a company. I got to experience each moving part of the business. At the simplest level, the company is all UPS based. A company may have great people but a mediocre product. A company may also have a great product, but mediocre people. However, when a company has both of these working simultaneously, that is when you see a company grow and succeed, and that is what I experienced at XPCC. Learning and experiencing this allowed me to combine all of my technical skills from engineering and social skills from business to provide XPCC with quality work.

What advice do you have for other students interested in pursuing a similar opportunity?

If you are interested in business-related engineering, first find a field that interests you. The best way to use your engineering degree in this way is to understand the field and product down to its smallest components and build from there. Because of the engineering knowledge that our degree gives us, we can understand the product intricately which provides us with the opportunity to share that information with customers and other companies. That allows us to grow the company because we understand the company starting with the technical fundamentals and moving all the way to the sales, management, and distribution phases. In my opinion, the best part of engineering is that you can make the degree as small or big as you want, so keep your eyes open for opportunities to join a company or start a company to change the world.

Bryce Sohayda is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He interned at Xtreme Power Conversion Corporation during summer 2024.

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Graduating student Aria Mundy receives the CEAS 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Award

Alexander James Servantez — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 21:53:39 +0000

Graduating student Aria Mundy receives the CEAS 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Award Alexander Jame… Tue, 12/17/2024 - 14:53

Alexander Servantez

Aria Mundy, a dual-major mechanical engineering and applied mathematics student graduating this fall, has been selected to receive the CU �鶹ӰԺ College of Engineering and Applied Science 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Award.

The award is given to an undergraduate student who maximized their educational experience in a holistic way, with accomplishments across several areas.

Mundy is the fourth ME student to win the award since 1994.

A home-grown love for engineering

Aria Mundy, recipient of the CEAS 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Award.

Born and raised in the �鶹ӰԺ area, Mundy always dreamed of studying engineering at the �鶹ӰԺ. She loved math, she loved science and with encouragement from her early educators, she learned the importance of women in engineering.

“I was one of just a few girls in my physics class during high school,” Mundy said. “One of my teachers encouraged me to pursue a career in STEM and inspired me to explore engineering.”

Mundy started her undergraduate journey in the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at CU �鶹ӰԺ. But after her freshman year, she decided to explore different areas of study in the college, eventually settling on the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering.

“The awesome part about ME is how versatile it is,” she said. “I’ve held some different internships across different industries. It’s been awesome to jump around and get exposure to many exciting areas.”

Success in-and-out of the classroom

During her time at CU �鶹ӰԺ, Mundy demonstrated a talent for academic success. She was awarded a scholarship by the BOLD Center and was a part of the CU �鶹ӰԺ Esteemed Scholars Program and CU Engineering Honors program. In her sophomore year, she was accepted into the Kiewit Design-Build Scholars Program.

Aria Mundy crossing the finish line at the USA Cycling Collegiate National Championships.

Mundy also exhibited success outside of the classroom. She has been a part of the CU Cycling and Triathlon Teams all throughout her college career, holding leadership positions on both teams. In the 2024 USA Cycling Collegiate National Championships, Mundy brought four national championships back to �鶹ӰԺ, taking first in the Women’s Club Team Time Trial, Road Race, Criterium, and Omnium events.

Success has found Mundy as a member of the CU �鶹ӰԺ Wind Team, as well. In 2023 and 2024, the squad took home two top-3 finishes in the Collegiate Wind Competition.

“Being a part of the different scholarship programs helped expand my opportunities and community,” Mundy said. “As for athletics, being a part of sports has always been my escape whenever I feel overwhelmed in class.

“It’s been amazing to find some success at races. But at the end of the day, it’s really just about being a part of such a great community and finding balance alongside academics.”

Creating an inclusive culture

Mundy attributes her success in multiple arenas to the support of peers and mentors who took her under their wings.

Aria Mundy guiding middle school students through a science experiment.

“When I was a freshman, stepping into sports felt intimidating at times. Cycling has few women and engineering has long been male-dominated,” she said. “But I’ll never forget the women who went out of their way to make me feel included. As I grew older, I felt the responsibility to create that same sense of belonging for others, too.”

In many ways, Mundy was on the front lines fighting for diversity and gender parity in engineering. As a member of CU �鶹ӰԺ’s Society of Women Engineers (SWE), she helped organize local workshops encouraging young women to explore STEM career opportunities.

She also participated in the Project-Based Learning in Rural Schools Soil Quality Inquiry Program (SQIQ). This experience took her to Paonia, Colorado where she partnered with Paonia K-8 to guide young students through soil-quality experiments, fostering their curiosity about science and research.

“CU �鶹ӰԺ is a very welcoming place for women and underrepresented students,” Mundy said. "I strive to share my excitement and enthusiasm for engineering and community, showing others that they have a support system and can succeed in this environment.”

Making a broader impact

A strong love for engineering and outreach opened the door for Mundy to make an impact beyond the CU �鶹ӰԺ campus, too.

Aria Mundy during her time at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

In summer 2022, Mundy traveled to Rwanda as a member of the CU Engineers Without Borders (EWB). She worked with her peers to design and implement a rainwater catchment system. She said it was “a true embodiment of what it means to be an engineer.”

“This project was a powerful reminder of how engineering can bring people together to create solutions that make a lasting difference,” Mundy said.

She also completed internships at companies in various engineering industries such as Tendeg, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, NIST, Specialized Bicycle Components and LASP. Mundy’s award nominator says she has contributed to new ideas and technologies at each company.

“My philosophy has been to try as many different things as possible,” Mundy said. “I’m truly grateful to receive this award, and for CU �鶹ӰԺ’s support in providing so many avenues for me to learn and grow.

“If I had more time, I would love to keep exploring new things. I’m sad my journey is coming to a close, but I’m excited for what comes next.”

The Outstanding Undergraduate Award will be presented to Mundy at the College of Engineering and Applied Science Graduation Ceremony on Dec. 19. Mundy is considering pursuing a master’s in mechanical engineering while exploring full-time opportunities.

Aria Mundy, a dual-major mechanical engineering and applied mathematics student graduating this fall has been selected to receive the CU �鶹ӰԺ College of Engineering and Applied Science 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Award. Mundy has displayed a vast level of achievement during her time on campus in areas such as academics, outreach, professional development and inclusion.

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Aria Mundy during her time in Rwanda as a member of the CU Engineers Without Borders (EWB).

Interning at Point Designs

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 01:51:27 +0000

Interning at Point Designs Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/16/2024 - 19:51

Hale Burke is an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. She interned at Point Designs during summer 2024.

Hale Burke and fellow intern Zoe Struk

Where did you intern over the summer and what was exciting for you about that opportunity?

I was a Research and Development (R&D) Intern at Point Designs, manufacturing functional, highly durable prosthetic digits for people with partial hand amputations and presentations. This was an incredibly exciting opportunity for me because it gave me the chance to work in the prosthetics industry, a dream I’ve had for several years. I didn’t know much about partial hand prosthetics before this internship. However, now that I have gotten to design a digit myself, I have a deep interest and respect for this field.

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on over the summer?

This summer I was working on the design and development of a partial hand immediate post-operative prosthetic (IPOP) terminal device, specifically for a finger. IPOPs are short-term transitional devices that are ideally implemented into treatment within the first 30 days post-amputation. They traditionally feature lightweight sockets with minimally functional terminal devices to help patients adjust to using a prosthetic as soon as possible. They have been shown to reduce rates of prosthetic rejection, assist with the psychological distress of limb loss and greatly improve the lives of patients long-term.

Point Digit partial hand prosthetic image courtesy of Point Designs.

The device I designed is a passive positional prosthetic digit that can attach to a diagnostic socket using a curved interface at the bottom of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Its main purpose is to help patients reach their individual occupational therapy goals within the first few months following surgery.

Was there a particular challenge you encountered that really pushed you to learn something new?

During this internship, I had the opportunity to travel to the Amputation Rehabilitation Medicine & Surgery (ARMS) clinic in New Jersey to observe patient-clinician interactions at various stages post-operation. The main goal for this trip was to learn more about user needs and design considerations for the IPOP device. Working with an interdisciplinary team was super interesting, but presented challenges due to differences in how each group thinks about design. I had to learn how to take what I gathered from my conversations with hand surgeons, prosthetists and occupational therapists and turn them into design requirements for the device even when not provided with exact values to design for (weight, level of functionality, how much force the device can withstand, etc.).

What was it like to work at a startup? Were there any unique challenges or opportunities that came with being part of a new company?

I really enjoyed working at a startup. I had the opportunity to work on my own project and had the resources to prototype several iterations, try out different hardware and physically test my design. Due to the small size of the company, I was able to get regular, in-depth feedback on my work from my co-workers and quickly implement changes. Working at a startup also meant I got to meet and work with teams outside of the R&D space such as production and marketing. I found I was also able to form much deeper relationships with my co-workers than I would have been able to at a larger company because of how closely we worked together. I would love to work at a startup or small company again.

What advice do you have for other students interested in pursuing a similar opportunity?

My advice would be to go for it! Go out of your comfort zone and actively challenge yourself; that's where growth happens. I really enjoyed my experience at a startup because it allowed me to see so many aspects of a professional R&D engineering job. I learned about project management, production/product assembly, manufacturing processes, product development, design, rapid and professional prototyping, computational and numerical optimization, interdisciplinary communication and so much more. Additionally, I made so many meaningful connections with my coworkers because of how interconnected everyone was due to the small size of the company. You get out of this experience what you put in, so be willing to learn, grow and ask for help!

Hale Burke is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. She interned at Point Designs during summer 2024.

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Working towards decarbonization with the power of ammonia

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 01:34:39 +0000

Working towards decarbonization with the power of ammonia Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 09/24/2024 - 19:34

Jatinder Sampathkumar

Jatinder Sampathkumar is a PhD graduate from Mechanical Engineering and is currently working on new renewable energy technologies at Amogy.

Jatinder Sampathkumar

Tell us about your current role. What are you working on?

I am a senior systems engineer at Amogy, where I facilitate collaboration between the research and development (R&D) and product development teams. I’m part of the team responsible for designing, packaging, manufacturing, testing and integrating our product's hardware elements. I collaborate closely with our customers to understand their specific needs and interface with certification and regulatory bodies to ensure our products meet safety standards and help shape new regulations for ammonia-powered systems.

What makes ammonia interesting as an energy source?

Ammonia, a century-old chemical produced from hydrogen and atmospheric nitrogen, has traditionally served as a fertilizer precursor. It has a superior energy density compared to hydrogen and existing battery chemistries and can provide a carbon-neutral solution for transporting and storing clean energy. Technological advancements including efficient ammonia cracking, direct ammonia propulsion and hybrid fuel blends have opened new avenues for its use in transportation. The existing infrastructure, public familiarity and technological maturity of ammonia from its agricultural applications also contribute to its potential as an energy source.

What kinds of applications are a good fit for Amogy's technology? Where do you see it making an impact?

Currently, the shipping industry is responsible for 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions through its annual consumption of 300 million tons of fossil fuels, making it a key focus area for Amogy's products. Amogy recently sailed the world's first carbon-free, ammonia-powered vessel, marking an important step in demonstrating the capabilities of carbon-free sustainable solutions. Our technology can also be easily adapted for electricity generation in other sectors, such as stationary power generation for critical infrastructure sites, off-grid or remote locations and port-side applications.

How does what you do now connect back to your work as a PhD student?

My research with the Labbe and �鶹ӰԺ Experimental Electronics and Manufacturing (BEEM) labs focused on designing and manufacturing miniature flow devices for evaluating sustainable fuel candidates at the molecular level. I dedicated significant time to applying core mechanical engineering principles to enhance existing experiments that assess the chemical behavior of these fuels. I continue to apply this expertise at Amogy, where we translate experimental findings and theoretical models into practical product capabilities. My experience in the graduate design program has also been instrumental in equipping me with the tools to tackle design challenges from a user-centric perspective. It has emphasized the importance of iterative design as we move from ideation to the operational deployment of products.

What advice do you have for students interested in working on new, more sustainable energy sources?

Sustainable energy development is an urgent global priority, particularly as we strive to combat climate change and diversify our energy sources. One of the most essential skills to cultivate is curiosity. Staying informed about the rapidly evolving energy landscape is crucial. Understanding which technologies are being explored and identifying key sectors for diversification can drive meaningful progress. Engaging in interdisciplinary learning is also vital, as creating sustainable solutions requires collaboration among individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Jatinder Sampathkumar is a PhD graduate from Mechanical Engineering and is currently working on new renewable energy technologies at Amogy.

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Interning at Ezalife

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 20:11:27 +0000

Interning at Ezalife Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 09/21/2024 - 14:11

Pranav Maddali

Pranav Maddalli is an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. He interned at Ezalife during summer 2024.

Pranav Maddali

Where did you intern over the summer and what was exciting for you about that opportunity?

This summer, I interned at Ezalife LLC, a medical device company that specializes in securement devices for gastrostomy buttons. I’ve always been intrigued by the medical device industry and by being able to work with a startup. Working with Ezalife was a great opportunity for me to get my foot in the door and experience what design and manufacturing looks like in the medical device industry.

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on over the summer?

My project this summer was to create a new variation of Ezalife’s patented “Button Huggie” securement device. Throughout the summer, I used computer-aided design software (CAD) and 3D printers to develop and prototype Button Huggie ideas to be able to test them for safety and security. Being able to create multiple prototypes allowed me to understand how to properly design and test medical devices to clear them for a clinical setting. That was very important for this device because it directly impacts the safety and well-being of the children and infants that receive it.

What was it like to work at a startup?

Working with a startup was a great experience because it was something completely new to me that I had to adapt to. At first, it was difficult because there were so many new ideas and such a small team to talk about with them. As we moved through the summer, we started using video calls and chat tools more which helped a lot with more efficient and in-depth collaboration. Working with a startup also helped me understand that failure is not looked down upon; it is valued because it promotes growth and fosters new ideas, which are invaluable at a startup company. I’m aiming to use this mindset throughout the rest of my academic career and past it as well.

Button huggie image courtesy of Ezalife

How did what you learned look different than the way you learn engineering in class?

Working with Ezalife has allowed me to get hands-on experience with medical devices. Throughout school, I have mainly learned engineering in a theoretical way whether that be with models or different types of calculations. I haven’t been able to experience hands-on prototype work or experience 3D designs becoming tangible objects. Learning engineering with CAD software, 3D printers and my hands has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of design, different types of materials and manufacturability. I learned about multiple factors that could influence how medical devices fail and succeed, most of which I would not have been able to learn inside a classroom.

What advice do you have for other students interested in pursuing a similar opportunity?

I have two pieces of advice that I would like to share that really helped me get the most out of this opportunity. The first piece of advice is to ask questions. Asking questions is the best way to fully understand complex concepts, requirements and expectations. As an engineer, there is usually not much room for error, so asking questions to fully understand the problem at hand will allow you to create an efficient and effective solution.

My second piece of advice would be to not be afraid of failure. I’ve learned that failure in prototyping is valuable for engineers because it exposes flaws and limitations early in the design process. Understanding each failure helps lead to more innovation because each setback provides more insight and an effective solution in the end.

Pranav Maddalli is an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. He interned at Ezalife during summer 2024.

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Undergraduate research in the Ferguson Biomechanics and Biomimetics Lab

Anonymous — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Undergraduate research in the Ferguson Biomechanics and Biomimetics Lab Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 09/01/2024 - 00:00

Asaiah Gifford

Asaiah Gifford is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. She participated in the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) during summer 2024.

Final research presentation.

Where did you work over the summer and what was exciting for you about that opportunity?

This summer, I was an undergraduate researcher in the Ferguson Biomechanics and Biomimetics Lab through the CU SPUR program. I really enjoyed Mechanics of Solids with Professor Ferguson in the spring, which piqued my interest in her lab even though I didn’t have prior research experience. The different projects in the lab primarily involve bone and cartilage tissues and researching their mechanical behavior and properties. It was exciting to utilize concepts and processes we covered in Solids with such a focused application with positive impacts far beyond the lab.

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on?

I completed research under Oluwafunmilayo “Funmi” Adedokun, a materials science and engineering PhD student in the lab, assisting with a project focused on understanding the mechanical properties and material composition of murine (mouse) bones.

We had two separate sample groups which we prepared and collected data from: one of mice of four, 12 and 24 months of age, and another from a group of mice with deletion of a gene called α2δ1 (which is responsible for enabling bone cells to sense and respond to mechanical stimuli). We used Raman spectroscopy and nano-indentation to analyze how material composition and mechanical properties differed between the mice of different ages and mice with and without α2δ1.

What was it like to work in a research lab? Has the experience changed your idea of what research means in engineering?

It was satisfying to apply the concepts regarding mechanical properties that we touched on in class while also learning more about how the human body works. It gave me the chance to see why having a high-level understanding of mechanics is so important to do biological research in the Ferguson lab.

One of the most important parts of this opportunity was learning how to develop consistent testing procedures to ensure that the data we collected would be precise and accurate, meaning that every day there were places to apply engineering principles and problem-solving approaches.

What has been the most impactful part of your research experience?

Anterior-lateral portion of mid-diaphysis mouse femure cross-section. Taken using a Keyence Microscope to perform analysis of surface roughness to enable collection of Raman spectra.

Learning how to work efficiently when being faced with an immense learning curve was really important for me. For the project I worked on, I had to do a lot of literature review and training on different instruments in the lab for sample preparation and testing, so it was important to ask questions if I was ever unsure about something I was doing. Funmi was a great mentor and taking advantage of the chain of communication/collaboration among the people in our lab group made sure that questions never went unanswered or unexplored.

What advice do you have for other students interested in pursuing a similar opportunity?

Before the SPUR program, I lacked perspective on how much of what we learn as engineers has direct applications to so many scientific (especially biological) research fields. It’s important to be open minded to all types of lab opportunities, no matter how niche they seem, and I would highly recommend connecting with your (or other) professors about joining their labs for SPUR or DLA!

Asaiah Gifford is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. She participated in the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) during summer 2024.

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Undergraduate research in the Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Bioinspiration

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 23:07:44 +0000

Undergraduate research in the Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Bioinspiration Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 07/31/2024 - 17:07

Jack Printup

Jack Printup is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He participated in the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) during summer 2024.

Working in the lab assembling a fin prototype

Where did you work over the summer and what was exciting for you about that opportunity?

Over the summer I had the opportunity to work in the Laboratory for Advanced Materials & Bioinspiration (LAMB). This lab is run by Professor Francois Barthelat and is focused on research in materials science, currently with two major focus areas: Granular materials and bioinspired mechanisms. What drew me to this position was definitely my fascination with bioinspired robotics. The variety and versatility of life is as astonishing as it is beautiful, and I have always felt that if we engineers could harness even one percent of nature's adaptability, it could result in a total revolution within the field of robotics. However, doing so requires an unbelievable amount of research on the academic level. Incredibly, I can now consider myself a part of this field of research, thanks to this project, the LAMB lab and the SPUR program.

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on?

My main project in the lab has been designing a mechanical fish fin that utilizes a bioinspired structure that my mentor, Prashant Kunjam, is currently in the process of researching. I also have been helping out some of my labmates with manufacturing materials to perform experiments with. The process has definitely tested my design and manufacturing skills in really unexpected and unique ways.

Was there a particular challenge you encountered that really pushed you to learn something new?

Definitely. This was my first time trying to design a system from scratch, and so to achieve my desired result I needed to do a ton of research on prior artificial research designs. The thing is, being able to effectively read research articles is a skill unto itself and one that I still have not mastered!

Mechanical fish fin

Did you have any "aha!" moments when you realized that you could apply something that you'd learned in class?

When I was first trying to figure out how to design my mechanical fin, I was really struggling to find a way to create a mechanism that would pull from the same direction even when the fin was at an arbitrary angle. Then (after some helpful nudging from my grad mentor, Prashant) I remembered a fact that I learned in my statics class: the defining characteristic of a string is that it can only provide a force in one direction. Perfect! It was just what I needed to solve the problem, and has served as the cornerstone for the entire project ever since.

What was it like to work in a research lab? Has the experience changed your idea of what research means in engineering?

Working in a research lab is honestly an experience like no other. It was really eye-opening to see how much time and effort goes into advancing our understanding of the world around us, and knowing that there are many, many people putting in that effort every day. That being said, the main difference I’ve noticed between engineering as a field of research and engineering as an industry is the timeline. Research tends to move a bit slower than industry due to the exploratory nature of the work. From what I’ve seen, PhD students can spend months trying to perfect a single experiment and work in a lab for years before publishing their first paper in a journal. It’s tough work, but all the more rewarding for it.

What advice do you have for other students interested in pursuing a similar opportunity?

My advice on this is the same as everyone else who goes through SPUR: If you want to take part in the SPUR program like I did, make sure to reach out to the faculty members who post the projects you’re interested in. I know it takes a fair bit of time and effort to send all those emails, but it gives the faculty a chance to see just how enthusiastic about the project you are. The difference in the results you’ll receive is like night and day. Also, make sure to read up on the professors’ research before meeting with them!

Jack Printup is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He participated in the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) during summer 2024.

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Interning with NASA

Anonymous — Wed, 08 May 2024 19:54:30 +0000

Interning with NASA Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 05/08/2024 - 13:54

Tyler Huebsch

Tyler Huebsch is a graduate student in Mechanical Engineering. He completed an internship with the Convergent Aeronautics Solutions team at NASA.

Tyler Huebsch

Where did you intern and what was exciting for you about that opportunity?

I interned part-time for NASA during the spring of 2024. I worked on their Convergent Aeronautics Solutions (CAS) team which focuses on identifying new solutions to particularly wicked problems. Wicked problems involve complex, interconnected, and contradictory stakeholders that become difficult or impossible to solve when trying to address every requirement. The specific area of research I focused on was powering sustainable airports in 2075.

I was excited to be a part of a speculative research project. Speculative research and design are processes that uncover alternative approaches to solving future problems. This type of research allowed me to think creatively and reimagine my preconceived idea of research while still pulling technical information from my engineering background.

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on during your internship?

I mainly worked on the “Powering Sustainable Airports in 2075” project focusing on powering air-side airport infrastructure and the human factors that will drive the infrastructure changes of the future. These opportunities are helping NASA build a hydrogen coalition that will determine a framework for carbon-free, sustainable power generation at airports.

My research analyzed the fuels and energy generation technologies that will be powering aircraft and airports. The energy dependence airports had on the aircraft revealed opportunities like on-site power generation, carbon-free fuel analyses, and a decentralized airport energy system.

Was there a particular challenge you encountered that really pushed you to learn something new?

I had to learn how to solve problems from a more creative lens. In school, I solved problems that were very well-defined and laden with technical material. The problems we were solving in my internship were inherently wicked and had undefined future states. This internship forced me to step out of my comfort zone to solve problems. I learned techniques like backcasting, data storytelling, wicked problem-solving, and lateral thinking. Going forward, I will be able to apply these new tools to future problems and projects.

What advice do you have for other students interested in pursuing a similar opportunity?

Don’t be afraid to apply to any job posting that you find interests you! I never could have imagined myself working at NASA simply because I didn’t have a degree in Aerospace. Even after I got the job offer, I felt I wasn’t qualified enough to work there. After a few weeks, I realized that I was selected for a reason and was able to contribute every day to the team. Even if you don’t meet every qualification on a job posting, still be sure to put your resume in the mix. It could lead to an incredible opportunity for you!

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Q&A: Inspiring the Next Generation of Researchers in Neuromechanics

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 22:52:46 +0000

Q&A: Inspiring the Next Generation of Researchers in Neuromechanics Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 12/08/2022 - 15:52

Ryan Schmad (BSME '23) is the recipient of the 2022 Best Undergradute Podium Award from the Rocky Mountain American Society of Biomechanics. His research mentor is Rachel Marbaker, a current PhD student in Alaa Ahmed's Neuromechanics Laboratory.

Ryan, tell us about your research. What was the study you worked on?

Ryan: I helped complete an isometric grip force experiment studying how individuals’ gripping behavior changes in the presence of reward. I used a robotic arm manipulandum where subjects would grip a force transducer that would move a cursor on a screen to targets. These targets would randomly appear in one of four locations. Rewarded targets were accompanied by visual feedback (a yellow flash of light and a message of +4 points) and audio feedback (a higher pitched ping), while non-rewarded targets did not have accompanying visual or audio feedback. After analysis we found that subjects had a faster reaction, greater peak force, and greater peak force rate when gripping for rewarded targets. This shows that individuals reach faster and with a greater vigor towards rewarded targets.

Ryan Schmad

How did you first get involved in research and what drew you to neuromechanics?

Ryan: I had the opportunity to work with the lab initially through the ME Summer Research Program. I had always been interested in research and when I received the email for this opportunity I thought it would be a great chance to see how engineering and research go together. What drew me to the Neuromechanics Lab was the unique questions that they were trying to answer with respect to human behavior and neural control, along with how they found answers through reverse engineering. I was also interested in the realm of biomedical engineering. Another big thing that drew me to the lab was how nice Rachel was when I met with her for a brief interview. I felt that I would be in a supportive environment and would have the opportunity to learn a ton from her and others in the lab. I had a blast after that first summer.

I wanted to continue with the research project and received funding from the STEM Routes Uplift Program to continue working in the lab.

What kinds of challenges did you encounter in your research? Is there anything you learned that surprised you?

Ryan: One challenge that I found was the technical reading. I hadn’t read many research papers before this opportunity and they were quite difficult to understand and get through at first. With support and practice, I was able to learn how to extract the relevant information from an article. Another challenge that I ran into for my research was the analysis of large data sets that had a lot of noise or just unexpected behavior. With hundreds of thousands of data points, it took a lot of time to learn how to properly sort through them to get the information that I wanted but also to parse through individual trials that had either errors or such strange behavior that it messed up our code for analysis. Since I had never done research before, especially with humans, I never realized just how noisy behavior and data could be, so it was super interesting to see that.

What advice would you share with a student interested in getting involved in research?

Ryan: My best advice would be to just go for it! I wasn’t sure what research would involve in an engineering setting so the best way to see if you like it is to try it out. Research has shaped what I would like to do with my future and I think it can have that kind of impact on anybody. In a more technical sense, I would also encourage someone interested in research to go to Google Scholar and find some articles to read to get an idea of what the content looks like in this area of work.

Rachel Marbaker

Rachel, what was your path to a PhD studying neuromechanics?

Rachel: I came to Neuromechanics in a bit of a roundabout way. I went into college aiming for a degree in behavioral economics, agreeing to test the waters of engineering to soothe my parents’ worry. I loved engineering and my undergraduate degrees were in mechanical engineering and mathematics. My undergraduate thesis focused on creative innovation in actuators, focusing on shape-changing textiles. In my junior year, I applied for an undergraduate research experience at the University of Delaware where I worked on the development of a treadmill-based rehabilitation program for recovering stroke patients. As a lifelong athlete, I was immediately captivated by the intricacies of human movement and its interaction with the brain. Learning plays such a subtle and crucial role in how we navigate movement in everyday life!

I applied to a variety of graduate programs under a broad range of departmental titles -- psychology, physiology, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, exercise science, physical therapy -- in every case looking to work toward understanding movement for applications in rehabilitation and performance. I joined Alaa’s lab because in an early conversation, we encountered a shared interest in behavioral economics. Neuromechanics allows me to study movement in the context of understanding how the brain controls behavior and use that information to develop rehabilitation interventions. In developing models of the brain, we apply behavioral economics to understand how the brain manages energy, accuracy, and choice in movements. It’s all synergy and the clear pathway to application is exciting!

As a PhD student, what role has mentoring played in your work?

Rachel: Mentoring is so much fun! Bringing in new students and getting to share my excitement with them helps me develop my communication skills, both in collaboration and in communicating my ideas to an audience with a different background. Each student’s unique contributions add nuance and perspective to the project, from working across cultures to collaborating with a mentee who used their game development background to build an experimental set-up in a virtual reality environment. Having mentees keeps me consistently involved in a project because I am consistently engaging with the student’s progress and collaboratively problem solving with them. Finally, I love being able to support research experiences for students that might inspire them to pursue a graduate degree.

What advice would you share with a graduate student interested in mentoring?

Rachel: Absolutely bring on a mentee. Not only do they help with the data collection and experimental development, but they help you improve your teaching and communication skills. I want to promote collaboration, and I have a rule that my mentees should never be stuck on a problem for more than two hours. At that point I want them to reach out so we can problem solve together and keep the project moving forward. I schedule weekly meetings where we assess progress, plan next steps, and talk through issues and project motivations. My lab also encourages mentees to attend weekly lab meetings to ensure that they are part of the lab community and have the opportunity to ask questions, learn from lab members other than me, and engage in discussions about the larger research field.

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Interning with LifeFormations

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Interning with LifeFormations Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/05/2022 - 00:00

Katie Schutt

Katie Schutt is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. She interned with LifeFormations during summer 2022.

Katie Schutt

Where did you intern and what exciting for you about that opportunity?

This summer I was a mechanical engineering intern at a small company called LifeFormations. They design and fabricate animatronics and other scenic elements for amusement parks, museums, and other entertainment experiences. As a media production and mechanical engineering student as well as special effects enthusiast, I have always been excited about working in the intersection of entertainment and engineering. This was a great opportunity in that field!

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on over the summer?

I contributed to many different stages of multiple animatronic projects for high-profile clients in the entertainment industry. This ranged from machining parts for animatronic characters that were about to be shipped, to writing maintenance and safety documentation that included calculations, to designing structural components in SolidWorks.

Was there a particular challenge you encoutnered that really pushed your engineering skills?

Occasionally I would have to redesign or fully design parts in the armature, or internal mechanical “skeleton” of the animatronic. This greatly challenged my design-for-manufacturability skills and thinking. While building the 3D part geometry in SolidWorks, I was constantly asking myself questions: Can I water jet this component, or does it need to be machined? Does a machinist need to re-fixture the part to make these features? Does this geometry interfere with the external structural and decorative shells? It was incredibly helpful to have these and more discussions with the full-time engineers at LifeFormations, who have many years of design experience.

Did you have any "aha!" moments when you realized that you could use an equation or skill you'd learned in class?

Many different mechanical engineering concepts I had learned at CU popped up during my summer internship! For example, to justify motor selections for a figure’s movement, we utilized torque-speed curves like those I had made for my MCEN 3025 Component Design project. I also spent over 400 hours working in SolidWorks at LifeFormations: designing sheet metal and machined parts, building weldment frames, and creating correctly toleranced and dimensioned assembly and detail drawings. The introductory SolidWorks skills I learned from the labs and projects in MCEN 1025 were a great foundation for the work I did at LifeFormations.

What advice would you have for other students interested in working or interning in a related field?

If you are interested in gaining experience at a company in a niche engineering field, don’t turn away if there aren’t any internship roles posted on their website! Keep researching and asking for information. I discovered LifeFormations through CU Mechanical Engineering alumni and LinkedIn, and reached out to the company through the contact form on their website.

Katie Schutt is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. She interned with LifeFormations during summer 2022.

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