Research Opportunities

UTSI’s Summer Research Interns participate in “real world” projects under the supervision of experienced researchers. The work that interns perform is meaningful and contributes to the success of the institute. The program seeks to match interns with research projects that are of interest to them and that will provide growth relating to their career goals.

The following is a partial list of projects that interns have worked on in the past:

Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science (BEAMS) / Center for Laser Applications (CLA)

  • Structured glass scintillators
  • Iron nanoparticles for applications in Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) and hyperthermia treatment
  • Doped diamond-like carbon films for anti-fogging applications
  • Pulsed laser deposition – synthesis of advanced luminescent glass-ceramic thin films
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – synthesis of iron nanoparticles to be used as contrast agents
  • Fuel Cells – water electrolysis using a modified additive manufactured plate; optimization of the ink used to print the catalyst layer in a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cell (PEMEC)

Computational and Experimental Aerospace Research Lab (CEAR)

  • Assisting with the selection of ionic liquid propellants for use in electric micro-thrusters
  • Researching and assisting in the design of a nuclear thermal propulsion simulator
  • SolidWorks design of electrospray microthrusters
  • Iron steering using a magnetic field
  • MicroStamps

HORIZON Hypersonics Research Group

  • Wind tunnels – retroreflective shadowgraphy in a Mach 2 wind tunnel; design of a hollow cylinder flare model with stiffening ribs for the Mach 4 Ludwig tube
  • Measurements of high-speed viscous interactions with focused laser differential
  • Verification of XSWBLI dominant frequencies in Mach 2 wind tunnel
  • Verification of transitional shock wave boundary interactions (XSWBLI) on a 10-degree cone in Mach 2
  • Ballistic image analysis – particle tracking and flow characterization
  • Computation Mechanics – characterization (stochastic fracture modeling) of statistical volume elements (SVEs)
  • CFD calculations on the HIFiRE HyShot Inlet
  • Triple-point characterization of Mach 4 wind tunnel

Faculty Members

Additional information relating to a faculty member’s research projects can be found by clicking on their names to access his or her faculty web page.