Miniature Robotics REU students give final presentations

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Miniature Robotics REU students give final presentations

On Aug. 10, ISR’s 10 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) students completed their summer at the University of Maryland by giving presentations on their research projects.

The students were part of ISR’s Research Opportunities in Miniature Robotics program. Students learned about miniature robotics and applicable technologies and applications as they engaged in interdisciplinary research projects. Over 10 weeks, the students developed research projects, attended technical tutorial seminars, visited local government labs involved in miniature robotics research, attended professional and academic development seminars, and toured Maryland’s top-notch facilities supporting robotics research including the FabLab and Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility. Coffee talk discussions provided an informal setting for students and mentors to discuss technical and non-technical topics.

The 2012 students, their mentors, and their research projects are:

Katie Gessler (University of Maryland Baltimore County)
advised by Assistant Professor Sarah Bergbreiter (ME/ISR)
“Improving Straight Line Travel in a Miniature Wheeled Robot”

Hongyi Xia (University of Maryland)
advised by Assistant Professor Derek Paley (AE/ISR)
"3D Flow Visualization using Microsoft Kinect”

Veronica Ruf (University of Maryland Baltimore County) and Michael O’Brien (Eastern Nazarene College)
advised by Associate Professor Nuno Martins (ECE/ISR)
“Dynamic Localization for Miniature Robots”

Alex Brown (University of South Florida)
advised by ISR-affiliated Assistant Professor Nikhil Chopra (ME)
“Proximity Detection with the Nao”

Alyssa Philipps (Seattle University)
advised by Professor Hugh Bruck (ME)
“Integrating Flexible Solar Cells into Flapping Wing Miniature Air Vehicle Designs”

Betsy Farris (Colorado State University)
advised by Professor S.K. Gupta (ME/ISR)
“Development of Flapping Wing Miniature Air Vehicle Drive Mechanisms for Efficient Manufacturing”

John Trischler (Louisiana Technical University)
advised by Professor S.K. Gupta (ME/ISR)
“Automation of Optical Tweezers for Manipulation of Cellular Systems”

Neil Tidwell (University of Florida)
advised by Professor Don DeVoe (ME)
“Integration of Bulk PZT Micromotors in Intravascular Catheters”

Julia Tumbic (Syracuse University)
advised by Professor Elisabeth Smela (ME/ISR)
“Degradation of the Working Fluid in Microfluidic Devices”

The ISR opportunity is part of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. The REU program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in areas of research NSF funds. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. This summer experience prepares students for graduate school or research jobs in industry and labs.