Research Opportunities

Research Experience for Undergraduates

Some faculty members may hire undergraduate students to assist them on their research projects. Take some time to explore the faculty web pages to learn about school research activities, and contact faculty members in your area of interest to ask if a position is available.

Honors Research Program

Students in the University Honors Program may choose to enroll in a Mechanical Engineering Honors Research course, ME 3299, and work in a research laboratory to earn credits. These credits may be applied toward the Honors Program requirements and will count as a technical elective. As part of the course, the students will be involved in research programs of their choice in areas of emerging technologies. The research work will be directed by a Mechanical Engineering faculty member who serves as the research advisor for the course. The work typically involves collaborative efforts with graduate students and other researchers and provides significant independent problem-solving experience to supplement the classroom experience obtained from traditional coursework. Explore the website to learn about research labs and contact faculty members in areas of interest to ask about completing an Honors Research course in their lab.

It is expected that the students will enroll in the ME Honors Research courses during their Junior and Senior years, working on a focused research project, ideally for multiple semesters. There is also the possibility of continuing work during the summer months as an undergraduate research assistant. The research work is expected to culminate in a technical publication in a recognized scientific or engineering journal or conference proceeding. This research publication can form the basis for the Honors Thesis.

    Current Opportunities

    Ji Ho Jeon’s Research Group

    Dr. Ji Ho Jeon’s research group offers undergraduate opportunities in dissimilar material joining and robotic composite additive manufacturing. The work emphasizes the complete experimental workflow, from composite fabrication and robotic deposition to joining and mechanical testing. Students will gain hands-on experience with lab-scale robotic systems, composite processing, and mechanical characterization to study how manufacturing and joining parameters influence structural behavior.

    Key research areas include:

    • Robotic path planning for large scale composite additive manufacturing.
    • Fabrication of composite test coupons with controlled fiber alignment and resin impregnation.
    • Joining of composite materials with metals using mechanical, thermal, and hybrid approaches.
    • Tensile, bending, and interfacial strength testing of joined structures.
    • Experimental study of process–structure–property relationships in dissimilar material systems.

    Student Responsibilities

    Students will conduct literature reviews, assist with experimental setup, fabricate composite specimens, perform joining and mechanical tests, and analyze experimental data. Credit may be earned through Independent Study.

    Qualifications and How to Apply

    Junior or senior undergraduate students are preferred. Experience with CAD tools, 3D printing, or basic programming is helpful. Completion of courses in mechanics of materials is encouraged. Interested students are encouraged to reach out via email to arrange a brief discussion with Dr. Jeon.

    Contact: jiho.jeon@uconn.edu Website: https://www.jeon-manufacturing.com/

    Prof. Oleksiy Poludnenko – the details of this project can be found here  

    • Computational modeling of novel aerospace propulsion systems
    • Fluids I & II, some programming experience (Python or ideally C/C++)
    • If interested email Prof. Poludnenko

    Previous Opportunities

    Prof. Daniele Vivona

    • Simulating solid-state ion conductors to develop design guidelines in the search for new chemistries
      (Only for juniors or seniors – minimum 2 (ideally 3) semesters of engagement – 1 position available).
      In this project you will first learn the basics of density functional theory or molecular dynamics. You will then learn how to use supercomputers to run calculations and extract diffusion properties of materials. Possibility to extend original work to develop physics-based descriptors to discover new chemistries and materials.
    • Prerequisites: strong background in coding (Python preferred)
      Preferred: prior exposure to Unix or Linux, bash scripting, hands-on machine learning.
      The selection process includes an interview and a short take-home component.
    • If interested email Prof. Vivona

    Prof. Rajiv Naik 

    • The current research effort is funded by Pratt & Whitney and will focus on building on the composites manufacturing simulation capability that was developed in the previous year’s effort under Pratt & Whitney funding. It will focus on optimizing the composite manufacturing process for parts with varying thickness. The ANSYS Composite Cure Simulation (ACCS) finitie element software will be used for this simulation to predict residual stresses and process induced distortions in complex geometry parts. This software will also be used to develop the capability to define compensated tooling geometry to account for and compensate for these part distortions during manufacture and ensure that final parts are produced within the required geometrical tolerances.
    • Some background in composite materials and finite element analysis and a passion for running finite element simulations and fabricating composite panels and running experiments in the lab.
    • This research will involve ANSYS ACCS finite element simulations and may also involve some fabrication and experimental characterization of composite specimens.
    • U.S. citizenship required.
    • If interested email Prof. Naik

    Prof. Daniele Vivona

    • Automatic operation of electrochemical devices to learn and optimize physics.
      In this project you will first learn and operate an electrochemical cell (hands-on lab component). The focus will then shift to devising algorithms and developing interfaces. Mentorship opportunities from industrial partners available. Possibility to extend original work to develop physics-based models to interpret electrochemical data.
    • Prerequisites: strong background in Matlab/Simulink.
      Preferred: prior exposure to lab work and EHS compliance, strong analytical skills, interest in pursuing a Ph.D.
      The selection process includes an interview where the student will be required to present original code and discuss it.
    • If interested email Prof. Vivona

    Prof. Hongyi Xu

    • Prof. Xu is offering research opportunities for rising Senior students who are interested to pursuing a PhD under the supervision of Dr. Xu after earning their B.S. degree.
      Two research topics are available to choose from:
      1. Generative AI-assisted design of metamaterials and architectured materials for unprecedented mechanical properties (Figure 1).
      2. Generative AI-assisted digital manufacturing system: manufacturing process prediction and resilience (Figure 2).
    • Major in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Material Science, Biomechanics, or closely related fields
    • If you are interested in artificial intelligence-assisted design and digital manufacturing, please send your resume to Prof. Xu

    If you are interested in artificial intelligence-assisted design and digital manufacturing, please send your resume to Prof. Xu at hongyi.3.xu@uconn.edu.

    Qualifications

    • GPA 3.7 or higher.
    • Major in mechanical engineering, computer science, material science, biomechanics, or closely related fields.
    • Self-motivated and enthusiasm in programming and quantitative methods.
    • Although I am primarily looking for a rising senior student interested in pursuing a PhD, rising juniors are also welcome to reach out to me.

    Prof. Mihai Duduta 

    • Looking for a student interested in Materials Science to help develop better dielectric coatings for high voltage wires to help with aircraft electrification.
    • Junior level, some materials science experience or interest
    • If interested email Prof. Duduta

    Prof. Kyungjin Kim – the details of this project can be found here

    • Computational analyses involving finite element and peridynamic theory-based modeling techniques
    • Processing of nanomaterials, mechanical testing, and failure mode analyses
    • Work with Prof. Kim’s research team potentially for a senior design project and the MS study within her group
    • If interested, email a resume and motivation to Prof. Kim

    Prof. Anna Tarakanova – the details of this project can be found here

    • Multiple projects in computational mechanics and molecular simulation
    • Programming/scripting experience preferred but not required, Sophomore/Junior/Senior
    • If interested email a resume and brief cover letter Prof. Tarakanova

        Prof. Julian Norato – the details of this project can be found here.pdf

        • Undergraduate Research Opportunity in Computational Topology Optimization
        • Junior / programming experience
        • If interested email Prof. Norato
        • Do you like programming and computed-aided engineering and are interested in the formulation of computational techniques to design advanced structures? Our group has a research opportunity for junior undergraduate students to learn and apply topology optimization techniques for the design of advanced structures.

        The opportunity consists of the following:

        • An independent study in the Fall of 2022 under the supervision of Prof. Julián Norato on Finite Element Techniques for Structural Design. This course will focus on the use of off-the-shelf finite element software to design structural components and structures using software such as Altair Inspire and nTopology. This can be used as an ME elective.
        • An hourly paid UG research position in the Spring of 2023 (up to 10 hours a week) focusing on programming of topology optimization techniques, execution of numerical experiments and potentially 3d-printing of prototypes (using either a FormLabs Form3+ SLA printer or a MarkForged Mark Two fiber composite 3d printer). The student will participate in the group meetings of the Structural Optimization Laboratory and make a 20-minute presentation of their work in this meeting.
        • An internship in the Summer of 2023 at the Multidisciplinary Science and Technology Center at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio. Through this experience, the student will get the opportunity to interact with Air Force researchers and designers and learn about airframe design. Depending on progress and desire to continue working on this field, an hourly paid UG research position will also be available during the student’s senior year.

        Eligibility:

        • Required qualifications: the student must be a US citizen, be in good academic standing, and be planning to take in the fall of 2022 (or have taken already) CE 3110. The student must not be planning to take in the fall of 2022 (or have taken already) ME 4972 (Senior Design I).
        • Preferred qualifications: strong programming skills and knowledge of Solid Works.

        Prof. Chang Liu – the details of this project can be found here

        • Potential projects for undergraduate research will be focused on computational and theoretical analysis of fluid dynamics. Some topics include:
          1. Drag reduction of flow over complex surface
          2. Convection in oceanography applications
          3. Optimal sensor and actuator placement in active flow control
          4. Data-driven prediction in climate motivated models
          5. Quantum algorithms for linear algebra and applications in hydrodynamics.
        • The students responsibilities include problem formulation, programming, and data analysis. The student may earn credit for independent study or Mechanical Engineering Honors Research course. Application of summer research fellowship will also be encouraged and supported.
        • Senior or junior students having a strong background in mathematics, physics, and computer programming (Python or MATLAB). Courses in fluid dynamics and prior research experience are desired.
        • Interested students can apply this research opportunity by sending an email to Dr. Chang Liu with a copy of your CV and transcript. A paragraph describing the project you are interested in, your motivation and the preferred research duration will be appreciated.

        Prof. Xinyu Zhao – the details of this project can be found here

        • I am looking for an undergraduate assistant to couple the cantera software to a CFD package OpenFOAM. Please email Prof. Zhao for details and expected results. Suitable candidate would be compensated at $25 per hour for this research opportunity.
        • Student should have good programming skills and knowledge/interest in combustion.

          Prof. Wilson Chiu – the details of this project can be found here

          • Two Opportunities: Next Generation Nuclear Reactors; Li-ion Batteries
          • Junior level
          • If interested email Prof. Chiu