WIE Undergraduate Research Fellows
Program
Research Fellows are engaged in meaningful research projects with an engineering faculty member. The aspects of research you may be involved in vary depending on your project. Examples of the areas include:
- Securing grants to fund the project
- Designing and conducting lab experiments
- Handling specialized technical equipment
- Writing research reports and papers for publication
- Presenting your research at conferences
Each year, Research Fellowships are awarded for $1000 per semester
Benefit of conducting research can help you
- Better understand your engineering discipline
- Enhance self-confidence
- Pre-test interest in pursuing graduate school or future research opportunities in engineering
Sample past projects of WIE undergraduate research fellows:
- Aerosol’s reactions in development of specialty powders. Experimental and computational methods are researched through mixing of dry powders and developing effective algorithms.
- Design a new model for a hearing aid using existing literature an PSPICE
- Develop a code related to error detection and handling in dynamically reconfigurable real time systems (DRRTS)
- Use of Physics of Failure (POF) to identify the dominant failure mechanisms for high fidelity speaker assemblies used in automotive applications
- Address the ignition characteristics of representative residential exterior wall assemblies. Investigation and evaluation of new Fall/Spring techniques for use in the autocalibration of the new power assisted space suit glove.
- Investigation of the distribution of embedded system software via the World-Wide Web
- Development of a worldwide web site to provide assistance in the mechanical design of electronic systems for operation at temperatures above the traditional limit of 125 degrees
- Format of a graphical display that is compatible and meaningful for both experimental data and computer predictions and to manipulate the data acquired dealing with fluid mechanics in the reactor
- Chemistry linkage between enzymes and supports that could be engineered to optimize activity and stability under adverse environments
- To determine sintering parameters that will yield fully dense nano-grain Hydroxyapitite samples
- To design and evaluate a control system that would increase the stability of bearingless rotors and make elastomertic dampers unnecessary in military helicopters
- Develop procedures to synthesize and characterize layered double hydroxides with a variety of chemical compositions
- Exploit the potential characteristics of SMA to develop a smart trail-edge flap of an aircraft wing
- Design and construction of a hydrodynamic bearing apparatus in which the characteristic curve of torque versus rotation rate can be measured accurately
- Examine the photoncorrelation spectometer precision as well as analyzes the biomodal distribution of binary mixture of monomodal latexes
The Research Fellows (RFs) are often involved in multiple aspects of the research process, including:
- Securing grants to fund their projects
- Designing and conducting lab experiments
- Handling specialized technical equipment
- Writing research reports and papers for publication
- Presenting their research at conferences
This research experience often translates into a better understanding of the engineering discipline, enhancement of self-confidence, and an increased interest in pursuing graduate school or future research opportunities in engineering. Near the end of each semester, the reasearch fellows present their research to an audience of peers, faculty, family, and friends at the WIE Research Forum and Celebration. The program has been such a success that 100% of RFs report that they will recommend the program to other students, and 100% of the faculty involved would like to participate in the program again.
As a WIE Undergraduate Research Fellow you would be required to:
- Conduct research 6-10 hours per week for two semesters: Summer/Fall or Fall/Spring
- Attend the orientation session during the first week of fall semester
- Participate in a focus group once per semester
- Attend the Research Forums and present your research at one Forum
Eligibility
Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in engineering.
Important Dates
Applications Available mid-March (for the following academic year).
- Download and complete the Application ( pdf file)
- Include a copy of your official transcript plus current coursework, if not indicated.
- Submit a Research Proposal (see application)
- Send all information to:
Women in Engineering Program
Attention: Paige Smith, Ph.D.
1134G Glenn L. Martin Hall
College Park MD 20742
Students must select a faculty member to work with, submit a research proposal, complete an application, and obtain a copy of their undergraduate transcript. This program is a two semester commitment, and stipends of $1000 per semester are awarded upon completion of the research each semester.
