As a capstone team, we are designing both a public-facing story archive site for John Brown Lives! and a case study website that documents our research, design process, and reflections. Together, these platforms…
Problem Statement In modern society we get lost in the scale feeling like a number on a spreadsheet instead of a human being. Food service has suffered, originally being human…
Team Members David XieGreta KenyonRowan MulhollandIrene Sheng Wenxi Zhu Advisors Nancy Bernardo, Stephanie Ashenfelder Problem Statement One of college’s biggest advantages is the community and proximity with like-minded people. However,…
The Wild Center is a natural history museum located in the Adirondacks that is committed to a future where people and the natural world thrive together. In lieu of their…
Team Members: Problem Statement: The University of Rochester no longer has a yearbook and current students have no way to document their memories. While past archives exist, there is no…
By Manuela Montes de Oca, Yididya Chane (Happy), Mark Aaronson, Yunqi Liu (Yoyo), Sophea Urbi Biswas BACKGROUND: The force plate is a critical tool in biomechanics, used to measure ground…
This project showcases an analysis on the research output at the University of Rochester.
Abstract: Accidental disconnection of gastrostomy (G-tube) extension tubes during enteral feeding remains a clinical and caregiver challenge, impacting approximately 100,000 patients annually. Disconnections often occur during nighttime sleep, leading to…
Our team designed a line of sign communications system that sends text messages between two devices using infrared lasers.
Abstract: In this thesis, we study the complexity of bribery and manipulation in the setting known as voting-rule uncertainty, where the attacker does not know which of a set of…
The Surprisingly Popular algorithm (Prelec et al., 2017) is a voting algorithm designed to accurately recover the ground truth answer from a crowd of people. One limitation of the original…
Team Members Problem Statement Patellar fractures account for 1% of all skeletal fractures, typically occurring from a large blow to the knee, resulting in a comminuted fracture pattern, or during…
This project investigated whether patterns in medication use among older adults could help predict rehospitalization after home healthcare. Using data from over 6,800 patients, we analyzed active medications, diagnoses, and patient characteristics, mapping them to standardized codes like RxNorm and PhecodeX. We applied clustering techniques and machine learning models, including XGBoost and BERT-based text embeddings, to identify potential risk factors. Although some variables—like hyper-polypharmacy, reduced physical function (ADL), and certain medication classes—were associated with increased risk, no clear or consistent clusters emerged as highly predictive. Our best-performing model achieved 96% accuracy and 97% ROC-AUC, reinforcing the value of advanced methods but also underscoring the need for individualized deprescribing strategies in geriatric care.
DSCC383 Team 10: Brennan Kalinowski, Tarun Paravasthu, Sean Tian, Madeleine Johnson Advisor: Cantay Caliskan, Ph.D Sponsor: Benchmark Labs Introduction Background: Organizations like the National Weather Service use numerical weather models…
Team Mehmed Emre Aktaş, Navya Bhagat, Lakshmi Kanumuri, Narm Nathan Sponsor: Dr. Erika Ramsdale, University of Rochester Medical Center Instructor: Dr. Cantay Caliskan, University of Rochester Goergen Institute for Data…
Project Title: An AI-Powered Regulatory Chatbot for Labor LegislationTeam Members: Ethan Leung, Carol Li, Astha Singh, Keming ZhangSponsor: PaychexAffiliation: Goergen Institute for Data Science, University of Rochester INTRODUCTION In today’s fast-evolving regulatory…
Team Members Chengze Miao, Xinyu Wang, Yamin Zheng, Bruce Zhang, Isabel Liu Academic Advisor Professor Ajay Anand Sponsor Dr. Zidian Xie Abstract In response to rising public concerns over youth…
Team members: Skye Crocker, Colin Hascup, Ahmed Malik, Lam Nguyen, Ruilin ZhangSponsor: Zalliant | Instructors: Ajay Anand, Ph.D. Cantay Caliskan, Ph.D. Drying crops before storage as hay or silage is…
Social Determinants of Health Factors as Upstream Predictors of Postpartum Hemorrhage Sponsor: Caitlin Dreisbach Coauthors: Aditi Marupaka Katie Nguyen Tracy Tan Peter Zhao Yuki Li Team 4, DSCC 383W Data…
D3 Embedded – “Ewaste-Net”: Everything It Touches Turns Into Gold Author Sponsor D3 Embedded Instructor Professor Ajay Anand Professor Cantay Caliskan Abstract Our project tackles the growing mountain of ewaste…
Authors Zhe Chen, Luca Laport, Erjia Meng, Zhefu Qin, Diego Velázquez Sponsor Rel8ted, Ryan Hilimoniuk Instructor Professor Ajay Anand Abstract Modern supply chains face growing risks from geopolitical instability, financial…
Contributors Abstract As AI tools enter hiring, understanding how they interpret resumes is critical. We studied how machine learning models and LLM APIs classify resumes and infer experience, using 2,484…
Wireless Multi-Modal Foot Interface Controller Improving Ergonomic Efficiency in the Operating Room Project Team Members Will DeCotiis, Jason Lin, Anastasiia Rudaeva, Wenqi DiDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester Team…
Customer: Dr. Ram Haddas, Department of Orthopedics at University of Rochester Medical Center Supervisor: Dr. Veena Ganeshan, Senior Instructor at University of Rochester Overarching Goals: Enhance fall rehabilitation through controlled…
Team Members What we did Accurate assessment of motor recovery in stroke patients often requires consistent and stable arm positioning during gameplay-based evaluation tasks. Current setups may lack sufficient support…
An assistive cycling device to allow mobilization of bed-bound patients in the ICU.
Customer Dr. Julian P. Meeks – Chemosensation and Social Learning Laboratory Advisor Dr. Michael Giacomelli – Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Optics Project Management Dr. Scott Seidman – Professor…
Customers Thomas Quiter, Founder and President of the Mobility Independence Foundation Matthew Lacey, Vice President of the Mobility Independence Foundation Authors Ila Benciolini, Anna Hinchcliffe, Jayden Collins, Ivy Chang, Gavin…
Meet The Team! Supervisor Stephen McAleavey, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Rochester Center for Biomedical Ultrasound Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering Customers…
Noninvasive, real-time blood glucose monitoring for telehealth patients Design Team: Maryah Albahar, Lalana Appasani, Isobel Bond, Kevin Segarra Valentín, and Ashlynne Xavier Supervisor: Dr. Benjamín Castañeda, Professor of Biomedical Engineering,…
Introduction Prostate cancer is ranked the second most commonly diagnosed cancers among men worldwide, while being named the fifth most common cancer deaths. Robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) exists as…
Team Members Shannon Fung, Jialu Xu, Joselyn Wei Chen, Anakin De la Cruz Supervisor Diane Dalecki, Ph.D. Kevin J. Parker Distinguished Professor in Biomedical EngineeringProfessor of Electrical and Computer EngineeringDirector,…
We designed an ML-Driven Wirelessly Controlled Robot which uses machine learning to detect objects of a given class and automatically navigate towards the closest one within its camera view. The robot is able to detect over 80 different classes of objects, and can also be controlled via three modes: Physical Joystick, ML Object Detection, and Web‑Based Virtual Joystick.
Problem Statement In the Computer Studies Building (CSB), transporting exam materials or heavy items is a necessity for students and faculty. Utility carts are often misplaced or not returned. Our…
Team Members Mentors Abstract The problem of detecting wildlife populations in remote areas, where in-person monitoring can be challenging. Our proposed solution is an automatic wildlife detection and monitoring system.…
Team Members Yunji Kim – B.S. Audio and Music Engineering ‘25Zian (Alan) Wang – B.S. Audio and Music Engineering ‘25Haochen (Glenn) Xiong – B.S. Audio and Music Engineering ‘25Samuel Yang…
Team Members: Abagail (Abby) Che, Terrence Wong, Theodore Kaufman, Yongzhao WuMentors: Prof. Phinney and Dr. Heilemann Project Description The Plug-in Playground is an interactive audio station that offers a hands-on…
An electrically assisted human powered vehicle (e-HPV) was designed by a team of ME seniors, and the capability of this vehicle was evaluated in the ASME’s e-HPVC competition against other colleges that were designed to accomplish the same goal at UNC Charlotte.
This is a leaf-blower powered hovercraft designed by Team Crocodile. It will race against Team Alligator on Design Day.
A Cassegrain telescope is a type of telescope that uses two reflective mirrors to form an image, like the Hubble Space Telescope. Our project was to assemble and test a current table-top Cassegrain telescope and based on those findings, design, manufacture, simulate and test our newly designed telescope.
This project redesigns MicroEra Power’s THERMAplus system into a compact, modular thermal energy storage unit that improves installation efficiency, reduces pressure losses, and enhances maintainability. The system enables off-peak energy storage and flexible heat delivery using a single reversible heat pump across multiple operating modes.
Parallel jaw grippers for the Sawyer Robotic Manipulator lack the degrees of freedom to replicate the motion and flexibility of a human wrist. This project focuses on combining a 6 degree of freedom (DOF) wrist joint using a “Stewart Strut” platform and a parallel gripper.
Team Members: Jennifer Yu, Katie Jarvis, Anne Traczyk, Charlie Herman Sponsor: Calvin Uzelmeier Project Manager: Christopher Muir Check out our presentation for a detailed overview! Presentation Video Link Problem Statement:…
Hi! We’re the Plastic Recycling and Fabrication team and out project is to make a small scale recycling system tailored to UR needs.
Secondary Mirror Support Structure (SMSS) is a mount used in some large telescopes for holding optical mirrors. These structures must be highly durable and require precise manufacturing methods. Increased durability…
The Houston Astros need a way to measure the moment of inertia (MOI) of baseball bats—a key factor in swing feel and performance. Current tools only measure weight and length, missing critical data that affects player consistency and injury risk. There is no portable, accurate, or non-destructive MOI measurement device on the market. Our system fills this gap, giving the Astros a tool to optimize bat selection across players.
Team Mentors Abstract Optical CNC grinding processes lack quantitative data on cutting forces, making process control difficult and dependent on operator intuition. To address this, the team collaborated with Danbury…
Team Members: [picture of team] Amanda Lee, Elizabeth Martin, Leslii Silveus, Ava Staub Abstract The objective of this project was to create a scanning apparatus that will improve the scanning…
Cadmium selenide nanoplatelets (a two-dimensional variant of the quantum dot) are increasingly used in optical devices due to their bright and tunable emission characteristics.
However, to use these colloidal particles in practical photonic devices, the direct patterning of micron-scale features remains a grand-challenge.
Using thin-film fabrication and UV lithography tools inside the URnano cleanroom, we have been able to direct-write nanoplatelet patterns inside Fabry-Perot cavities with features as small as one micron, and show strong light-matter coupling with greater Rabi splitting than typically seen in this geometry due to stronger lateral electric field confinement.
The capability to create arbitrary patterns in nanoplatelet films will enable the fabrication of chiral meta-structures which opens up the possibility to observe and study chiral strong light-matter coupling and exciton-polariton photo-physics.
Myopia, the condition of the elongation of the eye, is an increasingly common visual condition that has the potential to cause a great deal of damage to the eye. While the development and effects of myopia have been studied to a great extent, the exact causes and effects of the condition on people have yet to be fully documented due to different reactions in subjects and variance across the visual systems of different people. As technology advances more detailed study into the exact mechanisms of how the eye accommodates is unlocked. This work details the design and assembly of an optical coherence tomography system integrated with a visual simulator that will be able to achieve higher resolution images (<2μm) than previous systems during active accommodation, which will unlock further study into how the choroid and crystalline lens adjust to the myopic eye.
Author: Tian Qiu, Qiang Lin Abstract Thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) has recently emerged as a pivotal material platform for high-performance photonic integrated circuits (PICs), primarily due to its exceptional electro-optic…
This project investigates a classical nonlinear interferometer designed to mimic the halved fringe spacing of N00N state quantum interferometry.
Lance Ulrich, Greg Schmidt, Evan James, Sarah Fess The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester Light sheet microscopy has revolutionized biological imaging by combining rapid acquisition with minimal photodamage. However,…
This project studies the effects of pulsed lasers on aluminum and graphite, and uses spectroscopy to analyze the contents of the created plasma.
Team Customers Advisors Additional Assistance Abstract The purpose of this project was to redesign the telescope from last year’s senior design project in a way that was both more compact…
Problem Statement This project aims to create a 3D printed lens housing for an f/2.8 system that incorporates seven elements. This system was compared to an aluminum housing designed by…
Team Theo Taylor – Project CoordinatorRyan Szymczyk – Primary Zemax SimulatorMax Greenberg- Scribe Customer Customer Contacts Marco Smarra and Athul Som Faculty Advisors Professors Wayne Knox, Ed Herger, and James…
In this project, we designed and simulated a compact bulk-optics wavelength demultiplexer for ASML lithography systems. The device separates a broadband light source (500–1000 nm) into ten distinct spectral bands…
Our project concentrates on using PlanOpSim’s optimization algorithm software to enhance the efficiency and functionality of nanostructured optical devices. Unlike traditional engineering methods, in which a structure is designed and then tested, inverse design begins with a target optical response and uses computational methods to determine the optimal nanostructure to achieve that function. For our first objective, we designed a metasurface capable of displaying two distinct holographic images depending on whether the incident light is in the TE or TM polarization state. For the second, we aimed to design a metasurface that produces specific colors by controlling the interaction of light with carefully engineered nanostructures.
Primary Customer Contact Lieven Pennick – PlanOpSim Faculty Advisor Professor John Bowen – University of Rochester, Institute of Optics Abstract The project requires an automated end-to-end design of a…
We created model retinas for fundus imaging, which simulate several parts of the retina.
Team Elizabeth MatchavarianiNathaniel LazzaraHao Wu Customer Stephan MerkelGwen MusialJochen Straub Advisor Doran Teverovsky Vision The purpose of our project is to design an optical system that can update the current…
The low numerical aperture multimode fiber project is a detailed fiber design and simulation developed by a team of undergraduate senior students. As such, the inputs were determined through discussion with our project customer, ASML. We are designing a fiber to support ASML’s YieldStar (YS) optics sensor for scanning wafers using white light with the wavelength range of 400 to 1000 nm and another fiber to operate at a wavelength of 1070 nm meant to preheat a mirror for a separate lithography machine.
Our Mission SpacerScope aims to improve the everyday use of inhaler spacers by reimagining spacers to be a collapsible device with a two-way valve system. Our goal is to…
The Pluck & Dispense System (PDSys™) automates the precise transfer of cells from microbubbles to wells, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in laboratory research. This system addresses key challenges such as reducing human error and increasing throughput, making it a valuable tool for small pharmaceutical companies or academic researchers working with microbubbles.
Author Mentor Abstract
Aashee Budhwani, Mansi Kothari, Victoria Millette, Ava Saffren, Julia WallaceSupervisor: Dr. Kanika Vats Currently, patients undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) attend clinics for daily blood sampling to measure pregnancy hormone…
Team Members Colin Blake, Electrical and Computer Engineering ’24Hugh Gallagher, Electrical and Computer Engineering ’24Eric Wenner, Electrical and Computer Engineering ’24 Mentors Jack Mottley, Daniel Phinney, Tre DiPassio Project Description…
Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Team Team Members Background During our time in the orthopedic trauma operating rooms at Strong Memorial Hospital, our team identified the issue of cross-threading during open reduction,…
Problem A craniotomy is a surgical technique that exposes the brain by removing a section of the bone from the skull. A surgeon makes two or more burr holes and…
Ammonia Biofilter Optimization for Chicken Manure Composting Authors: Geoffrey Doyle, Jason Maher, and Aidan Shea Advisor: Professor Kelley Department: Chemical Engineering Sponsor: Hal Kreher, Kreher Farms Introduction Kreher Farms is…
Authors Mentor Prof. Mark Juba Sponsor Dr. Brian Cleary Abstract The objective of this project is to develop a continuous system for producing high-value p-toluidine. This system utilizes a nitroarene…
Authors: Aeden Angelone, Arlo Gow, Christian Voloshen, Delainey Hebble Mentor: Dr. McAleavey, Dr. Seidman Abstract: Lung bronchoscopies are integral procedures in investigating and sampling lung cancer. While such procedures offer…
Author Mentor Dr. Lalor, Dr. Marinesku Abstract Background Blood oxygen Saturation (Sp02) is regarded as the fifth vital sign. Traditionally, a pulse oximeter is used to measure Sp02. A pulse…
Two part system for collecting weather data and sending it back to a user in the form of a bedside alarm clock.
The goal of VISAIR is to improve upon an existing medical technology Arrayed Imaging Reflectometer (AIR) by illuminating a sample over multiple wavelength and angles of incidence in order to…
WheelTalk is a compact and inexpensive system that offers voice control of regular electric wheelchairs with a joystick controller, offering convenience to individuals with compromised motor skills.
The Beat Buddy 3000 is a robotic drum machine capable of actuating a live drum set. Users can compose patterns in real-time using the sequencer-style interface as well as by selecting from a list of predefined drum patterns. This instrument is equipped with pause, play, reset, and mute commands, and features global tempo and local MIDI velocity controls. The Beat Buddy is designed to stand in for a human drummer in live settings, to be user-friendly, intuitive, easy to set up and tear down, and to be more affordable than similar products on the market.
This work investigates material birefringence as a means to determine microplastic identity in samples.
Xukun Lin, Michele Cotrufo Abstract This thesis uses an effective zero-index photonic crystal to support superradiance of atoms within it. I show that the emitted power of the atoms depends…
CYL Team Customer Points of Contact: Chris Toomey, Clayton Summers, Dan Denison, and Scott Rudder Faculty Advisors Abstract There is a growing demand for non-spherical optics in industry. The manufacturing…
A solution for tracking acoustic metrics about community spaces in real time over the internet. A small unit is installed in a communal space such as a lobby, office, or library, which transmits audio data to an on-site computer for processing. Metrics about the space and its occupants are uploaded to a web server for convenient access.
This group is designing a broadband anti-reflection coating and an imaging multivariate optical element coating to eliminate the need for software-based image analysis for AGR’s handheld camera system.
Ammonia Biofilter Optimization for Chicken Manure Composting Authors: Geoffrey Doyle, Jason Maher, and Aidan Shea Advisor: Professor Kelley Department: Chemical Engineering Sponsor: Hal Kreher, Kreher Farms Introduction Kreher Farms is…
Design an interchangeable, fixed offset, fixed gear-ratio eccentric tool spindle for gravity-loaded optical polishing procedures.
A high-resolution fluid deposition system for use with Waveguide-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy sensors.
An automated hydroponic plant growth system that is monitored online by a user
Proposed by SPX Flow, the goal of this project is to characterize the oxygen transfer rate (OTR) within inert fluids of various viscosities.
Paul Eisold, Kamal Raji, Rony Waheibi, Collins Yawe
This Xerox-sponsored project aims to completely separate high viscosity PDMS and heptane via a solvent evaporation process followed by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction.
Alissa DeRubertis, Colin Ikei, Bryan Schellberg, Mark Volkin
The URMC Kidney Model Optimization Project aims to create a polymer material that can simulate the human kidney for practice by surgical residents.
Bimpe Isafiade, Harshita Mahaseth, Natalie Ramesh, Baris Eser Ugur
This project aims to characterize a wastewater stream in addition to addressing biochemical oxygen demand in cooperation with LiDestri.
Katerina Connor, Junseok Jeon, Connor Pope, Brian Yegela
This project was to design an accelerated testing system for Harbec, Inc to evaluate gaskets in the India Mark II hand pump for installation by the Ugandan Water Project.
Dan Allara, Oion Akif, Paul Irving, Tessa Ludwick
In this project, a lab-scale chromatography process was developed to purify crude LUV dye. Upon scale up at Eastman Kodak Company, the chromatography process would be able to purify 2 kg/day.
Quinton Dang, Waad Magram, Zhiwei Wang
This project aims to design and build a multi-channel reverse water gas shift reactor system that allows for exploration of heterogeneous catalysis.
Ahmad El Gazzar, Thien Hung Nguyen, Clive Onyango, Emilio Vega-Ramos
The Rossell Hope Robbins Library is underutilized by many students on campus due to the lack of awareness of the library and its resources. To promote awareness for the library, this project contains designs for a “life-size” portable chess set with medieval themes.
Minimize nickel contamination of cleaning tanks in Orafol Precision Technology’s electroforming process.
Limit entry of abrasive sediment into India Mark II handpump for Ugandan Water Project.
Optimize creation of composites combining under-utilized hemp fabrics with epoxy.
Using a rope of LEDs, connected to a Raspberry Pi with our software, we will read the audio signal from an HDMI cable and display colors on the LED strip that match the tone of the music. . The goal of our project is to be able to create a visualization to convey a similar feeling to people that are unable to hear the music.
Creation of atmospherically-controlled chamber for UV degradation testing of novel OLED materials for Molecular Glasses, Inc.
Characterize LiDestri Food and Drink portfolio of spaghetti sauces to optimize manufacturing process.
Automation of feedstock delivery for creation of biochar, a product of biomass pyrolysis, thermal decomposition in the absence of oxygen.
Create building materials for developing countries from waste plastic and biochar, and compare to concrete standard.
Enable self-sustaining biochar production by reclamation of process by-products.
Controlled, rapid-cooling chamber for initiated chemical vapor deposition of thin film polymers.
Analysis of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) chemical solutions’ inkjet printability through range of solution concentrations.
We are tasked by Rochester Rehab to create a device that increases the efficiency of packaging an underwater camera into a foil bag, primarily by reducing friction on the camera. By doing so, more cameras will be packaged per hour and the wage of the workers who are employed in the process will increase.