Innovation in Medical Devices Projects

By conducting hands-on experiments, students gain insight into cutting-edge engineering and technologies relevant to addressing medical problems and developing medical devices. They are exposed to multidisciplinary research, including its structure and implementation, as well as how to work and communicate within a team with diverse backgrounds. Students also learn to think creatively about problems, actively pursue their research objectives by seeking input from experts, trying out new approaches, developing skills to delve deeper into their problems, documenting their efforts, and writing up the outcomes for papers and conferences, among others. 

The Research Experience for Undergraduates program's interconnected thematic elements are healthcare research, innovation, from concept to clinical adoption, and medical devices. The research project offerings extend beyond medical devices, as it is essential to understand physiological environments to innovate solutions, and these solutions should not be constrained by the method. In line with our four intellectual foci — learning, innovating, exploring, and applying — we offer various research projects that the students can choose from during the application process and, upon acceptance, in consultation with their faculty mentors. 

• Project 1: Evaluating Monitor Configurations and Mental Workload: Ergonomic and Productivity Outcomes in Digital Workspaces
• Project 2: Buckling-Free Implantation of Flexible Miniaturized Neural Interfaces for Chronic Brain Electrophysiology
• Project 3: Silk-Based Transparent Therapeutic Biomaterial as Corneal Filler
• Project 4: Neoplastic Transformation is Frequently Accompanied by a Mechanical Makeover of the Tumor-Associated Extracellular Matrix (ECM)
• Project 5: Plant-Based Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications
• Project 6: Examination of Agonist/Antagonist Lower-Limb Muscle Contraction with Ultrasound
• Project 7: Investigating Postural Control in Older Adults Trained with VR (virtual reality)
• Project 8: Enhancing VR Wheelchair Training Through Student-Driven Design of a Haptic Motion Platform
• Project 9: Optimizing Intranasal Drug Delivery for Targeted Therapeutics
• Project 10: Development of Systems and Methods for Continuous Noninvasive Monitoring of Cellular Oxygen Utilization

Project 1: Evaluating Monitor Configurations and Mental Workload: Ergonomic and Productivity Outcomes in Digital Workspaces

Faculty Mentor: Professor David Claudio

Rapid digital transformation and the shift toward hybrid and remote work have significantly increased reliance on multi-monitor workstations. While these setups promise improved multitasking and productivity, they also introduce ergonomic challenges such as musculoskeletal strain and mental overload. This project investigates how monitor configurations—specifically single, L-shaped, V-shaped, and ultrawide setups —interact with varying levels of mental workload to impact posture, muscle activation, task performance, and subjective stress. Students will design and execute a within-subject experiment using wearable EMG and IMU sensors to collect muscle activity and posture data under low- and high-stress conditions (figure 2). Participants will perform computer-based tasks (e.g., text editing, spreadsheet work) across the four workstation configurations, and perceived workload will be assessed using NASA-TLX. Students will also use Noraxon’s MyoResearch and Ultium Motion platforms to process and analyze data. They will explore the interaction effects of monitor setup and cognitive stress on physical strain and task efficiency. Student learning will include human factors methods, experimental ergonomics, data acquisition and analysis, and statistical modeling. This project bridges occupational ergonomics and systems engineering to inform evidence-based recommendations for digital workstation design, ultimately supporting safer, more productive work environments.

Project 2: Buckling-Free Implantation of Flexible Miniaturized Neural Interfaces for Chronic Brain Electrophysiology

Faculty Mentor: Lei Chen 

Fundamental understanding of the brain functioning mechanism, one of the greatest scientific challenges of our time, requires chronic recording of single neuron activities. To achieve that, minimally damaging microelectrode arrays are needed but their wide use are limited by implantation challenges of buckling against brain membranes. The goal of this project is to investigate the electrode buckling and membrane rupture mechanism and generate corresponding novel implantation methodologies for the next generation miniaturized neural interfaces. Student’s activities include insertion experiment setup developments and data collection; membrane rupture force and dimpling depth as well as electrode critical buckling load data analysis and computational modelling; design, prototype and testing of new implantation apparatus. Students will learn about computer aided design, manufacturing.

Project 3: Silk-Based Transparent Therapeutic Biomaterial as Corneal Filler

Faculty Mentor: Chiara Ghezzi, Walfre Franco

The development of a stable and safe corneal filler for corneal defects with a sustained-release function of anti-inflammatory and/or antibiotic therapeutics has the benefit of promptly addressing injuries while delivering a constant therapeutic level of drug directly to the site of action without the adverse effects of topical drops, systemic or intravitreal injections. have previously shown the potential of silk for ocular applications in different material formats 1-3.  A novel method of forming transparent, elastic, silk hydrogels will be devised based on optically-induced riboflavin radicals to drive crosslinking in silk. Student activities will be focused on the development of silk-based ocular fillers able to deliver anti-inflammatory end/or antibacterial therapeutics for the treatment of corneal injuries associated with ocular trauma. The plans will include evaluations of safety and efficacy of a silk-based fillers for corneal defects with sustained-release functions of anti-inflammatory and/or antibiotic therapeutics in vitro. Learning and training outcomes will be centered on biomaterials preparation, drug release monitoring and stability over time, and further looking into biological efficacy (i.e., in vitro and ex vivo ocular models).

Project 4: Neoplastic Transformation is Frequently Accompanied by a Mechanical Makeover of the Tumor-Associated Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

Faculty Mentor: Professor Zeinab Hajjarian

Emerging evidence suggests that this micromechanical remodeling is not simply the consequence of tumorigenesis, but rather an active driver of malignant progression. This understanding has the potential to change the current paradigms of cancer diagnosis and therapy. Nevertheless, our understanding of the mechano-regulation of tumor fate remains incomplete largely due to the absence of tools for non-invasive, high-resolution characterization of mechanical properties within the ECM and their downstream effects on oncogenic signaling. The goal of this project is to prime a laser Speckle rHEologicAl micRoscopy (SHEAR) platform to enable characterizing the viscoelastic properties of the tumor microenvironment and investigate their influence on invasive progression within 3D in-vitro models of cancer. Student activities include optical include optical instrumentation, software development and coding, CAD design and 3D printing, imaging, image processing, and visualization. Students learn about biomechanics and mechanobiology, viscoelastic properties, micro-rheology, and optical microscopy techniques.

Project 5: Plant-Based Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications

Faculty Mentor: Professor Yanfen Li

In tissue engineering applications, scaffolds are necessary to provide structure and rigidity to the new tissue and guide cells toward desirable functions. Instead of artificially replicating the complexity of scaffolds in nature, it is possible to repurpose existing plant matter by removing the native cells (decellularization), leaving behind a natural scaffold for new cells to inhabit. This project aims to analyze the mechanical properties of several plant-based scaffolds to optimize the matching of scaffolds to future intended tissues. In this project, students will learn how to decellularize plants, how to perform cell culture, and how to conduct a variety of mechanical testing. Students will also learn how to translate their learning to develop an at-home learning kit that teaches high school and undergraduate students about tissue decellularization.

Project 6: Examination of Agonist/Antagonist Lower-Limb Muscle Contraction with Ultrasound

Faculty Mentor: Richard Nuckols 

During gait and gait transitions, the regulation of muscles in humans to maintain gait stability and fluidly make transitions is poorly understood. This also limits our ability to design assistive and rehabilitative systems. The goal of this project is to study agonist/antagonist muscle interaction in dynamic and transient gait tasks to better understand how humans regulate stiffness and stability. Students' activities include measuring and analyzing biomechanics with motion capture, EMG, isokinetic dynamometer, and ultrasound. Students will use computer vision techniques to analyze ultrasound. Students will learn about movement biomechanics, digital signal processing, computer vision, data analysis, and scientific communication.

Project 7: Investigating Postural Control in Older Adults Trained with VR (virtual reality)

Faculty Mentor: Lara Thompson 

One out of every four individuals over 65 years old will suffer a fall. For the aging population, decreased balance ability and balance confidence leading to falls are major concerns. Thus, there is a pressing need to determine effective interventions that are adaptable to one’s home environment.  Virtual Reality (VR) re-creates a realistic experience through simulation, combining vision, sound, touch, and even inducing perceptions of motion to ‘trick’ the brain and thereby leading to a tangible response.  The goal of this project is to study the effects of VR-based training on balance in older adults. Students' activities include being equipped to perform human subjects research (certification) and hands-on experience with human participants (training and assessing). Students will learn about the institutional review board (IRB) process, how to record data and analyze data using motion capture (to measure body movements) and forceplate (to measure ground reaction forces and center of pressure), as well as how to interpret human balance results toward paper publication.

Project 8: Enhancing VR Wheelchair Training Through Student-Driven Design of a Haptic Motion Platform

Faculty Mentor: Kelilah Wolkowicz

Power wheelchair users often face steep learning curves when navigating real-world environments, which can pose risks to safety and confidence. Virtual reality (VR) offers a promising avenue for low-risk training, by VR sickness—caused by a mismatch between visual and physical motion cues—can undermine its effectiveness. Incorporating motion and haptic feedback into VR simulation has been shown to reduce discomfort and increase immersion. This project lies at the intersection of rehabilitation engineering, human-computer interface, and robotics, and aims to improve independence and training outcomes for new wheelchair users. The goal of this project is to develop a motion platform that synchronizes physical motion and vibrotactile feedback with a virtual wheelchair simulator. The platform will rotate to simulate turns made in the VR environment and provide haptic cues during collisions to enhance immersion. Student activities will include designing and prototyping the motion base, coding real-time control systems using ROS to link VR motion with motors haptic, integrating sensors (e.g., IMUs, encoders) for tracking, and conducting informal user testing. Students will learn engineering design principles, electromechanical prototyping, embedded systems, and user-centered design methods.

Project 9: Optimizing Intranasal Drug Delivery for Targeted Therapeutics

Faculty Mentor: Professor Jinxiang Xi

Intranasal drug delivery is emerging as a popular method for administering medications due to its non-invasive nature, ease of self-administration, and its ability to deliver therapeutics to highly vascularized regions of the nasal cavity for rapid absorption. This method is being used to treat various conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases through nose-to-brain (N2B) delivery, mucosal protection, and more, highlighting its potential as a versatile and efficient delivery system. This project focuses on optimizing intranasal drug delivery for specific therapeutic targets within the nasal cavity. Students will be introduced to the anatomy and physiology of the nasal cavity and learn about the unique challenges and opportunities it presents for drug delivery.

Participants will:

• Explore in vitro testing techniques used to evaluate and optimize medication delivery to targeted regions within the nasal cavity.
• Learn about the design and development of drug formulations and delivery devices tailored for intranasal use.
• Gain hands-on experience with computational engineering tools such as ANSYS and COMSOL Multiphysics to perform simulations that inform the design and engineering of nasal drug delivery techniques and devices.
• Engage in supervised experimental studies using high-fidelity anatomically accurate nasal cavity geometries, 3D-printed models, and visualization techniques to analyze and refine delivery parameters.

By the end of the program, students will have developed delivery parameters to ensure doses are efficiently delivered to specific regions within the nasal cavity. Computational simulations will complement these findings, providing a holistic approach to optimizing intranasal drug delivery methods.

Project 10: Development of Systems and Methods for Continuous Noninvasive Monitoring of Cellular Oxygen Utilization

Faculty Mentor: Professor Walfre Franco

More than half of all hospital deaths are caused by sepsis, and patients who die of sepsis succumb to the ensuing multiorgan failure. As oxygen utilization in a cell becomes deficient, changes in mitochondrial redox state precede cellular, tissue, and organ function changes. Mitochondrial damage occurs during sepsis, such as the impairment of oxygen extraction and utilization, and the severity of mitochondrial dysfunction has been shown to correlate with increased patient mortality. Therefore, a significant need exists for methods to evaluate mitochondrial utilization of oxygen continuously. This project focuses on developing optical, acoustic, and machine-learning systems and methods for continuous noninvasive monitoring and real-time analysis of cellular oxygen utilization. Students will help develop computer algorithms and photoacoustic methods for quantifying and analyzing variations in the optical environment of tissues. Students will learn about computational modeling, machine learning, and how light is used to measure tissue oxygenation and could be used to measure oxygen consumption.