Bioinspired Robotics Research Experiences for Undergraduates

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 13:36:05 -0500

The Maryland Robotics Center, with support from the National Science Foundation, is offering exciting research opportunities for undergraduate students in the area of bioinspired robotics. Bioinspired robots—defined as robots that are inspired by natural systems such as insects, birds, mammals, and reptiles—have the potential to significantly enable or enhance capabilities in manufacturing, health care, reconnaissance, exploration, food safety, and search and rescue. Because of their unique design, bioinspired robotics offer a truly interdisciplinary systems research challenge that encompasses biology, materials, mechanical design, control, sensors and actuators, power, electronics, and computer science among other topics.

Program Goals

The Bioinspired Robotics REU Site aims to:

Teach students about bioinspired robotics and the applicable technologies and applications

Engage talented and diverse students in interdisciplinary research programs

Prepare students for graduate school or research jobs in industry and labs

Introduce undergraduates to team-based interdisciplinary research

Build a strong community between undergraduates, graduate student mentors, and faculty

During the 10-week summer program, students will develop research projects, attend technical tutorial seminars, visit local government labs involved in bioinspired robotics research, attend professional and academic development seminars, and tour Maryland’s top-notch facilities supporting robotics research including the UMd FabLab and Neutral Bouyancy Research Facility. Lunch discussions will provide an informal setting for students and mentors to discuss technical and non-technical topics. The program culminates in student presentations on their summer research.

The program will run from June 5 through August 11, 2017

The deadline to apply is FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Benefits include:

a $5,000 stipend for their summer work and funding is available for on-campus housing and travel support.

Suggested majors include (but are not limited to):

Mechanical Engineering,

Computer Science and Electrical Engineering,

Bioengineering,

Materials Science,

Bioinformatics and

Computational Biology

Biological Sciences

Click on the link below to read more about this opportunity and see if you are eligible to apply. For help with applying, please contact Dr. April Householder, Director of Undergraduate Research and Nationally Competitive Scholarships at aprilh@umbc.edu.