Development of an Autonomous Mobile 3D Bioprinting System for Regenerative Medicine
Professor: Alex Czekanski
Contact Info: alex.czekanski@lassonde.yorku.ca
Lab Website: http://www.idea-lab.ca/
Position Type: Lassonde Undergraduate Research Award (LURA); NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA)
Open Positions: 2
Project Description: The main responsibility includes supporting the development of the robotic bio printer at the IDEA-LAB at York University. The robotic arm is equipped with a filament extrusion and a visual tracking module. Everyday tasks will include: assisting in upgrading the current hardware and electrical design of the printing system, developing electrical enclosures and 3D printed modules for the robotic arm, and developing strategies to validate the accuracy of the robotic visual tracking system and printing performance. This project has various needs and can be tailored to fit expertise of the selected candidates. Labview and 3D printing experience will come in handy.
Duties and Responsibilities: Supporting the development of the robotic bio printer at the IDEA-LAB at York University.
Desired Technical Skills: Mechatronics, and material characterization.
Desired Course(s): Courses related to mechanical, mechatronics, and solid mechanics.
Other Desired Qualifications: Skills related to mechanical, mechatronics, and solid mechanics.
Gravity Gizmo: Exploring Manufacturing In The Stars
Professor: Alex Czekanski
Contact Info: alex.czekanski@lassonde,yorku.ca
Lab Website: www.idea-lab.ca
Position Type: Lassonde Undergraduate Research Award (LURA); NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA)
Open Positions: 2
Project Description: This research aims to design and develop a system that can be continuously oriented (rotated) to minimize gravity’s effect over time, similar to microgravity.
Duties and Responsibilities: Assist in the design and development of a rotating frame as well as in printing and characterizing soft materials subject to various gravity configurations.
Desired Technical Skills: Material science and engineering, and advanced manufacturing.
Desired Course(s): Mechanical engineering courses and LE/MECH 3502 3.00 – Solid Mechanics and Materials Laboratory.
Other Desired Qualifications: Material science and engineering, and advanced manufacturing.
What’s Really in Our Water and Air?
Professor: Cuiying Jian
Contact Info: cuiying.jian@lassonde.yorku.ca
Lab Website: https://jian.info.yorku.ca/
Position Type: Lassonde Undergraduate Research Award (LURA);NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA)
Open Positions: 2
Project Description: What is really in the water we drink and the air we breathe? If you have ever found yourself asking this question, this project will be a great fit for you. In this research project, we will design and build sensors to detect substances in water and air, with a strong focus on the sensing materials and mechanisms themselves. Students may choose to work on modeling and simulation, hands-on fabrication, or a combination of both, depending on their interests. Existing readout units will be used, while the sensing component will be developed from scratch, potentially employing techniques such as intelligent manufacturing. If time permits, the project may also explore options for powering the sensor. This project offers a practical, curiosity-driven opportunity to work on sensor development with real-world environmental relevance.
Duties & Responsibilities: Responsibilities may include fabricating sensor components, modeling sensor responses, simulating material behaviors, integrating sensing elements with existing readout units, conducting experiments to evaluate sensor performance, and analyzing and interpreting the resulting data. Students are not expected to carry out all of these tasks; the list is intended to provide an overview of the range of possible activities.
Desired Technical Skills: A background or strong interest in sensor technologies, materials science, or environmental applications is desirable.
Desired Course: Students enrolled in engineering, applied science, or related STEM degree programs are encouraged to apply.
Other Desired Qualifications: Strong motivation, curiosity, and a willingness to learn are highly valued.
Continuous Fibre 3D Printing
Professor: Garrett Melenka
Contact Info: gmelenka@yorku.ca
Lab Webiste: https://gmelenka.apps01.yorku.ca/
Position Type: Lassonde Undergraduate Research Award (LURA); NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA);
Open Positions: 1
Project Description: Fused filament fabrication (FFF) has seen an explosion of applications ranging from drones, construction, and low-cost prosthetics. One specialized form of FFF manufacturing is continuous fiber FFF structures using printers like the MarkForged Mark Two. Continuous fiber FFF manufacturing is uniquely suited to addressing the challenge of producing low-cost, high-performance prosthetic running blades since these components can be rapidly manufactured for relatively low cost. Advanced fibers can be automatically embedded in FFF components to provide high strength. Furthermore, fiber reinforcements are strategically placed to maximize performance while minimizing costs.
Duties and Responsibilities: Student duties will include design, manufacture and testing of continuous fibre 3D printed components. Design will be conducted using SolidWorks. The components will be analyzed using composite materials techniques such as classical laminate plate theory. Testing of continuous fibre 3D printed structures will include optical three-dimensional digital image correlation and micro-computed tomography.
Desired Technical Skills: CAD Skills- SolidWorks and/or Fusion 360,Hand on manufacturing skills
mechanics of materials/ solid mechanics skills
Desired Course(s): Mechanics of Materials ,Mini Design 1 & 2
Programming skills in MATLAB and Python
Other Desired Qualifications: Solidworks for component design,Matlab, Python or other similar programming languages
3D Printing/ Manufacturing skills, (Interpersonal Skills), Student should be able to work within a team environment.
Microfluidic Technologies for Extraction and Detection of Micro and Nano Contaminants, Disease Biomarkers and Precious Materials
Professor: Pouya Rezai
Contact Info: pouya.rezai@lassonde.yorku.ca
Lab Website: https://acute.apps01.yorku.ca/
Position Type: Lassonde Undergraduate Research Award (LURA)
Open Positions: 3
Project Description: We develop miniaturized fluidic devices to test multi-phase fluids and detect analytes of interest in them. Examples include detecting bacteria in the food, viruses in the air, and microplastics in the water, all at the site of sample acquisition (Point of Need Detection). We also use very small biological model organisms of human disease and develop lab-on-a-chip devices for testing their cell-to-behaviour processes in response to various stimuli from chemicals to electrical signals. These technologies help resolve health and safety challenges in the water, food, and environment sectors.
We have projects available for outstanding undergraduates aligned with the research directions above. We are looking for students interested in designing microfluidic devices while being able to learn and use biological materials in them for testing. We are looking for hard-working individuals with high academic standing who are interested in gaining exceptional opportunities to do research and publish scientific papers. Details of projects can be discussed in arranged interviews with Dr. Rezai. To start the process, send your CV and transcripts to prezai@yorku.ca.
Duties and Responsibilities: Students must work daily with senior graduate student mentors in Dr. Rezai’s lab (in BRG). They should also meet with Dr. Rezai weekly and report on progress and plan. Students will learn how to design and fabricate microfluidic devices using photolithography and 3D printing. They will also learn to test these devices with various analytical tools like microscopes and electric source-meters, while most probably using biological materials like safe bacteria, bacteriophages, nematodes, flies, and fishes in their devices. Knowledge of fluid mechanics and materials is an asset and knowing basic biology is also considered as an applicable skill. Applicants should be good at working in teams and willing to put extra effort into research and innovation, during the summer and also staying after throughout the year to continue their research. As example, past LURA and USRA students in our lab have continued their work for years with Dr. Rezai and his team, published conference and journal papers, and joined Oxford and Cornell for graduate studies.
Desired Technical Skills: Desire to learn fluid mechanics, microfluidics, little biology, and materials science and engineering
Desired Course(s): Fluid mechanics, Microfluidics, Materials science
Other Desired Qualifications: Interest in experimental in-lab work. Significant interest in research. Punctuality and presence in lab
Flow Boiling and Condensation of R1234yf
Professor: Roger Kempers
Contact Info: kempers@yorku.ca
Lab Website: tf-lab.ca
Position Type: NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA)
Open Positions: 2
Project Description: The student will be directly supervised by Prof. Roger Kempers in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and mentored by a post-doctoral researcher and other graduate students. They will work in concert with other summer students build and test refrigerant flow loops which use a low global-warming potential (GWP) refrigerant (R1234yf) as it’s working fluid. The objective of the research is to characterize two-phase heat transfer of this refrigerant under flow boiling and condensation scenarios.
Duties and Responsibilities: The student will develop CAD models, perform engineering design calculations and simulations, fabricate and assemble hardware and instrumentation. They will then perform a variety of thermofluids experiments and heat exchange characterization measurements, assess the results, and make comparisons to established models.
Desired Technical Skills:
• Good working knowledge of Mechanical Engineering and hands-on ability
• Ability to fabricate and test components
• Experimental data collection and analysis
• SolidWorks and MATLAB
• Good verbal, written and presentation communication skills
Desired Course(s): Mechanical Engineering
Other Desired Qualifications: Able to self-motivate and work well with limited direction
Development of Ion-Imprinted Superabsorbent Polymers for Rapid Critical Minerals Extraction
Professor: Siu Ning (Sunny) Leung
Contact Info: leungsun@yorku.ca
Lab Website: m3.apps01.yorku.ca
Position Type: Lassonde Undergraduate Research Award (LURA); NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA);
Open Positions: 1
Project Description: Lithium and cobalt are key enabling materials for electric vehicles (EVs) and grid-scale energy storage technologies. As EV manufacturing expands worldwide, ensuring reliable and sustainable access to these critical minerals has become an important engineering challenge. In Canada, innovative materials-based recovery technologies are needed to support domestic battery production and the clean energy transition.
This project addresses this challenge by developing engineered polymer systems for the selective recovery of lithium (Li⁺) and cobalt (Co²⁺) from dilute aqueous sources, including natural brines, industrial wastewater, and battery recycling streams. These environments are complex and contain many competing ions, requiring materials that combine fast transport, high selectivity, and robust performance.
The research integrates two complementary materials concepts: ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) and superabsorbent polymer (SAP) hydrogels. While IIPs offer ion-specific recognition, their dense, rigid structures limit mass transport and slow uptake. SAP hydrogels, in contrast, swell rapidly and allow fast ion diffusion but lack selectivity. By embedding ion-imprinting functionality into a highly swollen hydrogel network, this project aims to engineer ion-imprinted superabsorbent polymers (ISAPs) that overcome these limitations.
The Undergraduate researcher will design, fabricate, and test functional hydrogel materials, evaluating swelling behavior, mechanical stability, adsorption capacity, and selectivity under realistic solution conditions. Students will compare material performance across different architectures and assess how design choices influence efficiency and scalability.
Beyond critical mineral recovery, the engineering concepts developed in this project, which include but not limited to selective transport, porous materials design, and structure–property relationships, are broadly transferable. Similar material systems are used for water purification, separation of biological contaminants (such as bacteria and viruses), and capture of other valuable or hazardous substances. This project therefore provides foundational training relevant to materials engineering, environmental engineering, and sustainable process design.
Duties and Responsibilities: The undergraduate research student will contribute to the design, fabrication, and evaluation of functional polymer-based materials for the selective recovery of lithium and cobalt from aqueous environments relevant to electric vehicle battery supply chains. Working under the supervision of the principal investigator and graduate researchers, the student will be involved in the following activities:
• Assist in the synthesis and preparation of polymer hydrogel materials, including superabsorbent and ion-imprinted formulations, following established laboratory protocols.
• Perform materials processing and handling tasks, such as solution preparation, polymerization, washing, and drying of samples.
• Conduct experimental characterization of material properties, including swelling behavior, stability in aqueous environments, and basic mechanical integrity.
• Carry out metal uptake and adsorption experiments using single-ion and multi-ion solutions to evaluate material performance, selectivity, and kinetics under controlled conditions.
• Collect, organize, and analyze experimental data, including plotting results and identifying trends that relate material structure to performance.
• Assist with troubleshooting experimental procedures and optimizing material formulations based on observed results.
• Maintain accurate and organized laboratory records in a research notebook, following good laboratory practice and safety guidelines.
• Participate in weekly research meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and next steps, and communicate results to the research team.
• Support knowledge translation activities, such as preparing figures, short summaries, or presentation slides that may be used for internal reports, undergraduate research showcases, or future publications.
Through these responsibilities, the student will develop foundational engineering skills in materials design, experimental testing, and data-driven problem solving. The methodologies and concepts learned, such as selective transport in porous materials, structure–property relationships, and performance evaluation under realistic conditions, are broadly applicable to other engineering challenges, including water treatment, separation of biological contaminants (e.g., bacteria and viruses), and recovery of other valuable or hazardous materials.
The level of responsibility and independence will be tailored to the student’s academic background and year of study, with structured mentorship and training provided throughout the project.
Desired Technical Skills:
• Basic laboratory skills in chemistry, materials, or engineering labs, including solution preparation and safe handling of chemicals
• Familiarity with experimental data collection and analysis, including plotting and interpreting results
• Interest in materials engineering, polymers, or sustainable separation technologies
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and maintain accurate laboratory records
• Basic proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Origin, MATLAB, or Python is an asset)
• Willingness to learn and apply materials characterization techniques (training will be provided)
• Understanding of or interest in transport phenomena, structure–property relationships, or materials performance
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently after training
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for documenting and presenting research findings
Previous research experience is beneficial but not required; motivation and willingness to learn are essential.
Desired Course(s): Students enrolled in Mechanical, Materials, or Chemical Engineering, or Chemistry programs will be considered; related disciplines with relevant coursework are also welcome.
Other Desired Qualifications:
• Strong interest in sustainable engineering, clean energy, or critical materials recovery
• Motivation to learn new experimental techniques and engage in hands-on laboratory research
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team
• Good time-management and organizational skills
• Willingness to commit to the full duration of the summer research term
• Prior research, laboratory, or co-op experience is an asset but not required
Multiplexed Microfluidic Fluorescence Sensor for Selective Detection of Critical Minerals in Battery Metal Recycling Streams
Professor: Siu Ning (Sunny) Leung
Contact Info: leungsun@yorku.ca
Lab Website: m3.apps01.yorku.ca
Position Type: Lassonde Undergraduate Research Award (LURA); NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA);
Open Positions: 1
Project Description: The rapid global adoption of renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles has driven unprecedented growth in lithium-ion battery (LIB) production. As a result, the volume of end-of-life batteries is increasing sharply, creating an urgent need for efficient recycling processes that can recover valuable metals while minimizing environmental impact. Life cycle assessments show that lithium (Li), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn) together constitute a significant fraction of automotive LIB mass, making them priority targets for recovery. Reliable, real-time monitoring of these metals in recycling streams is essential for process optimization, quality control, and environmental compliance.
Conventional analytical techniques such as ICP-OES and atomic absorption spectroscopy provide high sensitivity and selectivity but are poorly suited for inline or on-site monitoring due to their cost, size, complex sample preparation, and long analysis times. These limitations motivate the development of portable, rapid, and low-cost sensing technologies capable of operating directly within recycling facilities.
This project focuses on the development of microfluidic lab-on-a-chip (LOC) fluorescence sensors for the simultaneous detection of Li⁺, Ni2⁺, Mn2+ and Co²⁺ in LIB recycling streams. Microfluidic platforms offer significant advantages for this application, including low reagent consumption, short diffusion distances, high surface-to-volume ratios, and ease of integration with functional materials. The proposed approach combines microfluidics with ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs), which provide metal-specific recognition sites complementary in size, charge, and coordination environment to target ions.
Building on prior work in single-ion microfluidic sensors, this project advances the state of the art by addressing the critical challenge of multiplexed metal detection. The device integrates multiple microchannel zones within a single chip, each functionalized with selective polymer films. Lithium and aluminum are detected using tailored ion-imprinted or non-imprinted polymer layers, while cobalt detection is enhanced through the incorporation of metal-organic framework (MOF)-assisted imprinted layers to improve local preconcentration and sensitivity.
Metal binding events are transduced using spiropyran-based fluorescence, enabling rapid, reversible optical readout without bulky instrumentation. The sensor platform is designed to operate under continuous flow and to maintain selectivity in complex matrices that resemble real battery recycling leachates containing high concentrations of competing ions.
By enabling compact, selective, and simultaneous detection of multiple battery-relevant metals, this project contributes to the development of next-generation sensing tools for sustainable battery recycling. The underlying concepts, which include microfluidic integration, selective recognition materials, and optical transduction, are broadly applicable to other industrial and environmental monitoring challenges requiring rapid, multiplexed chemical analysis.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The undergraduate research student will contribute to the design, fabrication, and evaluation of microfluidic fluorescence-based sensing platforms for the simultaneous detection of lithium, aluminum, and cobalt in lithium-ion battery recycling streams. Working under the supervision of the principal investigator and graduate researchers, the student will be involved in the following activities:
• Assist in the fabrication and assembly of microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices, including channel preparation, surface treatment, and integration of functional sensing layers.
• Support the preparation and incorporation of ion-imprinted polymer (IIP), non-imprinted polymer (NIP), and MOF-assisted polymer films into microfluidic channels following established protocols.
• Perform solution preparation and handling, including metal ion standards and model recycling leachates, under appropriate safety guidelines.
• Conduct fluorescence-based sensing experiments under flowing conditions to evaluate sensor response, sensitivity, selectivity, and response time for Li⁺, Ni2⁺, Mn2+, and Co²⁺.
• Assist in optical characterization and data acquisition, including fluorescence imaging or intensity measurements using benchtop or portable optical setups.
• Collect, organize, and analyze experimental data, including calibration curves, signal-to-noise analysis, and comparisons between imprinted and non-imprinted sensing elements.
• Participate in troubleshooting and optimization of device design, polymer formulations, and experimental conditions to improve sensor performance in complex matrices.
• Maintain accurate and organized laboratory records, following good laboratory practice, safety protocols, and documentation standards.
• Participate in regular research meetings to discuss experimental progress, interpret results, and plan subsequent experiments.
• Contribute to knowledge dissemination activities, such as preparing figures, summaries, or presentation materials for internal reports, undergraduate research showcases, or conference abstracts.
Through these responsibilities, the student will develop practical engineering skills in microfluidic device fabrication, functional materials integration, optical sensing, and data-driven performance evaluation. The concepts and techniques learned, such as selective recognition in confined systems, multiplexed sensing, and sensor validation in complex matrices, are broadly transferable to other applications, including environmental monitoring, water quality assessment, and detection of biological or chemical contaminants.
The level of responsibility and independence will be adjusted according to the student’s academic background and year of study, with structured mentorship and training provided throughout the project.
Desired Technical Skills:
• Basic laboratory skills in chemistry, materials, or engineering labs, including solution preparation and safe handling of chemicals
• Familiarity with experimental data collection and analysis, including plotting and interpreting results
• Interest in materials engineering, polymers, or sustainable separation technologies
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and maintain accurate laboratory records
• Basic proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Origin, MATLAB, or Python is an asset)
• Willingness to learn and apply materials characterization techniques (training will be provided)
• Understanding of or interest in transport phenomena, structure–property relationships, or materials performance
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently after training
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for documenting and presenting research findings
Previous research experience is beneficial but not required; motivation and willingness to learn are essential.
Desired Course(s): Students enrolled in Mechanical, Materials, or Chemical Engineering, or Chemistry programs will be considered; related disciplines with relevant coursework are also welcome.
Other Desired Qualifications:
• Basic laboratory skills in chemistry, materials, or engineering labs, including solution preparation and safe handling of chemicals
• Strong interest in sustainable engineering, clean energy, or critical materials recovery
• Motivation to learn new experimental techniques and engage in hands-on laboratory research
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team
• Good time-management and organizational skills
• Willingness to commit to the full duration of the summer research term
• Prior research, laboratory, or co-op experience is an asset but not required