Research Projects

Research team: 
Charlotte Harper Cunningham (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Graham Ballantyne (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Christian Hanson (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Grace Mallozzi (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)

Mentor: Michael Gevelber (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)

Timing: Awarded Fall 2025

This project seeks to develop a detailed plan to decarbonize major buildings on both CRC and BUMC, addressing both technical and financial issues. In particular, we will develop a first detailed building-by-building integrated energy efficiency and decarbonization plan, focusing on the 20 largest buildings that account for over 35% of BU’s direct GHG emissions

Key research issues to be addressed include cost effective evaluation of HVAC related energy efficiency projects including heat recovery, air flow scheduling, and right sizing the airflow depending on different needs. Considering these energy efficiency opportunities first before development/analysis of decarbonization plans, is important since it reduces the capacity and cost of implementing the decarbonization technologies. For BUMC, we will also address the comparative economics of using green steam to achieve GHG reduction goals, in comparison to switching to a hybrid natural gas/heat pump system. Lastly, for key elements of both campuses, evaluation of performance and cost of ground source heat pump systems will be made in comparison to hybrid air source heat pumps.

Research team: 
Audrey Xie, CAS
Kiko Yoshihira, CAS
Miya Peterson, CAS

Mentor: Nathan Phillips, Professor, CAS

Timing: Awarded Spring 2026, Summer 2026

This project aims to reduce data center emissions by encouraging BU TerrierGPT users to receive inquiry responses at a delayed, low-demand time to reduce stress on the grid and fossil fuel reliance. Researchers will test customer tolerances by creating prototypes for token-based delay systems and interface messaging that encourages user behavior to delay queries. Researchers will also simulate a TerrierGPT system that automatically delays queries based on New England grid energy demand. Results from this study can be used to develop larger-scale community demand response programs to better manage energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Research team:
Paul Adu, Master’s Student, ENG
Andde Indabaru, PhD Student, Questrom
Mentor: Remi Trudel, Associate Professor, Questrom

Timing: Awarded Spring 2026

This project pilots a Smart Energy Feedback System in Boston University student housing to test whether unit-level electricity feedback can meaningfully shift student energy-use behavior. By combining apartment-level energy sensing with behavioral interventions, such as monetary framing, carbon-impact framing, and social comparison. The study examines which feedback mechanisms most effectively improve climate awareness and reduce electricity consumption. The project integrates engineering, behavioral science, and sustainability practice, positioning campus housing as a living laboratory for scalable, student-facing climate interventions.

Research team:
Pranav Sultania, PhD Student, ENG
Isabella Santarpia, Undergrad, ENG

Mentor: Tommaso Ranzani, Assistant Professor, ENG

Timing: Awarded Spring 2026

This project aims to reduce laboratory energy consumption across Boston University by replacing conventional peristaltic and syringe pumps with a novel energy-efficient bistable electromagnetic soft pump platform. Traditional lab pumps are often noisy, maintenance-intensive, and energy-demanding, whereas the proposed soft pump operates silently and requires only a fraction of the power. The team will scale production of the pump units and pilot them in selected BU laboratories to measure performance and electricity savings. By demonstrating potential energy reductions of over 90% per pump, the project directly supports BU’s Climate Action Plan goals of lowering energy demand in research-intensive spaces and reducing campus-wide carbon emissions.

Research team:
Aissatou Lam, Undergrad, Wheelock
Mentors:
V. Scott H. Solberg, Professor, Wheelock
Chong Myung Park, Research Scientist, Wheelock

Timing: Awarded Spring 2026, Summer 2026

This project builds on Spring 2026 Campus Climate Lab-funded work developing sustainability career exploration activities for BU students. In this phase, the team is conducting a university-wide landscape analysis and co-design study to map the full range of sustainability-related academic programs, research opportunities, student organizations, internships, and career pathways available across BU. Through stakeholder interviews and co-design workshops with students, faculty, and career services staff, the project will identify gaps and barriers in how students currently access and navigate sustainability pathways.

Research team:
Ananya Trivedi (Biology, CAS)
Prathulya Vadlamudi (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, CAS)
Tanvi Khandelwal (Biology, CAS)
Mentor: Les Kaufman (Biology, CAS)

Timing: Awarded Fall 2025

This project examines how effectively treated laundry greywater from Boston University dormitories can sustain plant growth and which low-cost filtration method best enhances its quality for safe and sustainable reuse. The study will test five filtration methods and evaluate water quality and plant health outcomes using Chenopodium album (Lamb’s Quarters) as a model species. By identifying treatments that meet environmental standards and support healthy growth, the project will provide actionable insights that are aligned with BU’s Climate Action Plan.

Research team: TBD
Mentors:
Kenn Sebesta (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Stephen Chomyszak (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Moriah Lim (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)

Timing: Awarded Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026

Boston University’s makerspaces generate over a quarter-ton of 3D printing PLA waste annually, a stream that is expected to grow. This project aims to scale up an existing initiative to recycle this waste by optimizing two key manufacturing processes: filament extrusion and heat-pressing. We will refine these methods to convert shredded PLA waste into high-quality recycled 3D printer filament and uniformly flat sheets for laser-cutting. The goal is to reduce new PLA and acrylic purchases by 25% within 12 months, directly supporting BU’s waste-reduction goals by closing the material loop.

Research team:
Nik Polyakov (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Reuben Danyali (Environmental Analysis & Policy and Economics, CAS)
Declan Lacy (Electrical Engineering, ENG)
Mentors:
Kenn Sebesta (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Moriah Lim (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)

Timing: Awarded Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026

Students Nik Polyakov, Declan Lacey, and Reuben Danyali are working with Professor Sebesta and Moriah Lim of RASTIC to develop an integrated pre-processing system that cleans, shreds, and dehumidifies discarded campus plastics to create reusable 3D-printing filament for BU labs. The project builds on existing extrusion infrastructure by adding ultrasonic washing, dual-shaft shredding, and convection drying subsystems to produce extrusion-ready flakes on campus. This system will replace 219 kg of filament annually purchased by EPIC and SiLab, and reduce the cost of producing filament to $0.02 per kg. Our mission is to support BU’s Climate Action and Zero Waste Plans, advancing progress toward Boston University’s 90% waste-diversion goal by 2030.

Research team:
Xinyue Zhang (Supply Chain Management, MET)
Irene Skandalakis (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Artemiy Yakushin (Chemistry, CAS)
Mentor: John Maleyeff (Risk Management, MET)

Timing: Awarded Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026

This project aims to support BU’s Climate Action Plan by evaluating sustainable practices in research and teaching laboratories on the CRC and medical campuses. The project focuses on My Green Lab certification procedures that consider sustainable purchasing, energy efficiency equipment, and green chemistry. The team will work with the Environmental Health and Safety department and recommend sustainability metrics, incentives, and training, while developing an implementation plan. MET supply chain management Professor John Maleyeff and EHS Director of Safety Ron Morales will provide ongoing advice to the project team.

Research team:

Jacob Trostel, Undergrad, CAS
Annalee Edgar, Undergrad, Questrom
Haijia Zhou, Undergrad, CAS

Mentors:
David Demeritt, Professor, CAS

Timing: Awarded Spring 2026

This project aims to critically assess student waste behavior across various student groups to better understand the consumption practices of the university’s diverse student population and inform the design of targeted interventions to prevent waste-generating practices. Although BU Sustainability tracks large volumes of waste during high-volume waste production periods such as move-in and move-out, the university lacks systematic information on which individual student groups contribute, such as on-campus, off-campus, and international students. Our goal is to fill these knowledge gaps and help BU achieve its Zero Waste and Scope 3 emissions goals by understanding the variety of student-waste behavior and developing testable, digital platforms as interventions that promote reuse and recycling behaviors.