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Racing toward innovation: Inside ɫ��Ƶ��’s fastest student organization

Alexander James Servantez — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 15:25:54 +0000

Racing toward innovation: Inside ɫ��Ƶ��’s fastest student organization Alexander Jame… Mon, 08/04/2025 - 09:25

Madison Seckman

On any given weekend, tucked away in a Longmont workshop or tearing down a raceway in Daytona, ɫ��Ƶ�� students are doing something remarkable: building and racing their own cars. But ɫ��Ƶ�� Racing is far more than a high-speed hobby—it’s an engine of innovation, leadership, and community.

Led by Carson Malpass a senior in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, the team builds internal combustion race cars from the ground up to compete in the prestigious Formula SAE competition, travels the country racing endurance cars against professional teams, and is now venturing into the electric vehicle (EV) frontier. With about 300 members across engineering, business, arts and sciences, and even English majors, ɫ��Ƶ�� Racing is one of the university’s largest and most multidisciplinary student-run organizations.

"It’s not just a race team," Malpass said. "It’s a team where students become engineers, project managers, designers, and leaders."

The ɫ��Ƶ�� Formula Racing team at this year's Formula SAE competition in Michigan.

That transformation begins with Formula SAE, one of the most rigorous student engineering competitions in the world. Each year, student teams design, build, and race a new single-seater open-wheel vehicle guided by a thick rulebook and strict deliverables. ɫ��Ƶ��’s Formula team has been on an upward trajectory—placing 31st out of 120 teams in May 2025, their best finish since placing 20th in 2023. But the competition is about far more than speed. Teams are judged on design presentations, cost reports, business proposals, and how the car performs on the track.

A closer look at ɫ��Ƶ�� Racing's 2025 Formula SAE vehicle.

The competition, held each May in Michigan, begins with a heavy number of technical inspections. Teams must pass a tilt test, brake tests, decibel limits, and a comprehensive safety inspection before even qualifying for the dynamic events. This year, the team encountered a major challenge the night before departure: a seized wheel bearing due to improper lubrication. With the trailer already packed, members stayed up overnight chiseling out the frozen part and grinding away each ball bearing. They ultimately secured liquid nitrogen through a helpful alum to finish the fix. Despite these obstacles and racing most events stuck in a single gear, the team completed every major section and walked away as the top Colorado team.

"That was a proud moment," Malpass said. "The team was up all night solving a really technical problem and it all paid off. Those kinds of moments are what make this team special."

While the combustion team continues to fine-tune their design, ɫ��Ƶ�� Racing is charging into the future with a full-fledged electric vehicle initiative. Their EV team is currently designing a brand-new race car set to debut at Formula SAE Electric in June 2026. According to Malpass, building an EV is an entirely different challenge. Some components—like suspension geometry—can carry over, but major systems like the frame and powertrain must be reimagined for electric power.

"There’s stuff you can tweak and carry over," he said. "But there’s also stuff that’s totally different. It’s a clean-sheet design in a lot of ways."

The transition has been years in the making, with early behind-the-scenes research now evolving into a dedicated team working on the design. As Malpass put it, "We’re optimistic. We know it’s a massive undertaking, but the team has the knowledge and motivation."

ɫ��Ƶ�� Racing's endurance team standing alongside their endurance racing vehicle.

That same spirit of exploration and grit drives the team’s endurance racing efforts. ɫ��Ƶ�� Racing’s endurance division competes in production-based Mazda Miatas at tracks across the U.S., running in events that last anywhere from seven to 24 hours. Even club members with no driving experience are welcome to try out on their qualifying car.

"There’s a clear learning curve," Malpass said. "We have a lower-performance car to train people, and then the top drivers get into our 719 or 303 Miata. We’ve had people start from scratch and become some of our best drivers."

And it’s not just for fun. The professionalism of the team has been noticed across the country. In some cases, ɫ��Ƶ�� Racing has even outperformed fully professional or dedicated senior design teams.

Mentorship is at the heart of that success. Now in his fourth year, Malpass has shifted from building cars to building people. The club runs its own internal workshops in areas like computer-aided design (CAD), finite element analysis, and design for manufacturing—topics that many students won’t see until late in their curriculum.

"We teach the stuff we wish we’d learned earlier," Malpass said. "So when members get to those classes or internships, they’re already ahead."

This year, the team brought a record 42 members to the Formula competition in Michigan. “Seeing them experience it for the first time—seeing the payoff for all those late nights in the shop—that’s what keeps people coming back,” he said.

That commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive space also drives the team’s Women in Motorsports initiative. Though racing and mechanical engineering remain male-dominated fields, CU Boulder Racing is working to change that. In recent years, they’ve seen significant growth in female membership and leadership. Some students have even joined the team specifically because of the welcoming environment.

"It’s not just about optics—it’s about culture," Malpass said. "We’ve hosted dedicated meetings, events, and conversations to make sure everyone feels like they belong here."

And it’s working. Female leads now play a major role across multiple divisions. The initiative, which started as a conversation, has become a structural pillar of the team’s recruitment and retention strategy.

ɫ��Ƶ�� Racing's Women in Motorsports division.

The results speak for themselves. Alumni have gone on to become professional race car drivers, compete in European NASCAR, pursue advanced degrees in automotive engineering and even join Formula One teams like Mercedes.

"One of our former members, Liam Travis, recently got hired by the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team," Malpass said. "It’s wild to think that what starts in our little shop in Longmont can lead to that."

Malpass, who is also minoring in engineering management, credits the club with shaping both his resume and his mindset.

"The majority of what I talk about in interviews comes back to this team," he said. "Whether it’s solving problems, leading people, or learning how to design something that actually gets built—it all comes from here."

As ɫ��Ƶ�� Racing prepares for another year, they are gearing up to welcome new members. The club recruits each fall and spring at events like the Engineering Immersion and Be Involved Fair, where students can learn about both the Formula and Endurance divisions. Even those without prior experience are encouraged to dive in.

"You don’t need to know anything when you start," Malpass said. "Just show up and be ready to learn. That’s all it takes."

In a university filled with clubs and organizations, ɫ��Ƶ�� Racing stands out not just for its speed, but for its commitment to growth, inclusion, and real-world experience. Whether students are machining parts at midnight or giving their first design presentation, they’re gaining something far greater than trophies.

They’re becoming engineers. And in the process, they’re proving that college students don’t just compete—they lead.

Carson Malpass isn't just a senior in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, he's the leader of one of ɫ��Ƶ��'s fastest student organization: ɫ��Ƶ�� Racing. The team builds internal combustion race cars from the ground up to compete in the prestigious Formula SAE competition, travels the country racing endurance cars against professional teams and is now venturing into the electric vehicle (EV) frontier.

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ME grad student probes industrial pollution in Mississippi neighborhood

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 21:55:39 +0000

ME grad student probes industrial pollution in Mississippi neighborhood Alexander Jame… Fri, 07/25/2025 - 15:55

Caroline Frischmon is a graduate student leading a critical study documenting industrial pollution near the Cherokee Forest subdivision in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Her findings show that industrial activities are leading to negative impacts on human health and the residents of the neighborhood are looking to take action.

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Milford discusses the potential devastating impacts of EPA cuts

Alexander James Servantez — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:34:19 +0000

Milford discusses the potential devastating impacts of EPA cuts Alexander Jame… Thu, 07/24/2025 - 14:34

Due to Trump administration research cuts, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week it will begin to dissolve its Office of Research and Development. Professor Emeritus Jana Milford says the decision could have wide-ranging impacts on human health and conservation efforts.

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ME startup Point Designs announces major prosthetics partnership

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 17:53:30 +0000

ME startup Point Designs announces major prosthetics partnership Alexander Jame… Fri, 07/18/2025 - 11:53

Nine years ago, a group of researchers from the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering at ɫ��Ƶ�� launched a pioneering medical device startup called Point Designs in an effort to commercialize prosthetic technology.

Today, those same researchers are announcing a new collaboration that can lift the company’s prosthetic innovation and patient care to another level.

Point Designs, a pioneering medical device startup launched by researchers and alumni from the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Boulder-based startup Point Designs has announced that it has entered an agreement of impending acquisition with Hanger, Inc., a leading provider of orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) patient care services and solutions. The company, co-founded by Research Professor Jacob Segil, Associate Research Professor Richard Weir at CU Anschutz, and Rady Mechanical Engineering alums Levin Sliker (MechEngr’10; MS’12; PhD’15) and Stephen Huddle (MechEngr’99; MS’13), says the agreement can have a profound impact on the future of prosthetic design.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to join the Hanger family and to expand our ability to positively impact the lives of those with upper limb loss or limb difference,” said CEO Levin Sliker. “Hanger’s commitment to scientific research and innovation for the betterment of the global O&P community aligns perfectly with our values as a company.”

Founded in 2016, Point Designs integrates advanced engineering with clinical insight to create rugged, ratcheting prostheses that restore function and independence. The company specializes in high strength, 3D-printed titanium prosthetic fingers for people with partial hand amputations.

With expertise in additive manufacturing and mechanical engineering and decades of research experience spanning neural interfaces, myoelectric control algorithms and upper limb prosthetic design, the Point Designs team believes the acquisition will help the two companies develop and expand a comprehensive ecosystem of products, services and care for patients across the globe.

Click here to read the full press release for more details

Point Designs, co-founded by Research Professor Jacob Segil, Associate Research Professor Richard Weir at CU Anschutz, and Rady Mechanical Engineering alums Levin Sliker (MechEngr’10; MS’12; PhD’15) and Stephen Huddle (MechEngr’99; MS’13), is announcing a new collaboration that they believe can have a profound impact on the future of prosthetic design.

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A closer look at Point Design's prosthetic technology in action. (Credit: Point Designs)

Researchers testing next-generation ankle braces for stroke survivors

Alexander James Servantez — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:30:06 +0000

Researchers testing next-generation ankle braces for stroke survivors Alexander Jame… Tue, 07/15/2025 - 12:30

Alexander Servantez

Nearly 80% of all stroke survivors experience walking issues, according to a study in the American Heart Association journal.

For some of them, the solution is simple: ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs), otherwise known as ankle braces. These wearable, assistive devices are designed to enhance mobility and make walking easier post-stroke.

But the functionality of these braces is still very limited. In fact, a report in the National Library of Medicine said that only a third of stroke patients see walking improvements when paired with an AFO.

That’s why Cara Welker, an assistant professor in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, is leading a new, collaborative research project that aims to redefine this relationship. Her team is developing a next-generation AFO that doesn’t just support movement—it enhances it.

A quick look at the next-generation AFO prototype, designed by Associate Professor Elisa Arch at the University of Delaware.

“Stroke survivors or others using these assistive devices walk slower, and it takes more effort for them to move,” said Welker, who is also affiliated with the Biomedical Engineering Program, the Robotics Program and the BioFrontiers Institute. “Movement is important, not just for getting around, but for our quality of life and physical health. If we can help someone walk faster or get closer to how a healthy person walks, then we see that as a success.”

Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the three-year, $600,000 project is a collaboration with Associate Professor Elisa Arch at the University of Delaware. It begins with a unique AFO prototype that the two believe has the potential to transform the way assistive devices are designed.

Current ankle brace technology offers only a single stiffness profile that operates like a simple spring. They can be effective for some, but Welker says the human ankle is much more complex than that.

“The single stiffness profile doesn’t mimic normal ankle function when walking,” Welker said. “It can’t adapt to the stiffness or the biological angle of a human ankle, which means many brace users still have trouble walking.”

To address this, Arch developed a new AFO that can transition between two different stiffness profiles instead of one. Think of it as a more personalized brace that is tailored to the complexity of the ankle—as a person walks and their ankle angle changes, the brace can change how it behaves to provide better support.

But the challenge of the research project isn’t necessarily in the design. Welker says brace customization is currently largely based on trial and error. The lack of precise modeling makes it difficult to pair different stiffness profiles and properties with the needs of the user.

“The device we have is very promising, but we don’t know how to prescribe these different stiffnesses based on someone’s specific set of weaknesses,” said Welker. “It might likely be different from one person to another since stroke manifests itself in many ways.”

A series of tests, using the powered exoskeleton, motion capture cameras and integrated treadmills, being performed inside of the Welker Lab space.

Using her cutting-edge Welker Lab space—equipped with a powered exoskeleton, motion capture cameras, ground-integrated treadmills and force plates—Welker’s role is to test the device. The goal is to see the AFO in action, model how changing these device parameters affect walking, and optimize along the way wherever possible.

“There’s this technique called human-in-the-loop optimization. It involves changing behavior of an assistive device and measuring how these changes affect certain user metrics that are deemed important,” Welker said. “We want to use this technique to measure things like walking speed or energy expenditure. By doing this, we can select the parameters that best optimize for outcome metrics we care about for a specific person.”

Welker has aspirations beyond the NSF-funded project, as well. She believes their research can be manufactured at scale and prescribed in clinics, helping stroke survivors and brace users around the world achieve normal ankle function.

She also believes the work done during this project can positively impact her other projects. Whether it’s in the realm of AFOs or other assistive devices like prosthetics, Welker’s research is well-rounded and diverse. But she says her unique lab space with different assistive devices and the ability to quantify how people interact with them ties it all together.

“We work on many different projects, but it’s great because we can integrate them under the same human motion analysis system,” said Welker. “I’m excited to work on these types of studies, not just for people post-stroke, but also amputees. I believe the work we do will help improve the quality of life for many people.”

Nearly 80% of all stroke survivors experience walking issues and turn to ankle braces for increased support, but ankle braces are still very limited and many stroke survivors report no improvements when using them. Assistant Professor Cara Welker is leading a new, collaborative research project that aims to transform the way these assistive devices are designed.

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How slashing university research grants impacts economy, national innovation

Alexander James Servantez — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 20:37:30 +0000

How slashing university research grants impacts economy, national innovation Alexander Jame… Thu, 07/10/2025 - 14:37

Federal funding cuts in the billions have impacted dozens of universities in the U.S. Read from Professor and Senior Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Massimo Ruzzene on why this research is important for everybody.

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Two ME graduate peer mentors recognized for outstanding support

Alexander James Servantez — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 17:36:27 +0000

Two ME graduate peer mentors recognized for outstanding support Alexander Jame… Mon, 07/07/2025 - 11:36

PhD students Marissa Dauner and Elijah Miller have been selected by the Graduate School to receive the Graduate Peer Mentoring Impact Recognition, an honor awarded to those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting their peers through mentorship. These outstanding mentors were nominated by their mentees for providing not only practical guidance, but also meaningful personal support and connection.

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Game plan: ME alum scores a data science job with the Broncos

Alexander James Servantez — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 17:14:40 +0000

Game plan: ME alum scores a data science job with the Broncos Alexander Jame… Wed, 06/25/2025 - 11:14

Scott Flaska (MechEngr'14) was once a competitive and interdisciplinary student in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering. Now, he's the data mastermind behind one of Colorado's most beloved professional sports teams.

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Bruns researches cybernetic human advancement with New Frontiers Grant

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 17:51:14 +0000

Bruns researches cybernetic human advancement with New Frontiers Grant Alexander Jame… Fri, 06/20/2025 - 11:51

Associate Professor Carson Bruns has received a $50,000 grant through ɫ��Ƶ��'s New Frontier Grant Program. The funding will allow Bruns and a couple of key collaborators to develop a new suite of body-integrated technology that can help monitor health, help with mobility challenges and enable peak performance in a range of daily activities.

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ɫ��Ƶ�� students win big at collegiate hydropower competition

Alexander James Servantez — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 22:32:51 +0000

ɫ��Ƶ�� students win big at collegiate hydropower competition Alexander Jame… Wed, 06/18/2025 - 16:32

Alexander Servantez

A powerhouse group of graduating seniors from the ɫ��Ƶ�� made waves in a sustainable challenge that’s all about energizing the future.

The CU Hydropower Team took part in this year’s Hydropower Collegiate Competition, where 12 teams from universities across the country were tasked with developing unique energy solutions using fresh, moving water—one of the Earth’s oldest forms of renewable energy.

The CU Hydropower Team holding up their award-winning testing apparatus on competition day.

But they weren’t just participants. They were overwhelming winners, earning first-place honors in a variety of contests within the competition, including the highly coveted Overall Best Team award.

“We had a great group and a really good workload sharing system,” said Logistics Manager Miles Salzer. “We weren’t really sure how we were going to do or what the outcome would be. There were a lot of challenges, but we overcame them and we’re proud of what we were able to accomplish.”

The competition, sponsored by the Department of Energy and the Water Power Technologies Office, was launched in 2022. It allows teams to showcase their engineering prowess by conceptually designing plans for either an electricity generating power dam or a functioning closed-loop pump storage facility.

The team chose to tackle the closed-loop pump storage facility—a novel hydropower solution that features two independent reservoirs that transport water back and forth, much like the sand in an hourglass. The system is also hydrodynamically sealed, preventing water from exiting the system.

CAD Engineer Jack Printup says this new pump storage concept is currently growing in popularity as a clean energy and sustainable alternative, but there are still some environmental risks involved.

“It’s basically a big water battery that lasts longer and is more consistent than other nonrenewable sources, but like nuclear plants, they can cause some damage to the area around it,” Printup said. “Our task was to choose and develop a site for our pump storage facility that was safe and could be implemented in the real world.”

CU Hydropower team members Sascha Fowler (left) and Pisay Suzuki (right) working on their testing apparatus in preparation for the competition.

But the competition doesn’t just focus on technical design. Judges also assessed the team’s ability to manage their facility’s finances and cybersecurity.

They even measured the group’s ability to use digital tools to increase community awareness or quickly pitch their plan to a panel of “investors” in an environment reminiscent of the hit TV show “Shark Tank.”

Luckily, Salzer said the group was perfectly equipped to handle the interdisciplinary obstacles with a well-rounded force of their own. The team featured students from the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Environmental Engineering Program, Integrated Design Engineering, the Department of Computer Science and even the Leeds School of Business.

“I think the different backgrounds made our group really unique,” said Salzer. “Hydropower—and renewable energy in general—are large and complex infrastructure projects. One of our team’s biggest strengths compared to other teams was our varied skill sets that allowed us to handle all of the challenges.”

Most importantly, however, the competition is designed to help college graduates develop skills, connections and interest in the hydropower industry.

Printup says increased activity and engagement in hydropower can be crucial, and this competition really sparked his passion.

“There are spurts in the hydropower industry—you build a large plant and then 60 years later it needs to be refurbished or new facilities need to be built,” Printup said. “I’m going into hydropower to continue developing this incredible technology, but also make sure public safety is at the forefront.”

The CU Hydropower Team had a strong showing in this year's Hydropower Collegiate Competition, bringing home multiple awards including the best design award, the cybersecurity award, the best quick pitch award and the highly coveted first-place honor in the overall competition.

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From left to right: Maximilian Schmid, Pisay Suzuki, Jack Printup, Patrick Liu, Luke Shaw, Sara Leschova, Charlie Loewenguth, Sascha Fowler, Miles Salzer, Tristan Wrable and Landon Nattrass.

Homepage News

Racing toward innovation: Inside ɫ��Ƶ����’s fastest student organization

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ME grad student probes industrial pollution in Mississippi neighborhood

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Milford discusses the potential devastating impacts of EPA cuts

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ME startup Point Designs announces major prosthetics partnership

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Researchers testing next-generation ankle braces for stroke survivors

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How slashing university research grants impacts economy, national innovation

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Two ME graduate peer mentors recognized for outstanding support

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Bruns researches cybernetic human advancement with New Frontiers Grant

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ɫ��Ƶ���� students win big at collegiate hydropower competition

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Racing toward innovation: Inside ɫ��Ƶ��’s fastest student organization

ɫ��Ƶ�� students win big at collegiate hydropower competition