Institute of Mechanical Engineering

Open Opportunities

Automating Reward Function Design Using LLMs for Robotic Disassembly of EV Batteries EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Automatic Control Lab This project explores the integration of large language models (LLMs) into a reinforcement learning (RL) pipeline to automate reward function design for the robotic disassembly of end-of-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries. By iteratively refining reward functions using LLMs, the approach aims to enhance training efficiency, accelerate learning, and improve the precision and safety of complex disassembly tasks. Utilizing Nvidia Isaac Sim for simulation and transferring skills to real-world robots, the research seeks to reduce human intervention in reward engineering, providing scalable solutions for advanced robotic manipulation in battery recycling and beyond. Intelligent Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Theory and Control, Text Processing, Virtual Reality and Related Simulation Master Thesis

Motion planning for avian-inspired morphing drones in cluttered environments EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Institute of Mechanical Engineering At the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems, we study autonomous flight with avian-inspired morphing drones. By actively varying the wingspan and leveraging avian-inspired actuation of wings and tail, morphing-winged drones can fly with higher agility and pass through narrower gaps between obstacles than their fixed-wing counterparts. This can save crucial mission time when flying in indoor environments or cluttered forests. To best leverage the abilities of a morphing-drone to find a shortest path through a field of obstacles of varying size and density, a three-dimensional local motion planning strategy must be developed. Flight Control Systems, Flight Dynamics, Mechanical Engineering Master Thesis

Nanoengineered surfaces for boiling heat transfer enhancement EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Institute of Mechanical Engineering Context: boiling is a phase-change phenomenon with broad applications, especially important for thermal management and power generation. Scientific challenge: simultaneously improving boiling efficiency and maximum heat flux Approach: understanding boiling enhancement mechanisms and manipulating bubble behaviors with well-defined surface nanostructures fabricated using clean room technologies Knowledge required: background in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and mechanical design. Hands-on experience with experiments/FEM modeling software will be a plus. Skills that you will acquire: design of boiling setup; high-speed imaging; use and design of resistive temperature detectors; scientific communication through reports and presentation Fluidization and Fluid Mechanics, Heat and Mass Transfer Operations, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Nanotechnology Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project