Sponsored MQP Opportunities Application

For MQPs starting in A term 2017


How the application process works:

Step 1

Use this form to indicate your preference for any of the sponsored MQP opportunities in The Analog Lab.  You should definitely fill out this form if an Analog Lab MQP is your first choice; even if this is only your 2nd or 3rd choice it would still be helpful if you could fill out this form.  If you are applying for an off-campus MQP as well, don't worry - you will have the opportunity to consider both options before making a decision. When all the information on the form is correct, click the "submit" button to e-mail your application.

Step 2

Once you have submitted the form online, schedule an interview with Prof. McNeill using the signup sheet on the door of AK305.   If you are off campus this term, e-mail mcneill@ece.wpi.edu to set up a time for a phone interview.

Step 3

When all student interviews have been completed, 12 students (plus a short "wait list") will be selected to compose 4 MQP teams.  The selection process is based on your past performance in project and teamwork activity (for example, the IQP) as well as your academic background (the advisors are looking not only at grades, but also the right mix of background areas for the MQP teams). The project preferences of the selected students will be collected to indicate which projects are of most interest to the students.

Step 4

The selected students will be notified around the start of C term.  You will be asked for a commitment decision as soon as possible so students on the "wait list" can be accommodated if necessary.  If you are applying for an off-campus MQP as well, you will have the opportunity to consider both options before making a decision.

Step 5

After the students are selected, team assignments are made. Although we cannot guarantee that you will be assigned to a project for which you had expressed strong interest, past experience has shown that students "almost always" get a project for which they had indicated strong interest. (For example, in a recent academic year: of the 12 students, 11 received projects for which they expressed strong interest; the 12th student had indicated moderate interest in the project received).

Step 6

Start your MQP in A term 2017!

Contact Information

Your name:

Your E-mail:

Undergraduate Project Descriptions (Indicate Level of Interest for Each)

  1. Analog Integrated Circuit Applications  [Advisors: McNeill, Bitar, Mazumder]

    This project would involve the design, fabrication, and test of a board level application system using an analog or mixed analog/digital CMOS integrated circuit. The design will involve an interfacing to a "real-world" sensor from application areas such as biomedical, instrumentation, or measurement; however, there will be some flexibility to use new ICs designed by sponsor companies such as Analog Devices.  For an example, see the YouTube video posted by the 2008-9 MQP team.

    It is anticipated that in the process of developing the MQP report, the team will also develop documentation for application notes and possibly submit to industry publications such as EDN Magazine's Design Ideas series.

    Level of Interest:


  2. Pressure Sensing for Biomedical Applications [Advisor: McNeill, Mazumder]

    This project would build on work from previous MQP teams involved the design, fabrication, and test of a wearable wireless patch for measuring local pressure, temperature, and humidity for the purpose of preventing pressure ulcers (bedsores).  The project should address two different aspects of improvement over the existing system:

    • Pressure measurement: The current system uses a polymer force sensing resistor which is subject to nonlinearity and significant part-to-part variability.  Options that should be explored for improving performance include piezoelectric and capacitive force sensors.
    • Power: The must be powered and communicate in an untethered manner.  The current system uses a thin film battery that is capable of providing the system average power of 1mW.  Options for power that may be explored include energy scavenging/harvesting from mechanical, thermal, light, or RF energy source(s).

    It is anticipated that in the process of developing the MQP report, the team will also submit a paper to an IEEE biomedical engineering conference.

    Level of Interest:


  3. Sensors for Autonomous Systems [Advisors: Bitar, Mazumder, McNeill]

    Lab sponsor Allegro Microsystems is heavily involved in sensor applications for conventional vehicles, as well as exploring applications in autonomous vehicles. This project addresses techniques to improve performance in all aspects of vehicle sensing and control, including
    • Motion control
    • Magnetic field sensing
    • Ultrasound
    • Vehicular RADAR
    • Light detection and ranging (LIDAR)
    At the student team's option, the MQP may consider other autonomous system applications that require sensors to provide information about the physical world, for example in robotics, manufacturing, and healthcare.

    Level of Interest:


  4. Efficient Automotive Lighting [Advisors: Bitar, McNeill]

    Regulatory requirements for improved vehicle fuel economy are leading to increased prevalence of higher efficiency vehicles such as hybrid drive, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric cars. At the same time customer demand for increased device functionality has made electrical power requirements a larger fraction of total power consumption. This project addresses techniques to improve efficiency in all aspects of vehicle power, including
    • LED headlights
    • Internal vehicle lighting
    • Display backlighting
    • USB communication and power ports
    Note that some of these may involve aesthtic and human factor considerations, for example, color management when dimming LEDs.

    Level of Interest:



Academic Background

Check all courses you will have completed by D term 2017:
Remember, it is not necessary for every team member to have all of the background indicated above. However, there should be someone on the team with the capability to do design work in each of the areas required for the project(s) you're interested in.


Any comments you wish to add (for example, other team members orother courses of interest not on the above list):


Click Here to Submit Your Information!


Note: if you're having trouble with the form, send an e-mail to Prof. McNeill. indicating which project(s) you're interested in.