Research Groups and Programs

Computing and Robotic Construction Lab

CaRC Lab

Computing and Robotic Construction Lab

The CaRC Lab advances the digital transformation of the construction industry by adopting automated technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and digital twinning.

Contact: Bo Xiao


D80—Prosperity by Design

D80—Prosperity by Design

Eighty percent of the Earth’s inhabitants are not considered by designers of infrastructure, goods, and services. What will you do? The programs within Michigan Tech's D80 Center provide many educational, service, and research opportunities for students, staff, and faculty interested in gaining valuable professional experience while making a difference in the lives of others.

Contact: Pavlis Honors College


Ishi Keenum

Keenum Research Group

Bacteria, archaea, and viruses are all around us in natural and built environments. Microbes have the ability to make us sick (pathogens) , but also have the ability to be systematically harnessed for a productive output (bio-manufacturing and wastewater treatment). We are interested in the study of complex microbial communities and how they function together, how genes transfer within them, and how we can manipulate them. We use culture and molecular methods to understand these communities and how we can leverage them.

Contact: Ishi Keenum


Michigan’s Local Technical Assistance Program

Michigan’s Local Technical Assistance Program

The Michigan Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) provides the transportation technology (T2) to local government organizations (counties, cities, and villages) throughout the state. The LTAP mission is to bridge the gap between research and practice by conducting training sessions and demonstrations, and by serving as a clearinghouse for information related to state-of-the-art technology in the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges.

Contact: Center for Technology & Training


Minkata Research Group

Minkata Research Group

​Dr. Minakata's group aims to develop and manage sustainable technologies for water and wastewater treatment and energy harvesting.

  • Development of assessing and predicting tools for water treatment technologies
  • Innovative water/wastewater treatment technologies for energy saving and harvesting
  • Systems approach and integrated understanding of water/wastewater reuse

Contact: Daisuke Minkata


Pavement Design Toolkit

Pavement Design with Recycled Rubber: A Toolkit

Learn how to introduce Ground Tire Rubber (GTR, or recycled rubber) into pavement design for rubber asphalt roads. Design your pavement based on road condition and daily traffic. Get a treatment recommendation.

Contact: Zhanping You


Rail Transportation Program

Rail Transportation Program

The Rail Transportation Program at Michigan Tech is an interdisciplinary program in railroad engineering and urban rail transit that provides opportunities for our students and faculty to participate in the development and operation of rail transportation for the 21st century.

Contact: Pasi Lautala


Technology Development Group

Roadsoft

Roadsoft is a roadway asset management system for collecting, storing, and analyzing data associated with transportation infrastructure. The software is maintained by a team of software engineers and civil engineers at the Center for Technology & Training (CTT).

Contact: Center for Technology & Training


Quang Ngoc Vinh Tran

Tran's Lab @ MTU

My research lab integrates various disciplines and concentrates on creating novel non-invasive methods for use in civil and biomedical fields.

  • Non-contact Ultrasound for Concrete Set Time and Decision Making of Construction Activities
  • Pressure Sensing Using Focused Ultrasound and Microbubbles
  • Quantitative Ultrasound for Tissue Characterization
  • Crack Detection Using Multi-transducer Ultrasonic Array
  • 3D Damage Quantification Using Computer Vision and Deep Learning

Contact: Quang Ngoc Vinh Tran


Numerical Modeling Lab

Xue's Numerical Modeling Lab

My research is focused on the development and application of numerical models to problems in the coastal ocean and the Great Lakes. A key component of my current research is to establish an integrated modeling system for the Great Lakes.

Contact: Pengfei Xue