This summer, Alex Masterson and Maddie Juarez, participants in the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program, embarked on a journey of discovery and innovation at Argonne National Laboratory.
Alex, a second-year graduate student at Western Michigan University focusing on autonomous vehicles, spent her summer in the Sustainable Transportation Education and Partnerships’ EcoLAB. She worked alongside Argonne CAV Research Engineer Nick Goberville and the EcoCAR EV Challenge team developing testing standards and simulation solutions for Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) testing. This project involves the development of a comprehensive simulation model that allows standardized testing of the team’s sensor fusion output, in preparation of the upcoming vehicle testing event at California Air Resource Board (CARB) in 2025.
Alex’s daily routine at Argonne involved ensuring efficient software communication through Ethernet, using various simulation software, and integrating Argonne’s Roadrunner simulation with testing systems ensuring efficient ethernet communication between Argonne’s Roadrunner simulation and the dSPACE AUTERA in-vehicle controller. “This summer was a lot of learning how sponsored components communicate and work together, rather than physical testing,” Alex notes.
Maddie, a third-year undergraduate at Loyola University Chicago, studying computer science and statistics, also worked with Alex in the EcoLAB alongside Principle CAV Research Engineer, Priyash Misra, supporting CAV development and on-road testing activities for EcoCAR and XIL projects.
“Part of my project is researching cellular vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication and developing software and hardware interfaces for V2X Road Side Units (RSU) and On Board Units (OBU),” said Maddie.
Her typical day at the Lab included radio setup, designing simulated intersections, and ensuring accurate data communication between vehicles and traffic signals.
Both Maddie and Alex have gained invaluable skills and knowledge during their internships. Maddie, who came in with a background in machine learning and software development, focused heavily on radio communication, embedded systems, and computer networks. “I’ve learned so much about radio communication, especially sending data over UDP,” she says. Alex, with her background in autonomous vehicle controls, deepened her understanding of software and network communication.
Their experiences at Argonne have significantly influenced their career goals. Initially interested in machine learning and AI, Maddie now envisions continuing her studies in computer science with a focus on transportation research. She reflects, “Honestly, as I’ve come to learn more about vehicles and this kind of research, I want to continue down this path.” Alex’s internship reaffirmed her interest in the controls aspect of aerospace engineering. “I think that is where the future is going,” she says, enthusiastic about the potential for cross-disciplinary applications.
Maddie and Alex both highlighted their proudest achievements during the internship. Maddie successfully modified source code to achieve new functionalities, such as repackaging data for UDP transmission. She also collected real-time data from a modified intersection in downtown Chicago, which she found particularly rewarding. “We drove through seven intersections and were able to collect real data,” she recalls. Alex celebrated a recent success in conducting a closed-loop simulation involving multiple vehicle controls and data elements. “That was basically the end goal of our project,” she says proudly.
The most rewarding aspect for both Maddie and Alex was the tangible impact of their work. “Knowing that our projects are going to go outside of Argonne is probably the best part,” Maddie shares. Alex echoes this sentiment, “It’s nice knowing I was able to help the STEP team at Argonne so that their solutions will be a success for the EcoCAR teams.”
Their experiences at Argonne have not only enriched their academic pursuits but also set a strong foundation for their future careers in research and technology. This summer, Argonne National Laboratory provided Maddie and Alex with invaluable professional experiences, igniting a passion for innovation and discovery that will undoubtedly shape their future endeavors.
Written by: Riddhi Puranik
