From circuit boards to micro thrusters, an FLC alumnus solders a remarkable path in engineering

DURANGO— From tinkering with electronics as a child to tackling advanced nanofabrication in graduate school, Max Krauss’ (Computer Engineering, ‘24) is a story of curiosity, innovation, and transformative learning.  

Originally from the Chicago area, Krauss was drawn to engineering early on, inspired by his father’s work as an electrical engineer.  
 
“I grew up around a ton of electronics and computers, and I was one of the nerdier kids in my high school,” said Krauss. “I was able to take computer science and robotics courses through my high school, which sparked my interest in a higher education journey.” 
 
Seeking a smaller, more personalized educational experience, Krauss wanted to escape the flatlands of the Midwest and start studying Computer Engineering at a small school in the mountains of Colorado.  
 
“At FLC, all the professor’s office doors are open,” observed Krauss. “You can go and chat with your professors…have real relationships with them outside of just a research environment, and having that kind of tight-knit environment was beneficial for me.” 

At FLC, Krauss excelled in his coursework and became deeply involved in research, thanks largely to the Partnership for Education and the Advancement of Quantum and NanoSciences (PEAQS) program. Supported by the National Science Foundation, PEAQS is devoted to enhancing “diversity and excellence in material science research” by aiding underrepresented students in STEM disciplines. The program provided Krauss with valuable mentorship, hands-on research opportunities, and the confidence to pursue advanced studies in STEM. 

Under the guidance of professors like Jeff Jessing, Ph.D., associate professor of Physics & Engineering, and Yiyan Li, Ph.D., associate professor of Computer Engineering, Krauss engaged in cutting-edge research that not only expanded his technical knowledge but also allowed him to contribute to significant advancements in a variety of engineering fields.  

One of his projects involved working on Digital Droplet PCR (ddPCR) technology, an innovative approach to making PCR tests more efficient and cost-effective—a challenge brought to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Krauss's research at FLC took an exciting turn during his final year when he joined Jessing and a small group of students on another groundbreaking PEAQS project. They worked on developing and characterizing chemically oxidized porous silicon as a solid propellant for micro-thrusters—a fuel source for tiny rocket engines. 

“We're working on creating a new type of fuel for tiny rocket engines through nanofabrication techniques that we have in the lab,” explained Krauss. “This could be used in small satellites to help them move and adjust their positions in space. It's an exciting project with a lot of potential applications in space technology.” 

Jeff Jessing, associate professor of Physics and Engineering, is the principal investigator for PEAQS. He is Krauss’ research mentor and is jointly submitting a peer-reviewed paper on the micro-thruster work with Krauss and several other undergraduate student researchers within the next month.

“The PEAQS program is literally changing the lives of our students,” he said. "Providing these opportunities for undergraduates and even local high school students to become authors of technical papers is a great source of pride and instills confidence within these students, which can have a positive enduring influence on their career trajectories. This often puts them near the front of the line regarding graduate school admission or job attainment in the industry.

Armed with the skills and experience gained from his work on innovative PEAQS projects, Krauss secured a spot in the Ph.D. program in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Utah. He is now focusing on computational imaging systems, which combine nanofabricated lenses with computational techniques such as machine learning to create high-resolution thermal imaging cameras. 

Reflecting on his time at FLC, Krauss credits the PEAQS program for shaping his future: “Dr. Jessing’s research group is looking to publish four papers this year on different [undergraduate] research projects happening in the lab. Publishing papers and successfully showcasing novel ideas is the currency in graduate programs…So it was a great experience learning how to take an experiment from concept to completion and then translating those results through publications.” 

He added, “There are so many opportunities at the Fort to contribute to undergraduate research on a ton of different topics, which is surprisingly less common at larger universities…Once I get my Ph.D., I'll hopefully be able to teach one day and make a difference for other students by providing experiences similar to the one I had at Fort Lewis.”