Nicholas Miller

As a mechanical engineering student at Arizona State University, Nicholas Miller worked with his Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) team to develop a prototype of an affordable and durable below-ankle hiking prosthetic. Through projects like this, he applied concepts from his coursework and gained a deeper understanding of the broad impact mechanical engineers have across industries.

“Mechanical engineers do a lot more than most people think,” he says. “When I started some of my structural mechanics and thermodynamic courses, I realized just how significant a role mechanical engineers play in the modern world, from constructing buildings to designing power plants, semiconductors, robotics, 3D printing and cooling systems.”

The flexibility to work on various projects and the opportunity to help solve diverse problems inspired Miller to pursue mechanical engineering. He particularly chose ASU because it’s close to home and has a strong reputation for investing in STEM education fields.

While pursuing his degree was challenging, Miller says he knew early on that he was on the right path.

“My diverse education and skillset meant that I would definitely not be limited to just one singular career path,” he says.  

Miller’s curiosity led him to get involved in multiple projects and activities, including the Fulton Grand Challenges Scholars Program, or GCSP, which he joined as a sophomore. Through a combination of courses, research and entrepreneurial experiences, the program expanded his perspective and helped him grow as an engineer.

For his capstone project, Miller and his team developed a prototype system to suppress lithium-ion battery fires in energy storage systems. Like many of the projects he has worked on, the process was not without its challenges.

“It was a comprehensive experience,” says Miller. “Eventually, we successfully produced a physical prototype that uses thermocouples, a suppression agent and selector valves to detect a rapidly heating lithium-ion battery and automatically deploy our chosen suppression agent.”

Miller also served as an ASU 101 section leader, guiding first-year students as they adjusted to university life. He says the role helped him develop communication skills that will be useful throughout his career.

After graduation, Miller plans to remain in the Valley of the Sun and continue building practical experience through internships and engineering roles. In the long term, he hopes to meaningfully contribute to the energy sector and support the development of more sustainable technologies.

Favorites

Hobby: Reading and or playing games
Band: Imagine Dragons
TV show: The Leftovers
Movie: Oppenheimer
Book: Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ spring 2026 class.

Written by Roger Ndayisaba