Research in mechanical engineering
Energy systems
A concentration in energy systems typically entails advanced study of a) thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, and combustion b) the application of these principles to phenomena and devices that constitute energy-conversion systems and c) the analysis, simulation and design of such systems as well as plants, e.g., chemical, metallurgical, food, etc., which are energy-intensive. Current research topics include shock physics, hydrodynamic stability and turbulence, fluid dynamics and aerodynamics, sustainable energy development, alternative power systems, renewable/alternative fuels, optical diagnostics for thermal, fluid, energy conversion, and chemical process applications.
Dr. John Borg, P.E.: shock physics, hydrodynamic stability and turbulence, fluid dynamics and aerodynamics
Dr. Anthony Bowman: heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, numerical modeling and simulation of thermofluid equipment processes and systems
Dr. S. Scott Goldsborough: sustainable energy development, alternative power systems, renewable/alternative fuels, impact of science and technology on society
Dr. Jon D. Koch: optical diagnostics for thermal, fluid, energy conversion, chemical process applications
Dr. Hyunjae Park: energy conversion systems, computational fluid dynamics, heat exchange equipment, heat transfer, thermal engineering
Manufacturing systems
A concentration in manufacturing systems engineering allows students to focus on a broad range of topics, ranging from micro issues, such as materials-related issues and cutting mechanisms in material removal processes, to macro analysis of complex manufacturing systems from a process or ergonomics perspective. The focus of this concentration may be computer-integrated manufacturing, materials processing, mechanical behavior of materials, manufacturing processes, quality systems or ergonomics within manufacturing. Normally, each of these multidisciplinary areas requires certain core courses along with specialized studies, which may include advanced courses in other engineering disciplines, courses in mathematics and statistics, and/or courses in business administration. Current research topics include manufacturing processes, non-destructive evaluation, computer-aided manufacturing, industrial automation, statistical process control, modeling, process simulation, reliability/quality estimation, polishing and mass finishing processes, rapid prototyping, robotic systems, materials forming and joining processes, ergonomics, human factors engineering, mechanical behavior of materials, and failure analysis.
Dr. Vikram Cariapa, P.E: mass finishing, rapid prototyping, prosthesis design for the spinal cord injured
Dr. Joseph Domblesky, P.E: process simulation, metal forming, materials joining
Dr. Kyuil (Kyle) Kim, P.E: computer aided manufacturing, industrial automation, sculptured surface machining, statistical process control
Dr. Richard W. Marklin, P.E: ergonomics, human factors engineering, lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome
Dr. James A. Rice: manufacturing processes, modeling, non-destructive evaluation, simulation
Mechanical systems
A concentration in mechanical systems typically entails advanced study of a) mechanical design and analysis and b) modeling, simulation and control. Mechanical design and analysis focuses on the use of sound physical and mathematical principles to understand the behavior of mechanical systems. It includes computer-aided optimal design, such as the design of multibody, multidegree-of-freedom mechanical systems. Modeling, simulation and control involve the study of theoretical mechanics in conjunction with computational applications including advanced dynamics, kinematics and stress analysis. Applications include the modeling and control of manufacturing processes, including robotics and automated deformation processing. Current research topics include solid mechanics, stress analysis, numerical analysis, robotics, kinematics, impedance design, geometric modeling, automated assembly, dynamic systems measurement and control, modeling of vehicle systems, human/machine interaction, biomechanics of motion, modeling and analysis of deforming processing, shell structures, finite element analysis and modeling, composite and polymeric materials, and surface finishing processes.
Dr. Raymond A. Fournelle P.E: phase transformations in solids, mechanical behavior of materials, metal joining, failure analysis
Dr. Shuguang Huang: robotics, dynamics and control
Dr. Kevin Craig: mechatronic system design, modeling, analysis and control of dynamic physical systems
Dr. Mark L. Nagurka, P.E: mechanical systems, modeling of vehicle systems, human/machine interaction, biomechanics of motion
Dr. Joseph M. Schimmels, P.E: dynamic systems measurement and control, robotics, kinematics, impedance design, automated assembly, geometric modeling
Dr. Robert J. Stango, P.E: solid mechanics, composite materials, numerical analysis, surface finish processes
Dr. Philip A. Voglewede: general area of dynamics and controls, theoretical kinematics applied to robotics and prostheses, polynomial chaos theory applied to controls, industrial automation and fixturing
Dr. Robert C. Weber, P.E: creativity, teaching methods, graphical mechanics
Dr. G.E. Otto Widera: stress analysis, modeling and analysis of deformation processing, shell structures, finite element analysis and modeling
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