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Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

  • robot in mcnair center

Mechanical Engineering

Our Research

Our mechanical engineering faculty are focused on teaching and research. Our students work side by side with faculty in numerous labs and research centers that are breaking ground in many fields of engineering.

Research Areas

afp machine up close

Advanced Materials and Multi-Scale Manufacturing:

Our research advances innovative materials (metallic, polymeric, ceramic, and their composites) and multi-scale manufacturing (nano-manufacturing to structural) solutions to different application areas. The study of manufacturing and materials processing includes the development and modeling of advanced joining technology for friction stir welding of Ti alloys, steel alloys, thick-section Al alloys, and Al metal matrix composites.

a student and two faculty members inspect material ready for the composite machine

Aerospace Engineering:

The main thrust areas of our aerospace research activities are composite materials, predictive maintenance, combustion and unmanned vehicles. This includes steered fiber nonconventional laminate design, automated novel structural composite part production, multi-disciplinary design optimization of aircraft structures and system and automated, fusion-based assembly. We develop equipment and processes for 3D printing of continuous fiber composites.

thermofluid diagram on a screen

Thermo-Fluids

Experimental and computational research in thermal/fluid focuses on the micro/nano-scale two-phase heat transfer and flow, power plant cooling, the design, fabrication, packaging, and modeling of microelectromechanical systems for micro-cooling systems and micro fluidic and biomedical devices, combustion, heat transfer during manufacturing, space power generation, and thermal management.

arm with electrodes

Biomedical Engineering:

Emphasizing a mechanical and thermal systems approach, our biomedical research involves the application of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology for healthcare purposes, both diagnostic and therapeutic.

nuclear engineering equipment

Nuclear Engineering:

Nuclear engineering research focuses on advanced nuclear fuels and materials, thermal hydraulics, reactor design, advanced fuel cycles, structural integrity of nuclear reactor vessels and piping systems, embrittlement of reactor vessel steels. We also research the application of nuclear power in future energy economies for sustainability, including the production and use of hydrogen from nuclear energy.

student uses lab equipment

Nondestructive Evaluation, Smart Structures and Condition Based Maintenance:

We develop digital deformation measurement systems for structural evaluation and characterization. Our research on smart structures and condition-based maintenance of machines focuses on characterizing piezoelectric/piezomagnetic active materials and utilizing them for structural health monitoring, damage detection, diagnostics and adaptive control of rotating machinery, aircraft and other mechanical systems.

close up of nanotech structure

Nanotechnology:

Our faculty lead in the high-tech development of nanostructured materials, including the design, fabrication/processing, reliability testing, nanomechanical characterization, and simulation of nanowires, nanofilms, and nanocomposites.

 


Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

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