ADVANCING INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is committed to spurring interdisciplinary research through collaboration with UT Dallas and across the nation. Collaborative efforts between mechanical engineers and electrical engineers have been particularly promising in recent years, producing noteworthy advances in micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS). The field of robotics has also benefited from the joint efforts of researchers as mechanical engineers, electrical engineers and computer scientists work to accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies. Bioengineers, mechanical engineers, and materials engineers are working together to explore biological transport phenomena, materials, and mechanics. Mechanical and systems engineers are collaborating on transportation and advanced manufacturing challenges.
Mechanical engineering researchers at the Jonsson School focus on a broad range of topics that include:

  • Fluid and Thermal Systems
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Sustainable Energy and Energy Efficiency
  • Control Systems and Robotics
  • Experimental Mechanics and Nano-Mechanics
  • Bio/Nano Technology
  • Engineering Education

Our scholarly exploration into these topics offers our students at the Jonsson School the opportunity to benefit from the latest research into engineering topics spanning a range of growing industries, better positioning students to be leaders of the future.
Please visit the research websites of our research groups and faculty to learn more.

CORE RESEARCH AREAS

Research application in the department varies occurs broadly along the technical disciplines of Dynamic Systems & Controls (DSC), Manufacturing & Design Innovation (MDI), Mechanics & Materials (MM), Thermal & Fluid Sciences (TFS). Our key areas of strength and focus include the following core research areas.

Bio/Nano Technology

Energy & Environment

Manufacturing

Robotics

INDUSTRY/UNIVERSITY COLLABORATION

The Department supports the WindSTAR center, which is a collaboration between The University of Texas at Dallas and UMass Lowell. The Center aims to solve the pressing needs of the wind industry. WindSTAR is one of 91 Industry / University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRCs) funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the only one devoted to wind energy.