Department of Mechanical Engineering

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is the oldest department in the College of Engineering. It was established in 1885, prior to the formal establishment of the college. We have the largest undergraduate program in the college.

Mechanical engineers have been very successful in the job  market, following exciting careers in the automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, design and construction, and the paper and plastics industries, as well as medicine, product design, and law.

Through the design/manufacturing core program students gain in-depth knowledge of the field of mechanical engineering and what it takes to be an engineer in the real world. This experience within the design/build/test atmosphere culminates in a capstone design course. Students in this course utilize all the skills taught in the mechanical engineering program to address real-world problems posed by industrial representatives, propose possible solutions to a problem, and focus on the best solution to build and test. Industrial sponsors continue to support this program because of its positive impact on their operations.

The design, build, and test approach in the department has been critical in advancing our American Society of Mechanical Engineers student chapter to 6 consecutive wins in regional competition, 1st-place finishes in 12 past  regional competitions, and 1st-place, 4th-place, and 6th place finishes in world competitions.

In 2007 the Department of Mechanical Engineering  dedicated a 29,000-sq.-ft. research facility - the Energy & Automotive Research Laboratories. This facility is one of just a few in the United States doing cutting-edge research in these areas.

• A math-science base
• An integrated design/manufacturing core
  
• An integrated communication program
  
• A global engineering education
  
• A design/manufacturing core program that incorporates:
  
  • Multidisciplinary, open-ended design problems
    
  • Real-world experiences and practical problem solving
    
  • Design/build/test experiences—teamwork

Study abroad programs include Aachen, Germany; Seoul, Korea; Lyon, France; Edinburgh, UK; Copenhagen, Denmark;  and Taipei, Taiwan.

The department has a strong communication program that incorporates writing/speaking activities in all required courses.

Faculty provide opportunities for undergraduate involvement in research.

GRADUATE PROGRAM
Graduate students can expect a high-quality education built on our excellent faculty. Typically, 33 senior-level and 28 graduate-level courses are offered by the department. Our graduate students also benefit from research grants from industry and government as they work with the faculty.

FACULTY AND STAFF
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is composed of 37 faculty and 26 academic specialists, research associates, and support staff.

RESEARCH
Research programs include studies of alternative energy systems, biomaterial characterization, biomimetics, cardiovascular mechanics, composite material design and manufacture, composite material processing, computational design and optimization, computational fluid dynamics, controls, cutting tool technology, distributed control and self-organizing systems, energetically enhanced combustion, energy conversion and utilization, biomechanics, experimental mechanics, fires and combustion, flow sensing diagnostics, fluid mechanics and combustion, fluid turbulence, impact dynamics, impact-trauma biomechanics, internal combustion engines, laser diagnostics, manufacturing processes, metal and composite sheet forming, microstructured and graded materials, modeling and control of mechatronic systems, molecular simulations of complex fluids, multi-functional composites, multiphase flows, nondestructive evaluation, nonlinear dynamics, nonlinear elasticity, orthopedic biomechanics, plasma enhanced combustion, propulsion and engine systems, robotics, self-diagnostics composites, structural integrity, structural optimization, thermomechanical properties of composites, tissue mechanics, transport phenomena in porous media, turbomachinery, vibrations.

Current research labs:

• Advanced Manufacturing Research Laboratory
• Automotive Controls Laboratory
• Biomechanical Design Research Laboratory
• Biothermomechanics  Laboratory
• Cardiovascular and Tissue Mechanics Research Laboratory
• Combustion Laboratory
• Composite Vehicle Research Center
• Computational Fluid Dynamics Laboratory
• Controls Research Laboratory
• Engine Research Laboratory
• Flow Control Laboratory
• Advanced Cutting Tool Technology
• Laser Diagnostics Laboratory for Advanced Energy and Propulsion Research
• Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory
• Turbomachinery Laboratory
• Turbulent Mixing and Unsteady Aerodynamics Laboratory
• Turbulent Shear Flow Laboratory
• Vibrations Research Laboratory

General Contact Information:

2555 Engineering Building
East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1226
Phone: (517) 355-5131
Fax: (517) 353-1750