Research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical
Engineering research is supported by a wide variety
of exciting, well-funded projects addressing modern
topics primarily in three research
thrusts: micro/nanoscale
engineering, energy and environmental engineering,
and biomechanical engineering. Many of these
research efforts are pursued by faculty clusters
in interdisciplinary
research centers, including
centers sponsored by an NSF and DARPA, as well as an NIH training program:
NSF Membrane and Applied Science Center (MAST)
NIH-supported Biomechanical Engineering Program
Nanomaterials Characterization Facility (NCF)
Center for Combustion and Environmental Research (CCER)
Collaborative for Air Quality Research (CAQR)
Collaborative for Fluid and Energy Sciences (CFES)
Research projects harness state-of-the-art experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches to train students and innovatively advance the frontiers of technology, while at the same time advancing fundamentals in the underlying disciplines of fluid and solid mechanics, thermal engineering, materials engineering, design, manufacturing, and computational engineering.
Graduate and undergraduate researchers enjoy access to state-of-the-art facilities, work closely with vibrant, highly-qualified faculty, and benefit from strong interactions with industry. Many take advantage of opportunities to work on year-long industry-sponsored design projects facilitated by our Industry/University Cooperative Projects Center. Close partnerships with national research laboratories in the Boulder area further strengthen our research programs. Our faculty are professionally active and well-recognized. Their prominence is demonstrated by the fellow-level status of nearly all of our senior faculty in major professional societies, and receipt over the last few years of three of the highest awards given nationally by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.