Mechanical Engineering Department Research Groups
1-Thermal/Fluid Science
The Thermal Fluid Science Group is one of three divisions within WSU's Department of Mechanical Engineering with qualified faculty members who have broad expertise in the areas of heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, combustion, fuels, and propulsion and micro-scale energy systems. They have the computational power and modern laboratory equipment that allow to perform leading edge research in the thermal fluid science. Many of research efforts are multi-disciplinary and the faculty generally have expertise in more than one area. They perform fundamental research and also work with industry to solve problems arising in to-day's rapidly advancing technologies.
2- Mechanical Systems and Robotics/Control
The mechanical systems and design members are involved in a range of different topics that integrate basic studies leading to a fundamental understanding of mechanical systems and design process to respond to the industries. This group conducts researches in topics related to the design, analysis and manufacture of mechanical systems. The research areas are robotics and control, biodynamics, and Computer-Aided Design. Research in the area of robotics and automation is conducted with a focus on kinematics, dynamics, and high-level control.
3- Materials Science and Engineering
Most of the engineering limits are determined by materials and their properties in specific (especially aerospace, energy, environment, health and defense) industries. Materials research focuses on the mechanical behavior of materials, structures, failures, nanomaterials, energy materials, and new composites materials; as well as fabrication and characterization techniques, and failure mechanisms of metals, polymers, and composites. Our specific studies include synthesis and analysis of various materials, modeling and simulation, life prediction of those materials, fatigue and creep properties of advanced materials, impact damages, crack formation and propagation, aging, corrosion, and coatings. Nanomanufacturing, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, recycling and reusing of engineering materials, energy storing materials, and renewable (and green) energy materials and systems are also primary focuses.