Mechanical Engineering Research
Advanced Manufacturing and Design Laboratory
The Advanced Manufacturing and Design Laboratory is a collaborative research group founded by Dr. Ilya V. Avdeev under the department of Mechanical Engineering. Areas of research include
- Advanced modeling techniques for solving multiphysics problems
- Reduced-order and real-time coupled-field simulations
- Design and characterization of micro-mechanical sensors and actuators
- Computational biomechanics
- Design optimization of implantable biomedical devices
- Finite element method
- Fiber Bragg gratings
Plasma Processing and Nanotechnology Group
Plasma Processing and Nanotechnology Lab (PPNL) centers on synthesis and assembly of nanoparticles and hybrid nanostructures for advanced technological device applications by taking advantage of the unique properties of nanostructures. Ongoing projects in the PPNL include experimental and numerical studies on plasma synthesis of nanoparticles, nanoparticle assembly, hybrid nanomaterials, nanostructure-based electronic and optoelectronic devices, novel applications of CNTs, and nanoscale plasma reacting flows.
Computational Fluid Dynamcs
Metal Matrix Composite Research Lab
The Mechatronics Research Lab focuses on the control, optimization and health monitoring of mechanical and electro-mechanical systems. Current research projects include dynamic modeling and control of HVAC systems in buildings, power management of plug-in hybrid vehicles, wind turbine systems, and underwater robot and autonomous observation systems.
Research in design optimization and computational kinematics
Combustion Diagnostics Research Facility
Research in this lab focuses on understanding the detailed chemical processes present in flames. Most research employs Rayleigh and Raman scattering techniques, although laser-induced fluorescence can also be performed. Chemical concentrations in the flames can then be used to evaluate and develop chemical kinetics models of the combustion process.
Energy Conversion Efficiency Laboratory
This facility performs experimental studies on ways to improve the energy efficiency of industrial devices. Current efforts in the lab center around studying the effects of different advanced synthetic lubricants and environmental conditions on the performance of industrial air compressors.
Laboratory for Flow and Transport Studies in Porous Media
This research lab is dedicated to investigation and modeling of the flow and transport processes in porous media. Projects that are currently under implementation in the lab include process modeling of liquid composites molding process, wetting and wicking of paper-like natural swelling porous materials, drying of liquids in porous substrates, and wicking in a porous medium made of superabsorbent polymer beads.