phd topics in mechanical engineering

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1. Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing

Multi-Material 3D Printing: Explore techniques for printing with multiple materials in a single process to create complex, multi-functional parts.

In-Situ Monitoring and Control: Develop methods for real-time monitoring and control of the printing process to ensure quality and accuracy.

Bio-printing : Investigate the potential of 3D printing in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Sustainable Materials for Printing : Research new eco-friendly materials and recycling methods for additive manufacturing.

2. Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology

Nanostructured Materials: Study the properties and applications of materials at the nanoscale level for enhanced mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties.

Self-Healing Materials: Explore materials that can repair damage autonomously, extending the lifespan of components.

Graphene-based Technologies: Investigate the potential of graphene in mechanical engineering, including its use in composites, sensors, and energy storage.

Smart Materials: Research materials that can adapt their properties in response to environmental stimuli, such as shape memory alloys.

3. Robotics and Automation

Soft Robotics: Explore the development of robots using soft and flexible materials, enabling safer human-robot interactions and versatile applications.

Collaborative Robots (Cobots ): Investigate the integration of robots that can work alongside humans in various industries, enhancing productivity and safety.

Autonomous Systems: Research algorithms and systems for autonomous navigation and decision-making in robotic applications.

Robot Learning and Adaptability: Explore machine learning and AI techniques to enable robots to learn and adapt to dynamic environments.

4. Energy Systems and Sustainability

Renewable Energy Integration: Study the integration of renewable energy sources into mechanical systems, focusing on efficiency and reliability.

Energy Storage Solutions: Investigate advanced energy storage technologies, such as batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells for various applications.

Waste Heat Recovery: Research methods to efficiently capture and utilize waste heat from industrial processes for energy generation.

Sustainable Design and Manufacturing: Explore methodologies for sustainable product design and manufacturing processes to minimize environmental impact.

5. Biomechanics and Bioengineering

Prosthetics and Orthotics: Develop advanced prosthetic devices that mimic natural movement and enhance the quality of life for users.

Biomimicry: Study natural systems to inspire engineering solutions for various applications, such as materials, structures, and robotics.

Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine: Explore methods for creating functional tissues and organs using engineering principles.

Biomechanics of Human Movement: Research the mechanics and dynamics of human movement to optimize sports performance or prevent injuries.

6. Computational Mechanics and Simulation

Multi-scale Modelling: Develop models that span multiple length and time scales to simulate complex mechanical behaviors accurately.

High-Performance Computing in Mechanics: Explore the use of supercomputing and parallel processing for large-scale simulations.

Virtual Prototyping: Develop and validate virtual prototypes to reduce physical testing in product development.

Machine Learning in Simulation: Explore the use of machine learning algorithms to optimize simulations and model complex behaviors.

7. Aerospace Engineering and Aerodynamics

Advanced Aircraft Design: Investigate novel designs that enhance fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve performance.

Hypersonic Flight and Space Travel: Research technologies for hypersonic and space travel, focusing on propulsion and thermal management.

Aerodynamics and Flow Control: Study methods to control airflow for improved efficiency and reduced drag in various applications.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Explore applications and technologies for unmanned aerial vehicles, including surveillance, delivery, and agriculture.

8. Autonomous Vehicles and Transportation

Vehicular Automation: Develop systems for autonomous vehicles, focusing on safety, decision-making, and infrastructure integration.

Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: Investigate advanced technologies for electric and hybrid vehicles, including energy management and charging infrastructure.

Smart Traffic Management: Research systems and algorithms for optimizing traffic flow and reducing congestion in urban areas.

Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication: Explore communication systems for vehicles to interact with each other and with the surrounding infrastructure for enhanced safety and efficiency.

9. Structural Health Monitoring and Maintenance

Sensor Technologies: Develop advanced sensors for real-time monitoring of structural health in buildings, bridges, and infrastructure.

Predictive Maintenance: Implement predictive algorithms to anticipate and prevent failures in mechanical systems before they occur.

Wireless Monitoring Systems: Research wireless and remote monitoring systems for structural health, enabling continuous surveillance.

Robotic Inspection and Repair: Investigate robotic systems for inspection and maintenance of hard-to-reach or hazardous structures.

10. Manufacturing Processes and Industry 4.0

Digital Twin Technology: Develop and implement digital twins for real-time monitoring and optimization of manufacturing processes.

Internet of Things (IoT) in Manufacturing: Explore IoT applications in manufacturing for process optimization and quality control.

Smart Factories: Research the development of interconnected, intelligent factories that optimize production and resource usage.

Cybersecurity in Manufacturing: Investigate robust Cybersecurity measures for safeguarding interconnected manufacturing systems from potential threats.

Top 50 Emerging Research Ideas in Mechanical Engineering

Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing: Exploring novel materials, processes, and applications for 3D printing in manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, etc.
Advanced Composite Materials: Developing lightweight, durable, and high-strength composite materials for various engineering applications.
Biomechanics and Bioengineering: Research focusing on understanding human movement, tissue engineering, and biomedical devices.
Renewable Energy Systems: Innovations in wind, solar, and hydrokinetic energy, including optimization of energy generation and storage.
Smart Materials and Structures: Research on materials that can adapt their properties in response to environmental stimuli.
Robotics and Automation: Enhancing automation in manufacturing, including collaborative robots, AI-driven systems, and human-robot interaction.
Energy Harvesting and Conversion: Extracting energy from various sources and converting it efficiently for practical use.
Micro- and Nano-mechanics: Studying mechanical behavior at the micro and nanoscale for miniaturized devices and systems.
Cyber-Physical Systems: Integration of computational algorithms and physical processes to create intelligent systems.
Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things (IoT): Utilizing IoT and data analytics in manufacturing for predictive maintenance, quality control, and process optimization.
Thermal Management Systems: Developing efficient cooling and heating technologies for electronic devices and power systems.
Sustainable Manufacturing and Design: Focus on reducing environmental impact and improving efficiency in manufacturing processes.
Artificial Intelligence in Mechanical Systems: Applying AI for design optimization, predictive maintenance, and decision-making in mechanical systems.
Adaptive Control Systems: Systems that can autonomously adapt to changing conditions for improved performance.
Friction Stir Welding and Processing: Advancements in solid-state joining processes for various materials.
Hybrid and Electric Vehicles: Research on improving efficiency, battery technology, and infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Aeroelasticity and Flight Dynamics: Understanding the interaction between aerodynamics and structural dynamics for aerospace applications.
MEMS/NEMS (Micro/Nano-Electro-Mechanical Systems): Developing tiny mechanical devices and sensors for various applications.
Soft Robotics and Bio-inspired Machines: Creating robots and machines with more flexible and adaptive structures.
Wearable Technology and Smart Fabrics: Integration of mechanical systems in wearable devices and textiles for various purposes.
Human-Machine Interface: Designing intuitive interfaces for better interaction between humans and machines.
Precision Engineering and Metrology: Advancements in accurate measurement and manufacturing techniques.
Multifunctional Materials: Materials designed to serve multiple purposes or functions in various applications.
Ergonomics and Human Factors in Design: Creating products and systems considering human comfort, safety, and usability.
Cybersecurity in Mechanical Systems: Protecting interconnected mechanical systems from cyber threats.
Supply Chain Optimization in Manufacturing: Applying engineering principles to streamline and improve supply chain logistics.
Drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Research on their design, propulsion, autonomy, and applications in various industries.
Resilient and Sustainable Infrastructure: Developing infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters and environmental changes.
Space Exploration Technologies: Advancements in propulsion, materials, and systems for space missions.
Hydrogen Economy and Fuel Cells: Research into hydrogen-based energy systems and fuel cell technology.
Tribology and Surface Engineering: Study of friction, wear, and lubrication for various mechanical systems.
Digital Twin Technology: Creating virtual models of physical systems for analysis and optimization.
Electric Propulsion Systems for Satellites: Improving efficiency and performance of electric propulsion for space applications.
Humanitarian Engineering: Using engineering to address societal challenges in resource-constrained areas.
Optimization and Design of Exoskeletons: Creating better wearable robotic devices to assist human movement.
Nanotechnology in Mechanical Engineering: Utilizing nanomaterials and devices for mechanical applications.
Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip Devices: Developing small-scale fluid-handling devices for various purposes.
Clean Water Technologies: Engineering solutions for clean water production, treatment, and distribution.
Circular Economy and Sustainable Design: Designing products and systems for a circular economic model.
Biologically Inspired Design: Drawing inspiration from nature to design more efficient and sustainable systems.
Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems: Innovations in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for energy savings.
Advanced Heat Exchangers: Developing more efficient heat transfer systems for various applications.
Acoustic Metamaterials and Noise Control: Designing materials and systems to control and manipulate sound.
Smart Grid Technology: Integrating advanced technologies into power grids for efficiency and reliability.
Renewable Energy Integration in Mechanical Systems: Optimizing the integration of renewable energy sources into various mechanical systems.
Smart Cities and Infrastructure: Applying mechanical engineering principles to design and develop sustainable urban systems.
Biomimetic Engineering: Mimicking biological systems to develop innovative engineering solutions.
Machine Learning for Materials Discovery: Using machine learning to discover new materials with desired properties.
Health Monitoring Systems for Structures: Developing systems for real-time monitoring of structural health and integrity.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in Mechanical Design: Utilizing VR and AR technologies for design, simulation, and maintenance of mechanical systems.

Mechanical engineering is a vast and dynamic field with ongoing technological advancements, and the above list represents a glimpse of the diverse research areas that drive innovation. Researchers and engineers in this field continue to push boundaries, solving complex problems and shaping the future of technology and society through their pioneering work. The evolution and interdisciplinary nature of mechanical engineering ensure that new and exciting research topics will continue to emerge, providing solutions to challenges and opportunities yet to be discovered.

Biomechanics
CyberPhysical
engineering
EnvironmentalImpact
FiniteElement
FluidMechanics
HeatExchangers
HumanMachine
HydrogenFuel
MachineLearning
Mechatronics
Microfluidics
nanomaterials
Nanotechnology
NoiseControl
SolarThermal
StructuralHealth
sustainability
Sustainable
SustainableEnergy
Transportation

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iLovePhD is a research education website to know updated research-related information. It helps researchers to find top journals for publishing research articles and get an easy manual for research tools. The main aim of this website is to help Ph.D. scholars who are working in various domains to get more valuable ideas to carry out their research. Learn the current groundbreaking research activities around the world, love the process of getting a Ph.D.

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PhD Program

Our PhD Program offers students opportunities to work in labs specializing in a broad range of mechanical engineering research.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering prepares students for careers in research and academia. Our faculty are investigating a diverse range of research areas like fluid mechanics, renewable energy technologies, materials processing and manufacturing, prosthetics, diagnostic tools, nanotechnology, and much more. As a PhD candidate, you will share in the excitement of discovery as you collaborate with our faculty on cutting edge research. You will also acquire strong, independent research skills and begin to develop your own skills and reputation as a member of the research community.

Because the advisor/graduate relationship is the cornerstone of a successful PhD experience, all new PhD candidates are carefully matched with faculty advisors, based on mutual research interests.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) normally requires four to five years of full-time study beyond the baccalaureate degree. There is no formal course requirement for a doctoral degree. The student develops a technical program involving both research and coursework with the help of his or her faculty advisor.

PhD candidates must pass the departmental exam, the Graduate Board Oral exam, submit a doctoral dissertation, and pass a final dissertation defense.

Where Do Our PhD Graduates Go?

Visit our PhD Alumni page to see where our PhD graduates have made their mark around the world. You, too, can join this elite group with an admission to our highly-ranked PhD program.

Learn More About the PhD Program

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Mechanical Engineering

Graduate study in Mechanical Engineering
Ph.D. programs

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering prepares students for careers in research and academia. Our collaborative faculty are investigating a diverse range of research areas like additive manufacturing, air quality, cellular biomechanics, computational design, DNA origami, energy conversion and storage, nanoscale manufacturing, soft robotics, transdermal drug delivery, transport phenomena, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

Interested? Visit our research pages for more information, including faculty areas of expertise and research videos.

Other Ph.D. programs

I’d like more information.

View the degree requirements in the handbook.

Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering

Students typically complete the Ph.D. degree requirements in three to five years. Early in the program, students focus on course-work that enhances their knowledge as they prepare to conduct research.

Within one year, students must pass the departmental qualifying exam, an oral exam that tests research skills and knowledge of a core mechanical engineering subject area.

Student research forms the core of the Ph.D. program. Research involves active student-directed inquiry into an engineering problem, culminating in a written thesis and oral defense.

Ph.D. Financial Support

The majority of full-time Ph.D. students accepted through the standard application process receive fellowships that cover full tuition, the technology fee, and a stipend for living expenses for up to five years, as long as sufficient progress is made toward degree completion. These awards are sufficient to cover all expenses for the year (including summers). Students are required to pay for health insurance, the transportation fee, the activity fee, books, and course supplies. Off-campus housing is available within walking distance of campus. At least one year of residency is required for the Ph.D. We offer two ways to enter the Ph.D. program.

Advanced entry Ph.D.

The advanced entry Ph.D. is for students with an M.S. in an engineering discipline or equivalent field.

Direct Ph.D.

The direct Ph.D. is for students entering the program with a B.S. in an engineering discipline or equivalent field.

For a comprehensive overview of the programs, including degree requirements, please consult the most recent handbook

Ph.D. candidate Remesh Shrestha, co-advised by Professors Sheng Shen and Maarten de Boer, explains his research to create polymer nanowires that have high thermal conductivity:

Other Ph.D. programs and partnerships

Apply here (by these deadlines).

For spring 2023

For fall 2022

The application for fall entry opens in October.

More information

Ph.D. employment stats

Ph.D. enrollment and completion stats [pdf]

University of Wisconsin-Madison

DEGREE Mechanical Engineering, PhD

Doctoral degree in mechanical engineering

As a PhD student in mechanical engineering, you’ll be part of a community of outstanding students who are preparing for advanced work in industry, national labs, and academia. We’ll mentor you on your way to becoming a world-class researcher, and you can choose from opportunities within established and emerging research specializations. Broad research themes within the department include biomechanics, computational engineering, energy, manufacturing, and mechanics and controls, and within those, you’ll also have access to excellent research facilities are available for specialized research.

At a glance

Mechanical engineering department, learn more about what information you need to apply., how to apply.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

Submitted scores will not be used in admission decisions.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS and PROCESS

Degree: Most applicants have a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Students with a Bachelor of Science in other engineering or physical and natural science disciplines will be considered for admission. International applicants must have a degree comparable to a regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree.

GPA: The Department of Mechanical Engineering prefers a 3.2/4.0 GPA. The minimum GPA to be reviewed by the admission committee is 3.0/4.0.

Advisor selection process: Applicants are required to seek out and secure their own faculty advisor. International students must complete this process as part of the application process, before an offer of admission may be granted. To seek out a faculty advisor please review the department Research and People websites. Only those faculty listed with titles of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor, can serve as graduate advisors. Do not contact Emeritus faculty, Lecturers, Research Scientists, or Faculty Associates. You are encouraged to inquire about possible funding opportunities. If a faculty member offers to be your advisor, ask them to email their acceptance to [email protected] .

Each application must include the following:

Graduate School Application
Academic transcripts
Statement of purpose
Three letters of recommendation
English Proficiency Score (if required)
Application Fee

All applicants must satisfy requirements that are set forth by the Graduate School . Upon acceptance, students without Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Science degrees may be required to complete one or more courses in addition to degree requirements to satisfy any deficiencies (this requirement cannot be determined prior to admission).

To apply to the Mechanical Engineering program, complete applications , including supportive materials, must be submitted as described below and received by the following deadline dates:

Fall Semester—December 15
Spring Semester—September 1
Summer Session—December 15

ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT

Within the online application, upload the undergraduate transcript(s) and, if applicable, the previous graduate transcript. Unofficial copies of transcripts will be accepted for review, but official copies are required for admitted students. Please do not send transcripts or any other application materials to the Graduate School or the Department of Mechanical Engineering unless requested. Please review the requirements set by the Graduate School for additional information about degrees/transcripts.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

In this document, applicants should explain why they want to pursue further education in Mechanical Engineering and discuss which UW faculty members they would be interested in doing research with during their graduate study (see the Graduate School for more advice on how to structure a personal statement ).

Upload your resume in your application.

THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

These letters are required from people who can accurately judge the applicant’s academic, research, and/or work performance. Letters of recommendation are submitted electronically to graduate programs through the online application. See the Graduate School for FAQs regarding letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are due by the deadline listed above.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY SCORE

Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide an English proficiency test score. The UW-Madison Graduate School accepts TOEFL or IETLS scores. Your score will not be accepted if it is more than two years old from the start of your admission term. Country of citizenship does not exempt applicants from this requirement. Language of instruction at the college or university level and how recent the language instruction was taken are the determining factors in meeting this requirement.

For more information regarding minimum score requirements and exemption policy, please see the Graduate School Requirements for Admission .

APPLICATION FEE

Submission must be accompanied by the one-time application fee. It is non-refundable and can be paid by credit card (MasterCard or Visa) or debit/ATM. Information about the application fee may be found here (scroll to the ‘Frequently asked questions).

Fee grants are available through the conditions outlined here by the Graduate School . Applicants who do not qualify for a fee grant as explained above, may seek out a Mechanical Engineering faculty advisor and discuss the fee grant option with that individual. If the faculty advisor is able and willing to pay the application fee for the applicant, the faculty advisor should contact the ME Associate Chair for Graduate Studies or the ME Graduate Admissions Team for assistance.

If you have questions, please contact [email protected] .

RE-ENTRY ADMISSIONS

If you were previously enrolled as a graduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, have not earned your degree, but have had a break in enrollment for a minimum of a fall or spring term, you will need to re-apply to resume your studies. Please review the Graduate School requirements for previously enrolled students . Your previous faculty advisor (or another ME faculty advisor) must be willing to supply advising support and should e-mail the ME Graduate Student Services Coordinator regarding next steps in the process.

If you were previously enrolled in a UW-Madison graduate degree, completed that degree, have had a break in enrollment since earning the degree and would now like to apply for another UW-Madison program; you are required to submit a new student application through the UW-Madison Graduate School online application. For ME graduate programs, you must follow the entire application process as described above.

CURRENTLY ENROLLED GRADUATE STUDENT ADMISSIONS

Students currently enrolled as a graduate student at UW-Madison, whether in ME or a non-ME graduate program, wishing to apply to this degree program should contact the ME Graduate Admissions Team to inquire about the process and deadlines several months in advance of the anticipated enrollment term. Current students may apply to change or add programs for any term (fall, spring, or summer).

Tuition and funding

Tuition and segregated fee rates are always listed per semester (not for Fall and Spring combined).

View tuition rates

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

There are three mechanisms for Graduate Student funding through the university for Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. students:

Fellowships
Graduate assistantships: project assistantships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships
Traineeships

Funding is awarded based on the qualifications of the student, the number of applicants, the amount of available funding, and the number of continuing students receiving support. You can apply for funding for research assistantships by contacting individual faculty members directly. Please check our website to look for faculty (only those listed with titles of assistant professor, associate professor, or professor can serve as graduate student advisors). Search for faculty who have research interests that align closely with your own by viewing faculty directory entries, visiting the faculty’s website (linked from the directory page), and reviewing publications by the faculty member. Once you have identified faculty with interests close to your own, you are encouraged to contact them by email to inquire regarding available research assistant positions. The admissions office does not know if a particular professor has research assistant positions available.

Students who apply to the department will be automatically considered for fellowship opportunities within the department. Admitted students will be eligible to apply for Teaching Assistantship positions. More information, including the application, will be available to students after admission is complete.

Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may be eligible to receive some level of funding through the federal direct loan program. These loans are available to qualified graduate students who are taking at least 4 credits during the fall and spring semesters, and 2 credits during summer. Private loans are also available. Learn more about financial aid at their website .

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES FUNDING AND SCHOLARSHIPS

For information on International Student Funding and Scholarships visit the ISS website .

Global industry partners and U.S. government agencies (like the Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation) entrust Badger engineers to design and conduct complex research into a wide range of theoretical and practical questions. Our faculty and student lab teams create a deeply collaborative research environment to study problems ranging from renewable energy to soft robotics and osteoarthritis to vehicle traction on the Moon.

View our research

Curricular Requirements

Minimum graduate school requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Required Courses

Two semesters of M E 903 Graduate Seminar are required. These should be taken the first two semester the student is in residence. If an M.S. degree is received at UW–Madison, additional M E 903 credits are not required.

A minimum of 42 formal course credits beyond the B.S. degree. This includes a minimum of 15 credits (usually five courses) numbered 700 or higher (excluding M E 964 Special Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering courses unless specifically approved). 12 credits (usually four courses) numbered 700 and above must be taken at UW–Madison. A minimum of 6 credits (usually two courses) numbered 700 and above must be in Mechanical Engineering (M E) and/or Engineering Mechanics (E M A) taken at UW–Madison. A minimum of one (3 or more – credit) math course. The following courses would satisfy the math course requirement:

Acceptable courses for the remainder of the required 42 formal course credits (this total includes the courses taken for the PhD breadth requirement) are those numbered 400 and above. Up to two 300 and above courses in engineering, math, or the sciences taken at UW-Madison can also be used towards the formal course credit requirement. The 300 and above courses can be from Mechanical Engineering and/or Engineering Mechanics if approved by the student’s advisor and the ME graduate committee.

Minimum of 18 thesis credits ( M E 790 Master’s Research and Thesis , M E 890 PhD Research and Thesis , M E 990 Dissertator Research and Thesis ) are required with an overall grade of S.

Graduate Student Services [email protected] 3182 Mechanical Engineering Building 1513 University Ave., Madison

Associate Chair for Graduate Studies [email protected]

Recent mechanical engineering graduate news

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Grad students shine in DOE nuclear energy research competition

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Resources & Support
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Frequently Asked Questions
Independent Research (ME 590)
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Do you need help with one of your classes?

If you are struggling in one of your classes and are looking for help, please reach out to the ME ASO staff! We can work with you to discuss options for support, including identifying potential peer tutors who have previously completed the class you are in.

The goal of the PhD program is to create a culture of scholarship and high impact research that produces articulate researchers who are called upon first to hold leadership positions in society and academia.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree is the highest degree awarded by the Mechanical Engineering Department and is recommended for students who are interested in leadership careers in academia (e.g. as a faculty member of a university), industry, or government.

Sections of this Page:

Milestones to the Ph.D.

Research and coursework, qualifying examinations.

Dissertation Proposal Exam

Dissertation

Ph.d. research at the university of michigan.

Research involves active, student-directed inquiry into an engineering topic. A student’s research experience forms the core of the PhD program. There are two goals for conducting research: 1) to learn the general skills to conduct independent research and 2) to develop new knowledge in mechanical engineering.

Conducting research requires combining knowledge gained in the classroom with the ability to read the scientific literature, identify critical knowledge gaps, structure complex problems, formulate and test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, and present and discuss technical results. Engineering research also requires significant experimental, computational, and analytical skills. A student learns these core skills as she pursues her research topic.

Many of these skills cannot be learned in the classroom setting, but instead must be developed in the laboratory, library, and conference room as the student actively interacts with faulty, other students, and researchers around the world. Independent, non-classroom based learning and problem solving is a core aspect of the PhD degree. Upon completion of his dissertation the student should be an international expert in a technical area. Dissemination of new knowledge at technical conferences and in peer-reviewed archival publications is an important part of research.

There are three student profiles in the ME PhD program: (1) Direct PhD students that are admitted without a relevant Master’s degree, (2) students who enter the PhD program with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant field, and (3) students who enter the PhD program with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant field from the University of Michigan. The differences in the three tracks toward the PhD vary at the coursework level. Please be mindful of the requirements listed below. A student should always discuss academic plans with his research advisor.

The major ME program milestones all PhD students complete:

Qualifying Examination (RCC & RFE)
Advancement to Candidacy
Dissertation Proposal Examination
Thesis Dissertation (written) and Defense (oral)

In addition to the academic component of the PhD, students are encouraged to participate in professional development. The Rackham Graduate School has partnered with divisions around campus to develop a central location to promote workshops, training sessions, forums, and talks relevant to graduate students. It is recommended that students visit the Professional and Academic Development website on a regular basis to stay informed about the activities on campus.

Timeline & Satisfactory Progress

The ME department will adhere to all Rackham policies regarding academic progress, probation, dismissal and appeals as outlined here in the Rackham Academic Policies (Section 3.5).

The timeline for completing these milestones and other program requirements and expectations.

To continue in the Ph.D. Program and remain fully funded, you must maintain satisfactory progress in the following ways:

Maintain Cum. GPA of 3.5 or higher
Engage in research with faculty by the end of 1st semester.
Solidify faculty advisor by the end of 1st semester.
Identify thesis topic by the end of 2nd semester.
International students must take and pass the GSI OET by the end of the 3rd semester.
Pass the RCC by the end of 2nd semester (an extra semester may be granted via petition if necessary, but no more).
Complete ME 500: Professional Skills for Graduate Student Success prior to advancement to candidacy (Fall 2021 and later cohorts).
Demonstrate preliminary results in research by the end of the summer term after the first year (in preparation for the RFE). If you have concerns about your progress, email the Grad Coordinator to schedule a meeting with Grad Chair.
Pass the RFE by the end of 4th semester. Change-of-Program students pass the RFE within two semesters of beginning the Ph.D. Program. An extra semester may be granted in either case via petition if necessary, but no more.
Complete Dissertation Proposal Exam (DPE) and form dissertation committee within one year of passing the RFE. (For students who take the RFE in their 3rd semester, it is desirable to complete the DPE by the end of the 2nd year in the PhD program.)
Maintain progress toward publications and dissertation completion with the guidance of advisors. If you have concerns about your progress, email the Grad Coordinator to schedule a meeting with Grad Chair.

You are welcome and encouraged to speak to the Graduate Coordinator and Chair at anytime. You and your advisor both have opportunities to confirm progress or express concerns regarding your progress via the Annual Progress Update.

Probation : If a student is not making satisfactory progress in one or more of the areas outlined above, the student will be put on probation. The terms of probation will be individually designed based on the student’s situation and as agreed upon by the Graduate Chair, the faculty advisor, and the student. The ME Graduate Program Committee will also review and approve all probation agreements. When a the terms of probation are agreed upon, a probation agreement will be completed and enforced by the Graduate Chair.

Length of the Probationary Period : The probationary period will be no shorter than two months and, unless otherwise stated, conclude at the end of that term. If a student is placed on probation within two months of the end of the term, the probationary period will extend into the following term for at least two months.

Funding During the Probationary Period : Doctoral students will continue to receive funding during the probationary period.

End of the Probationary Period : At the end of the probationary period the student will either be returned to good academic standing or dismissed from the program.

Appeals Process for Probation and Dismissal : Students may appeal academic probation or dismissal decisions. Appeals pertaining to a students’ academic performance or progress in the program will be overseen by the Graduate Program Committee. The Rackham Graduate School will handle appeals relating to procedural issues of fair and equal treatment by the program.

Finding a Research Advisor:

To select a research advisor, the student should talk to faculty members in potential areas of research interest. If the research topic is of an interdisciplinary nature, the student can choose to have two research advisors as long as at least one advisor is from Mechanical Engineering.

It is expected that the faculty advisor will have research support or other available funding in order to finance tuition, stipend and benefits costs of the degree.

Recommendations and tips for finding a research advisor:

Talk to senior graduate students about their advisors. Share your interests and ask them for suggestions about whom you should meet.
Familiarize yourself with various research groups.
Make a list of faculty to contact who are involved in research areas that interest you. A list of faculty by research areas can be found here .
Read about faculty research in journals, conference proceedings, or on their website.
Visit their labs. A list of labs can be found here .
Schedule meetings with faculty members. Typically this is done via email which includes an introduction and requests time to meet with them. Be knowledgeable about their work in order to have an active discussion about their previous and ongoing research.
Sometimes working in their lab for academic reasons only (not as a Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) ) will provide you with the opportunity to prove your researching capabilities and may lead to a GSRA with that faculty.
If possible, enroll in classes being taught by faculty whose work interests you.
Do well in classes relevant to your research interest and get to know the faculty.
Consider doing a small project supported intellectually by a faculty member. ME 590 research credits are taken.
If you are unsuccessful with securing a research advisor, it is recommended that you meet with the Graduate Program Chair immediately to discuss the situation.

Research Requirements

Regardless of whether or not the Ph.D. student has a Master’s prior to attending U-M or not, all students should take at least 6 credits of research ( ME 590 ) in the first two-three terms of the PhD program. This will help ensure that the student meets Rackham’s requirements to candidacy upon successfully passing of the qualifying exams. Change of Program students are not required to enroll in addition ME 590 credits after matriculating to Ph.D. as they have already completing the credit requirement for advancing to candidacy.

Students should complete 8 hours of responsible conduct of research and scholarship (RCRS) training by the end of their 3rd term of enrollment.

Once a student has completed 6 credits of ME 590, they should take 8 credits of ME 990 per term.

Once a student reaches Candidacy, 8 credits of ME 995 research credits are taken every term until the student defends their dissertation.

Coursework Requirements

For Direct PhD students (i.e. students admitted without a relevant Master’s degree):

It is necessary to complete all of the academic requirements for the Master’s degree which includes 30 credits . Please visit the Master’s Degree page for specific degree requirements. This type of Master’s degree is referred to as an “embedded” master’s, a master’s degree awarded “on-the-way” to the PhD. In addition to their MSE degree, direct PhD students must complete:
At least 6 credits of letter-graded (including the grade S – Satisfactory) graduate coursework registered as a Rackham student while in residence on the Ann Arbor campus. Courses elected as visit (audit) do not meet this requirement, nor do ME590, ME695, ME990 and ME995.
(Fall 2021 cohort and later) ME 500: Professional Skills for Graduate Student Success. This class should ideally be taken in the first year but may also be taken in the second year if needed. This 1 credit course may be counted towards the additional 6 credits of letter graded coursework.

For PhD students entering with a relevant Master’s Degree :

At least 18 credits of letter-graded (including the grade S – Satisfactory) graduate coursework registered as a Rackham student while in residence on the Ann Arbor campus. Courses elected as visit (audit) do not meet this requirement, nor do ME590, ME695, ME990, and ME995.
Of the 18 letter-graded credits, 3 credits must be cognates . The cognate requirement may be satisfied by having completed a UM Master’s degree which included a cognate component.
(Fall 2021 cohort and later) ME 500: Professional Skills for Graduate Student Success. This class should ideally be taken in the first year but may also be taken in the second year if needed. This 1 credit course may be counted towards the 18 credits of letter graded coursework.
A PhD student entering with a relevant Master’s degree that decides to pursue an additional master’s degree at the University of Michigan may apply the 18 credits required for the PhD to the master’s degree in another department. The student’s advisor should approve of the second degree.

For PhD students entering with a Master’s Degree from the UM ME Department (i.e. change of program students) :

At least 6 credits of letter-graded (including the grade S- Satisfactory) graduate coursework registered as a Rackham student while in residence on the Ann Arbor campus. Courses elected as visit (audit) do not meet this requirement, nor do ME590, ME695, ME990, and ME995.

For students who completed the SUGS program :

Additional credits of letter-graded graduate coursework equal to or greater than the number of credits double counted in the SUGS program.

The PhD Qualifying Examination (QE) consists of two components: the Research Core Curriculum (RCC) (formerly GCC) and the Research Fundamentals Exam (RFE).

Research Core Curriculum (RCC) Exam

The goal of the RCC is to ensure proficiency in technical topics both within and outside of the student’s primary research area.

Students can submit their RCC plan here.

All PhD students must take four Research Core Curriculum (RCC) courses in the first two semesters. Typically students will enroll in two Research Core Curriculum courses in the first term, however some exceptions exist where students will only enroll in one or will opt to take three. During the second term of study, the remaining Research Core Curriculum courses are taken. Change-of-program students should refer below.

The RCC consists of four 500+ level graduate courses that satisfy the following course distribution requirements:

At most, three may be in the student’s research area
At least one must be outside of the student’s research area
At most, one may be from a department other than Mechanical Engineering. Note: Multiple cross-listed courses in the RCC plan will prompt additional consideration by the Graduate Program Committee (GPC)

In consultation with their research advisor a student should develop and submit a RCC plan . If a student does not have a research advisor, the student should submit a preliminary RCC plan by the Friday before the first day of classes. The ME Graduate Chair will then work with the student (if necessary) to arrive at a satisfactory plan. An RCC Plan is comprised of the following components:

A list of the four courses on which the RCC will be based (a list of all ME graduate-level courses scheduled for the Fall and Winter terms is located here ).
A short (3-4) sentence statement that specifies how the courses fit into the student’s current or intended research plan (this can be general if the student does not yet have a research advisor).
The approval of the student’s research advisor and/or the ME Graduate Chair.

The GPC will review and (if appropriate) approve RCC course plans based on their accordance with the course distribution requirements specified above and their academic rigor. The GPC will monitor the historical record of GPAs for courses selected on the RCC, and may ask a student to revise the student’s RCC plan if the plan is judged to be insufficiently rigorous.

RCC plans may need to change after the start of the semester or between the first and second semester of the RCC. Typical circumstances that may necessitate a revision include course cancellations and a change in the student’s research area and/or research advisor. Revised RCC plans require GPC approval. Requests for modifications to RCC plans should be submitted via the RCC form prior to the add/drop deadline for the term..

GPC approval is required for dropping a course after the above dates and will only be given in rare circumstances. Changes in research area and/or research advisor are not sufficient reasons for dropping an RCC course.

Evaluation of the RCC (for those who entered the PhD program after Winter 2014): The grades students receive in RCC courses will be averaged to determine an RCC GPA. The GPA is based on Rackham’s new 4.0 scale where A+ = 4.3 , A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, and B+ = 3.3. The RCC GPA will be used to determine the outcome of the RCC and will follow these guidelines:

*Note: A student must demonstrate proficiency by performing very well on the RFE (as judged by the RFE examiners) to pass the PhD qualifying examination. The student has two tries on the RFE to perform very well.

**Note: The student may petition the GPC to take an additional course in the third semester if that course grade could increase the overall GPA (of all five courses) to at least a 3.5 (or a 6.5 via the old Rackham 9.0 scale).

Petitions for a deviation from the above guidelines due to rare and extenuating circumstances can be made to the GPC. There are no course retakes in the RCC.

Change-of-Program Students. The GPC will evaluate the prior courses taken by a change-of-program (i.e. MSE to PhD) student to determine which (if any) courses may be eligible to include in an RCC plan, thus reducing the total number of RCC courses required to be taken after the student enters the PhD program. In some cases, a student’s previously completed coursework may satisfy the RCC entirely; thus, the student would not be required to take any additional coursework.

Research Fundamentals Exam (RFE)

The RFE is an oral examination to test the student’s potential to conduct independent research at the PhD level along with her written and oral communication skills. There are four primary objectives:

Assess the depth of knowledge in the area of research specialization and the ability to relate this to research,
Assess the ability of the student to propose an interesting and relevant problem for PhD research
Test ingenuity, creativity, and problem-solving skills, and
Assess written and oral communication skills and the ability to respond to questions.

Students who have a research advisor and have successfully completed the RCC coursework or who have successfully petitioned are eligible to apply for the RFE. Students must have a 3.5 GPA or higher to take the RFE. If a student does not have this GPA, they are required to submit a petition form to the graduate chair for consideration to take the RFE.

PhD students who successfully complete the RCC coursework must take the RFE the following semester. Change of Program students must take the RFE within one year. It is not mandatory for Change of Program students to take the RFE in their first semester as a PhD student.

Exams are held in the last two weeks of October and last two weeks of March (winter). The RFE is an oral exam lasting for 45 minutes which is structured with a 15 minute presentation followed by 30 minutes of question and answer with two faculty members.

Sample RFE Presentation

The RFE is organized by research subject areas as listed below:

Registration. Eligible students must register their intent to take the RFE to the Academic Services Office. The online registration form is announced to students via email in the first two weeks of each Fall and Winter semester. In addition, students are responsible for submitting an electronic document with the following elements:

Bio-sketch using NSF fellowship application format ,
Research abstract describing research: the purpose of the research being examined, key related research, research hypotheses, research methodology, and results to date. The abstract should be formatted with 11 point font, single spacing, one-inch margins, and be a maximum of 2 pages. These two pages include title, citations, and bibliography.
A list of RCC courses with discussion of how the RCC courses match the RFE topic and future research plans (less than 200 words).

If you have an approved testing accommodation or SSD-VISA and would like to have similar accommodations for the RFE, please let us know below. We will work with you and SSD to make sure that appropriate accommodations are made for your RFE.

Examiners. Two faculty are selected by the Graduate Program Committee to act as examiners for each RFE thematic area. A student’s research advisor cannot be an examiner. The research advisor is not allowed to be present during the RFE.

Grading. Students are evaluated on a scale ranging from excellent to poor in each of the following areas:

Synthesis of course material in research problem context.
Input to research project.
Research conduct and methodology.
Research outcomes.
Communication.

A sample grade sheet with more information about grading criteria can be found here .

All areas are considered when determining the student’s examination outcome (pass/fail). The two examiners will produce a written report to the Academic Services Office indicating if the student has passed or failed the RFE with specific reasons for their decision.

Communication of Results. The result of the RFE is communicated by the Academic Services Office to the student by way of individual email. Successfully completing the RFE does not mean a student passes the RCC.

Retaking the RFE. Only one repeat is permitted and must be taken no later than the next offering of the RFE after the original RFE. Students will automatically be sent a registration email for the next available RFE session.

Advancing to Candidacy is a prestigious milestone on the way to the PhD. Rackham stipulates that from the time of initial enrollment, Candidacy should be achieved within 3 years. There is reduced tuition associated with candidacy as well as registration constraints.

Semester deadlines for completing the requirements to advance to candidacy are found here .

Requirements to advance to candidacy:

Pass the Qualifying Examination (RCC and RFE)
Complete ME 500: Professional Skills for Graduate Student Success
Completed at least 18 credits of letter-graded (including the grade S – Satisfactory) graduate coursework registered as a Rackham student while in residence on the Ann Arbor campus. Credits elected as visit (audit) do not meet this requirement, nor do any ME990 or ME995 credits.
Of the 18 credits, 3 must be cognates .
Completed RCRS training requirement. Workshop Schedule can be found here .

Upon successful completion of the RFE, students will automatically be advanced to candidacy if they have met all of the requirements listed above. If a student does not wish to advance to candidacy, they should note that on the RFE registration form or notify the Graduate Coordinator in advance ( [email protected] ).

Rackham’s Free Course Policy:

“Ph.D. candidates register in the fall and winter terms for 995, “Dissertation/candidate,” which consists of 8 credit hours for a full term or 4 credit hours for a half term. No part-time enrollment is possible. A student who defends in the spring/summer term must register for 8 credit hours of 995 for the spring/summer full term.

Candidates who register for a course should seek prior approval from their faculty advisors. Candidates may elect either one course per term or more than one course for a total of no more than four credits without paying additional tuition beyond candidacy tuition. Courses may be taken for credit or as a visit (audit).

A candidate who does not elect a course during a term of 995 enrollment may, in the next term, either register for courses for no more than 8 credits or register for no more than two courses that total more than 8 credits. An additional course may not be taken in anticipation of taking none in a future term of 995 enrollment.

Candidates who choose to take more courses than those for which they are eligible will be assessed additional tuition per credit hour. ” The additional tuition will be charged to the student’s funding source for that term. Students are not to cover any additional tuition charges. Original Source .

GSI Oral English Test (OET) Requirements for International PhD Students

GSI Oral English Test (OET) is used to review the English proficiency of international students. Passing the exam is a requirement for international PhD students and is necessary to ensure satisfactory progress while simultaneously confirming the ability of that student to be an effective GSI. All international students must pass the OET by the end of their 3rd academic term after admission (e.g., by the end of F12 for students who entered in F11) in order to be considered making satisfactory progress toward their degree. International students whose undergraduate education was taught exclusively in English may be exempt from the OET. Additional exemption criteria can be found here .

Upon successful completion of this requirement, the student will then be eligible to hold a GSI position (see the English Language Proficiency Requirements section).
If the student does not hold a GSI position within the next 18 months after passing the exam, the student must check in with the English Language Institute (ELI) to extend or renew their exam results. In order to continue making satisfactory progress, a PhD student must maintain valid exam results throughout their academic tenure. Please contact the English Language Institute to schedule a renewal interview.
The ELI will evaluate the student’s English skills and determine if the student is qualified to extend the exam results or is required to retake the exam. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ELI to maintain valid exam results.

Dissertation Proposal Exam (DPE)

The DPE is an oral exam that provides an early assessment of the feasibility of a student’s proposed research topic for his/her dissertation. In particular, the exam is intended to assess the suitability of the topic and the student’s academic background for carrying out the proposed research. The exam is administered by a student’s Dissertation Committee. The DPE should be completed within one year of passing the RFE.

The Dissertation Committee

Students will assemble their dissertation committee prior to taking the DPE. The Dissertation Committee oversees the student’s research outcomes. Through the dissertation proposal exam, committee meetings, and the thesis defense, the committee tracks the student’s progress and provides feedback and guidance. At each of these meetings, the student presents his research and responds to the committee members’ questions. The purpose of the committee is to provide an outside perspective on the student’s research, helping the student to structure his/her work and identify opportunities. The committee is responsible for approving the student’s research plan via the DPE and signing off on the final dissertation and defense.

Dissertation Committee Requirements:

A committee must have a minimum of 4 members:

The chair or one of the co-chairs should be a member of the faculty in the Mechanical Engineering department.
Three members must be from a Rackham Doctoral Program and be considered a member of “ The Graduate Faculty “, this generally means a Professor at the University of Michigan.
Two members must be from the Mechanical Engineering department.
One member must have a 50% appointment in a Rackham doctoral program, other than the Mechanical Engineering department (except Interdisciplinary programs) – otherwise known as your cognate member.

The committee may include a University faculty member who is not a member of “The Graduate Faculty”, a University staff member, or a qualified individual outside the University who to provide expertise in the candidate’s discipline. Any non-faculty member must be approved by the Graduate Program. These special members require additional documentation to be submitted, ideally prior to the DPE.

The Rackham Graduate School has also developed a Quick Reference Chart for Eligibility to Serve on Dissertation Committees .

Once the committee is formed, the DPE is scheduled as the first meeting of this committee. The student will prepare a written thesis proposal for the committee to review and give an oral presentation to the committee. The format of the written thesis proposal as well as the timing of the exam is at the discretion of the committee chair.

Upon completion of the DPE, the committee chair prepares a memorandum addressed to the ME Graduate Program Chair. The memo should state the outcome of the DPE and list the dissertation committee members. ( Example memo here ) The signed memo is submitted to the Graduate Coordinator ( [email protected] ). This information will be used to formally process the student’s dissertation committee with the Rackham Graduate School.

After the Graduate Coordinator has submitted the dissertation committee to Rackham Graduate School:

The student and committee chair will receive automatically generated emails to approve of the committee submission.
Rackham will then approve of the dissertation committee ensuring that all requirements are met.
Once approved by Rackham, the student and the Graduate Coordinator will receive confirmation that it has been approved. At this time the committee information will be visible in the student’s record in Wolverine Access.

The official guidelines for the dissertation and defense are established by the Rackham Graduate School. In addition, the Rackham Graduate School publishes annual deadlines by which a candidate must defend a dissertation and complete all degree requirements as set forth by Rackham. Doctoral students are expected to complete the degree within 5 years of achieving candidacy, but no more than 7 years from first enrollment.

Dissertation (Written). The dissertation is the most important aspect of the students PhD program experience, since it documents the original contributions made by the candidate as a result of independent research. In advance of graduation, the dissertation must be approved by all the members of the student’s dissertation committee. The student will prepare a rough draft of the dissertation and provide it for all the committee members for their comments before preparing the final draft. Students must provide the rough draft to the committee at least 10 days before the Defense.

Defense (Oral). The defense examination will be given after the thesis has been formally completed. This examination will be a defense of the doctoral thesis and a test of the candidate’s knowledge in the specialized field of research. The format of the examination will be a public seminar presented by the candidate, with an open question period, followed by a private examination by the Dissertation Committee.

Thesis Dissertation and Defense Timeline:

After the dissertation committee gives preliminary approval to the final draft of the dissertation, it must be formatted to meet the standards of Rackham Academic Records and Dissertations (OARD) found here . Support for thesis formatting is available from the Knowledge Navigation Center in the Graduate Library, which offers tutorials, template assistance, guides, and resources for dissertation preparation.

Before the oral defense, students are required to set up a pre-defense meeting with the Rackham Graduate School. In this meeting, students will be instructed on the process and be given Dissertation Evaluation Forms. When the final draft is distributed to the committee members together with Dissertation Evaluation Forms, a defense (oral) is scheduled for a date approximately two weeks later. Dissertation Evaluation Forms must be completed by all Dissertation Committee members at least three working days prior to the oral defense. The defense is public, and a notice is posted on the Rackham Graduate School website, and the Academic Services Office will send an email announcement to the ME students and faculty. After the oral defense, the student or committee chair should submit the Final Oral Examination Report within 48 hours of the defense. The student should then attend the post-defense meeting with the Rackham Graduate School.

Helpful links related to the dissertation process:

Rackham Dissertation Handbook – A thorough explanation of the dissertation procedure.
Dissertation Timeline – Step-by-step timeline of the dissertation and defense.
Completing the Doctoral Degree Requirements – Important information for before and after the oral defense.
Doctoral Degree Deadlines – List of deadlines for final term of enrollment, including grace period deadlines.
Submitting the Dissertation – How to electronically submit your dissertation.

Overview of the PhD Program

For specific information on the Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering PhD program, see the navigation links to the right.

What follows on this page is an overview of all Ph.D. programs at the School; additional information and guidance can be found on the Graduate Policies pages.

General Ph.D. Requirements

10 semester-long graduate courses, including at least 8 disciplinary. At least 5 of the 10 should be graduate-level SEAS "technical" courses (or FAS graduate-level technical courses taught by SEAS faculty), not including seminar/reading/project courses. Undergraduate-level courses cannot be used. For details on course requirements, see the school's overall PhD course requirements and the individual program pages linked therein.
Program Plan (i.e., the set of courses to be used towards the degree) approval by the Committee on Higher Degrees (CHD).
Minimum full-time academic residency of two years .
Serve as a Teaching Fellow (TF) in one semester of the second year.
Oral Qualifying Examination Preparation in the major field is evaluated in an oral examination by a qualifying committee. The examination has the dual purpose of verifying the adequacy of the student's preparation for undertaking research in a chosen field and of assessing the student's ability to synthesize knowledge already acquired. For details on arranging your Qualifying Exam, see the exam policies and the individual program pages linked therein.
Committee Meetings : PhD students' research committees meet according to the guidelines in each area's "Committee Meetings" listing. For details see the "G3+ Committee Meetings" section of the Policies of the CHD and the individual program pages linked therein.
Final Oral Examination (Defense) This public examination devoted to the field of the dissertation is conducted by the student's research committee. It includes, but is not restricted to, a defense of the dissertation itself. For details of arranging your final oral exam see the Ph.D. Timeline page.
Dissertation Upon successful completion of the qualifying examination, a committee chaired by the research supervisor is constituted to oversee the dissertation research. The dissertation must, in the judgment of the research committee, meet the standards of significant and original research.

Optional additions to the Ph.D. program

Harvard PhD students may choose to pursue these additional aspects:

a Secondary Field (which is similar to a "minor" subject area). SEAS offers PhD Secondary Field programs in Data Science and in Computational Science and Engineering . GSAS lists secondary fields offered by other programs.
a Master of Science (S.M.) degree conferred en route to the Ph.D in one of several of SEAS's subject areas. For details see here .
a Teaching Certificate awarded by the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning .

SEAS PhD students may apply to participate in the Health Sciences and Technology graduate program with Harvard Medical School and MIT. Please check with the HST program for details on eligibility (e.g., only students in their G1 year may apply) and the application process.

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Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, PhD

The PhD program is a dynamic, hands-on and research-focused degree program. Overseen by the Graduate Group in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, students interact closely with faculty to pursue a degree tailored to their research interests. Each student's course of study is selected with the help of their advisor and is approved by the Graduate Group Chair. Dissertation research is guided by a faculty research advisor and a small committee of faculty with interests and competence in areas related to the dissertation.

The Ph.D. requirements include the completion of a minimum of 10 course units of graduate level coursework beyond the undergraduate program with a grade-point average of at least 3.0, satisfactory performance in the PhD-related exams, presentation of a departmental seminar, completion of the teaching practicum, and the submission and successful defense of an original and significant dissertation. The milestones in the PhD program are noted in the PhD Handbook.

For more information: http://www.me.upenn.edu/prospective-students/doctoral/degree-overview.php

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Required Courses

The Ph.D. requirements include the completion of a minimum of 10 course units of graduate level coursework.

At least one graduate course in MEAM beyond the core requirements is required to fulfill the Depth Requirement.

At least one graduate course outside MEAM that is related to the student’s research is required to fulfill the Breadth Requirement (not including ENM 5200 Principles and Techniques of Applied Math I or ENM 5210 Principles and Techniques of Applied Math II ).

At least three additional graduate courses that are related to the student’s research are required to fulfill the Research Requirement.

In addition to the ten course units of graduate level work, students will complete:

Responsible Conduct of Research in Engineering workshop in the first year ( EAS 9000 Responsible Conduct for Research (RCR), Engineering )

Three semesters of Teaching Practicum ( MEAM 8950 Teaching Practicum ; normally taken in 3rd, 4th and 5th semesters)

Six semesters of the MEAM Seminar ( MEAM 6990 MEAM Seminar )

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

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Mechanical Engineering

About the Program

Eager to lead mechanical engineering applications in academia, industry or government labs? A PhD from Case Western Reserve University can get you there. Since we spearheaded the evolution of machinery in 1887, our team at Case School of Engineering has trained researchers who focus on advancing our field to advance human lives—from developing biologically inspired robots in partnership with NASA to creating robotic arms for remote-controlled surgery.

Our five-year PhD in Mechanical Engineering program allows you to hone your expertise through our rigorous curriculum as you specialize in topics such as dynamics, control, and manufacturing; fluids and thermal sciences; or solid mechanics.

Student Resources

Whether you’re looking for information about education abroad opportunities, have questions about visas, or are interested in international opportunities on campus, these quicklinks will help you quickly navigate some of the key resources our website offers for students.

What to Expect

Our curriculum focuses on blending a mastery of the fundamentals of mechanical engineering with creativity, societal awareness and leadership skills to produce leaders who know how to solve the problems that most need our attention.

We cultivate a research-intensive environment and tackle everything from the integration of data analytics to the dynamics of rotating machinery, additive manufacturing, nanotechnology, robotics, combustion, heat transfer and more. Our recent innovations include a portable device to easily detect sickle cell anemia in low-resource settings, and a biohybrid robot that integrates 3-D-printed parts with a sea slug muscle to produce a cyborg-esque bot that could travel further than traditional robots.

Our inclusive and dynamic department culture nurtures collaboration between faculty, students and staff, so you’ll find a welcoming and supportive environment as you explore your academic or research pursuits.

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Beyond the classroom.

We place a high value on experiential learning and have created space for you to curate your ideas into products. The seven-story, 50,000-square-foot Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears think[box] is the largest open-access innovation center at a university in the United States. With design and ideation resources, prototyping and fabrication equipment, business and legal expertise, and more, Sears think[box] is the ideal place to pursue your passions or even launch a startup.

By the Numbers

engineering school ( U.S. News & World Report )

in mechanical engineering ( U.S. News & World Report )

in the world for innovation ( Nature Index)

Admission Requirements

If you wish to pursue this degree you must successfully pass the qualifying examination consisting of both written and oral components. We offer qualifying exams on applied mechanics, dynamics and design, or fluid and thermal engineering sciences.

When reviewing your profile for admission consideration, we require the following:

Completed online application
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Statement of purpose
Current resume/CV
Transcripts
Test scores for GRE (waiver available)
Two letters of recommendation
Results of TOEFL or IELTS exam (waiver available)

Quick Links

PhD Admissions

Main navigation.

Instructions for applying to the Stanford ME PhD Program are below.

Note for current Stanford MS students interested in adding a PhD program: please contact the ME Student Services Office about the necessary paperwork and relevant policies. If you are a current master's student in the Stanford Mechanical Engineering department, to apply for the PhD, you must complete paperwork prior to conferring the MS degree. Failure to do so will require an application through the online admissions process along with all other external applicants.

Application Deadlines

Start Quarter: Autumn 2024-2025 Application Date: December 1, 2023
Start Quarter: Winter 2023-2024* Application Date: October 23, 2023
Start Quarter: Spring 2023-2024* Application Date: January 29, 2024

*Students wishing to apply to the PhD program to start in Winter or Spring quarter must contact [email protected] directly first. Please do not start or submit a Winter or Spring application without first contacting our office.

Application Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the PhD program, applicants must:

Have earned, or be in the process of earning, a BS degree in engineering, physics, or comparable science program.
Submit all application materials by the application deadline.
Meet minimum TOEFL requirements, if applicable. Review the information on the Graduate Admissions website for more information.

All students interested in pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering must use the online Stanford Graduate Admissions Application . Your application must include all of the materials listed below and be received by Stanford by the application deadline.

Required Application Documents

Online Application
Application fee

Statement of Purpose

PhD Supplementary Information form (within application)
3 Letters of Recommendation
Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended for more than one year
Official TOEFL scores, if applicable

The GRE will not be accepted for applications received through September 2024. We ask that you do not submit or reference GRE scores in your application, as they will not be considered. (Updated July 2023)

Your Statement of Purpose should identify personal and professional goals. It should also discuss your development to date and your intentions regarding graduate study and life beyond Stanford. The ME Graduate Admissions Committee reads your Statement of Purpose with interest because, along with the letters of recommendation, it offers insight into who you are as an individual. Your Statement of Purpose should not exceed two pages in length, single spaced.

PhD Supplementary Information form

The PhD Supplementary Information form within the application asks applicants to briefly address five prompts (1000 characters max):

List up to three Stanford ME faculty members whose research interests overlap with your research interests and are potential PhD advisors. (Select from list)
Briefly comment on your motivation for seeking a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
Briefly describe an activity (academic or not) that you initiated and involved independent inquiry, e.g. a technical project, or an extracurricular activity that you planned and executed. What did you learn?
Briefly describe a situation in which you experienced failure, or a situation in which your beliefs were challenged. How did you handle the situation, and what did you learn?
Briefly describe a time (or ongoing circumstances) that caused you to face a significant obstacle or experience adversity. How did you approach the situation?

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required -- one letter must come from an academic source, although we prefer at least two. If your background includes industry experience, involvement in leadership, public service, or entrepreneurial activities, you may wish to include one reference who can comment on that aspect of your experience. Recommendations must be submitted online. Please see the "Recommendations" section of the online application for more information. Please do not submit letters of recommendation through Interfolio.

Transcripts

You are required to upload unofficial copies of your transcripts or e-transcripts to the online application for all institutions you have attended for at least a year as a full-time student. Please do not send your official transcripts unless we contact you to do so.

TOEFL Scores

TOEFL results must be from an examination taken within 18 months of the application deadline. The Stanford institution code for ETS reporting is 4704. No department code is needed . For more information on TOEFL requirements, please see the Required Exams and Frequently Asked Questions sections on the Graduate Admissions website .

Application Status Inquiries

After submitting the online application, applicants will have access to an online checklist which will track all required application materials. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are not able to confirm with individual applicants when documents have been received. All applicants should monitor the online checklist to track individual documents. It is the applicant's responsibility to monitor the checklist and ensure that all documents are received by the deadline. Please allow 2-6 weeks for application materials to be added to your application and appear in the checklist.

Admission decisions will be released electronically by mid-late March.

Reapplicants must submit new supporting documents and complete the online application as outlined above in the Graduate Application Checklist.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program cultivates and supports a highly-engaged, multidisciplinary and multicultural community of graduate students from across Stanford University, and delivers a diverse collection of educational experiences, preparing graduates to address complex challenges facing the world. Knight-Hennessy Scholars participate in an experiential leadership development program known as the King Global Leadership Program and receive funding for up to three years of graduate study at Stanford. Two applications must be submitted separately; one to Knight-Hennessy by October 6, 2021 , 1 pm PST, and one to the Stanford graduate degree program by its deadline. Visit kh.stanford.edu to learn more and apply.

The selection of PhD students admitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering is based on an individualized, holistic review of each application, including (but not limited to) the applicant's academic record, the letters of recommendation, the Statement of Purpose, personal qualities and characteristics, and past accomplishments.

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The Best Mechanical Engineering Dissertation Topics and Titles

Published by Carmen Troy at January 5th, 2023 , Revised On May 17, 2024

Introduction

Engineering is a vast subject that encompasses different branches for a student to choose from. Mechanical engineering is one of these branches , and one thing that trips students in the practical field is dissertation . Writing a mechanical engineering dissertation from scratch is a difficult task due to the complexities involved, but the job is still not impossible.

To write an excellent dissertation, you first need a stellar research topic. Are you looking to select the best mechanical engineering dissertation topic for your dissertation? To help you get started with brainstorming for mechanical engineering dissertation topics, we have developed a list of the latest topics that can be used for writing your mechanical engineering dissertation.

These topics have been developed by PhD-qualified writers on our team, so you can trust them to use these topics for drafting your own dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting a brief research proposal from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an introduction to the topic, research question, aim and objectives, literature review, and the proposed methodology of research to be conducted. Let us know if you need any help in getting started.

Check our dissertation example to get an idea of how to structure your dissertation .

Review the step-by-step guide on how to write your own dissertation here.

Latest Mechanical Engineering Research Topics

Topic 1: an investigation into the applications of iot in autonomous and connected vehicles.

Research Aim: The research aims to investigate the applications of IoT in autonomous and connected vehicles

Objectives:

To analyse the applications of IoT in mechanical engineering
To evaluate the communication technologies in autonomous and connected vehicles.
To investigate how IoT facilitates the interaction of smart devices in autonomous and connected vehicles

Topic 2: Evaluation of the impact of combustion of alternative liquid fuels on the internal combustion engines of automobiles

Research Aim: The research aims to evaluate the impact of the combustion of alternative liquid fuels on the internal combustion engines of automobiles

To analyse the types of alternative liquid fuels for vehicles and their implications
To investigate the benchmarking of alternative liquid fuels based on the principles of combustion performance.
To evaluate the impact of combustion of alternative liquid fuels on the internal combustion engines of automobiles with conventional engines

Topic 3: An evaluation of the design and control effectiveness of production engineering on rapid prototyping and intelligent manufacturing

Research Aim: The research aims to evaluate the design and control effectiveness of production engineering on rapid prototyping and intelligent manufacturing

To analyse the principles of design and control effectiveness of production engineering.
To determine the principles of rapid prototyping and intelligent manufacturing for ensuring quality and performance effectiveness
To evaluate the impact of production engineering on the design and control effectiveness of rapid prototyping and intelligent manufacturing.

Topic 4: Investigating the impact of industrial quality control on the quality, reliability and maintenance in industrial manufacturing

Research Aim: The research aims to investigate the impact of industrial quality control on the quality, reliability and maintenance in industrial manufacturing

To analyse the concept and international standards associated with industrial quality control.
To determine the strategies for maintaining quality, reliability and maintenance in manufacturing.
To investigate the impact of industrial quality control on the quality, reliability and maintenance in industrial manufacturing.

Topic 5: Analysis of the impact of AI on intelligent control and precision of mechanical manufacturing

Research Aim: The research aims to analyse the impact of AI on intelligent control and precision of mechanical manufacturing

To analyse the applications of AI in mechanical manufacturing
To evaluate the methods of intelligent control and precision of the manufacturing
To investigate the impact of AI on intelligent control and precision of mechanical manufacturing for ensuring quality and reliability

COVID-19 Mechanical Engineering Research Topics

Investigate the impacts of coronavirus on mechanical engineering and mechanical engineers..

Research Aim: This research will focus on identifying the impacts of Coronavirus on mechanical engineering and mechanical engineers, along with its possible solutions.

Research to study the contribution of mechanical engineers to combat a COVID-19 pandemic

Research Aim: This study will identify the contributions of mechanical engineers to combat the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the challenges faced by them and their outcomes. How far did their contributions help combat the Coronavirus pandemic?

Research to know about the transformation of industries after the pandemic.

Research Aim: The study aims to investigate the transformation of industries after the pandemic. The study will answer questions such as, how manufacturing industries will transform after COVID-19. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

Damage caused by Coronavirus to supply chain of manufacturing industries

Research Aim: The focus of the study will be on identifying the damage caused to the supply chain of manufacturing industries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What measures are taken to recover the loss and to ensure the continuity of business?

Research to identify the contribution of mechanical engineers in running the business through remote working.

Research Aim: This study will identify whether remote working is an effective way to recover the loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic? What are its advantages and disadvantages? What steps should be taken to overcome the challenges faced by remote workers?

Dissertation Topics in Mechanical Engineering Design and Systems Optimization

Topic 1: mini powdered metal design and fabrication for mini development of waste aluminium cannes and fabrication.

Research Aim: The research will focus on producing and manufacturing copula furnaces and aluminium atomisers with available materials to manufacture aluminium powder metal.0.4 kg of refined coke will be chosen to measure content and energy balance and calculate the design values used to produce the drawings.

Topic 2: Interaction between the Fluid, Acoustic, and vibrations

Research Aim: This research aims to focus on the interaction between the Fluid, Acoustic, and vibrations

Topic 3: Combustion and Energy Systems.

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the relationship between Combustion and Energy Systems

Topic 4: Study on the Design and Manufacturing

Research Aim: This research will focus on the importance of design and manufacturing

Topic 5: Revolution in the Design Engineering

Research Aim: This research aims to highlight the advances in design engineering

Topic 6: Optimising HVAC Systems for Energy Efficiency

Research Aim: The study investigates different design configurations and operational strategies to optimise heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for energy efficiency while maintaining indoor comfort levels.

Topic 7: Impact of Building Design Parameters on Indoor Thermal Comfort

Research Aim: The research explores the impact of building design parameters, such as insulation, glazing, shading, and ventilation, on indoor thermal comfort and energy consumption.

Topic 8: An Empirical Analysis of Enhanced Security and Privacy Measures for Call Taxi Metres

Research Aim: The research explores the methods to enhance the security and privacy of call taxi meter systems. It explores encryption techniques for sensitive data transmission and authentication protocols for driver and passenger verification.

Topic 9: An Investigation of Optimising Manifold Design

Research Aim: The study investigates various designs for manifolds used in HBr/HCl charging systems. It focuses on factors such as material compatibility, pressure control, flow rates, and safety protocols.

Topic 10: Implementation of a Plant Lean Transformation

Research Aim: The research examines the implementation process and outcomes of a Lean Transformation in a plant environment. It focuses on identifying the key factors contributing to successful adoption and sustained improvement in operational efficiency.

Topic 11: Exploring Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of Torque Limiters

Research Aim: Exploring the use of FEA techniques to simulate the behaviour of torque limiters under various loading conditions. The research provides insights into stress distribution and deformation.

Dissertation Topics in Mechanical Engineering Innovations and Materials Analysis

Topic 1: an overview of the different research trends in the field of mechanical engineering..

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the main topics of mechanical engineering explored by other researchers in the last decade and the research methods. The data used is accumulated from 2009 to 2019. The data used for this research is used from the “Applied Mechanics Review” magazine.

Topic 2: The Engineering Applications of Mechanical Metamaterials.

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the different properties of various mechanical metamaterials and how they can be used in mechanical engineering. This research will also discuss the potential uses of these materials in other industries and future developments in this field.

Topic 3: The Mechanical Behaviour of Materials.

Research Aim: This research will look into the properties of selected materials for the formation of a product. The study will take the results of tests that have already been carried out on the materials. The materials will be categorised into two classes from the already prepared results, namely destructive and non-destructive. The further uses of the non-destructive materials will be discussed briefly.

Topic 4: Evaluating and Assessment of the Flammable and Mechanical Properties of Magnesium Oxide as a Material for SLS Process.

Research Aim: The research will evaluate the different properties of magnesium oxide (MgO) and its potential use as a raw material for the SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) process. The flammability and other mechanical properties will be analysed.

Topic 5: Analysing the Mechanical Characteristics of 3-D Printed Composites.

Research Aim: This research will study the various materials used in 3-D printing and their composition. This research will discuss the properties of different printing materials and compare the harms and benefits of using each material.

Topic 6: Evaluation of a Master Cylinder and Its Use.

Research Aim: This research will take an in-depth analysis of a master cylinder. The material used to create the cylinder, along with its properties, will be discussed. The use of the master cylinder in mechanical engineering will also be explained.

Topic 7: Manufacturing Pearlitic Rail Steel After Re-Modelling Its Mechanical Properties.

Research Aim: This research will look into the use of modified Pearlitic rail steel in railway transportation. Modifications of tensile strength, the supported weight, and impact toughness will be analysed. Results of previously applied tests will be used.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service , which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service !

Electro-Mechanical Dissertation Topics

Topic 8: studying the electro-mechanical properties of multi-functional glass fibre/epoxy reinforced composites..

Research Aim: This research will study the properties of epoxy-reinforced glass fibres and their use in modern times. Features such as tensile strength and tensile resistance will be analysed using Topic 13: Studying the Mechanical and Durability different current strengths. Results from previous tests will be used to explain their properties.

Topic 9: Comparing The Elastic Modules of Different Materials at Different Strain Rates and Temperatures.

Research Aim: This research will compare and contrast a selected group of materials and look into their elastic modules. The modules used are the results taken from previously carried out experiments. This will explain why a particular material is used for a specific purpose.

Topic 10: Analysing The Change in The Porosity and Mechanical Properties of Concrete When Mixed With Coconut Sawdust.

Research Aim: This research will analyse the properties of concrete that are altered when mixed with coconut sawdust. Porosity and other mechanical properties will be evaluated using the results of previous experiments. The use of this type of concrete in the construction industry will also be discussed.

Topic 11: Evaluation of The Thermal Resistance of Select Materials in Mechanical Contact at Sub-Ambient Temperatures.

Research Aim: In this research, a close evaluation of the difference in thermal resistance of certain materials when they come in contact with a surface at sub-ambient temperature. The properties of the materials at the temperature will be noted. Results from previously carried out experiments will be used. The use of these materials will be discussed and explained, as well.

Topic 12: Analysing The Mechanical Properties of a Composite Sandwich by Using The Bending Test.

Research Aim: In this research, we will analyse the mechanical properties of the components of a composite sandwich through the use of the bending test. The results of the tests previously carried out will be used. The research will take an in-depth evaluation of the mechanical properties of the sandwich and explain the means that it is used in modern industries.

Mechanical Properties Dissertation Topics

Topic 13: studying the mechanical and durability properties of magnesium silicate hydrate binders in concrete..

Research Aim: In this research, we will evaluate the difference in durability and mechanical properties between regular concrete binders and magnesium silicate hydrate binders. The difference between the properties of both binders will indicate which binder is better for concrete. Features such as tensile strength and weight it can support are compared.

Topic 14: The Use of Submersible Pumping Systems.

Research Aim: This research will aim to analyse the use of a submersible pumping system in machine systems. The materials used to make the system, as well as the mechanical properties it possesses, will be discussed.

Topic 15: The Function of a Breather Device for Internal Combustion Engines.

Research Aim: In this research, the primary function of a breather device for an internal combustion engine is discussed. The placement of this device in the system, along with its importance, is explained. The effects on the internal combustion engine if the breather device is removed will also be observed.

Topic 16: To Study The Compression and Tension Behaviour of Hollow Polyester Monofilaments.

Research Aim: This research will focus on the study of selected mechanical properties of hollow polyester monofilaments. In this case, the compression and tension behaviour of the filaments is studied. These properties are considered in order to explore the future use of these filaments in the textile industry and other related industries.

Topic 17: Evaluating the Mechanical Properties of Carbon-Nanotube-Reinforced Cementous Materials.

Research Aim: This research will focus on selecting the proper carbon nanotube type, which will be able to improve the mechanical properties of cementitious materials. Changes in the length, diameter, and weight-based concentration of the nanotubes will be noted when analysing the difference in the mechanical properties. One character of the nanotubes will be of optimal value while the other two will be altered. Results of previous experiments will be used.

Topic 18: To Evaluate the Process of Parallel Compression in LNG Plants Using a Positive Displacement Compressor

Research Aim: This research aims to evaluate a system and method in which the capacity and efficiency of the process of liquefaction of natural gas can avoid bottlenecking in its refrigerant compressing system. The Advantages of the parallel compression system in the oil and gas industry will be discussed.

Topic 19: Applying Particulate Palm Kernel Shell Reinforced Epoxy Composites for Automobiles.

Research Aim: In this research, the differences made in applying palm kernel shell particulate to reinforced epoxy composites for the manufacturing of automobile parts will be examined. Properties such as impact toughness, wear resistance, flexural, tensile, and water resistance will be analysed carefully. The results of the previous tests will be used. The potential use of this material will also be discussed.

Topic 20: Changes Observed in The Mechanical Properties of Kevlar KM2-600 Due to Abrasions.

Research Aim: This research will focus on observing the changes in the mechanical properties of Kevlar KM2-600 in comparison to two different types of S glass tows (AGY S2 and Owens Corning Shield Strand S). Surface damage, along with fibre breakage, will be noted in all three fibres. The effects of the abrasions on all three fibres will be emphasised. The use of Kevlar KM2 and the other S glass tows will also be discussed, along with other potential applications.

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Industrial Application of Mechanical Engineering Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: the function of a fuel injector device..

Research Aim: This research focuses on the function of a fuel injector device and why this component is necessary for the system of an internal combustion engine. The importance of this device will be explained. The adverse effects on the entire system if the equipment is either faulty or completely removed will also be discussed.

Topic 2: To Solve Optimization Problems in a Mechanical Design by The Principles of Uncertainty.

Research Aim: This research will aim to formulate an optimization in a mechanical design under the influence of uncertainty. This will create an efficient tool that is based on the conditions of each optimisation under the risk. This will save time and allow the designer to obtain new information in regard to the stability of the performance of his design under uncertainties.

Topic 3: Analysing The Applications of Recycled Polycarbonate Particle Materials and Their Mechanical Properties.

Research Aim: This research will evaluate the mechanical properties of different polycarbonate materials and their potential to be recycled. The materials that can be recycled are then further examined for potential use as 3-dimensional printing materials. The temperature of the printer’s nozzle, along with the nozzle velocity matrix from previous experiments, is used to evaluate the tensile strength of the printed material. Other potential uses of these materials are also discussed.

Topic 4: The Process of Locating a Lightning Strike on a Wind Turbine.

Research Aim: This research will provide a detailed explanation of the process of detecting a lightning strike on a wind turbine. The measurement of the magnitude of the lightning strike, along with recognising the affected area will be explained. The proper method employed to rectify the damage that occurred by the strike will also be discussed.

Topic 5: Importance of a Heat Recovery Component in an Internal Combustion Engine for an Exhaust Gas System.

Research Aim: The research will take an in-depth evaluation of the different mechanics of a heat recovery component in an exhaust gas system. The functions of the different parts of the heat recovery component will be explained along with the importance of the entire element itself. The adverse effect of a faulty defective heat recovery component will also be explained.

“Feel free to contact us if you require custom dissertation topics and titles for your dissertation. ResearchProspect Ltd is a UK registered academic writing company which can provide you with highly qualified writers to assist you in the process of the formation of your dissertation. For more information about the type of services we offer.“

Related: Civil Engineering Dissertation

Important Notes:

As a student of mechanical engineering looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment on existing mechanical engineering theories – i.e., to add value and interest to the topic of your research.

The field of mechanical engineering is vast and interrelated to so many other academic disciplines like civil engineering , construction , law , and even healthcare . That is why it is imperative to create a mechanical engineering dissertation topic that is particular, sound and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic; it is the basis of your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong: your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in a cycle of rejection at the very initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

Keeping our advice in mind while developing a research topic will allow you to pick one of the best mechanical engineering dissertation topics that not only fulfill your requirement of writing a research paper but also add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature in order to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and can also be practically implemented. Take a look at some of our sample mechanical engineering dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure Your Mechanical Engineering Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

A Title Page
Acknowledgments
Declaration
Abstract: A summary of the research completed
Table of Contents
Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems to be addressed. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature available on the chosen research topic in light of research questions to be addressed. The purpose is to highlight and discuss the relative weaknesses and strengths of the selected research area whilst identifying any research gaps. Break down of the topic and key terms can have a positive impact on your dissertation and your tutor.
Methodology: The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes research design, research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and data analysis strategy .
Findings and Analysis: The findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs , charts, and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
Discussion and Conclusion: The researcher presents his interpretation of results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section of the paper is to draw a linkage between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regard to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
References: This should be completed in accordance with your University’s requirements
Bibliography
Appendices: Any additional information, diagrams, graphs that were used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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Shantanu Thakar PhD in Mechanical Engineering

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

The best piece of advice I was given was to not take your career related defeats too seriously and most importantly not letting them affect your mental health. To get into detail, at the time when something you’re not happy with happens, it feels like a huge deal. But for the long term such things do not matter much. For example, if one doesn't get admission in their dream university, although it feels like a huge defeat at the time, after 10 years you won’t even remember much about it. Hence, it is necessary to not take any such defeat too seriously. Ofcourse, you should feel sad and strive to achieve better but it is very important to not let it affect your mental health. Things have a way of falling in place. For example, even if you do not get your dream university, you may end up getting a job better than most people at that university.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

For me the greatest accomplishment would be successfully completing my PhD from one of the top universities and receiving the Best Research Assistant award in the process.

What's your favorite impulse purchase from the past 12 months?

It has to be the new Tesla that is yet to be delivered.

Please describe a little about your research and what excites you about it

My research is in the area of AI and machine learning for motion planning for complex robots like robotic arms, or robotic arms mounted on mobile robots or multiple robotic arms moving together for performing several tasks. Making sure that such complex robots move safely and successfully is extremely challenging. Coming up with novel solutions for solving such challenging problems for different applications is what excites me. However, the thing that excites me most is actually seeing robots move and perform interesting tasks like disinfection, grasping, transportation of objects, to name a few. It is highly satisfying to see that my research can benefit making life easier and safer for people.

If you could choose any other profession outside of engineering or computer science, what would it be?

It has to be one of astronomer or a soccer player

What are some factors that helped you decide to pursue your PhD at USC?

The two most important factors for me were my advisor, Prof. Satyandra K. Gupta and the excellent infrastructure and facilities for robotics at USC. Prof. Gupta’s research was exactly what I was interested in and looking to get into. Moreover, he is an excellent advisor who gives you a lot of freedom to express yourself, but also makes sure you are moving towards the goal. He makes sure his students work on problems that are relevant for the industry. The facilities at the center for advanced manufacturing, where he’s the director at, are state-of-the-art. I have not seen so many varieties of robots and 3D printers anywhere else.

If you were to recommend to an incoming student 3 places to go in California/Los Angeles, what would they be?

It is really difficult to recommend just 3 places in Southern California, let alone in the entire California. Let me stick to SoCal. The first place I recommend is one of my favorite national parks, Channel Island National park, off the coast of Ventura. Not only are the islands extremely beautiful with blue waters and rich marine life for snorkelling and scuba diving, but also, on the way there, you will get to see dolphins, seals and if you’re lucky whales. It’s a must visit! The second is my favorite beach in LA, Hermosa Beach. It is a small city of its own with amazing restaurants. The sunset from Hermosa beach is one of the prettiest I have seen. The third place would be my absolute favorite ice cream place near Westwood, Saffron & Rose. The Persian ice cream they serve is one of the best ice creams I have ever had.

What is a memory you'll cherish about your time at USC?

Some of the memories I’ll cherish the most are working late at night at the lab chasing a deadline, after which, our entire lab would go to the diner close by for late night food and beer. Apart from this, I miss playing soccer at the Brittingham field till late at night.

What's one thing about you that might surprise me?

I could solve the Rubik’s cube in less than 30 seconds

What are your plans after graduation?

I have joined Amazon as a Research Scientist in Robotics.

Hometown (city, country):

Pune, India

Personal Website (if any):

shantanuthakar.github.io

Faculty Advisor:

Prof. Satyandra K. Gupta

Yeo Jung Yoon PhD in Mechanical Engineering

“Be positive!”

Whenever I face a challenge in my graduate studies, I try to have a positive and fresh mindset. Positive thoughts help me a lot to overcome various hardships. I believe the way I think really affects the way I react.

In my first year of my PhD, My colleagues and I won the best paper award for robotic 3D printing research at ASME IDETC-CIE conference. We worked hard for the project and it felt really great to see our hard work finally pay off.

Recently, I found a cool home-décor shop in K-town and bought a bunch of home décor items. My room is now more fun and interesting with cute planters, various candles, a huge wall clock and artistic tissue box.

My research is about developing robot learning algorithms for various manufacturing applications. I have been fascinated by the fields of robotics and Artificial Intelligence since I was an undergraduate student. I love the idea that my research problems are at the intersection of both fields!

Travel writer! I love to travel, eat local food, and experience local cultures. It would be interesting to travel to other countries and write about interesting episodes.

Great resources for research, well-organized graduate program, and the location. I visited USC campus and my lab before coming to USC. I was amazed by the wonderful support that USC can offer to prospective graduate students and decided to pursue my PhD here.

The Getty Center is a place where you can see lots of art and walk beautiful gardens. I also recommend visiting Griffith Observatory. It is especially beautiful during sunset times, and a great place for hiking. Also, if you want to feel the ocean breeze, I recommend going to the beaches in Malibu.

The time I have spent with my friends and colleagues. We studied and hung out together, discussed various topics, and helped each other. My graduate life is wonderful because of them!

I have been a devoted yoga practitioner for the past 7 years. I love to do beach yoga and hot yoga. It helps me to release stress and clear my mind.

I plan to pursue a career in academia. I love being in academia because I can work on the problems that I feel most interested in. I also like to work and communicate with scholars and students who have the same research interest as me. They are inspirational!

I grew up in Seoul, South Korea

Satyandra K. Gupta (Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department)

James Croughan PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Fail often but safely. Often the fastest way to learn and master something is to learn every way of not doing it, either by trying it yourself or watching others attempt it. That being said, you need to make sure each failure does not result in harm to yourself or others. So long as that is possible, the fastest path to success is to fail constantly and creatively.

In high school I struggled with maintaining enough body weight, and had several health issues related to that. At the time I was about six feet tall and weighed 130 pounds, and my doctor told me I needed to put on at least 30 pounds of muscle to be healthy, but the more I put on, the healthier I would be. I very much took that to heart and have been getting stronger ever since. It has been 13 years since I started daily weightlifting and monitoring my diet, and I have now put on nearly 70 pounds of muscle and am the healthiest I have ever been.

Blackout curtains. I saw them at Target and decided to try them out, and instantly started sleeping much better. I had no idea how sensitive to light I was until I experienced sleeping in a genuinely dark room. I probably get an extra 2 hours of sleep now, simply because the light isn’t waking me up too early.

Please describe a little about your research and what excites you about it.

I am an experimentalist who works on very high-performance wings in the Dryden Wind Tunnel. I have built several wings designed to invalidate many of the assumptions used in traditional wing aerodynamics, with a goal of explaining how and why these models must change when key assumptions are false. The two most exciting parts of this are the implications and how my analysis process works. My research clearly shows that many of the design rules currently used in wing design only apply to a small range of wing designs. If you go outside of these traditional designs, much higher performance wings are possible than what traditional aerodynamics would predict. How I determine this is also very exciting. All of my wings were designed to cover a broad range of possible outcomes without knowing the exact math that might predict those outcomes, making an accurate prediction of the results impossible beyond basic intuition. As such, I really didn’t know what to expect when I first started seeing my results. When they finally came in, they far exceeded my expectations, which is awesome.

Lawyer. I love debating anything and everything and am very extroverted and analytical, so trial lawyer or something like that would make sense and be fun.

I wanted to pursue bigger and crazier projects than what I had been doing previously, and I knew I needed a stronger educational background to be qualified to do that. USC and Dr. Uranga were the only school and advisor combination I looked at that offered a specialization in system, experimental, or mechanical design, in combination with a specialization in a more traditional engineering area. Additionally, I am from the LA area, and have absolutely zero desire to leave and have been a fan of USC for a long time, so that made it a very easy choice.

Watch your favorite band at the Hollywood Bowl.
Climb Mt. Baldy or Mt. San Jacinto.
Take a long walk on the beach in Malibu around sunset.

All the trips to all-you-can-eat sushi and Korean bbq with lab-mates and classmates. Lots and lots of good food and good times.

I travel a ton but have a rather short list of places I have been. I am on a round trip plane flight about every 50 days on average, yet have somehow never been to New York, for example.

I am in the pure writing stage of my thesis work, and have already started working full-time for an aerospace company as I finish that up. I was previously a consultant for Rhoman Aerospace, and became VP of Engineering and Controls in July.

Claremont, California, USA

Dr. Alejandra Uranga

graduate student adjusting air quality tubes

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

The primary objective of the PhD degree program is to educate students to the highest levels of their chosen field to enable them to make lasting impacts to fundamental knowledge, technology, and society through research. PhD students are expected to become domain experts and complete research that can withstand the rigorous test of external peer review.

We offer funding to all PhD applicants whom we admit. Our department anticipates extending full funding to about 75 Fall 2025 PhD applicants. Funding includes:

a graduate student salary,
tuition remission,
mandatory student fees, and
91% health insurance coverage.

In your first year, you will be funded by the department as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for one semester and as a Research Assistant (RA) for the other semester, which enables you to find a research lab and to practice working in a classroom setting. Faculty with alternate sources of funding may petition the department to waive the TA requirement for first year students in their lab. In your second year and beyond, you will be funded by a research advisor as an RA or through other fellowships, pending reasonable research progress and academic performance. If your research advisor has a funding gap, they can apply to the department for gap funding. This way, students have a safety net so that they can continue to be funded throughout their PhD program.

For information about applying to the PhD program, please visit PhD Admission or email [email protected] .

PhD Degree Overview

Research Focus Areas
PhD Curriculum
Application Deadlines

At the time of application, PhD students choose from seven focus areas to guide their selection of courses and research. Within each area, PhD students have access to top experts in their field and conduct research that has direct impact on human health and safety, the environment, and technology development. They work alongside and learn directly from faculty members doing both fundamental and applied research that harnesses state-of-the-art experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches to expand the frontiers of technology in the following areas:

Air Quality
Mechanics of Materials
Micro/Nanoscale
Robotics and Systems Design
Thermo Fluid Sciences

Please review our Research Overview Slides for a quick look at faculty members and their unique capabilities and areas of expertise.

Research Overview Slides

PhD Courses Requirement

PhD students must complete a minimum of 30 graduate-level credits at the 5000 level or higher. Of these 30 credits, at least nine must be mechanical engineering department courses. All PhD students are required to take the following courses:

MCEN 5020: Methods of Engineering Analysis (3 credits)
MCEN 5030: Introduction to Research (3 credits)

Note: Some faculty research advisors will require that their students complete more than 30 course credits. The department recommends that students consult with both their graduate program advisor and faculty research advisor for guidance on coursework recommendations or requirements.

Mathematical Proficiency Requirement

All PhD students are required to take MCEN 5020 Methods of Engineering Analysis and to pass with a grade of B- or higher. Students receiving a grade below B- in MCEN 5020 must retake the course. PhD students will not be able to advance to post-prelim status until the mathematical proficiency requirement has been completed. Failure to complete this requirement by the end of the second year of the PhD may result in removal from the PhD program.

Dissertation Hour Requirement

In addition to coursework, you are required to complete 30 dissertation hours. Students are not able to register for thesis credits on their own and should schedule an appointment with their graduate advisor to be registered. Students must continuously enroll in five dissertation credits in the semesters following passing the comprehensive exam.

Fundamental Topics Preliminary Exam

All PhD students must successfully pass the fundamental topics preliminary exam , which is intended to assess the potential to successfully complete a PhD in mechanical engineering. It is designed to evaluate analytical skills, appraise knowledge of mechanical engineering fundamentals, and to gauge potential for creative independent research. The exam requires students to consolidate their grasp of the fundamentals of mechanical engineering and to demonstrate an aptitude for communicating knowledge during an oral presentation. The content of the examination reflects consensus across the department faculty. The examination is administered by the Graduate Committee, acting on behalf of the entire faculty.

Research Preliminary Exam

The research preliminary exam is an oral presentation of research to a committee of three that must include a PhD student’s research advisor and at least one other faculty member from mechanical engineering. Students should view this as an early thesis proposal. At least one week prior to the exam, students must send a 250-word presentation abstract, including title and any relevant references, to all committee members.

Comprehensive Examination

Students must complete a comprehensive exam between 6 and 12 months prior to defending their PhD dissertations. At the time of the comprehensive exam, the dissertation committee will be formed and given preliminary approval by the Department and Graduate School. A mechanical engineering PhD degree requires depth of knowledge in the dissertation/research area, as well as breadth of knowledge across the mechanical engineering curriculum. Consequently, the comprehensive exam is designed to test student knowledge of their proposed research area, and any general knowledge in the field. It is also intended to evaluate whether a student’s proposed research project is original and creative work, whether it will make a significant impact in the field, and whether it will qualify for publication in quality peer-reviewed journals. The exam is also an opportunity to demonstrate an ability to present scientific concepts orally. In short, the comprehensive exam serves as the gateway to the next phase of the doctoral program: completion of a dissertation.

Written Dissertation

The written dissertation must comply with Graduate School rules and procedures in terms of format and submission. The dissertation title appears on official university transcripts and must be submitted to the Graduate School in addition to the physical signature page from the dissertation. Students are also required to submit the full written dissertation electronically at the ProQuest website .

Dissertation Defense

Before completion of the PhD degree, students must have their dissertation accepted for defense by the review committee. The dissertation defense may occur before or after the final electronic submission of the written dissertation to the Graduate School, but must take place prior to the end of the final semester of enrollment. Students must then pass a dissertation defense, which is a final examination on the dissertation and related topics. In the defense, students are expected to explain their research clearly and concisely, and to discuss how it relates to other research in the field. This is an opportunity for recognition of completed doctoral work. It is also an opportunity for discussion and formal evaluation of the dissertation.

We accept PhD applications from applicants not currently enrolled at CU Boulder for the fall term only . To receive full consideration, please submit all application items by the following deadlines:

International applicant deadline: December 1 by 10:00 p.m. MST
Domestic applicant deadline: December 15 by 10:00 p.m. MST

In limited cases, external PhD applications may be accepted and reviewed for the spring semester. Typically, these applicants are transfer students who have already identified a CU PhD advisor. In such instances, the graduate advising team should be consulted at [email protected] prior to applying. Applicants in this scenario should plan to ensure the submission of all required application documents as soon as possible and no later than one month prior to the anticipated semester of beginning their studies at CU Boulder.

What should be in my application? | Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering | University of Colorado Boulder

Learn About our Faculty

Traits Faculty Value in Prospective PhD Students
Innovation, Industry, and Research Collaborations
Learn More about Faculty Research

When surveyed, faculty shared that the following traits are valuable in prospective PhD students:

Interest in hands-on learning
Enthusiasm and grit
Research experience
Creativity and independence
Intellectual curiosity
Dependability
Willingness to try new things
Work experience is a plus
Publications are a bonus
Dedication to lab goals
Ability to connect past knowledge with new areas of inquiry
Understanding how the science we generate in our research is relevant for policy and how it readily impacts local communities

Venture Partners at CU Boulder notes that the University of Colorado has ranked fifth for startup creation , according to the latest report by the Association of University Technology Manager (AUTM).

The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has ranked the CU system 14th among the “Top 100” institutions nationwide for recent patent activity.

Boulder is also home to a variety of well-known companies and labs doing research and development. Our faculty researchers and their research groups regularly collaborate with scientists at federal research labs that are located in the Boulder/Denver area, including the following:

National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

When surveyed, mechanical engineering research faculty indicated the following level of industry involvement throughout their academic careers:

You can also watch a comprehensive overview of the research happening in our department, presented by our faculty:

Research in Air Quality and Thermofluids
Research in Biomedical, Robotics, and Design
Research in Materials, Mechanics, and MicroNano

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a PhD in mechanical engineering worth it?
What can I do with a PhD in mechanical engineering?
Why pursue a PhD in mechanical engineering versus a specific engineering program?
What differentiates CU Boulder's mechanical engineering program from others?
How long will it take to get my degree?
What are current students saying about the program?
What are alumni saying about the program?

Yes! Graduates conduct impactful research with a direct influence on human health, safety, environmental sustainability, and technological advancement. The program prioritizes cutting-edge tier-one research, supported by state-of-the-art facilities. CU Boulder's top-ranked mechanical engineering programs provide guidance through research and teaching assistantships, fostering a collaborative environment. The diverse research focus areas and the opportunity to engage with field experts make pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering at CU Boulder rewarding and impactful.

Mechanical engineers holding a PhD enjoy a spectrum of possibilities. They can pioneer startups derived from their research, secure patents for groundbreaking technologies, conduct research in national labs and diverse industries, engage in teaching roles, or work globally in prestigious research institutes.

We surveyed faculty members to gain insights into the diverse career trajectories of mechanical engineering PhD graduates. The resulting data presents an approximate distribution of pursuits among our PhD graduates:

Academia: 28.9% Industry R&D: 38.5% Consulting: 6.7% Nonprofits: 5.7% National Labs: 15.8% Their own start-ups: 4.0% Other: 0.6%

Prospective students are encouraged to connect with faculty for in-depth insights and explore unique program opportunities.

A PhD in mechanical engineering offers versatility in the job market, enabling professionals to work in renewable energy, biomechanics, air quality, robotics, project management, construction, and more. Choosing mechanical engineering allows exploration across multiple areas of interest, facilitating interdisciplinary research and collaboration. It can be a practical choice for individuals transitioning from related backgrounds, providing flexibility in research focus and professional outcomes.

Our program fosters adaptability, empowering students for various career paths—academia, industry research, consulting, nonprofits, national laboratories, startups, and more. CU Boulder's Mechanical Engineering provides a strong foundation for diverse and fulfilling career journeys.

Additionally, our program stands out for its diverse class offerings that align with individual interests and goals. The program emphasizes collaboration, offering numerous avenues for students to work with different lab groups, industries, and national labs. This collaborative environment enhances research opportunities and post-graduation prospects.

We also cultivate a strong sense of community among our graduate students. PhD students gather on a regular basis for community events such as the fall picnic, heritage feast, spring picnic, a summer Pride event, and coffee hours. Our students have advocated for emergency funds for students and have also launched an active K-12 outreach program. Additionally, PhD students have impacted graduate program decision-making and policies by having representation and a voice on the graduate committee.

A PhD student entering without prior graduate coursework will typically take five years to complete the PhD degree. However, it is not uncommon for students to finish both earlier and later than this five-year average. A student entering the PhD program with prior graduate coursework from another university may be eligible to transfer up to 21 credit hours to CU and may be finish in about four years. Regardless of the time taken to complete the PhD, the primary emphasis is on remaining at CU Boulder long enough to complete high-quality research that satisfies the requirements of the PhD dissertation and defense.

What do mechanical engineers with a PhD do?

One of the coolest things about getting a PhD in mechanical engineering is that you can choose to go into almost any field! Some PhD students will spin a startup company off their research ideas; some will patent new technologies, and some will teach in lecture halls with over 300 students. There is no limit to the opportunities available to you with a PhD in mechanical engineering. - Liv F.
Mechanical engineers can do all sorts of different things. I have PhD friends who are working on diagnostic blood testing, others studying human motion and prosthetics, and others studying atmospheric science and laser systems. I work at the confluence of robotics, AI, and neuroscience. - Gene R.

Why mechanical engineering versus a specific program?

Mechanical engineering is a great degree because you can use it to work in many different fields. Whether you are interested in renewable energy, biomechanics, air quality, robotics, project management, construction, or a number of other things, you’ll be able to pursue a career in those fields using your knowledge and background in mechanical engineering. - Liv F.

I chose mechanical engineering because it was easier for me to continue that course (my BS and MS were in ME) and get accepted into an ME program than CS, for example. -Gene R.

What differentiates CU Boulder’s mechanical engineering program from others?

I think one of the great things about the CU mechanical engineering program is the variety of classes that are offered; you can almost always find a class that aligns well with your interests and goals. -Liv F.
We have a lot of collaboration within the department, and across departments, relative to other schools. - Gene R.
I am using my degree as an excuse to move to a different country and work at a massive research institute called Max Planck! The world seems one degree smaller within the research realm and it makes it so much easier to make connections around the world/ work with a variety of different people. - Vani S.
There are several options for PhDs. Common paths are to pursue a career in academia, secure a role in industry or government lab, or create a startup to commercialize your research. I chose to pursue the 3rd option and co-founded a company with several other people from our lab. It’s been a great experience and opportunity. Like a PhD, this path is full of new challenges and opportunities to grow. - Eric A.

ME is perfect for the individual who likes to dip into multiple different areas of interest. I gravitated toward the ME program because I had a biomechanics background, but I wanted to become more knowledgeable in robotics. By not doing a specific program, I was able to explore both fields through my research and work with people who specialized in both robotics and biomechanics. - Vani S.

Mechanical engineering is interesting because it’s so broad and deals with many different topics. There are always new things to learn and opportunities to synthesize knowledge from different disciplines. I really enjoy the physical and tangible aspects of mechanical engineering, which is why I studied soft robotics and actuators. - Eric A.

There are many different avenues for collaboration when completing a PhD at CU Boulder. I worked with five different lab groups during my graduate career, and I was able to complete a 7-month internship with Meta one year prior to my defense. Several students in my year were able to work with other industries and national labs to complete their research, many of whom hired the students post-graduation. Vani S.
Generally, location and opportunities for outdoor recreation are a big differentiator for CU Boulder. Academically, the mechanical engineering program offers unique opportunities. Robotics and soft materials are rapidly growing disciplines. The department has recruited key faculty in this area, and there are opportunities to collaborate with other departments, such as computer science, electrical engineering, and aerospace. You also have access to several resources that will help you commercialize your research if you’re interested in starting a business. CU Boulder actually has one of the highest rates for startup creation in the nation. There are many resources through the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Leeds School of Business, and Venture Partners to help you pursue that path. - Eric Ac.

Academic Advising & Administration

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PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Program sites.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering PhD candidates are leaders in research and education in academia and industry—they carry with them a strong network of peers built during their graduate studies. Students can enter the program directly after completing a bachelors degree, and earn a masters degree along the way or enter after completing a masters degree.

Degree Type

At Boston University, our Mechanical Engineering PhD candidates have the opportunity to study and research in a broad range of areas within the exciting field of mechanical engineering. We challenge our students to reach their potential as they create new knowledge and innovative solutions to pressing societal problems of today (and tomorrow). Our PhD students work closely with our faculty at the forefront of theoretical, computational, or experimental research in Robotics, Mechanics of Bio/Soft Materials, Sustainable Energies, and Space Technologies, among other inspiring areas of research.

EXPLORE OUR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH AREAS

We believe in the importance of strong community and create abundant opportunities for our students to collaborate and socialize with each other beyond the traditional boundaries of research areas and lab groups. Graduate socials, both formal and informal, a college-wide Student Association of Graduate Engineers, and an overarching culture of interdisciplinary research enrich the professional and extracurricular pursuits of our students. Beyond the BU campus, Boston provides a high-tech research community where external collaborations with industry, government and other universities are common. Moreover, the PhD experience also includes opportunities to present your work at conferences around the world, providing opportunities to network with peers around the globe.

VIEW OUR CALENDAR OF UPCOMING MECHANICAL ENGINEERING EVENTS

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

All PhD students take a course covering basic teaching methods and philosophies and are required to satisfy a teaching practicum for a minimum of two semesters.
Our post-master’s PhD candidates have no structured course requirements but they are required to complete 32 credits applicable to the degree at a 500 level or higher.
Post-bachelor’s doctoral students are awarded MS degrees upon completion of the 32 credit hours of structured coursework and the PhD Prospectus Exam.
PhD students must satisfy a residency requirement of at least two consecutive academic-year semesters of full-time graduate study at Boston University.
Doctoral students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 to remain in good academic standing and to graduate. All graduate courses are counted in the GPA. Only grades of “B-” or better fulfill PhD curricular requirements.

EXTERNAL FELLOWSHIPS

The College of Engineering (ENG) is committed to five full years of financial support for graduate students in the ENG PhD program who maintain satisfactory academic progress. Entering PhD students are fully funded in their first year. During the first year, incoming PhD students must pursue research and funding discussions with the research faculty. At the end of the first academic year, PhD students must move to RA funding, while others continue on their external fellowship if applicable.

The Mechanical Engineering faculty are willing to work with students to develop the necessary research statements for these types of fellowships. Many of these are due in December or January. Thus they are more feasible for students who are already studying in our program.

Specific information for international students

Financing your Education

View the PhD profile here

Please contact us if you have further questions. We would love to hear from you!

Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD)
Graduate School
Prospective Students
Graduate Degree Programs

Canadian Immigration Updates

Applicants to Master’s and Doctoral degrees are not affected by the recently announced cap on study permits. Review more details

Go to programs search

The thesis-based Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering is an advanced research-based degree. The program offers students an opportunity to work at the highest level of research, under the supervision of a faculty member. Students complete their candidacy examination within 18 months and complete their doctoral dissertation research within three to four years. It is normal department practice to initially register students in the M.A.Sc. program, and to transfer them to the Ph.D. program upon completion of the M.A.Sc. (or earlier if recommended by the supervising faculty member).

Students taking their Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering can select one of the below research areas:

Applied Solid Mechanics
Biomechanics and Medical Devices
Computational Engineering
Energy & Environment
Fluid Mechanics
Manufacturing Automation & Robotics
Mechatronics & Instrumentation
Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

With eight Research Chairs and almost every research faculty member holding a least one NSERC grant, we have one of the most active research programs in Canada and consistently produce industry and academic leaders.

UBC is ranked in the World’s Top 40 Universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Institute of Higher Education and our Mechanical Engineering professors are recognized nationally and internationally as leaders in their fields.

We offer affordable, competitive tuition fees and extend a number of scholarships, awards, top-ups to external awards, entrance fellowships, Research Assistantships (RA's) and Teaching Assistantships (TA's) to our students.

UBC offered me the perfect balance between a great place to live, a good research project and a good school.

Elizabeth Trudel

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, 1) check eligibility, minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

Canada or the United States
International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 93

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 6.5

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is optional.

2) Meet Deadlines

January 2025 intake, application open date, canadian applicants, international applicants, september 2025 intake, deadline explanations.

Deadline to submit online application. No changes can be made to the application after submission.

Deadline to upload scans of official transcripts through the applicant portal in support of a submitted application. Information for accessing the applicant portal will be provided after submitting an online application for admission.

Deadline for the referees identified in the application for admission to submit references. See Letters of Reference for more information.

3) Prepare Application

Transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD)

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial support.

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

From September 2024 all full-time students in UBC-Vancouver PhD programs will be provided with a funding package of at least $24,000 for each of the first four years of their PhD. The funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work, research assistantships, and graduate academic assistantships. Please note that many graduate programs provide funding packages that are substantially greater than $24,000 per year. Please check with your prospective graduate program for specific details of the funding provided to its PhD students.

Average Funding

36 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 36 students was $7,632.
53 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 53 students was $21,011.
10 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 10 students was $960.
58 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 58 students was $11,183.
3 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 3 students was $28,889.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

87 students graduated between 2005 and 2013. Of these, career information was obtained for 78 alumni (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016):

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, career options.

The graduates of the Ph.D. program find employment at academic institutions and in high-level research and development positions in industry and other institutions. Recent Ph.D. alumni have gone on to work as tenure-track professors in major Canadian and US universities. Others have been employed as research scientists, project managers and team leaders in high-tech startups or S&P 500 companies.

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

Completion rates & times, upcoming doctoral exams, friday, 31 may 2024 - 9:00am - 2202, civil and mechanical engineering, 6250 applied science lane.

Research Supervisors

Advice and insights from UBC Faculty on reaching out to supervisors

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a supervisor. They are not program specific.

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

Altintas, Yusuf (Virtual Machining, Computer Control of Manufacturing Systems, CAD/CAM, CNC Design, High Speed Feed Drive Control, Real Time Interpolation and Trajectory Generation for Machine Tools, Adaptive Control, Sensor Fused Intelligent Machining, Metal Cutting Mechanics, Chatter Vibrations in Machining, Piezo -Actuator Based Precision Machining, High Speed Milling, Optimal Machining of Aerospace Parts, Dies and Molds, Automation, Precision Engineering, Electro Mechanical Systems, Modeling and Analysis of Machining Processes, Mechanics, dynamics and control of micro-machining operations)
Bacca, Mattia (Mechanical engineering; Medical and biomedical engineering; Solid Mechanics; Biophysics; Soft materials; Fracture Mechanics and Adhesion)
Bushe, William Kendal (Numerical modelling and mechanical characterisation; Automotive combustion and fuel engineering (including alternative and renewable fuels); Hypersonic propulsion and hypersonic aerodynamics; Aerospace engineering, n.e.c.; Numerical Simulation of Turbulent Combustion; Reacting Flows; Energy Conversion Systems; clean energy)
Chiao, Mu (MEMS, Micro Sensors, Micro Actuators, BioMEMS, Nanotechnology, Bioengineering, Electronic Packaging, Nanoscience, Energy sources for micro-electro-mechanical systems)
Clare, Adam (Manufacturing technologies and approaches for a sustainable future; Additive manufacturing (materials, processes, design and application); Electrical discharge machining, electrolyte jet machining, electron beam and laser processes; Stochastics in engineering design and manufacture; Machine design and build; Manufacturing for high value and high integrity applications (aerospace, biomedical, tool & nuclear))
de Silva, Clarence Wilfred (Robotics)
Elfring, Gwynn (Theoretical Fluid Mechanics, Complex Fluids, Cell Biomechanics, Capillary Phenomena, Applied Mathematics )
Feng, Steve (Mechanical engineering; Modelization and Simulation; Software (Tools); Machining and Assembling; Milling; Prototyping; 3D Laser Scanning; 3D Printing; Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM); Geometric Modeling; Machining Simulation; Multi-Axis CNC Machining)
Frigaard, Ian (Fluid mechanics (visco-plastic fluids))
Giang, Amanda (Atmospheric sciences; Mechanical engineering; Natural environment sciences; Atmospheric Pollutants; Chemical Pollutants; Climate Changes and Impacts; Public Policies; Social and Cultural Factors of Environmental Protection)
Grecov, Dana (Rheology, Rheometry, Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics, Computational Fluid Mechanics, Liquid Crystals, Biolubricants, Lubricants, Journal Bearings, Multi-Phase Flow, Synovial Joints, Synovial Fluid, Arthrithis, Liquid crystals and nanomaterials, Biofluid Mechanics)
Green, Sheldon (Fluid Mechanics; Biological and Biochemical Mechanisms; building ventilation; railroads; papermaking)
Hodgson, Antony (Image guided surgery systems; computer assisted orthopaedic surgery; Medical Imaging; surgical navigation; orthopaedics; biomechanics; surgical robots; Image Processing; Machine Learning)
Jaiman, Rajeev (Mechanical engineering; Bluff-body flows and flow-induced vibration; Computational methods and numerical analysis; Data-driven computing; Flow control and drag reduction; Fluid-structure interaction; Model order reduction; Multiphase Flows)
Jelovica, Jasmin (Civil engineering; Mechanical engineering; Finite element analysis; Metals and Alloys; Production and Process Optimization; Sandwich structures; Solid Mechanics; Stress Analysis; Structural optimization; Ultimate, fatigue and impact strength; Welding and joining of metals)
Jin, Xiaoliang (Mechanical engineering; Manufacturing Processes; Solid Mechanics; Machining Mechanics and Dynamics; Manufacturing Processes for Advanced Materials; Material Characterization; Surface Integrity; Vibration Assisted Machining)
Kirchen, Patrick (Thermochemical Energy Conversion, Combustion, Internal Combustion Engines, Ion Transport Membranes, Emissions, Fuel Injection )
Liao-McPherson, Dominic (Mechanical engineering; Predictive and Constrained Control; Multi-agent Systems; algorithmic game theory; Real-time, Embedded, and Distributed Optimization; Energy Systems, Manufacturing, and Robotics)
Ma, Hongshen (Microfluidics; Instrumentation; Cell Sorting; Cell Biomechanics; Circulating Tumor Cells; Malaria and Red Blood Cell Deformability; Single Cell Technologies; Cell Migration and Chemotaxis)
Mérida, Walter (Clean energy, Electrochemical energy conversion, Thermodynamics, Low carbon fuels, Fuel cells and hydrogen)
Nagamune, Ryozo (Systems control and automation; Manufacturing engineering; control engineering; data-driven modeling and control; robust and linear parameter-varying control; modeling and control of floating offshore wind turbines and wind farms; modeling and control of metal additive manufacturing processes; modeling and control of solar themal systems; modeling and control of automotive engines; optimization)
Ollivier-Gooch, Carl (Aerodynamics (except hypersonic aerodynamics); Computational fluid mechanics; Algorithm Development for Computational Fluid Dynamics; Applied Aerodynamics; Numerical analysis; Unstructured Mesh Generation; Error and Stability Analysis for Unstructured Mesh Methods; Computer Sciences and Mathematical Tools; Fluid mechanics)
Olson, James (Application of Physics and Fluid Mechanics to Problems Associated with the Pulp and Paper Industry, Mechanical Energy Reduction in Mechanical Pulping)
Oxland, Thomas (Spinal Cord Injury, Aging Spine, Orthopaedic Implants)
Phani, Srikantha (Dynamics of multiscale materials, structures and devices, Applied Mechanics, Micromechanics)

Doctoral Citations

Sample thesis submissions.

Adaptive and predictive time domain passivity control for haptic interfaces
Image-based methods to characterize morphological, biomechanical and poroelastic parameters of blood cells and skin tissue
Computational study of nonlinear thermoelastic behavior in axisymmetric plates under rapid cooling
Model-based spindle health monitoring
Virtual blade machining
Stability analysis and improvement in computational fluid dynamics
Bubbles in a viscoplastic liquid
Constant pressure invasion of viscoplastic suspensions in thin conduits
Displacement and dispersion effects in vertical eccentric annulus flows
A unified Eulerian variational framework for multiphase fluid-structure interaction
Low-cost air quality sensors : from nuts & bolts to real world applications
Particle-resolved simulation and data-driven modelling of flows laden with polydisperse spheres
Growth, buckling, and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms
Well leakage in Western Canada in the context of decommissioning
Analytical modeling of shear localization in machining processes and its effects on the tool-chip interface

Related Programs

Same specialization.

Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering (MASc)
Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (MEng)

Same Academic Unit

Master of Engineering in Mechatronics Design (MEng)
Master of Engineering in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (MEng)
Master of Engineering Leadership in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (MEL)

At the UBC Okanagan Campus

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Engineering

Further Information

Specialization.

Fields of research in Mechanical Engineering include: acoustics; aerodynamics and fluid mechanics; automatic controls; robotics and industrial automation; energy conversion, combustion, thermodynamics and heat transfer; vibrations and space dynamics; solid mechanics; bioengineering and biomechanics; design and manufacturing processes; industrial engineering, fuel cells, micro-electromechanical systems, mechatronics, and CAD; and naval architecture.

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Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

Arash Mousemi

The field of my interest is not studied in many labs around the world, and UBC is one of the few universities that offered conducting research on what I really like. Also, my supervisor is kind and supportive.

Musanna Galib

UBC has a strong applied science community, and I am excited to become a part of that. I was offered a 4-year fellowship and got the opportunity in the field I am interested in, which helped me decide to study at UBC.

Mohammad Zandsalimy

UBC is a world-class university providing numerous opportunities for one’s growth. Utilizing these offerings can help me in my ultimate quest in life. Furthermore, collaborating with one of the best-known CFD scientists in the field, Prof. Carl Ollivier-Gooch, brings my dreams into a more realistic...

Rivkah Gardner-Frolick

I chose to attend UBC for a PhD because of the proposed research project, my supervisors, and the availability of a broader community studying air quality and the social aspects of environmental issues. Both of my supervisors are appointed in the Institute for Resources, Environment and...

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Mechanical and Energy Engineering Ph.D.

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We're so glad you're interested in UNT! Let us know if you'd like more information and we'll get you everything you need.

Why Earn a degree in Mechanical and Energy Engineering?

Our Doctor of Philosophy degree is the first of its kind in Texas, and the innovative curriculum allows you to study and conduct research with world-class faculty members. This collaboration can lead to being published in professional journals, providing a validation of your hard work and strong research.

In addition, you'll work with faculty members to develop a broad and in-depth knowledge for solving energy problems. You'll explore topics such as:

Bio-based green and sustainable products
Energy-efficient intelligent vehicles
Energy-efficient products and structures
Fundamentals of energy
Renewable and alternative clean energy
Solid mechanics and controls
Thermal energy and fluids

You can conduct research with faculty members in laboratories containing the most modern equipment in the nation. Among our facilities is the Zero Energy Research Laboratory where various energy technologies aimed at achieving net-zero consumption of energy are tested. The facility is the first of its kind in Texas. Other facilities include:

Bioproducts Lab
Center for Advanced Scientific Computing and Modeling
Composite Mechanics and Manufacturing Lab
Computer-Aided Design and Analysis Lab
Functional Cellular Solids Lab
Laboratory of Small Scale Instrumentation
Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Lab
PACCAR Technology Institute
Thermal Fluid Science Lab
Scholarly excellence
Identify knowledge gaps
Innovative research leadership
Communication of complex problems /solutions
Conceptualize/develop scientific reports/manuscripts

Mechanical and Energy Engineering Ph.D. Highlights

Mechanical and energy engineering ph.d. courses you could take.

Learn More About UNT

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Materials Science and Engineering Ph.D. with a concentration in Mechanical and Energy Engineering

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Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

The Ph.D. program is designed to provide students with research-level expertise in a focus area within mechanical engineering and breadth of knowledge in areas related to the focus area. In addition to taking a set of courses in a chosen area of interest, a key aspect of the doctoral degree is the student’s research dissertation. The doctoral dissertation is expected to be a significant original contribution on research on a chosen subject, which usually leads to one or more archival publications. Each doctoral student is supervised by a primary research advisor and an advisory committee. Successful doctoral students develop the aptitude and confidence for generating new knowledge and practices in academic, industrial, and governmental environments.

Doctoral students are expected to have one or more research publications at the time of the dissertation.

Students have the flexibility of selecting their own courses with the approval of the graduate advisor. The faculty contact assigned at the time of admission serves as the advisor for the first two semesters or until a permanent advisor is formally selected by the student at the time the Plan of study is submitted.

Research within the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science is focused in six primary areas – manufacturing and metrology, computational mechanics and materials, motorsports engineering, bioengineering, thermal fluids science, and dynamics and controls. Within these areas, students pursue a variety of research topics that address design, manufacturing, metrology, thermal sciences and fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, biomedical engineering, materials engineering and science, and mechanical control and instrumentation. Students are encouraged to consider the variety of research and their interests as they progress in their degree program, choose an advisor, and develop their program of study. Lists of faculty, active research areas, and courses typically offered within each area are available by following the corresponding links.

Bioengineering Active research projects include orthopedic biomechanics, cryopreservation and anhydrous cell preservation, biocompatibility of new materials, tissue engineering, cryosurgery and microfluidic chips.

Computational Mechanics and Materials Active research projects include finite element modeling, multi-scale modeling, large-scale parallel simulations, nanomaterials synthesis and characterization, mechanical testing of nanostructures and ultrafine grain nanocrystalline materials.

Manufacturing and Metrology Active research areas include additive and substractive manufacturing, machining dynamics, dimensional metrology, machine tool metrology, ultra-precision machining, optics manufacturing and metrology and precision machine and instrument design.

Motorsports Engineering Active research areas include vehicle dynamics and stability control, racecar modeling/simulation, driver modeling/simulation, aerodynamics, experimental and computational fluid mechanics, crash modeling/simulation, tire mechanics, automotive instrumentation, engines and propulsion.

Thermal Sciences and Fluid Mechanics Active research areas include computational fluid dynamics (CFD), including both large-scale computing and turbulence modeling, experimental fluids, bioheat transfer and biopreservation, race car aerodynamics, bio-fluid dynamics, combustion, stochastic flow and thermal processes, applied math and modeling and heat transfer.

Dynamics and Controls Active research areas include system dynamics, control systems, machining dynamics and flight dynamics.

If a specific focus area is not desired, it is expected that each student would select the majority of their courses from the focus area that they are interested in. Students are advised to discuss with their advisor about course selections to maximize the benefits from the program.

International students must register for 9 credits in each semester until their credit requirements are over, to maintain full-time student status.

FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE, CONTACT: Dr. Terry Xu, Associate Chair for Graduate Programs ( [email protected] )

PhD student Jorian Khan in the Center for Precision Metrology

Jorian Khan Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

“I was looking for Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. programs with emphasis on metrology. UNC Charlotte is the place to study metrology in the U.S. In reality, I committed to UNC Charlotte after meeting with the faculty and other students. The students and faculty have been wonderfully welcoming and extremely generous sharing their knowledge. I came for the metrology but I stayed because of the welcoming environment and the wonderful people.”

The Tufts Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a PhD in Mechanical Engineering . In addition, the Department of Mechanical Engineering participates in two interdisciplinary Joint-PhD programs: One in Materials Science and Engineering and one in Human-Robot Interaction .

In general, the PhD program is for full-time students only, and any deviation from this policy must be approved by vote of the department faculty. Tuition scholarships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships are only available, on a competitive basis, to full-time PhD candidates.

Upon matriculation, graduate students are assigned a faculty advisor who provides advice about registration for courses and program requirements. For PhD students, as progress is made on the degree, suitable thesis topics are discussed between the student and department faculty members. The selection of a thesis advisor should be completed by the end of the second term of full-time study. This advisor then assumes all advising duties for the student. After selecting a thesis topic and an advisor, students in the PhD program must register for thesis credit, normally beginning in the third term of full-time study. For the PhD, a thesis prospectus describing the proposed project must be submitted by the end of the third term, and before the formal thesis proposal defense (see respective program descriptions for more detail).

The interaction between the graduate student and a faculty member is one of the most significant aspects of a graduate student's time at Tufts. PhD students also have a thesis committee that works with the thesis advisor to ensure success. PhD students must successfully complete the PhD qualifying exams before the end of the first year in the program, prior to initiating their research. All candidates for the PhD degree must defend their thesis in an oral examination in an open forum.

Doctoral degrees require the fulfillment of the specific department requirements including the number of courses with grades of S (satisfactory) or at least a B-, as well as successful completion of the qualifying examination and doctoral dissertation.

All Mechanical Engineering graduate students should also obtain a copy of the current Graduate Student Handbook and the University Bulletin for general University requirements and deadlines. In addition, all courses and descriptions can be found on SIS. All graduate students receive an email account and shared mailbox space in the Mechanical Engineering Main Office.

Students are responsible for checking their mailbox and email regularly, as well as the Department website to remain up-to-date on department and university matters, and for informing the department of any changes of local address or phone number.

For further information, please contact:

M arc Hodes Professor of Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program Director

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Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

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Research Areas in Mechanical Engineering

The Aerodynamics, Fluids, and Thermal Engineering research groups and laboratories investigate a wide variety of research topics in the field of Fluid Mechanics.

The biomechanics, biomaterials and biological materials groups cover a wide range of research topics from cardiovascular engineering, voice production, bio-devices, mechanics of biological materials and bio-inspiration and musculoskeletal biomechanics with a focus on spine.

The Combustion and Energy Systems research groups conduct fundamental and applied research on problems in combustion, shock wave physics, heat transfer, and compressible gas dynamics.

The mechanical design groups develop integrated design methods that encompass computational synthesis, multi-scale analysis and selection strategies, and they search for particular applications and industrial sectors.

The Dynamics and Control groups conduct research on aerospace systems, biomechanical dynamics, dynamics of plates and shells, force control, mechatronics, multibody systems, nonlinear dynamics, robotics, space systems and vibrations.

The materials and structures group focuses on the development and the optimization of materials, processes, and devices used for operations in extreme environments and special applications.

This research group conducts experimental, computational, and theorectical research and workshops on topics, such as nonlinear vibrations, nonlinear dynamics of slender structures, fluid-structure interaction, nonlinear rotordynamics, bladed disks, flow-induced vibrations, thermoacoustics, and biomechanical applications.

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Young Bai Moon, Chair, 263 Link Hall, 315-443-2341; fax: 315-443-9099, [email protected]

Shalabh C. Maroo, MAE Graduate Program Director, 251 Link Hall, 315-443-2107, [email protected]

Jeongmin Ahn, Benjamin Akih-Kumgeh, Jackie Anderson, Michelle Blum, Edward A. Bogucz Jr., John F. Dannenhoffer III, Alexander Deyhim, Bing Dong, Victor Duenas, Matthew Erdman, Zhenyu Gan, Kasey Laurent, Xiyuan Liu, Aoyi Luo, Shalabh C. Maroo, Young Bai Moon, Anupam Pandey, Quinn Qiao, Utpal Roy, Amit Sanyal, Mehmet Sarimurat, Roger Schmidt, Wanliang Shan, Ian Shapiro, Yiyang Sun, Yeqing Wang, Jianshun S. Zhang, Teng Zhang, Fernando

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers graduate programs leading to the following degrees:

Master of Science (M.S.) in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

It also participates in a college-wide master program leading to the degree:

Master of Science (M.S.) in Engineering Management

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Ph.D. program will be considered if three conditions are met. First, a sufficient level of academic and professional achievement must be documented by transcripts of the student’s prior academic performance (a GPA of 3.33/4.0 or better is expected), GRE Quantitative score of 700+ (155+ on the new scale) and an acceptable GRE verbal score, and letters of recommendation and other supporting information. Second, the focusing of the student’s efforts in one area of specialization should be clear from the student’s transcript and statement of purpose. Third, a faculty adviser must be willing to supervise research in the student’s area of specialization. Prior completion of a M.S. degree and/or an M.S. thesis may be required by individual faculty advisers.

Application Procedure

Online application is the preferred method of applying to graduate programs at Syracuse University. Applications submitted online can be processed faster and more efficiently than those filed on paper. Access the online application.

You will receive an e-mail or postcard from Syracuse University when your application has been received and processed. Find out more information on the application process.

Student Learning Outcomes

An ability to define the goals of scholarly work clearly
An ability to conduct independent scholarly work
An ability to select methods appropriate to the goals and apply these methods effectively
An ability to achieve the goals independently and contribute substantially to the fields of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
An ability to communicate scholarly work effectively

A program of study is individually designed by each student in consultation with his or her adviser. A student entering the Ph.D. program with a master’s degree or an equivalent degree (approved by the Graduate Affairs Committee) is expected to complete 18 credits of 600 or above level of course work and a Ph.D. dissertation (of 0 credits), depending on how many credits can be transferred over from the Master’s degree. All students must petition to transfer their Master’s degree to the PhD program during their first semester of their doctoral studies. Students wishing to proceed directly to the Ph.D. degree from a bachelor’s degree must complete a program of 48-credit course work (with no more than 9 credits of courses at 500 level 1 and a Ph.D. dissertation (of 0 credits) depending on how many credits can be transferred over from the Master’s degree. All students must petition to transfer their Master’s degree to the PhD program during their first semester of their doctoral studies. Of the 18 credits of course work beyond the MS degree, 3 credits can be MAE 990 Independent Study. Under special circumstances, a student may petition for an additional 3 credits of MAE 990 Independent Study. Students interested in MAE 990 Independent Study must work with the Faculty Sponsor to fill out form “Proposal for Independent Study Course”, and this form must be approved by the Department Chair. A GPA of 3.33 or higher is expected for a Ph.D. student. Full-time Ph.D. students must also attend the MAE graduate seminars every semester ( MAE 995 : 0 credits; graded as A-F, based on attendance). Graduate courses can be found in the Course Catalog ( http://coursecatalog.syr.edu ), using the search engine.

1 Of the 48-credit course work, 30 credits should be equivalent to the M.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering degree requirements.

Ph.D. Qualifying Examination

The MAE Department requires that each Ph.D. student pass a qualifying examination. The qualifying examination will have both written and oral components. The objective of the qualifying examination is to test the student’s knowledge of fundamentals and preparedness to conduct dissertation research. Students who enter the MAE graduate program with a B.S. degree must take the written component of the qualifying examination at or before the completion of the fourth semester of their graduate study. Students who enter the Ph.D. program with an M.S. degree (or an equivalent degree) must take the written component of the qualifying examination at or before the completion of two semesters of their first registration in the program. The oral component of the qualifying examination must be taken no later than one year after passing the written examination. As a pre-requisite to the oral component of the qualifying examination, students who enter the MAE graduate program with a B.S. degree must complete a minimum of 30 credits after B.S. at the time of taking the oral component of the qualifying exam.

The written component of the qualifying examination will test the student’s fundamental knowledge needed for doctoral study, in any two of the following nine topics: Mathematics, Controls, Dynamics and Vibration, Fluid Dynamics, Heat & Mass Transfer, Manufacturing, Material Science, Solid Mechanics, and Thermodynamics.

The written part of the Ph.D. qualifying examination will be given twice a year: one at the end of the fall semester and the other at the end of the spring semester. In consultation with the adviser, an eligible Ph.D. student must formally apply to take the qualifying examination by notifying the chair of the Graduate Affairs Committee on or before September 30 if the student wishes to take the written examination in the Fall Semester of the same year, and on or before January 31 if the student wishes to take the written examination in the Spring Semester of the same year. In the notification letter, the student should specify his/her field of study/interest, the two topics in which s/he wishes to be examined, and include a copy of his/her transcript showing the current GPA. The notification letter must be approved by the adviser.

The Graduate Affairs Committee informs the student after the qualifying examination has been completed whether s/he has passed. In the event of failure, the student must petition the Graduate Affairs Committee within two weeks of failure notification to retake the written examinations once more in the following semester. If approved, the student can retake the failed topics in the second attempt, but is not allowed to change her/his topics from the first attempt. No student will be allowed to retake the written and oral components of the qualifying examination more than once. Failure to pass the examination in a timely fashion will result in dismissal from the Ph.D. program.

The student’s adviser in consultation with the student will suggest a committee of oral examination for the Graduate Affairs Committee’s approval. The oral examination committee should consist of 3 to 5 members with a majority of its members from the MAE Department, including the adviser. The student must provide a proposal for dissertation research to the members of the oral examination committee at least two weeks before the scheduled date of examination. The examination will typically take 2 hours to complete, in which the student will first make a 35-minute presentation of the research proposal followed by questions from each individual members of the committee. Based on the quality of dissertation proposal, presentation, and answers to the questions, the committee will deliberate and inform the student of the outcome of the examination, and report the outcome to the MAE Graduate Affairs Committee in writing.

* The current rule approved by the MAE Faculty on April 18, 2014, applies to students who enter the Ph.D. program in Fall 2014 and after.

Residency Requirement

The residence requirement is set by Academic Rules and Regulations of the Graduate School.

Dissertation

Each student is required to prepare a dissertation of high quality in terms of substance, originality and relevance, on a topic chosen in consultation with the dissertation adviser. The dissertation defense shall be conducted according to the rules of the Graduate School. For the oral dissertation defense examination, a minimum of two committee members must be from the MAE Department. In preparing the dissertation, the student should comply with accepted standards of style and format. The examination committee may refuse to hold the examination until such standards are met.

Evaluation Of Ph.D. Student’s Progress

In the spring semester, the status of every Ph.D. student will be reviewed by the MAE faculty. The review will include a brief summary by the adviser of the progress made by the student and any current or potential problems. If the progress is unsatisfactory, the student will be given six months to address issues of concern. If the situation has not improved, the student will not be allowed to continue in the program and will be so informed in writing.

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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Engineering > Mechanical Engineering > Theses and Dissertations

Mechanical Engineering Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Metachronal Locomotion: Swimming, Scaling, and Schooling , Kuvvat Garayev

A Human-in-the-Loop Robot Grasping System with Grasp Quality Refinement , Tian Tan

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Health Effects of Oil Spills and Dispersal of Oil Droplets and Zooplankton by Langmuir Cells , Sanjib Gurung

Estimating the As-Placed Grout Volume of Auger Cast Piles , Tristen Mee

Hybrid RANS-LES Hemolytic Power Law Modeling of the FDA Blood Pump , Joseph Tarriela

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Dynamic Loading Directed Neural Stem Cell Differentiation , Abdullah Revaha Akdemir

An Investigation of Cross-links on Crystallization and Degradation in a Novel, PhotoCross-linkable Poly (Lactic Acid) System , Nicholas Baksh

A Framework to Aid Decision Making for Smart Manufacturing Technologies in Small-and Medium-Sized Enterprises , Purvee Bhatia

Formation of Gas Jets and Vortex Rings from Bursting Bubbles: Visualization, Kinematics, and Fluid Dynamics , Ali A. Dasouqi

Development of Carbon and Silicon Carbide Based Microelectrode Implantable Neural Interfaces , Chenyin Feng

Sulfate Optimization in the Cement-Slag Blended System Based on Calorimetry and Strength Studies , Mustafa Fincan

Interrelation of Thermal Stimulation with Haptic Perception, Emotion, and Memory , Mehdi Hojatmadani

Modeling the Ambient Conditions of a Manufacturing Environment Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) , Yang Liu

Flow Visualization and Aerosol Characterization of Respiratory Jets Exhaled from a Mannequin Simulator , Sindhu Reddy Mutra

A Constitutive-Based Deep Learning Model for the Identification of Active Contraction Parameters of the Left Ventricular Myocardium , Igor Augusto Paschoalotte Nobrega

Sensible/Latent Hybrid Thermal Energy Storage for the Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle , Kelly Osterman

Evaluating the Performance of Devices Engineering to Quantify the FARS Test , Harsh Patel

Event-Triggered Control Architectures for Scheduling Information Exchange in Uncertain and Multiagent Systems , Stefan Ristevski

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Experimental Investigation of Liquid Height Estimation and Simulation Verification of Bolt Tension Quantification Using Surface Acoustic Waves , Hani Alhazmi

Investigation of Navigation Systems for Size, Cost, and Mass Constrained Satellites , Omar Awad

Simulation and Verification of Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage , Marwan Mosubah Belaed

Control of a Human Arm Robotic Unit Using Augmented Reality and Optimized Kinematics , Carlo Canezo

Manipulation and Patterning of Mammalian Cells Using Vibrations and Acoustic Forces , Joel Cooper

Stable Adaptive Control Systems in the Presence of Unmodeled and Actuator Dynamics , Kadriye Merve Dogan

The Design and Development of a Wrist-Hand Orthosis , Amber Gatto

ROBOAT - Rescue Operations Bot Operating in All Terrains , Akshay Gulhane

Mitigation of Electromigration in Metal Interconnects Passivated by Ångstrom-Thin 2D Materials , Yunjo Jeong

Swimming of Pelagic Snails: Kinematics and Fluid Dynamics , Ferhat Karakas

Functional Gait Asymmetries Achieved Through Modeling and Understanding the Interaction of Multiple Gait Modulations , Fatemeh Rasouli

Distributed Control of Multiagent Systems under Heterogeneity , Selahattin Burak Sarsilmaz

Design and Implementation of Intuitive Human-robot Teleoperation Interfaces , Lei Wu

Laser Micropatterning Effects on Corrosion Resistance of Pure Magnesium Surfaces , Yahya Efe Yayoglu

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Disulfide/Conducting Polymer Nanocomposite Materials for Supercapacitor Applications , Turki S. Alamro

Design of Shape-Morphing Structures Consisting of Bistable Compliant Mechanisms , Rami Alfattani

Low Temperature Multi Effects Desalination-Mechanical Vapor Compression Powered by Supercritical Organic Rankine Cycle , Eydhah Almatrafi

Experimental Results of a Model Reference Adaptive Control Approach on an Interconnected Uncertain Dynamical System , Kemberly Cespedes

Modeling of Buildings with Electrochromic Windows and Thermochromic Roofs , Hua-Ting Kao

Design and Testing of Experimental Langmuir Turbulence Facilities , Zongze Li

Solar Thermal Geothermal Hybrid System With a Bottoming Supercritical Organic Rankine Cycle , Francesca Moloney

Design and Testing of a Reciprocating Wind Harvester , Ahmet Topcuoglu

Distributed Spatiotemporal Control and Dynamic Information Fusion for Multiagent Systems , Dzung Minh Duc Tran

Controlled Wetting Using Ultrasonic Vibration , Matthew A. Trapuzzano

On Distributed Control of Multiagent Systems under Adverse Conditions , Emre Yildirim

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Synthesis and Characterization of Alpha-Hematite Nanomaterials for Water-Splitting Applications , Hussein Alrobei

Control of Uncertain Dynamical Systems with Spatial and Temporal Constraints , Ehsan Arabi

Simulation and Optimization of a Sheathless Size-Based Acoustic Particle Separator , Shivaraman Asoda

Simulation of Radiation Flux from Thermal Fluid in Origami Tubes , Robert R. Bebeau

Toward Verifiable Adaptive Control Systems: High-Performance and Robust Architectures , Benjamin Charles Gruenwald

Developing Motion Platform Dynamics for Studying Biomechanical Responses During Exercise for Human Spaceflight Applications , Kaitlin Lostroscio

Design and Testing of a Linear Compliant Mechanism with Adjustable Force Output , William Niemeier

Investigation of Thermal History in Large Area Projection Sintering, an Additive Manufacturing Technology , Justin Nussbaum

Acoustic Source Localization with a VTOL sUAV Deployable Module , Kory Olney

Defect Detection in Additive Manufacturing Utilizing Long Pulse Thermography , James Pierce

Design and Testing of a Passive Prosthetic Ankle Foot Optimized to Mimic an Able-Bodied Gait , Millicent Schlafly

Simulation of Turbulent Air Jet Impingement for Commercial Cooking Applications , Shantanu S. Shevade

Materials and Methods to Fabricate Porous Structures Using Additive Manufacturing Techniques , Mohsen Ziaee

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Large Area Sintering Test Platform Design and Preliminary Study on Cross Sectional Resolution , Christopher J. Gardiner

Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Remediation of Organics in Water Using Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide Nanostructures , Srikanth Gunti

Heat Flux Modeling of Asymmetrically Heated and Cooled Thermal Stimuli , Matthew Hardy

Simulation of Hemiparetic Function Using a Knee Orthosis with Variable Impedance and a Proprioception Interference Apparatus , Christina-Anne Kathleen Lahiff

Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Molybdenum Oxide Nanomaterials , Michael S. McCrory

Effects of Microstructure and Alloy Concentration on the Corrosion and Tribocorrosion Resistance of Al-Mn and WE43 Mg Alloys , Hesham Y. Saleh Mraied

Novel Transducer Calibration and Simulation Verification of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Channels on Acoustic Microfluidic Devices , Scott T. Padilla

Force Compensation and Recreation Accuracy in Humans , Benjamin Rigsby

Experimental Evaluation of Cooling Effectiveness and Water Conservation in a Poultry House Using Flow Blurring ® Atomizers , Rafael M. Rodriguez

Media Velocity Considerations in Pleated Air Filtration , Frederik Carl Schousboe

Orthoplanar Spring Based Compliant Force/Torque Sensor for Robot Force Control , Jerry West

Experimental Study of High-Temperature Range Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage , Chatura Wickramaratne

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Al/Ti Nanostructured Multilayers: from Mechanical, Tribological, to Corrosion Properties , Sina Izadi

Molybdenum Disulfide-Conducting Polymer Composite Structures for Electrochemical Biosensor Applications , Hongxiang Jia

Waterproofing Shape-Changing Mechanisms Using Origami Engineering; Also a Mechanical Property Evaluation Approach for Rapid Prototyping , Andrew Jason Katz

Hydrogen Effects on X80 Steel Mechanical Properties Measured by Tensile and Impact Testing , Xuan Li

Application and Analysis of Asymmetrical Hot and Cold Stimuli , Ahmad Manasrah

Droplet-based Mechanical Actuator Utilizing Electrowetting Effect , Qi Ni

Experimental and Computational Study on Fracture Mechanics of Multilayered Structures , Hai Thanh Tran

Designing the Haptic Interface for Morse Code , Michael Walker

Optimization and Characterization of Integrated Microfluidic Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors and Transducers , Tao Wang

Corrosion Characteristics of Magnesium under Varying Surface Roughness Conditions , Yahya Efe Yayoglu

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Emissions, Human Energy, and Cultural Perceptions Associated with Traditional and Improved Methods of Shea Butter Processing in Ghana, West Africa , Emily Adams

Experimental Investigation of Encapsulated Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage , Tanvir E. Alam

Design Of Shape Morphing Structures Using Bistable Elements , Ahmad Alqasimi

Heat Transfer Analysis of Slot Jet Impingement onto Roughened Surfaces , Rashid Ali Alshatti

Systems Approach to Producing Electrospun Polyvinylidene Difluoride Fiber Webs with Controlled Fiber Structure and Functionality , Brian D. Bell

Self-Assembly Kinetics of Microscale Components: A Parametric Evaluation , Jose Miguel Carballo

Measuring Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Mechanical Properties Using Flat Punch Nanoindentation Focusing on Obtaining Full Contact , Federico De Paoli

A Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Flow Induced Noise In Hydraulic Counterbalance Valves , Mutasim Mohamed Elsheikh

An Experimental Study on Passive Dynamic Walking , Philip Andrew Hatzitheodorou

Use of Anaerobic Adhesive for Prevailing Torque Locking Feature on Threaded Product , Alan Hernandez

Viability of Bismuth as a Green Substitute for Lead in Jacketed .357 Magnum Revolver Bullets , Joel A. Jenkins

A Planar Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model for Cantilevers Experiencing Combined Endpoint Forces and Uniformly Distributed Loads Acting in Parallel , Philip James Logan

Kinematic Control of Redundant Mobile Manipulators , Mustafa Mashali

Passive Symmetry in Dynamic Systems and Walking , Haris Muratagic

Mechanical Properties of Laser-Sintered-Nylon Diamond Lattices , Clayton Neff

Design, Fabrication and Analysis of a Paver Machine Push Bar Mechanism , Mahendra Palnati

Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Properties of Polyaniline Thin Films , Soukaina Rami

A Technical and Economic Comparative Analysis of Sensible and Latent Heat Packed Bed Storage Systems for Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plants , Jamie Trahan

Use of FDM Components for Ion Beam and Vacuum Applications , Eric Miguel Tridas

The Development of an Adaptive Driving Simulator , Sarah Marie Tudor

Dual 7-Degree-of-Freedom Robotic Arm Remote Teleoperation Using Haptic Devices , Yu-Cheng Wang

Ductility and Use of Titanium Alloy and Stainless Steel Aerospace Fasteners , Jarrod Talbott Whittaker

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Ph.D. Proposal Presentation by Tao Jin

Computer Science Department

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Efficient Rank Elicitation from Pairwise Comparisons

abstract : .

Rank aggregation is a widely applicable task in various domains, including voting, gaming, and recommendation systems. It involves combining pairwise or listwise comparisons to generate a unified ranking.

This topic has a long history and is still relevant today: it dates back to democratic voting systems in Ancient Greece; it was modeled on psychology experiments in the last century, and it is the cornerstone of reinforcement learning with human feedback (RLHF) in large language model (LLM) finetuning to produce high quality output aligned with human values. In the era of big data, with an abundance of available data, there is a growing need for efficient and accurate analysis to uncover hidden knowledge.

In the context of the usage and acquisition of data from multiple sources with different levels of quality during rank aggregation, this proposal aims to address the challenges of efficiently and accurately dealing with heterogeneous data sources. Specifically, we focus on two interconnected topics: active ranking and bandit problems.

Active ranking techniques aim to minimize the number of samples needed to generate an aggregated ranking by strategically selecting data based on existing information and rankings. Previous studies have explored methods under different transitivity assumptions, such as Strong Stochastic Transitivity (SST) or Weak Stochastic Transitivity (WST). In this proposal, our main focus is on improving methods based on these two assumptions to incorporate source accuracy to increase data efficiency and estimation accuracy.

In addition, if the objective of the algorithm is both to rank items and to collect rewards, the problem can be formulated as a dueling bandit problem. Previous research has primarily focused on achieving optimal regret when rewards are based on linear functions. However, the behavioral model suggests that the reward function is non-linear, leading to generalized linear models. Unfortunately, existing methods for this class of problems only approximate the confidence interval using a pessimistic estimate that is derived when dealing with linear models. In this study, we specifically investigate a special case within generalized linear models and propose adjusting the size of the confidence interval based on available information. We focus on the logistic link function, which is a subset of the generalized linear model. For this specific model, we show a method that can improve the efficiency and accuracy of determining whether the result falls within the function.

Committee :

Cong Shen, Committee Chair (ECE/SEAS/UVA)
Farzad Farnoud, Advisor (ECE, CS/SEAS/UVA)
Chenyu Wei (CS/SEAS/UVA)
Shangtong Zhang (CS/SEAS/UVA)
Yen-Ling Kuo (CS/SEAS/UVA)
Quanquan Gu (CS/ENG/UCLA)

Search Utah State University:

Separable equations, introduction.

An example of a separable differential equation

The Essentials

A separable differential equation is one where you can get all the x’s on one side and all of the y’s on the other. The fit in this form:

To solve a separable differential equation, divide through by g(y) and directly integrate:

Solve the equation:

First, fit it into the separable form:

Then, separate and integrate:

Then, solve for y:

Evaluate this expressions:

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School of Engineering welcomes new faculty

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The School of Engineering welcomes 15 new faculty members across six of its academic departments. This new cohort of faculty members, who have either recently started their roles at MIT or will start within the next year, conduct research across a diverse range of disciplines.

Many of these new faculty specialize in research that intersects with multiple fields. In addition to positions in the School of Engineering, a number of these faculty have positions at other units across MIT. Faculty with appointments in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) report into both the School of Engineering and the MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing. This year, new faculty also have joint appointments between the School of Engineering and the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences and the School of Science.

“I am delighted to welcome this cohort of talented new faculty to the School of Engineering,” says Anantha Chandrakasan, chief innovation and strategy officer, dean of engineering, and Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. “I am particularly struck by the interdisciplinary approach many of these new faculty take in their research. They are working in areas that are poised to have tremendous impact. I look forward to seeing them grow as researchers and educators.”

The new engineering faculty include:

Stephen Bates joined the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science as an assistant professor in September 2023. He is also a member of the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS). Bates uses data and AI for reliable decision-making in the presence of uncertainty. In particular, he develops tools for statistical inference with AI models, data impacted by strategic behavior, and settings with distribution shift. Bates also works on applications in life sciences and sustainability. He previously worked as a postdoc in the Statistics and EECS departments at the University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley). Bates received a BS in statistics and mathematics at Harvard University and a PhD from Stanford University.

Abigail Bodner joined the Department of EECS and Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences as an assistant professor in January. She is also a member of the LIDS. Bodner’s research interests span climate, physical oceanography, geophysical fluid dynamics, and turbulence. Previously, she worked as a Simons Junior Fellow at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University. Bodner received her BS in geophysics and mathematics and MS in geophysics from Tel Aviv University, and her SM in applied mathematics and PhD from Brown University.

Andreea Bobu ’17 will join the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics as an assistant professor in July. Her research sits at the intersection of robotics, mathematical human modeling, and deep learning. Previously, she was a research scientist at the Boston Dynamics AI Institute, focusing on how robots and humans can efficiently arrive at shared representations of their tasks for more seamless and reliable interactions. Bobu earned a BS in computer science and engineering from MIT and a PhD in electrical engineering and computer science from UC Berkeley.

Suraj Cheema will join the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, with a joint appointment in the Department of EECS, as an assistant professor in July. His research explores atomic-scale engineering of electronic materials to tackle challenges related to energy consumption, storage, and generation, aiming for more sustainable microelectronics. This spans computing and energy technologies via integrated ferroelectric devices. He previously worked as a postdoc at UC Berkeley. Cheema earned a BS in applied physics and applied mathematics from Columbia University and a PhD in materials science and engineering from UC Berkeley.

Samantha Coday joins the Department of EECS as an assistant professor in July. She will also be a member of the MIT Research Laboratory of Electronics. Her research interests include ultra-dense power converters enabling renewable energy integration, hybrid electric aircraft and future space exploration. To enable high-performance converters for these critical applications her research focuses on the optimization, design, and control of hybrid switched-capacitor converters. Coday earned a BS in electrical engineering and mathematics from Southern Methodist University and an MS and a PhD in electrical engineering and computer science from UC Berkeley.

Mitchell Gordon will join the Department of EECS as an assistant professor in July. He will also be a member of the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. In his research, Gordon designs interactive systems and evaluation approaches that bridge principles of human-computer interaction with the realities of machine learning. He currently works as a postdoc at the University of Washington. Gordon received a BS from the University of Rochester, and MS and PhD from Stanford University, all in computer science.

Kaiming He joined the Department of EECS as an associate professor in February. He will also be a member of the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). His research interests cover a wide range of topics in computer vision and deep learning. He is currently focused on building computer models that can learn representations and develop intelligence from and for the complex world. Long term, he hopes to augment human intelligence with improved artificial intelligence. Before joining MIT, He was a research scientist at Facebook AI. He earned a BS from Tsinghua University and a PhD from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Anna Huang SM ’08 will join the departments of EECS and Music and Theater Arts as assistant professor in September. She will help develop graduate programming focused on music technology. Previously, she spent eight years with Magenta at Google Brain and DeepMind, spearheading efforts in generative modeling, reinforcement learning, and human-computer interaction to support human-AI partnerships in music-making. She is the creator of Music Transformer and Coconet (which powered the Bach Google Doodle). She was a judge and organizer for the AI Song Contest. Anna holds a Canada CIFAR AI Chair at Mila, a BM in music composition, and BS in computer science from the University of Southern California, an MS from the MIT Media Lab, and a PhD from Harvard University.

Yael Kalai PhD ’06 will join the Department of EECS as a professor in September. She is also a member of CSAIL. Her research interests include cryptography, the theory of computation, and security and privacy. Kalai currently focuses on both the theoretical and real-world applications of cryptography, including work on succinct and easily verifiable non-interactive proofs. She received her bachelor’s degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a master’s degree at the Weizmann Institute of Science, and a PhD from MIT.

Sendhil Mullainathan will join the departments of EECS and Economics as a professor in July. His research uses machine learning to understand complex problems in human behavior, social policy, and medicine. Previously, Mullainathan spent five years at MIT before joining the faculty at Harvard in 2004, and then the University of Chicago in 2018. He received his BA in computer science, mathematics, and economics from Cornell University and his PhD from Harvard University.

Alex Rives will join the Department of EECS as an assistant professor in September, with a core membership in the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. In his research, Rives is focused on AI for scientific understanding, discovery, and design for biology. Rives worked with Meta as a New York University graduate student, where he founded and led the Evolutionary Scale Modeling team that developed large language models for proteins. Rives received his BS in philosophy and biology from Yale University and is completing his PhD in computer science at NYU.

Sungho Shin will join the Department of Chemical Engineering as an assistant professor in July. His research interests include control theory, optimization algorithms, high-performance computing, and their applications to decision-making in complex systems, such as energy infrastructures. Shin is a postdoc at the Mathematics and Computer Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory. He received a BS in mathematics and chemical engineering from Seoul National University and a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Jessica Stark joined the Department of Biological Engineering as an assistant professor in January. In her research, Stark is developing technologies to realize the largely untapped potential of cell-surface sugars, called glycans, for immunological discovery and immunotherapy. Previously, Stark was an American Cancer Society postdoc at Stanford University. She earned a BS in chemical and biomolecular engineering from Cornell University and a PhD in chemical and biological engineering at Northwestern University.

Thomas John “T.J.” Wallin joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering as an assistant professor in January. As a researcher, Wallin’s interests lay in advanced manufacturing of functional soft matter, with an emphasis on soft wearable technologies and their applications in human-computer interfaces. Previously, he was a research scientist at Meta’s Reality Labs Research working in their haptic interaction team. Wallin earned a BS in physics and chemistry from the College of William and Mary, and an MS and PhD in materials science and engineering from Cornell University.

Gioele Zardini joined the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as an assistant professor in September. He will also join LIDS and the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. Driven by societal challenges, Zardini’s research interests include the co-design of sociotechnical systems, compositionality in engineering, applied category theory, decision and control, optimization, and game theory, with society-critical applications to intelligent transportation systems, autonomy, and complex networks and infrastructures. He received his BS, MS, and PhD in mechanical engineering with a focus on robotics, systems, and control from ETH Zurich, and spent time at MIT, Stanford University, and Motional.

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Addition by Subtraction in Mechanical Cardiac Support

1 Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina
2 The Texas Heart Institute, Houston
Original Investigation Aspirin and Hemocompatibility Events With an LVAD in Advanced Heart Failure Mandeep R. Mehra, MBBS, MSc; Ivan Netuka, MD, PhD; Nir Uriel, MD, MSc; Jason N. Katz, MD, MS; Francis D. Pagani, MD, PhD; Ulrich P. Jorde, MD; Finn Gustafsson, MD, PhD, DMSci; Jean M. Connors, MD; Peter Ivak, MD, PhD; Jennifer Cowger, MD, MS; John Ransom, MD; Aditya Bansal, MD; Koji Takeda, MD, PhD; Richa Agarwal, MD; Mirnela Byku, MD, PhD; Michael M. Givertz, MD; Abbas Bitar, MD; Shelley Hall, MD; Daniel Zimpfer, MD, PhD; J. David Vega, MD; Manreet K. Kanwar, MD; Omar Saeed, MD, MSc; Daniel J. Goldstein, MD; Rebecca Cogswell, MD; Farooq H. Sheikh, MD; Matthew Danter, MD; Yuriy Pya, MD, DMSc; Anita Phancao, MD; John Henderson, MS; Daniel L. Crandall, PhD; Kartik Sundareswaran, PhD; Edward Soltesz, MD; Jerry D. Estep, MD; ARIES-HM3 Investigators; Scott Silvestry; Antone Tatooles; Nasir Siulemanjee; Brett Sheridan; Sanjeev Gulati; Eugene Chung; Clement Delmas; Carmelo Milano; Pierre Dos Santos; Pavan Atluri; Douglas Horstmanshof; David D'Alessandro; Sriram Nathan; Peter Eckman; Anelechi Anyanwu; Anna Mara Scandroglio; Alessandro Ortalda; Ezequiel Molina; Jacob Abraham; Sern Lim; Robert Adamson; Ashwin Ravichandran; Christopher Hayward; William Hiesinger; John Entwistle; Jennifer Conway; Eric Adler; Jonathan Grinstein; Andreas Brieke; Mary Keebler; Jeffrey Alexis; Igor Gosev; Craig Selzman; David M Kaye JAMA

The development of durable mechanical circulatory support devices as long-term therapy has been a major advance in the treatment of patients with late-stage heart failure. Sequential improvements in device engineering have led to more effective pump designs, resulting in progressive improvements in device durability, reduced adverse events, and better long-term patient outcomes. Remarkably, the 1-year mortality rate for patients with advanced heart failure treated with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in landmark trials has improved from 52% in the 2001 REMATCH trial 1 to 88% in the most recent 2017 MOMENTUM-3 study. 2 The risk of potentially catastrophic thromboembolic complications, such as stroke, has significantly improved with the progression to contemporary magnetically levitated centrifugal LVADs. 3 Despite these progressive improvements in device design, adjunctive pharmacotherapy for patients treated with LVADs has remained largely unchanged and has typically included long-term treatment with both a vitamin K antagonist and aspirin, which remains the recommended anticoagulation regimen in the most contemporary treatment guidelines. 4 Bleeding complications in patients receiving support from LVADs, especially gastrointestinal bleeding, continue to be a major limitation of therapy, driving frequent rehospitalizations, impairing quality of life, and incurring substantial health care costs. 5

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Professor Timothy Chan receives 2024 U of T President’s Teaching Award

Professor Timothy Chan (MIE) is among the recipients of the 2024 U of T President’s Teaching Awards. (photo by Daria Perevezentsev)

When Professor Timothy Chan (MIE) thinks about his impact as an industrial engineering teacher, he is proud of consistently getting his students excited about the material, whether it is optimization, analytics or operations research.

“The courses I have taught have long histories with broad applications,” he says. “I try to teach students the fundamentals and motivate them to study the topics further so they can gain the practical skills to apply what they have learned in their subsequent work or research.”

In the past, he has found creative ways to motivate his students, including designing a software game modelled after the game show Deal or No Deal. Learning classroom concepts through play allowed his students to become enthusiastic about topics such as probability, expected values and decision making under uncertainty.

“My students would get hyped up and competitive. For many of them, it was the first time they were able to apply these concepts in real life,” says Chan, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Novel Optimization and Analytics in Health.

“It was rewarding to see them so engaged and driven by their course work.”

This commitment to teaching and mentorship has earned Chan a 2024 U of T President’s Teaching Award. This is the highest honour for teaching at the University of Toronto, as the award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate a substantial commitment to teaching innovation and excellence.

“I like to teach the way I would want to be taught myself,” he says. “I remember taking many theoretical math courses during my undergraduate studies in applied mathematics where the topics could be a bit dry since we could not see the real-world application of the work we were doing.

“But I had some great professors who made the course work memorable by injecting humour and showing their passion for what they were teaching. That helped me fall in love with that type of work.”

As a mentor, Chan aims to help students achieve their career goals after graduation, whether it is guiding undergraduates through research or helping PhD students secure faculty or industry positions.

“I am very proud of my track record, which includes having many of my former PhD students, teaching assistants and postdoctoral fellows attain faculty positions at universities around the world,” says Chan.

One of these former students is Christopher Sun (EngSci 1T3 + PEY, MIE PhD 1T9), a professor at the University of Ottawa Telfer School of Management and a scientist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

“Professor Chan’s mentorship was a transformative experience that extended beyond the classroom,” says Sun, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Data Analytics for Health Systems Transformation.

“His creative approach to motivating students from diverse backgrounds, coupled with his exceptional work ethic and ability to connect theoretical intricacies with practical applications, has profoundly influenced me.

“His guidance in tackling complex challenges in health care was a cornerstone of my success during my graduate studies and continues to inspire me to this day. His dedication to his students, myself included, and his efforts to build a community of lifelong learners are truly remarkable.”

When Professor Janet Lam (MIE) was a teaching assistant (TA) for one of Chan’s courses, one of the most impactful parts of her experience was the weekly teaching team meeting, which was administrative but ensured that the tutorials and lectures were synchronized.

“Professor Chan used these team meetings to model teaching excellence: he explained his rationale in pedagogical decisions and coached us graduate students to become excellent educators in our own rights,” says Lam, who is now a teaching-stream professor in the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering.

“By leveraging the creativity of the graduate students, a robust body of teaching content was generated, and the TAs got a true sense of ownership in the course.”

Chan’s impact is now experienced by a new generation, says Lam, as she teaches her own courses and mirrors many of the strategies he used when they worked together.

“I also meet with my TAs and give my own rationale for my pedagogical choices, encouraging them to think critically about their teaching philosophies,” she says.

“I still reflect on the time we worked together, now transitioning my strategies to become a better coach of the next generation of educators, beyond classroom excellence.”

While Chan’s administrative role as U of T’s associate vice-president and vice-provost, strategic initiatives, and his focus on the research conducted in his Applied Optimization Lab, has reduced his teaching schedule, he continues to be active in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. He is also presently writing a book on the Markov decision process that will be used as a teaching resource.

“If you look at all the past winners of the U of T President’s Teaching Award, there have been so many tremendous teachers and mentors at the university who’ve been recognized, I’m very proud to be among this group,” he says.

“It’s also very gratifying to know that my teaching has made an impact on the lives of the students I’ve taught and mentored.”

“Professor Chan is not only an internationally revered researcher, challenging complex decision-making problems that advance healthy societies — his impact also extends across our university, through his tremendous leadership of the cross-divisional, tri-campus Institutional Strategic Initiatives portfolio,” says Christopher Yip, Dean of U of T Engineering.

“His impact as a teacher is one more way that he is inspiring the next generation of engineering leaders to drive innovation and redefine our field.

“On behalf of the entire faculty, congratulations on this well-earned honour and induction into the President’s Teaching Academy.”

– This story was originally published on the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering News Site on May 27, 2024, by Safa Jinje .

Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering University of Toronto 5 King’s College Road Toronto, Ontario • M5S 3G8 • Canada Phone: +1-416-978-3040

Traditional Land Acknowledgement

We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.

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200+ Mechanical Engineering Research Topics List
PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Top 50 Emerging Research Topics in Mechanical Engineering
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Top 50 Emerging Research Topics in Mechanical Engineering
2. Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. Nanostructured Materials: Study the properties and applications of materials at the nanoscale level for enhanced mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Self-Healing Materials: Explore materials that can repair damage autonomously, extending the lifespan of components. Graphene-based Technologies: Investigate the potential of graphene in ...
PhD Program
Our PhD Program offers students opportunities to work in labs specializing in a broad range of mechanical engineering research. The Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering prepares students for careers in research and academia. Our faculty are investigating a diverse range of research areas like fluid mechanics, renewable energy ...
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
The Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering prepares students for careers in research and academia. Our collaborative faculty are investigating a diverse range of research areas like additive manufacturing, air quality, cellular biomechanics, computational design, DNA origami, energy conversion and storage, nanoscale manufacturing, soft robotics, transdermal drug delivery, transport ...
DEGREE Mechanical Engineering, PhD
The 300 and above courses can be from Mechanical Engineering and/or Engineering Mechanics if approved by the student's advisor and the ME graduate committee. Minimum of 18 thesis credits (M E 790 Master's Research and Thesis, M E 890 PhD Research and Thesis, M E 990 Dissertator Research and Thesis) are required with an overall grade of S.
Doctoral Degree
Research involves active, student-directed inquiry into an engineering topic. A student's research experience forms the core of the PhD program. There are two goals for conducting research: 1) to learn the general skills to conduct independent research and 2) to develop new knowledge in mechanical engineering.
Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering PhD
a Secondary Field (which is similar to a "minor" subject area). SEAS offers PhD Secondary Field programs in Data Science and in Computational Science and Engineering. GSAS lists secondary fields offered by other programs. a Master of Science (S.M.) degree conferred en route to the Ph.D in one of several of SEAS's subject areas.
Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, PhD
The PhD program is a dynamic, hands-on and research-focused degree program. Overseen by the Graduate Group in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, students interact closely with faculty to pursue a degree tailored to their research interests. Each student's course of study is selected with the help of their advisor and is approved by ...
PhD in Mechanical Engineering
What is a Mechanical Engineering PhD program? A mechanical engineering doctoral program prepares professionals for taking on emerging topics in design, construction and use in machines for the purpose of advancing computing, materials, manufacturing and communications. A doctoral degree in mechanical engineering explores the frontiers of the ...
Mechanical Engineering
Our five-year PhD in Mechanical Engineering program allows you to hone your expertise through our rigorous curriculum as you specialize in topics such as dynamics, control, and manufacturing; fluids and thermal sciences; or solid mechanics. ... Our curriculum focuses on blending a mastery of the fundamentals of mechanical engineering with ...
PhD Admissions
Instructions for applying to the Stanford ME PhD Program are below. Note for current Stanford MS students interested in adding a PhD program: please contact the ME Student Services Office about the necessary paperwork and relevant policies. If you are a current master's student in the Stanford Mechanical Engineering department, to apply for the PhD, you must complete paperwork prior to ...
The Best Mechanical Engineering Dissertation Topics and Titles
Dissertation Topics in Mechanical Engineering Design and Systems Optimization. Topic 1: Mini powdered metal design and fabrication for mini development of waste aluminium Cannes and fabrication. Topic 2: Interaction between the Fluid, Acoustic, and vibrations. Topic 3: Combustion and Energy Systems.
Your complete guide to a PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering serves as the backbone of the engineering industry. Within this course, you'll: Grasp the foundational theories of motion, energy, and force. Design and test mechanical systems and tools for various applications. Use cutting-edge software for simulations and design. Engage in practical workshops and hands-on projects.
246 PhD programmes in Mechanical Engineering
The PhD programme in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Torino contributes to train researchers and professionals who are able to carry out autonomously research activities and to foster innovation in the field of system and structural mechanics, mechanics of controlled devices, machines and fluids. Ph.D. / Full-time / On Campus.
Doctoral Program in Mechanical Engineering
PhD in Mechanical Engineering. What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? "Be positive!" Whenever I face a challenge in my graduate studies, I try to have a positive and fresh mindset. Positive thoughts help me a lot to overcome various hardships. I believe the way I think really affects the way I react.
PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Fundamental Topics Preliminary Exam. All PhD students must successfully pass the fundamental topics preliminary exam, which is intended to assess the potential to successfully complete a PhD in mechanical engineering.It is designed to evaluate analytical skills, appraise knowledge of mechanical engineering fundamentals, and to gauge potential for creative independent research.
PhD in Mechanical Engineering
PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Mechanical Engineering PhD candidates are leaders in research and education in academia and industry—they carry with them a strong network of peers built during their graduate studies. Students can enter the program directly after completing a bachelors degree, and earn a masters degree along the way or enter ...
Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD)
The thesis-based Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering is an advanced research-based degree. The program offers students an opportunity to work at the highest level of research, under the supervision of a faculty member. Students complete their candidacy examination within 18 months and complete their doctoral dissertation research within three to four years. It is normal ...
PhD
The Tufts Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. ... For PhD students, as progress is made on the degree, suitable thesis topics are discussed between the student and department faculty members. The selection of a thesis advisor should be completed by the end of the second term of full-time study.
Mechanical and Energy Engineering Ph.D.
3-5 years. Credit Hours: 72 (with Bachelor's) 42 (with Master's) Take your education to the next level and apply advanced engineering knowledge and techniques to create new solutions for a more sustainable future. The Mechanical and Energy Engineering doctoral program at the University of North Texas offers a ground-breaking opportunity to ...
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. The Ph.D. program is designed to provide students with research-level expertise in a focus area within mechanical engineering and breadth of knowledge in areas related to the focus area. In addition to taking a set of courses in a chosen area of interest, a key aspect of the doctoral degree is the student's ...
PhD
The Tufts Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.In addition, the Department of Mechanical Engineering participates in two interdisciplinary Joint-PhD programs: One in Materials Science and Engineering and one in Human-Robot Interaction. In general, the PhD program is for full-time students only, and any deviation from this policy must be approved by vote ...
Research Areas in Mechanical Engineering
The biomechanics, biomaterials and biological materials groups cover a wide range of research topics from cardiovascular engineering, voice production, bio-devices, mechanics of biological materials and bio-inspiration and musculoskeletal biomechanics with a focus on spine. ... Department of Mechanical Engineering Macdonald Engineering Building ...
Program: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, PhD
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers graduate programs leading to the following degrees: Master of Science (M.S.) in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; It also participates in a college-wide master program leading to the degree:
Mechanical Engineering Theses and Dissertations
Waterproofing Shape-Changing Mechanisms Using Origami Engineering; Also a Mechanical Property Evaluation Approach for Rapid Prototyping, Andrew Jason Katz. PDF. Hydrogen Effects on X80 Steel Mechanical Properties Measured by Tensile and Impact Testing, Xuan Li. PDF. Application and Analysis of Asymmetrical Hot and Cold Stimuli, Ahmad Manasrah. PDF
Ph.D. Proposal Presentation by Tao Jin
In the context of the usage and acquisition of data from multiple sources with different levels of quality during rank aggregation, this proposal aims to address the challenges of efficiently and accurately dealing with heterogeneous data sources. Specifically, we focus on two interconnected topics: active ranking and bandit problems.
Separable equations
USU Engineering Twitter; USU Engineering YouTube; USU Engineering Instagram; USU Engineering LinkedIn; 4100 Old Main Hill Logan, UT 84322-4100 (435) 797-2775
School of Engineering welcomes new faculty
His research interests cover a wide range of topics in computer vision and deep learning. He is currently focused on building computer models that can learn representations and develop intelligence from and for the complex world. ... and complex networks and infrastructures. He received his BS, MS, and PhD in mechanical engineering with a focus ...
Sustainability
Over the last two decades, numerous studies have highlighted the significance of integrating sustainability into higher education. Consequently, there has been a growing interest in the literature on engineering education for sustainable development, emphasizing the inclusion of this concept within engineering curricula and recognizing the pivotal role that engineers play in achieving the ...
Addition by Subtraction in Mechanical Cardiac Support
The development of durable mechanical circulatory support devices as long-term therapy has been a major advance in the treatment of patients with late-stage heart failure. Sequential improvements in device engineering have led to more effective pump designs, resulting in progressive improvements in device durability, reduced adverse events, and ...
Professor Timothy Chan receives 2024 U of T President's Teaching Award
"I try to teach students the fundamentals and motivate them to study the topics further so they can gain the practical skills to apply what they have learned in their subsequent work or research." ... MIE PhD 1T9), a professor at the ... who is now a teaching-stream professor in the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering.

Top 50 Emerging Research Topics in Mechanical Engineering

1. Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing

2. Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology

3. Robotics and Automation

4. Energy Systems and Sustainability

5. Biomechanics and Bioengineering

6. Computational Mechanics and Simulation

7. Aerospace Engineering and Aerodynamics

8. Autonomous Vehicles and Transportation

9. Structural Health Monitoring and Maintenance

10. Manufacturing Processes and Industry 4.0

Top 50 Emerging Research Ideas in Mechanical Engineering

5 Free Data Analysis and Graph Plotting Software for Thesis

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Introduction

Latest Mechanical Engineering Research Topics

Topic 2: Evaluation of the impact of combustion of alternative liquid fuels on the internal combustion engines of automobiles

Topic 3: An evaluation of the design and control effectiveness of production engineering on rapid prototyping and intelligent manufacturing

Topic 4: Investigating the impact of industrial quality control on the quality, reliability and maintenance in industrial manufacturing