Student Ryan Watkins presented research to New York state officials in Albany, NY in January 2008. Watkins' research, performed at Dalian University of Technology in China, focused on developing a numerical simulation of sea ice rheology with granular flow dynamics.  A granular flow model was implemented to simulate sea ice floe in the marginal ice zone of the Bohai Sea on the coast of northeastern China.

Research Opportunities

A wide variety of well-funded research projects are ongoing, serving both the United States government and private industry. Annually, the faculty obtain close to $1.2 million in external support grants for research. In a typical year, this research leads to more than 70 scholarly articles published in respected journals, and over 90 talks at other universities and at national and international meetings.

Faculty are active in many different research areas.  The following list summarizes the general areas of activity. For more information, see the individual faculty web pages. Many of the faculty also participate in interdisciplinary research programs.  Information on these programs can be found here.

Primary research areas include:

Engineering Design
  • Optimal Design
  • Computer Graphics

Solid Mechanics and Materials Processing

  • Composite Materials
  • Control Systems
  • Finite & Boundary Element Methods
  • Fracture Mechanics
  • Materials Testing and Characterization
  • MEMS and Sensors
  • Nanomechanics and Nanomaterials
  • Nanoparticle Adhesion and Removal
  • Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation
  • Nonlinear Mechanics
  • Structural Engineering and Design
  • Structural Health Monitoring
  • Vibrations and Dynamics
  • Welding Metallurgy
 Environmental Science
  • Aerosol Science
  • Air Pollution
  • Renewable Energy Engineering
  • Indoor Air Quality

Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Science

  • Acoustics
  • Aeroelasticity
  • Aeronautics
  • Applied Aerodynamics
  • Atomization and Sprays
  • Computational Fluid Mechanics
  • Control Systems
  • Experimental Techniques
  • Heat Transfer
  • Multiphase Flows
  • Turbulence and Stochastic Modeling
  • Ultrasonic and Air-coupled Acoustics



Research Experience for Undergraduates
The Nanoscale Science and Engineering for Materials Systems and Materials Processing program, funded by the National Science Foundation and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, supports summer research project experiences for undergraduate students. Projects focus on nanomaterials, materials processing and materials systems.

Get more information on Research Experience for Undergraduates