Biological Applications
Mechanical Engineering researchers study life-science phenomena both in order to develop methodologies for manipulating and interacting with these phenomena and to derive inspiration from the phenomena for other engineering projects. Living systems of interest to mechanical engineers span the entire known spectrum on this planet, from the macro scale, where new technologies may address the problems of global climate change, to the micro scale, where nanotechnology applications may benefit Earth's smallest inhabitants.

Computational Science and Engineering
Computational science and engineering involves the application of mathematics, software engineering, numerical methods, computer algorithms, high-performance computing, and programming to core mechanical engineering topics such as fluid and solid mechanics, design, and controls. This interdisciplinary field uses advanced computing and mathematical modeling techniques (such as computational fluid dynamics, finite element analysis, and control algorithms) to predict fundamental physical processes and identify areas for improvement in existing designs and products. Examples of computational science and engineering research efforts include understanding multiphase turbulence flows, numerical modeling of deformation and fracture, design and control of micro air vehicles, learning and coordination in multi-agent systems, intelligent optimization, and the study of acoustic emissions in reinforced concrete.

Design and Control of Complex Systems
Many engineered systems today consist of a large number of heterogeneous subsystems whose interactions are both crucial for the system to meet its design objective and potential sources of failure. Systems of interest for ME Design and Control faculty include spacecraft, communication satellites, Earth observing satellites, power plants, air transportation systems, sensor webs, commercial and military aircraft, automated manufacturing plants, and power grids. Research ranges from the early conceptual design stage to autonomous control during the operation stage with a particular focus on how decisions at each stage affect the functionality and health of the system through its full life-cycle.

Energy Systems
Energy Systems research and development in the Department of Mechanical Engineering involves faculty from our materials science, thermal fluid sciences, and design groups. These individuals are exploring a rich array of topics, including energy conversion for power generation and cooling; thermal management in high power dissipation systems; novel functional ceramics for energy conversion; modeling and optimization of heat-activated cooling systems; and wind power.

Fluid Dynamics and Fluid Systems
Fluid dynamics faculty in Mechanical Engineering develop and use advanced computational and experimental methods to study single-phase, multiphase, and phase-change flow phenomena that range from the microscale to large external flows. Current fluid dynamics/systems research at Oregon State includes studies of single- and two-phase microchannel branching network flows, aerodynamic flow control, droplet formation, and development of computational codes for sprays and reacting flows.

Fundamentals of Engineering Design
The OSU Fundamentals of Design group focuses on design theory and methodology with the aim of developing a fundamental set of principles that enhances the practice of design, developing methodologies to enable a total system, life-cycle context view of design, creating the framework for comprehensive models and their integration, and developing tools and models for concurrent design environments. Design faculty research focuses on model-based design, customer-driven functional design, risk-based design, design for the lifecycle, collaborative and distributed design, and design tools to include customer sensory response.

Materials Science
The interdisciplinary field of materials science involves fundamental aspects of chemistry, physics, biology, geoscience, agricultural science, mathematics, and engineering. At Oregon State, research in materials science is spread among nine departments in three OSU colleges: Engineering, Forestry, and Science. Within the Department of Mechanical Engineering, five faculty members are actively engaged in materials research in the areas of mechanical behavior, biomaterials, electronic ceramics, energy materials, sensors, and bulk and thin film materials processing.

Microscale Thermal–Fluids Engineering
Microscale thermal–fluids engineering uses thermal and fluid sciences to develop an understanding of microscale phenomena and applies that understanding in developing new and useful technologies. Thermal–fluids engineering faculty at Oregon State are conducting research related to microscale flow visualization, experimental investigations of microscale thermal and fluids phenomena, and the development of microscale thermal devices and integration microscale systems. Technologies being developed within this research group include branching fractal heat exchangers and heat sinks, microchannel bubble absorbers, high flux heat exchangers, microscale energy conversion devices, compact heat actuated coolers, and compact kidney dialysis systems.

ME FACULTY RESEARCH PROFILES 2007 (pdf format)