Areas of Research

The Department has four broad areas of research. Diversified strengths also address present day challenges, as well as develop technologies for the future.

Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering area covers a variety of research topics within the scope of the general Mechanical Engineering area. All faculty members may be considered under the blanket of the general mechanical engineering area. More information regarding individual faculty members is available on his/her personal website.

Biomechanics

Research in this area broadly covers orthopaedic biomechanics, joint replacement (implant) design and analysis, joint motion, impact loading and analysis, advanced medical imaging, injury causation biomechanics and sport science. Students working in this area may have the opportunity to participate in the combined research projects with the Departments of Surgery and Kinesiology.

The following faculty members are involved in this area:

Louis M. Ferreira, PhD, PEng, Associate Professor
James A. Johnson, PhD, PEng, Professor
Thomas R. Jenkyn, PhD, PEng, Associate Professor
G. K. Knopf, PhD, PEng, Professor
Emily Lalone, PhD, Assistant Professor
D. Langohr, PhD, Associate Professor
H. Mao, PhD, Assistant Professor
Ryan Willing, PhD, Associate Professor

Design and Manufacturing

Research focus in this area is on design methodologies and tools, multi-axis CNC machining, computer-aided design and manufacturing, and intelligent machining systems.

The following faculty members are involved in this area:

O. R. Tutunea-Fatan, PhD, Professor
Ryan Willing, PhD., Associate Professor
M. Xia, PhD, Assistant Professor - effective July 1, 2023

Automation Technologies and Systems

This area focuses on automation technologies, systems and control related to:

Mechatronics, Robotics, Sensors and Controls

Research in this broad area includes mechatronic systems, dynamics and control, robotics, sensors and actuators, real time control, micromechanics and geometric computing. Students interested in this area have the opportunity to investigate novel techniques, devices and systems to address challenging problems related to automation technologies, computer-assisted surgical robots, machine vision, geometric inspection, scientific visualization, and sensor development.

The following faculty members are involved in this area:

S. Asokanthan, PhD, Professor
Louis M. Ferreira, PhD, PEng, Associate Professor
G. K. Knopf, PhD, PEng, Professor
M. D. Naish, PhD, PEng, Associate Professor
A. Price, PhD., Assistant Professor
O. R. Tutunea-Fatan PhD, Professor
M. Xia, PhD., Assistant Professor

Materials & Solid Mechanics

Research in this area covers broad topics related to microstructure and properties of metals, polymers, composite materials, nano materials, and fuel cells. Both industrially relevant and fundamental aspects of the science and engineering of materials are covered. Materials & Solid Mechanics also incorporates aspects of continuum mechanics, mechanical engineering structures, and material processing.

Materials & Solid Mechanics

The following faculty members are involved in this area:
H. Abdolvand, PhD., Associate Professor
S. Asokanthan, PhD, Professor
L. Y. Jiang, PhD, PEng, Professor
E. Johlin, PhD., Assistant Professor
James A. Johnson, PhD, PEng, Professor
R. J. Klassen, PhD, PEng, Professor
H. Mao, PhD., Assistant Professor
A. Price PhD, Assistant Professor
H. Shi PhD, Assistant Professor
J . T. Wood, PhD, PEng, Professor

Thermofluids

Thermofluids research utilizes theoretical, numerical and experimental techniques to explore both fundamental and applied problems. Theoretical and numerical research broadly focuses on hydrodynamic stability, flow control, free surface flows, complex fluids, porous materials, two-phase flows, combustion, algorithm development, and convective heat transfer. The experimental research covers broader areas of interfacial fluid mechanics and heat transfer, turbulence, alternative energy systems, biological and environmental flows, and micro-systems.

Thermofluids

The following faculty members are involved in this area:

C. DeGroot, PhD, PEng, Assistant Professor
J. M. Floryan, PhD, PEng, Professor
R. E. Khayat, PhD, Professor
K. Ogden, PhD, Assistant Professor
E. Savory, CEng, PhD, PEng, Professor
K. Siddiqui, PhD, PEng, Professor
A. G. Straatman, PhD, PEng, Professor
C. Zhang, PhD, PEng, Professor

Micro and Nano Systems

The research in this area includes synthesis, modelling and experimental testing of nanostructures and materials, MEMS and NEMS, batteries and fuel cells, printing technologies, laser microfabrication, micro-optics and bioelectronics imaging arrays.

Micro and Nano Systems

The following faculty members are involved in this area:

H. Abdolvand, PhD., Assistant Professor
L. Y. Jiang, PhD, PEng, Professor
E. Johlin, PhD., Assistant Professor
R. J. Klassen, PhD, PEng, Professor
G. K. Knopf, PhD, PEng, Professor
O. R. Tutunea-Fatan PhD, Professor
Yang Zhao, PhD,Assistant Professor