Mechanical Engineering
Field Description
The program emphasizes basic mechanical sciences to prepare students for the diversity found at the frontiers of research and industrial development. The faculty is particularly strong and active in biomechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, turbulence, combustion, thermal systems engineering, multiphase flows, energy and power systems, transport processes in microgravity, mechanical systems and design, control and robotics, dynamics and control of space structures, mechanics of materials and materials processing, materials microgravity sciences and computational mechanics.
The Ph.D. programs provide advanced levels of training suitable for students pursuing careers in research and development, education, or advanced engineering analysis and design. The field does not admit students into an M.S.-only degree program; applicants may apply for the Ph.D. program directly from a bachelor's degree. Doctoral degree candidates must take a qualifying examination in addition to the examinations required by the Graduate School. Teaching experience for two semesters, normally satisfied by a teaching assistantship, is required of Ph.D. students.
The professional degree of Master of Engineering (Mechanical) provides a one-year course of study for those who want to develop a high level of competence in current technology and engineering design and who plan to practice engineering in industry or professionally. The program has a thirty-credit curriculum and requires an engineering design project.
Biomechanical engineering: Analysis and design of biomechanical systems for orthopedic surgery; development of computer-aided design and analysis techniques for bone-implant systems; skeletal adaptation and bone structural behavior; mechanics and dynamics of human and animal motion and coordination.
Combustion: Combustion processes for practical energy-conversion devices; computational techniques for turbulent combustion; incineration of municipal and hazardous waste; combustion in a microgravity environment; computer simulations of rapid granular flows; models of pneumatic transport; laser imaging studies of turbulent combustion; development and application of laser tomography for combustion measurements.
Energy and power systems: Combustion and transport processes in gas turbine combustors.
Fluid mechanics: Theoretical and experimental studies of turbulence with applications to industrial, meteorological and oceanographic flows; construction of consistent turbulence models; experimental studies of transition to turbulence and three dimensionalities in wakes, shear flows, and boundary layers; linear and nonlinear wave propagation and stability studies of vortex flows; experimental investigations of vortex structure; vortex-induced vibration; fundamental vortex interactions; wing vortex wake dynamics; splash dynamics of droplets on surfaces.
Heat transfer: Experiments in critical heat flux and boiling instability; heat transfer in electronic components; radiosity for realistic images in computer graphics; transport phenomena in materials processing; inverse heat transfer problems; computational design and control of thermal systems and processes.
Materials processing and precision engineering: Experiments and modeling of microstructure and damage evolution in metals; modeling, optimal design and robust control of deformation, solidification and crystal growth processes; computational mechanics.
Mechanical systems and design: Spatial and dynamical modeling and the use of models in analysis, design, and control; magnetic bearings; application of nonlinear dynamics and chaos to mechanical systems; guidance, estimation, and trajectory optimization; multi-variable robust control; dimensional tolerances and metrology; metatheories for design; design analysis of fluid film bearings; tribology.
Multiphase flows: Experimental circulating fluidization; impact of particles on other particles or solid boundaries; scale-up and heat transfer in fluidized beds; development of instrumentation for gas-solid suspensions; granular flows down inclines; theories and numerical simulations of collisional granular materials; microgravity experiments on the flow, heat transfer and segregation of collisional granular materials and gas-solid suspensions; development of instrumentation for the snow pack and snow avalanches; suspension theories; rheology of polymer melts; two-phase boiling.
Application:
Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree in engineering or the physical sciences. All applicants must submit GRE general test scores. Submission of GRE subject test scores in engineering, mathematics, or physics is strongly recommended. Admission is offered only for the fall semester, except in unusual cases. A field brochure is available on request from the graduate field office.
Contact Information
Website: http://www.mae.cornell.eduEmail: maephd@cornell.edu
Phone: 607 255-5250
107 Upson Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
Subject and Degrees
- Mechanical Engineering (M.Eng.) (Ithaca)
- Mechanical Engineering (M.S.) (Ithaca)
- Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D.) (Ithaca)
Concentrations by Subject
Mechanical Engineering
- biomedical mechanics
- biomedical mechanics
- dynamics and control
- dynamics and control
- energy and sustainability
- energy and sustainability
- fluid dynamics
- fluid dynamics
- micro- and nanoscale engineering
- micro- and nanoscale engineering
- solid mechanics and materials
- solid mechanics and materials
- thermal science
- thermal science
Faculty
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Research Interests: the development of a comprehensive understanding of the exchange rates of mass (e.g. water and C02), energy, and momentum between the land and atmosphere
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics
- Research Interests: the structural and regulatory function of the tendon ECM
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Research Interests: heat transfer; fluid mechanics; combustion
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; micro- and nanoscale engineering; solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: mechanical behavior of materials for structural, nano-scale, and biological applications
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Research Interests: Wind energy resources and wind turbine wakes within and downwind of large wind farms both on- and offshore
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: computational/theoretical materials science, materials physics and chemistry, functional materials
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Research Interests: turbulence, both its intrinsic properties and its role in various environmental settings
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: micro- and nanoscale engineering
- Research Interests: MEMS
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: generation and characterization of muscoloskeletal tissues; mechanical regulation of cartilage
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; dynamics and control; fluid dynamics; micro- and nanoscale engineering; solid mechanics and materials; thermal science
- Research Interests: bimechanics; tissue engineering; biomaterials
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: dynamics and control
- Research Interests: space systems; estimation and control; autonomy in aerospace systems; controlled structures
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; Mechanical Engineering: fluid dynamics
- Research Interests: colloidal suspensions; biological tissues
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Research Interests: turbulence physics; combustion; aerosol coagulation and breakup dynamics; polymer drag reduction
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: fluid dynamics
- Research Interests: environmental fluid mechanics
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: micro- and nanoscale engineering
- Research Interests: studies of microfluidics and micro/nanomechanical systems
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: material processing; plasticity; micromechanics; computational mechanics
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Research Interests: Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: fluid dynamics
- Research Interests: environmental fluid mechanics; numerical simulation of stratified flows; modeling turbulence; interaction of hydrodynamics and biology in natural ecosystems
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: microstructure-property relationships in bone and tendon; disease and treatment; induced changes in the properties of bone mineral and collagen; connections between fundamental properties and clinical impact
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics; micro- and nanoscale engineering; thermal science
- Research Interests: micro/nanofluidics; optical fluidics; labs-on-a-chip; nanoscale integration; single nuckotide polymorphisms
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: dynamics and control
- Research Interests: Design and analysis of methods and algorithms for computational intelligence and sensorimotor learning and control
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; thermal science
- Research Interests: combustion; combustion chemistry
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Research Interests: acoustics; automotive engineering; fluid mechanics; aerodynamics; fluid dynamics
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; micro- and nanoscale engineering
- Research Interests: optoelectronic properties of semiconductor nanocrystals; solar energy conversion and energy storage devices
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: orthopaedic biomechanics; solid mechanics imaging
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: dynamics and control
- Research Interests: human-robot interaction
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: fracture mechanics; mechanics of materials
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: computational and experimental fracture mechanics
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; fluid dynamics; solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: continuum mechanics; biomechanics; mechanics of granular material
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: dynamics and control
- Research Interests: computer-supported cooperative work; teamwork emotion;human-robot interaction and design
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics; micro- and nanoscale engineering; thermal science
- Research Interests: micro- and nanofluidics; microbioanalytical devices; laser microfabrication; interface science
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: dynamics and control
- Research Interests: The algorithmic aspects of advanced factory automation, enabling autonomous robots to function safely and comprehensibly alongside humans in environments structured for people.
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics; micro- and nanoscale engineering; thermal science
- Research Interests: particulate and multiphase flows; colloids and aerosols; non-continuum gas flows
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: dynamics and control
- Research Interests: autonomous systems; hybrid systems; control; robotics
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: micro- and nanoscale engineering
- Research Interests: Developing concepts and technologies leading to integrated microsystems using micro and nanoscale fabrication techniques.
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics
- Research Interests: Developing and applying novel experimental techniques to investigate this important interplay between cellular structure and function, with a particular emphasis on the cell nucleus.
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; dynamics and control; energy and sustainability; micro- and nanoscale engineering
- Research Interests: computer-aided design and design automation; artificial intelligence; evolutionary robotics; rapid prototyping
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Research Interests: gas-solid flows; fluidized beds; gas-solid flow instrumentation; dielectric properties of snow, granular segregation; experiments in microgravity
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics
- Research Interests: interaction between climate and biogeochemistry through aerosols
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: experimentally based material model development; effect of processing on properties
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: dynamics and control
- Research Interests: dynamics and control; spacecraft design; systems engineering
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Research Interests: Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: dynamics and control
- Research Interests: design & coordination of large robot collectives able to achieve complex behaviors; swarm intelligence; embodied intelligence; autonomous construction
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: micro- and nanoscale engineering; solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: mechanical reliability; probabilistic theories of material failure; composite materials; fracture mechanics
- Campus: Ithaca - (Graduate School Professor)
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Research Interests: combustion; fluid mechanics; turbulence; numerical methods; aerospace propulsion
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: dynamics and control
- Research Interests: nonlinear dynamics; biomechanics
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics
- Research Interests: cell and tissue engineering; biomaterials
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; dynamics and control; solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: biomechanics; dynamics; robotics; solid mechanics
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: dynamics and control
- Research Interests: Estimation and control theory; computer vision and machine learning applications for automated optical system alignment and image processing; optimal scheduling for autonomous space observatories; and statistical analysis of astronomical data sets
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: dynamics and control
- Research Interests: robotics; machine learning; perception
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: dynamics and control
- Research Interests: Systems engineering and architecture with emphasis on space systems: global optimization, multi-agent systems, machine learning, and knowledge-based systems
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: dynamics and control; micro- and nanoscale engineering
- Research Interests: Soft Robotics, Material Intelligence for Control Systems, Microcombustion for actuation, and Concentrated particle flow through micronozzles.
Meredith Silberstein
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: polymer physics, mechanochemistry, micromechanical experiments and modeling, continuum mechanics
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; fluid dynamics; micro- and nanoscale engineering
- Research Interests: Engineering of biomaterials-based platforms for cell and immune modulation, cell-biomaterial interactions, cell adhesion, stem cell engineering, and vaccines.
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics; micro- and nanoscale engineering; thermal science
- Research Interests: microfluidics; biomedical engineering; transport phenomena; colloid science
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: biomedical mechanics; solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: orthopedic biomechanics; skeletal functional adaptation; bone structural behavior; mechanics of musculoskeletal tissues
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: fluid dynamics
- Research Interests: biological fluid dynamics; scientific computing and modeling; statistical physics
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Research Interests: experimental fluid mechanics; turbulence; micrometeorology; fundamental vortex interactions
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: Illuminating and modeling the underlying physical mechanisms that control the failure of engineering materials.
Charles Harvey Kaye Williamson
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics
- Research Interests: fluid dynamics; aircraft vortex instabilities; vortex-induced vibration; wakes; turbulence; fundamental vortex interaction
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: micro- and nanoscale engineering; solid mechanics and materials
- Research Interests: fracture and fatigue; experimental mechanics; metal cutting; mechanics of materials
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: energy and sustainability; fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Research Interests: air pollution; environmental nanoparticles; transportation and air quality; energy systems; climate changes
- Campus: Ithaca
- Concentrations: Mechanical Engineering: fluid dynamics; thermal science
- Research Interests: fluid mechanics, suspension mechanics, complex fluids, micro hydro dynamics, rheology