Mechanical Engineering
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Research

Addressing current and future societal needs through strategic research initiatives

Research

Research News

AI materials generation

AI Produces Shape-Morphing Materials in Minutes

A research team with Professors Wei Chen and Ryan Truby harnessed physics, computation, and 3D printing to autonomously produce materials that change shape on demand.

Northwestern Engineering News

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Research Structure

Building on traditional disciplines to expand research boundaries with cross-disciplinary work

Research Graphic

Research Overview

The Department of Mechanical Engineering explores the forefront of technologies that encompass the traditional aspects of the field while embracing and expanding the boundaries of new science and technology, thus advancing both research and education.

Faculty and students are active in developing novel technologies and capabilities across a host of technically challenging fields in mechanical engineering as well as other scientific disciplines.

Meet our faculty

Core Research Disciplines

Our faculty's research falls broadly into three core disciplines: Design and Manufacturing, Mechanics and Materials, and Robotics and Biosystems — key strengths in the mechanical engineering field that allow us to design modern solutions to engineering challenges, both current and future.

We teach and research across these core disciplines as well as across departmental lines. This strong tradition of interdisciplinary work creates tremendous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in novel, independent research at the frontiers of science and engineering.

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Cross-cutting Research Areas

Our interdisciplinary cross-cutting areas each draw on the strengths and expertise of faculty members from all core disciplines in the department and provide a nexus of outstanding innovative courses and research projects.


Research Areas Matrix

View our faculty research matrix to explore how faculty are organized according to our core disciplines and cross-cutting research areas.

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Advanced Manufacturing

Advanced Manufacturing

Innovating manufacturing processes, equipment, controls, predictive capabilities, and connectivity for enhanced productivity, precision, and sustainability

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AI and Design

AI and Design

Developing human-centered, physics-based, and AI-enabled design methods for creating engineering products and systems that address societal challenges

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Biosystems and Health

Biosystems and Health

Advancing basic and translational research to address critical healthcare issues and answer fundamental biological questions at scales from molecules to systems

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Computational Engineering

Computational Engineering

Advancing computational simulation to understand and predict phenomena across the natural and technological world

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Energy and Sustainability

Energy and Sustainability

Developing efficient energy conversion, energy utilization, water management, and pollution mitigation solutions with minimal environmental impact

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Micro/Nanoengineering

Micro- and Nanoengineering

Probing, understanding, and manipulating matter at small scales to achieve unique functions in materials, mechanical systems, and biological systems

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Robotics and Autonomy

Robotics and Autonomy

Create machines that interact with complex environments, make decisions, take action, and collaborate with humans and one another

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