Department of Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics

John & Joan Calder Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics

Dr. Allen is an experimentalist interested in the study of two-phase flow in capillary systems; such as found in the gas flow channels and diffusion media of PEM fuel cells. The behavior of liquid water in the internal passages of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, a class of low . . .

Ron & Elaine Starr Professor, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

Dr. King is an experimentalist interested in studying electric space propulsion systems, including Hall-effect thrusters, ion engines, and arcjets. By utilizing strong electromagnetic forces to accelerate an ionized plasma propellant, electric thrusters take advantage of on-orbit solar power generation to enjoy significant fuel savings over traditional chemical rockets. King's research . . .

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics

Dr. Hill’s research focuses on the design and enhancement of systems that can respond to the evolving needs of the user.  This is accomplished through experimental assessment of the operator’s behavior and performance, and computational models which account for other factors that relate to performance outcomes.  Focuses include transportation, where . . .

Associate Professor, Associate Chair and Director of
Undergraduate Studies, Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics

Dr. Miller has used analytical and experimental methods to develop models for the grinding of brittle materials. The goal is to develop techniques that improve material removal rates for the machining of brittle materials. Specifically, she and her students have investigated vibration assisted grinding and water-jet assisted grinding, as well as . . .

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics

Dr. Mahmoudian's general research interests lie in the area of dynamics, stability, and control of nonlinear systems. Specifically, she is interested in dynamic modeling, motion planning, and developing cooperative control algorithms to autonomous vehicles. Design and control of autonomous vehicles based on the principles used by nature is another area of . . .

Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics

Dr. Blough’s research includes dynamic measurement problems, developing new digital signal processing algorithms to understand NVH type problems and ways to improve the NVH characteristics of virtually any machine. He has made measurements on items as small as individual turbine blades to items as large as 45m diameter radio telescopes and . . .

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics

Dr. Miers joined the ME-EM Department at Michigan Tech in August of 2008. He was previously employed by Argonne National Laboratory in the Engines and Emissions Research section where his research focus was on internal combustion engine efficiency, emissions, and performance. He was also closely involved with alternative and renewable fuels . . .

Ron & Elaine Starr Professor in Energy Systems, Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics

Dr. Naber joined MTU in August of 2004. Prior to joining MTU, he worked in the automotive industry on R&D of engine-management-systems for gasoline and diesel engines. He also worked at Sandia National Laboratories, CRF investigating sprays and combustion processes of diesel, natural gas, and hydrogen engines utilizing laser based . . .

Professor, Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics

Narain’s current research interests are both experimental and theoretical/computational in nature and emphasize the area of phase-change flows – especially internal condensing and boiling flows.

Stable, repeatable, and predictable realizations of shear/pressure driven condensing and boiling flows are critical to the development of many high heat transfer rate applications (electronic-cooling, aircraft-based cooling, and . . .

John & Cathi Drake Professor, Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics

Dr. Parker specializes in control system design and methods for correlating nonlinear dynamic models to experimental data. An emerging area of research is the utilization of interspacecraft Coulomb forces for both position and attitude control. This has applications from spacecraft formation flying to active “virtual” structures that are highly reconfigurable and . . .

Richard & Bonnie Robbins Chair, Professor, Associate Chair and
Director of Graduate Studies, Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics

Craig Friedrich is the Robbins Professor of Sustainable Design and Manufacturing and has been on the faculty of the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics for more than fifteen years, after serving on the faculty at Louisiana Tech University for ten years. He serves as the associate chair and director of . . .

Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics

Gregory Odegard is an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics at Michigan Technological University. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Denver, and a PhD in Materials . . .