Research and Labs

Laboratories and Center

Our faculty members work with graduate students and undergraduate students in the following labs and center:

Measurements Lab
Materials Science Lab
ME Computer Lab
COE-Materials Instrumentation Center
Machine Shop and Maker Space
Robotics and Automation Lab
3D Printing Lab
Thermo-Fluid Measurements Lab
Mechanical Measurements Lab
Vibration Engineering and Rotor Dynamics Lab
Advanced Materials and Surface Engineering Lab

Examples of Current Research Projects

Effects of Superhydrophobic Coating on Corrosion Resistance
Dr. Yao's project studies the mechanism that governs corrosion and electrochemical reactions on superhydrophobic coating. This study shows that the resulting superhydrophobic surface exhibit durability and corrosion resistance. Learn more about this project.
Tailoring the Mechanical Properties of High-Aspect-Ratio Carbon Nanotube Arrays Using Amorphous Silicon Carbide Coatings
Dr. Fan's project studies the effects of nanoscale conformal coatings of amorphous silicon carbide on the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube pillars. Learn more about this project.
Developing a Novel Numerical Model for the Analysis of Effective, Superhydrophobic Coatings
Dr. He's and Dr. Yao's research team develop a powerful numerical tool to analyze the effectiveness of superhydrophobic coatings. The simulation tool is also a general tool to study the dynamic wetting phenomena on a wide range of surface topologies and chemical heterogeneities. Learn more about this project.
Combustion Efficiency and Emissions of Industrial Flares
Dr. Li's project is to simulate the details of chemical reaction together with the interaction with turbulence. Up to 50 species and hundreds of reactions are considered, which are subject to the limit of the software in use, ANSYS Fluent. Learn more about this project.
High Temperature Tribological Performance of Ni Alloys under Helium Environment
The objectives of this research project funded by the US Department of Energy is to systematically evaluate the tribological response of high temperature Nickel alloys at relevant reactor operating temperatures (700-950°C). The project focuses on a comprehensive multiscale numerical modeling to investigate and compare the friction, surface damage (wear, fretting, fatigue and self-welding) and contact response of tribo-pairs in atmospheric condition and helium environment. Learn more about this project.
Effect of Residual Elements on the Mechanical Strength of Recycled Steels
In this project, sponsored by Gerdau Long Steel, a small-scale mechanical testing technique, shear punch test, was built to study the mechanical properties of wire rod steels (produced by Gerdau Long Steel) as a function of their residual content while correlating with their tensile properties and microstructures. Learn more about this project.