Mechanical Engineering Research
The mechanical engineering department at the University of Memphis has an active research
program with the graduate study and research categorized under two basic areas of
specialty - thermo/fluid and applied mechanics/materials. The department has identified
manufacturing and materials and energy as key areas of strategic growth for the future.
The programs of study are flexible and can be adjusted to fit personal needs and interests.
The curriculum is designed to assist individuals who seek professional careers as
advanced engineers, researchers, or teachers.
Examples of research currently ongoing in the department include: Structural health
monitoring, Packaging, Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Computational Mechanics and
Computational Fluid Dynamics, Energy, Biofuels (production and testing), Low Gravity
Fluid Management and cryogenics, Gas Turbine Heat Transfer and Gas Turbine Combustion.
These research projects have been funded by a wide variety of sources such as Department
of Energy (DOE), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), National Institute of Health (NIH), and biomedical and consumer
product companies (e.g., Smith+Nephew, Medtronics, etc.). Graduates of our program
receive excellent training in research and development, and have gone on to demonstrate
excellence in their chosen careers having reached the highest levels of professional
achievements.
RESEARCH AREAS
- ADVANCED MANUFACTURING: Molaei, Hadadzadeh, Fatemi
- MATERIALS: Fatemi, Molaei, Mirza, Hadadzadeh, Asadi
- COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS: Guan, Gopalakrishnan, Foti, Marchetta, Lee
- ENERGY: Headley, Foti, Gopalakrishnan, Marchetta, Lee
- BIOMECHANICS: Guan, Gao, Lewis
RESEARCH FACILITIES
Flow Research Center Faculty Member: Dr. Daniel Foti Research Areas: Fluid Dynamics
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Research Areas
- Turbulence
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
Brief Description Our research is at the intersection of fluid dynamics and computational science with
the goal of elucidating fundamental details of turbulence and understanding its effects
on engineering applications. We develop and employ computational fluid dynamics
and novel data analysis.
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Research Applications
- Wind energy, rotorcraft and vortex-dominated flows
- Atmospheric boundary layers
- Energy production and storage
Brief Description Our research focus is on complex turbulent flows characterized by dominant coherent
structures and multi-scale physics. These characteristics are ubiquitous in many relevant
engineering flows such as wind turbines, rotorcraft, bluff bodies, atmospheric flows,
combustion, wall-bounded flows, aircraft, and biological flows.
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Research Laboratory
Flow Research Center: Computational Group
Faculty: Dr. Foti and Dr. Marchetta
Equipment
- High performance computer cluster
- Computer workstations
Lab Website
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Research Sponsors
- National Science Foundation: ERI: Formation Mechanisms and Modeling of Wake Meandering
in Wind Farms
- US Department of Energy: Building partnerships for development of sustainable energy
systems with atmospheric measurements
- Army Research Laboratory: Optical Turbulence in HEL Targeting
- Sandia National Laboratories: Vent Gas Failure Propagation in Grid-Scale Battery Racks
- Tennessee Department of Transportation: Stormwater Conveyance from Bridge Decks
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Microfluidics Laboratory Faculty Member: Dr. Yuan Gao Research Areas: Lab-on-a-chip, Microfluidics, Microfabrication, Acoustic bubbles,
Biomedical applications
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Research Areas
- Lab-on-a-Chip
- Microfluidics
- Microfabrication
- Acoustic bubbles
- Biomedical devices and applications
Brief Description My research focuses on microfluidics, biomedical devices and acoustic microfluidics
technologies, seeking to engineer revolutionary micro/nano systems for addressing
the problems in biological and biomedical research related to human health.
Personal Website
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Research Applications
- Drug delivery
- Blood disease study
- Cell manipulation
- Biomedical devices and treatments
Brief Description By engineering and controlling acoustically actuated gas/liquid interfaces in microfluidics,
its associated phenomena can be applied in solving various biomedical research problems,
including biofluid transportation at microscale, cell manipulation (trapping, enrichment,
separation, disaggregation, lysis, single cell analysis, cell-cell interaction analysis),
3D cell culture, disease diagnosis and treatment.
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Research Laboratory
Microfluidics laboratory focuses on developing innovative micro/nanofluidic devices
and systems using microfabrication technology to solve problems in healthcare. Microfluidics Lab includes three parts microfabrication: Biosample preparation, and
Experimentation. The equipment in each part are:
- Microfabrication: CNC Micromilling Machine, Thin-film Fabrication, Inkjet Printer,
Molding and Bonding Equipment, etc.
- Biosample preparation: Biological Safety Cabinet, CO2 Incubator, Bio Refrigerator
and Freezer, etc.
- Experimentation: Inverted Microscope, Voltage Amplifier, Function generator, Syringe
Pump, etc.
Lab location: ES 323
Lab Website
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Research Sponsors
- NASA “PIPES: Piezoelectric Instrument for Precision Exploration Sampling” 08/2017-08/2020
(PI: Dr. Jie Xu)
- NSF “Towards High-Throughput Label-Free Circulating Tumor Cell Separation using 3D
Deterministic Dielectrophoresis (D-Cubed)” 08/2019-08/2023 (PI: Dr. Jie Xu)
- Anthem, Inc “Advanced Interpretation of Human Microvascular Blood Rheology for Cardiovascular
Disease Diagnosis” 08/2020-08/2021 (PI: Dr. Jie Xu)
- Sigma Xi “Acoustic microfluidic pump for portable medical devices” 01/2019-01/2020
(PI: Dr. Yuan Gao)
- UIC “Acoustic bubbles for selective cell seeding within a 3D microfluidic scaffold”
05/2021-05/2022 (PI: Dr. Yuan Gao)
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Particle Science and Technology Laboratory (PSTL) Faculty Member: Dr. Ranganathan Gopalakrishnan Research Areas: Transport processes in aerosols, plasmas, ionized gases, and powder
flows
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Research Areas: Transport Processes
- Aerosols
- Dusty Plasmas and ionized gases
- Powder handling
Brief Description Theoretically and experimentally investigating transport processes and particle collective
behavior in dense aerosol and plasma systems used for materials processing such as
flames, glow discharges, and detonations. Experimental investigations of ultrasonic
powder dispersion and translational/commercialization of contactless powder handling
methods for manufacturing processes and aerosol drug delivery methods for pulmonary
diseases.
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Research Applications
- High throughput materials processing
- Dust mitigation in nuclear fusion plasmas
- Powder handling for manufacturing and drug delivery
Brief Description We are a particle science and technology research group that leverages fundamentals
of particle sciences to develop disruptive technologies pertaining to 1) high-throughput
materials processing using non-equilibrium systems such as flames, plasmas, and detonations,
and 2) contactless powder handling methods using standing ultrasonic waves manufacturing
processes and aerosol drug delivery applications
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Research Laboratory
The lab occupies 700 sq. ft. and is located in ES 325 with a chemical fume hood, refrigerator,
and emergency eyewash. 3 HP compressor (Quincy QOF3) along with air filtration and
drying unit provides up to 7 CFM of medical grade, particle-free, contaminant or vapor
free air for particle research. The lab is well stocked to build setups to produce
aerosol nanoparticles from colloids or powders or direct vapor to particle conversion
such as electrospray aerosol generator, and tube furnace reactors (Lindberg Tube furnace
and Thermo Scientific Box furnace capable of attaining ~1700℃ in both flow and heating
configurations). Also available are Planetary ball mill (Across International PQ-N04),
Precision translation stages (Newmark Systems Inc., NLS4-2-11, ISEL Germany MS200HT2).
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Research Sponsors
As of November 2022, our group is executing multiple federally sponsored projects
to the tune of $1.9 million from NSF, DOE< ARO, NASA-JPL including the 2020 Early
Career Award from the Department of Energy for $750,000.
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Tunable Nonlinearity and Stability Lab Faculty Member: Dr. Yue Guan Research Areas: Solid Mechanics, Nonlinear Dynamics and Biomechanics
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Research Areas
- Lightweight structures
- Nonlinear Dynamics
- Computational Mechanics
- Biomechanics
Brief Description My overall research goal is to discover new mechanical mechanisms that underlie the
nonlinearity and multi-stability for lightweight structures both in engineering and
in organisms. The research is a combination of theoretical (nonlinear dynamics), computational
(meshless methods) and experimental (mechanical apparatus design and biomechanical
studies) mechanics analysis.
Personal Website
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Research Applications
- Deployable aerospace structures
- Bio-inspired structures and robots
- Mate-materials
Brief Description My research on lightweight structures has a broad application in the design and safety
monitoring of plate and shell structures such as the body of aircrafts or satellites,
deployable aerospace structures, and mate-materials assembled by slender cell structures.
My studies on animal locomotion also provide insights into the field of bio-inspired
propulsion systems.
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Research Laboratory
The Tunable Nonlinearity and Stability Lab is located at ET 214. Future facilities
to be provided include a Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system, high-speed cameras,
laser displacement sensors, etc.
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Research Sponsors
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Processing-Microstructure-Properties (PMP) Lab Faculty Member: Dr. Amir Hadadzadeh Research Areas: Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgy, Additive Manufacturing
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Research Areas
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Metallurgy
- Additive Manufacturing
- Processing-Microstructure-Properties Relationship in Alloys
Brief Description Our main research focus is to design and develop desired microstructures in metals
and alloys to obtain desired physical and mechanical properties. These research goals
are achieved through a fundamental understanding of governing mechanisms behind the
processing-microstructure-properties relationship in metallic materials.
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Research Applications
- Transportation (automotive, marine, aerospace)
- Energy
- Defense
Brief Description The outcome of our research has a broad application in different sectors such as transportation,
energy, defense, biomedical, etc.
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Research Laboratory
ES323 and ES319
Equipment:
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
- Tube furnace (max temperature: 1200°C)
- Hardness tester (HRB and HRC)
- Tensile testing system (50kN)
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Research Sponsors
Herff College of Engineering-Faculty Research Grant (HCOE-FRG): Large-Scale Additive
Manufacturing, $15,000, Jul 2021-Jul 2022
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Energy System Control and Optimization (ESCO) Lab Faculty Member: Dr. Alexander J. Headley Research Areas: Thermofluids
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Research Areas
- Reacting Systems
- Thermofluid / Electrochemical System Modeling
- Optimization and Control
Brief Description Focus areas for Dr. Headley’s group extend to reacting systems, including both combustion
and electrochemical system (e.g. battery and hydrogen fuel cell) modeling. This work
particularly addresses the interplay between research areas, such as how control systems
can be improved by understanding battery degradation patterns, or the economic implications
of detailed electrochemical system performance models.
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Research Applications
- Electric Grid Modernization
- Fire Safety
- Alternative Fuel Production and Use
Brief Description This research is centered around the technologies and infrastructural developments
that will be needed to expand the use of renewable sources of energy. Outcomes from
this work has applications for all sectors of energy use, including heating & cooling,
light-duty and fleet vehicle modernization, the electric grid, and beyond.
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Research Laboratory
Dr. Headley’s research laboratory is designed to perform real-time simulations and
hardware-in-the-loop experiments of energy systems. An OPAL-RT system (OP4510 real
time simulator and OP1400 power amplifier) in the lab is capable of emulating sub
second power requirements of different scenarios and apply those loads to real devices.
This enables studies on the impact of load characteristics on electrochemical system
(e.g. Li-ion battery chemistries, electrolyzers, fuel cells, etc.) performance and
degradation and testing of optimal control strategies in realistic scenarios.
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Research Sponsors
- Sandia National Laboratories (Lead PI)
BattCav: Modeling heat transfer in grid scale energy storage from Li-ion battery thermal
runaway 8/1/2021 – 10/31/2023
- US Department of Energy (Co-PI)
Building partnerships for development of sustainable energy systems with atmospheric
measurements 8/15/2022 – 2/14/2024
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Flow Research Center, Industrial Assessment Center Faculty Member: Dr. Jeffrey Marchetta Research Areas: Energy Efficiency, Low Gravity Thermo-fluid Physics
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Research Areas
- Energy Efficiency
- Low Gravity Thermo-fluid Physics
- Computational and Experimental Studies of Thermo-fluid Systems
Brief Description Energy Efficiency is simply using less energy to perform the same task or produce
the same result. Fluids behave in strange and unfamiliar ways in space. Engineers and scientists continue
to try to understand this behavior and think of new ways to manage fluids in space.
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Research Applications
- Cryogenic Propellant Management
- Industrial Energy Assessment
Brief Description
- Fluids are important for life support, plumbing, rockets, and many other systems which
are vital for humans that will live and work in space for long periods of time. The
next generation of manned space missions, such as a mission to the Moon or Mars, will
require new technologies to manage cryogenic propellants in low gravity.
- The University of Memphis IAC Center provides no-cost studies of manufacturing plants
across West Tennessee, North Mississippi, and Eastern Arkansas. The IAC provides educational
opportunities for engineering students to perform studies analyzing energy, waste,
and productivity issues for manufacturing plants.
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Research Laboratory
- The Flow Research Center - Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) laboratory serves as
the focal point for research on computational methods of modeling fluid flow and for
using computational models to investigate flow dynamics.
- The Flow Research Center - Experimental laboratory facilitates research that requires
flow visualization and flow measurement instrumentation.
- The University of Memphis Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) provides energy efficiency
assessments of small and medium size manufacturing plans.
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Research Sponsors
- NASA, University of Memphis Space Grant, 2020-2024
- Department of Energy, 3-Star Industrial Assessment Center, 2021-2026
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Lee Research Group at the University of Memphis Faculty Member: Dr. Yong Hoon Lee Research Areas: Multidisciplinary Design Optimization and Renewable Energy Systems
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Research Areas
- Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization
- Renewable Energy Systems Modeling and Design
- Computational Modeling and Design of Fluid Systems
Brief Description We use computational modeling and multidisciplinary design analysis and optimization
(MDAO) methods to advance the design of complex engineering systems. Our research
areas include developing MDAO methods, applying MDAO to renewable energy systems,
and computational modeling of systems with thermo-fluids science. For more information,
please visit our website at: https://lee.memphis.edu.
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Research Applications
- Floating offshore wind turbines, Hydrokinetic turbines
- Aerospace, Fluid materials, Healthcare systems
- Design optimization algorithms and software toolset
Brief Description Computational modeling combined with integrated design (also referred to as co-design)
and multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) methods has recently become a crucial
tool in developing complex systems with coupled disciplines, such as renewable energy
systems, automotive / aeronautical / astronautical systems, systems with nonconventional
materials (such as viscoelastic lubrication or vibration/impact damping systems),
or medical / dental / pharmaceutical systems.
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Research Laboratory
Lee Research Group studies interfaces of coupled disciplines to improve and redefine
engineering design processes. We seek creative ways to numerically model physical
system couplings, thoroughly explore design spaces, utilize more extensive design
freedom, and extract nonobvious design knowledge from the design solutions we obtain
at the interfaces. We use the integrated design (co-design) and the multidisciplinary
design analysis and optimization (MDAO) methodologies as our tools and apply them
to the models based on fundamental mechanics (primarily focused on thermo-fluids science).
We also develop advanced algorithms and computer software to solve challenging multidisciplinary
system design problems.
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Research Sponsors
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Unnamed Laboratory Faculty Member: Dr. Gladius Lewis Research Areas: Biomaterials, biomechanics
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Research Areas
- Antibiotic-Loaded Acrylic Bone Cement
- Materials for Biodegradable Coronary Artery Stents
- Biomechanics of Treatments for Spine Problems
Brief Description Development and characterization of novel materials used in orthopedic procedures,
such as hip replacement (antibiotic-loaded acrylic bone cement), and cardiology, such
as coronary artery stents (magnesium alloys). Analysis of different treatments used
in spine surgery, such as for relief of severe neck or back pain due to herniated
disc(s).
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Research Applications
- Hip and knee replacements
- Coronary artery stents
- Spinal fusion procedures
Brief Description Findings from each of the research areas have the potential to contribute to improved
outcomes in orthopaedic surgery, cardiology, and spine surgery.
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Research Laboratory
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Research Sponsors
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FURTHER INFORMATION
Graduate students interested in the research in the department are encouraged to apply
for Fall or Spring admission. Financial aid in terms of assistantships and fellowships
may be available for deserving candidates. Additional information regarding graduate
studies in the department of Mechanical Engineering may be obtained by contacting
the Coordinator of Graduate Studies Dr. Ranganathan Gopalakrishnan at 901.678.2580 or by email at rgplkrsh@memphis.edu.
Information regarding application forms and deadlines may be obtained from Graduate
Admissions at (901) 678-3685.