Marriner Merrill Headshot

Marriner Merrill

Associate Professor, Engineering Studies

Department of Engineering Studies
National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Marriner Merrill

Associate Professor, Engineering Studies

Department of Engineering Studies
National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Select Scholarship

Grants
Merrill, Marriner H. and DJ Monahan (2025-2027). DLA Best Value Transparent Armor: Next Steps. Grant proposal submitted to J68 R&D, Defense Logistics Agency.
Merrill, Marriner H., Karen Beiter, and Scott Wolff (2025-2025). Bringing the Deaf / Hard of Hearing Community to Career Paths in Battery and Energy Storage in Upstate New York. Grant proposal submitted to NSF Battery Engine: New York New Energy, National Science Foundation.
Published Conference Proceedings
Merrill, Marriner H., et al. "Foggy Windows: Predicting and Avoiding the Fleet’s Most Frustrating Failure (Open Session BEST PAPER)." Proceedings of the 2025 NDIA Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium. Ed. NDIA Michigan Chapter. Novi, MI: n.p., 2025. Web.
Dissertation/Thesis
Chavez-Padilla, Moni I. "An Investigation of Water-Based Cutting Fluids: Choline Amino Acid Protic Ionic Liquids as a Potential Sustainable Additive." Diss. RIT, 2025. Print.
Judd, Kayley. "Evaluating Environmentally Assisted Cracking in High Hardness Steel Using the Tuning Fork Test." Diss. RIT, 2025. Print.
Uninvited Presentations
Monahan, D. J. "Quantifying Ballistic Glass Delamination with the Boeing Wedge Test." International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition 2025 (IMECE 2025). American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Memphis, TN. 18 Nov. 2025. Conference Presentation.
Mussallem, Michael J. "Stick With It: Testing the Limits of Adhesive Bonds." RIT Undergraduate Research Symposium. RIT. Rochester, NY. 31 Jul. 2025. Conference Presentation.
Judd, Kayley and Marriner H. Merrill. "Environmental Corrosion Rate and Fracture Initiation Rate for High Hardness Steel (*First Presentation in ASL at the Conference)." International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Portland, OR. 22 Nov. 2024. Conference Presentation.
Journal Paper
Chavez-Padilla, Moni, et al. "Choline Amino Acid Protic Ionic Liquids as Potential Sustainable Additives for Water-based Cutting Fluids." Journal of Molecular Liquids 453. (2026): 1-13. Web.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Merrill, Marriner H. "Why Stuff Wears Out – the Science and Cost of Materials Degradation." RIT Seminar. Mechanical, Chemical, and Industrial Engineering. Rochester, NY. 21 Mar. 2024. Address.

Currently Teaching

MCET-112
3 Credits
This course introduces fundamental concepts of engineering materials and their role in design. Students study materials selection based on functional requirements and economic, ethical, environmental, and global considerations. Emphasis is placed on relationships between structure, processing, properties, and performance for metals, polymers, ceramics, and composite materials. The course also addresses material property, modification and degradation mechanisms, and interpretation of key materials diagrams.
MCET-113
1 Credit
This laboratory course introduces methods for characterizing engineering materials. Students conduct experiments to measure mechanical and physical properties, relate processing to structure and performance, and apply relevant ASTM standards. Emphasis is placed on accurate data collection, analysis, and professional communication through written reports and oral presentations. Teamwork and critical thinking are integral components of this laboratory experience.
MECE-211
2 Credits
This course is focused on developing skills and knowledge in the areas of instrumentation, computer data acquisition (DAQ), measurement theory, uncertainty analysis, data analysis, and technical report writing. Specific topics that are covered include: • Physical dimension variability assessment • Centrifugal pump performance evaluation • Temperature, pressure, and flow instrumentation and measurements • LabVIEW programming and DAQ hardware application • Transient measurements including computer data acquisition • Digital signal input and output Each topic includes background theoretical content with some individual exercises and then a team-based lab with accompanying lab report. Reports are submitted first in draft form and are reviewed by peers in class before preparing them for final draft submission
MECE-544
3 Credits
This course is an introductory course to the fundamentals and applications of composite materials. Topics covered include constituents of composite materials, fabrication techniques, micromechanical analysis, macromechanical analysis, and the use of composites in design. Some laboratory work is to be performed, and a design project is required.
MECE-644
3 Credits
This course is an introductory course to the fundamentals and applications of composite materials. Topics covered include constituents of composite materials, fabrication techniques, micromechanical analysis, macromechanical analysis, and the use of composites in design. Some laboratory work is to be performed, and a design project is required.
RMET-797
3 Credits
This course provides the MMSI graduate students an opportunity to complete their degree requirements by addressing a practical real-world challenge using the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their studies. This course is not only the culmination of a student's course work but also an indicator of the student's ability to use diverse knowledge to provide a tangible solution to a problem. The capstone project topic can be in the areas of product development, manufacturing automation, management system, quality management or electronics packaging. The course requires a comprehensive project report and a final presentation.