Department of Mechanical Engineering
Department of
Mechanical Engineering
Overview
From rockets to robots, power plants to biomechanical parts, mechanical engineers put both energy and machines to work. Wherever there is motion or energy, mechanical engineers have played a role in the innovations that define modern life.
Mechanical engineering is a broad discipline, covering topics that include aerodynamics, medical devices, energy systems, system control, robotics, new product development, materials development, structural integrity, manufacturing, automotive systems, and space vehicle systems. The mechanical engineering department offers a solid foundation in mechanical engineering fundamentals with options for students to concentrate their studies in several specific areas of engineering.
Mechanical engineers work in many different industries and businesses as product developers, researchers, prototype designers, automotive engineers, aerospace engineers, management consultants, among many others. Because of their comprehensive training, mechanical engineers are often called upon to serve in senior leadership positions.
Well-equipped labs and facilities offer students the opportunity to build models and prototypes to demonstrate particular engineering design concepts. Experimentation and research are encouraged and there are opportunities for students to enrich their undergraduate and graduate experience by engaging in faculty-led research in areas such as sustainable energy systems, biomedical and assistive device technology, systems analysis, robotics, vibrations, and automotive and aerospace engineering.
Accreditation
The BS degree in mechanical engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. For Enrollment and Graduation Data, Program Educational Objectives, and Student Outcomes, please visit the college’s Accreditation page.
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Undergraduate options in aerospace, automotive, bioengineering, and energy and the environment
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Areas of research
1000+
Undergraduate and graduate mechanical engineering students
Research
Advanced Gear Design and Simulation
Led by Dr. Alfonso Fuentes-Aznar, the research performed at RIT’s Gear Research Laboratory is focused on the study of new gear geometries and the development of new methodologies for advanced design, analysis, simulation, and troubleshooting of gear drives.
Clean Energy and Water
Led by Dr. Howard Tu, the Clean Energy and Water lab targets interdisciplinary problems coupling mechanics, electrochemistry, and materials in the field of energy storage and water desalination.
Droplet Based Microfluidics
The Discrete Microfluidics Laboratory studies the physics of small droplets. The goal is to understand fluid interactions and leverage the physics of microdroplets for innovative advancements in current technologies.
Smart Manufacturing
The Smart Manufacturing Research Group (SMRG), under the leadership of Dr. Rui Liu, is dedicated to investigating the research problems related to smart manufacturing on the fundamental level and expanding the research scope by exploring new research topics and introducing state-of-the art technologies.
Respiratory Technologies Lab
The Respiratory Technologies Lab (RTL) specializes in the mechanics of inhaled particles. Its current research focus is to understand the relationship between tobacco product characteristics, behavior, and health effect. The RTL studies e-cigarettes, waterpipe, cigarettes, and tobacco heated products.
Interfaces and AI-Powered Diagnosis
Dr. Isaac Perez-Raya conducts research on interfacial phenomena such as boiling heat transfer and applies artificial intelligence (AI) in modeling of intracranial blood flow and breast cancer. Other relevant fields of study include pollution monitoring and optimization problems.
X-Ray Diffraction, Atomic Force Microscopy, Quantitative Microscopy
The Advanced Materials Laboratory focuses on X-ray diffraction (both powder and high resolution), scanning probe microscopies, optical microscopy, microhardness testing, and specimen preparation by mechanical and electrochemical polishing.
Latest News
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September 3, 2024
![Department Head of Mechanical Engineering at RIT, Byron Erath, leaning up against a tree and wearing a blue plaid sports coat.]()
Byron Erath joins RIT as mechanical engineering department head
Faculty-researcher brings expertise in using engineering principles to bio-inspired technology solutions
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July 3, 2024
![gloved hands use tweezers to remove an item from a case.]()
Engineering researchers receive NSF funding to develop computational tools to monitor ablation therapy on cardiac tissue
Researchers at RIT are developing non-invasive technology that will better assess cardiac tissue response to thermal energy, a common therapy approach for both cancer and cardiac arrhythmia treatments.
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June 17, 2024
![The R I T Formula Racing team stands together in a room raising a trophy and cheering.]()
RIT Formula Racing zooms to big win at SAE Michigan
RIT Racing held a mere three-point lead at the top of the leaderboard for the Michigan SAE Formula electric competition June 14-16, but it was enough to give the team one of its biggest wins since it began racing more than 30 years ago.
Featured Work
Condition Monitoring of a Reciprocating Compressor
Jacob Chesnes
Current maintenance for large machines works by replacing parts on time intervals instead of the actual health of the part. This is inefficient because it wastes parts that have a remaining useful...
Advancing Tribology: Sustainable Solutions for Industrial Efficiency and Environmental Preservation
Davis Kipkania Kiboi
More than 10% of the world’s total energy is lost through friction and wear. Possibly, friction and wear cause more failures than fracture and fatigue. Economically, these losses can be saved through...
A Novel Breast Cancer Detection Tool Powered by Inverse Heat Transfer Modeling
Carlos Gutierrez
Effective treatment of breast cancer relies heavily on early detection. Routine annual mammography is a widely accepted screening technique that has resulted in significantly improving the survival...
Featured Profiles
Professor Leads Development of Seal-Inspired Underwater Sensors
Xudong Zhang
RIT's Xudong Zhang and his team have received a grant to develop innovative underwater sensors modeled after seal whiskers to enhance detection and tracking capabilities.
Researchers Harness AI and Sensors for Smart Heart Pump Monitoring
Jason Kolodziej
A multidisciplinary team led by RIT professor Jason Kolodziej is developing an advanced diagnostic tool using AI and sensors to non-invasively monitor and predict the health of implanted heart pumps,...
Mechanical Engineering Alumna Makes History at Indianapolis 500
Nicole Rotondo ’16
Nicole Rotondo ’16, an accomplished mechanical engineer, has driven her passion for motorsports to groundbreaking heights, becoming one of the first women to serve as a trackside engineer on a winning...
Student Resources
The Mechanical Engineering Department offers a variety of resources for our students that vary from academic support to handbooks and more. Visit our Student Resources page for more information.