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.
4
Undergraduate options in aerospace, automotive, bioengineering, and energy and the environment
5
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
-
November 19, 2025
Club sports help students find their fit
Club sports are a big part of student life at the university. Every year, about 2,000 students are involved with the nearly 50 different club sports. For many, it scratches that competitive itch. For others, it’s a chance to try something new, find a community, and stay active.
-
November 17, 2025
Tiger Love: Engineering alumni are sailing into retirement
Michael and Suzanne Pail met as engineering undergraduates during a first-year chemistry class. Since then, the two have kept a personal chemistry as engineers, business owners, and now shipmates sailing the ocean on Mira, their double-hull catamaran.
-
October 21, 2025
RIT faculty and students win Best Original Design at international charity competition
A multidisciplinary team of students and faculty continued an RIT tradition of participating in Canstruction Rochester by making EVE from WALL-E out of more than 2,400 canned goods.
Featured Work and Profiles
-
3D Printing Metal Implants Drop by Drop
Valeria Marin-Montealegre Recent advances in additive manufacturing of biometals—such as iron, magnesium, zinc, and their alloys—have opened new possibilities for patient-specific implants and bone plate systems.
Read More about 3D Printing Metal Implants Drop by Drop -
The Future of Lightweight Structures: Molten Metal 3D Printing Unlocks New Possibilities for Lattice Design
Paarth Mehta Lattice structures address a niche in the manufacturing industry due to their lightweight nature, energy absorption capabilities, high strength-to-weight ratio, and improved thermal management. These...
Read More about The Future of Lightweight Structures: Molten Metal 3D Printing Unlocks New Possibilities for Lattice Design -
Interplay of Interfacial Adhesion and Mechanical Degradation in Anode-free Solid-state Batteries
Imtiaz Ahmed Shozib Batteries play a critical role in powering modern life—from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. However, traditional lithium-ion batteries are approaching their...
Read More about Interplay of Interfacial Adhesion and Mechanical Degradation in Anode-free Solid-state Batteries -
Predicting the Tensile Strength of Fiber Reinforced Composites
Dumbari David Kabari Researchers at the Fiber Composite Reliability Lab (FCRL) are using the Global Load Sharing (GLS) model and Monte Carlo simulations to accurately predict the mechanical properties and understand the...
Read More about Predicting the Tensile Strength of Fiber Reinforced Composites -
Analyzing Passive Cooling Method to Enhance Heat Dissipation for Data Centers with Computational Modeling
Divyprakash Pal Ph.D. student, Divyprakash Pal, has carried out numerical simulation studies using Ansys Fluent as a tool to analyze passive cooling methods to enhance heat dissipation for data centers.
Read More about Analyzing Passive Cooling Method to Enhance Heat Dissipation for Data Centers with Computational Modeling -
Investigating the Effects of Aging on Body Armor Fibers
Atik Faisal New research aims to understand how soft body armor degrades over time due to real-world conditions like heat, humidity, and wear.
Read More about Investigating the Effects of Aging on Body Armor Fibers
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.