Mechanical Engineering

  • ENG ME 517: Product Development
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: Senior or graduate standing in an engineering discipline
    Dynamics of converting ideas into marketable products. Choosing products and defining their specifications to achieve competitive advantage. The product development process is decomposed and its elements are examined critically in the context of actual case studies; risk evaluation, concurrent engineering, and impact of new product decisions on the factory. A step-by-step methodology for new product development is derived.
  • ENG ME 518: Product Quality
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor
    Introduction to statistical methods for design, control and improvement of quality. Includes Statistical Process and Quality Control (SPC & SQC) and Acceptance Sampling. Extensive coverage of Design of Experiments (DOE) with applications to designing quality into products and to process and product performance improvement. Also covers Robust Design and Taguchi's method. Introduction to modern approaches to management of quality (TQM, Six Sigma).
  • ENG ME 519: Theory of Heat Transfer
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG ME 419.
    Analytical, numerical, and physical aspects of heat transfer phenomena, with emphasis on nondimensionalization and scaling. Mathematical treatment of steady and unsteady conduction, including finite difference methods. Forced and natural convection in internal and external flows. Thermal radiation and multimode heat transfer. Melting and solidification. Applications to aerospace heat transfer, energy systems, manufacturing, and biological heat transfer.
  • ENG ME 520: Acoustics I
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG ME 302 ; ENG ME 303 ; ENG ME 304.
    Introduction to wave propagation and sound. Derivation of the linear wave equation with emphasis on its origins in the conservation equations of fluid media and fluid equations of state. Plane wave and spherical wave propagation. Initial value and boundary value problems, including normal modes and waveguides. General concepts such as acoustic impedance and intensity. Lumped elements. The wave equation in horns and stratified media. Other topics may include biomedical ultrasound, acoustic levitation, etc... as time permits.
  • ENG ME 521: Continuum Mechanics
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG ME 303 or ENG BE 436; and ENGME304 or ENGEK424; and ENGME305 or ENGBE420, or by consent of instructor
    The main goal of this course is to present a unified, mathematically rigorous approach to two classical branches of mechanics: the mechanics of fluids and the mechanics of solids. Topics will include kinematics, stress analysis, balance laws (mass, momentum, and energy), the entropy inequality, and constitutive equations in the framework of Cartesian vectors and tensors. Emphasis will be placed on mechanical principles that apply to all materials by using the unifying mathematical framework of Cartesian vectors and tensors. Illustrative examples from biology and physiology will be used to describe basic concepts in continuum mechanics. The course will end at the point from which specialized courses devoted to problems in fluid mechanics (e.g. biotransport) and solid mechanics (e.g. cellular biomechanics) could logically proceed; Same as ENG BE 521. Students may not receive credit for both.
  • ENG ME 524: Skeletal Tissue Mechanics
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG EK 301 ; ENG ME 302 ; ENG ME 305 ; ENG ME 309 ; CAS MA 242; or equivalent
    The course is structured around classical topics in mechanics of materials and their application to study of the mechanical behavior of skeletal tissues, whole bones, bone-implant systems, and diarthroidal joints. Topics include: mechanical behavior of tissues, (anisotropy, viscoelasticity, fracture and fatigue) with emphasis on the role of the microstructure of these tissues; structural properties of whole bones and implants (composite and asymmetric bean theories); and mechanical function of joints (contact mechanics, lubrication, and wear). Emphasis is placed on using experimental data to test and to develop theoretical models, as well as on using the knowledge gained to address common health related problems related to aging, disease, and injury. Meets with ENG MS 524 and ENG BE 524. Students may not receive credit for both.
  • ENG ME 525: Technology Ventures
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: Senior or graduate standing in an engineering or science discipline, or consent of instructor.
    An introduction to the formation and management of technology-based enterprises for engineers and scientists. Modules include opportunity recognition and evaluation, gathering financial and human resources, and managing and harvesting ventures. Goals include an understanding of basic start-up finance and accounting, writing business plans, presenting venture ideas to industry experts, and venture leadership skills. Students become familiar with fundamental technical and engineering issues in a wide variety of high-tech industries, especially information technology, life sciences, biotechnology and telecommunications. Case studies, lectures, workshops, and projects are utilized.
  • ENG ME 526: Simulation of Physical Processes
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: Senior or graduate standing in the engineering, physics, or the chemistry disciplines, or consent of instructor.
    Modern simulation methods are covered for describing and analyzing the behavior of realistic nonlinear systems that occur in the engineering and science disciplines. By developing and applying such methods and tools, much deeper understanding, insight, and control of novel technologies can be gained, thereby often greatly aiding technology development, and sometimes providing the leverage to turn a novel technology into a practical reality. Physical and numerical changes of scales necessary for modeling macro-, meso-, and nanoscopic phenomena will be covered. Advanced numerical methods will be addressed for attacking nonlinear partial differential equations, as well as key aspects of the finite element method. Extensive use will be made of the modern computational tools Mathematica and COMSOL. Examples will be covered that include problems in micro and nanoelectronics, bioengineering, material science, photonics, and physics. Connections of these examples to sensing instrumentation and control will be made. Same as MS 526. Students may not receive credit for both.
  • ENG ME 527: Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG ME 304; or equivalent or consent of instructor
    Introduction to momentum, heat and mass transport phenomena occurring in various processes. Whereas transport phenomena underlie many processes in engineering, agriculture, meteorology, physiology, biology, analytical chemistry, materials science, pharmacy and other areas, they are key to specific applications in diverse areas such as materials processing, green manufacturing of primary materials, biological membranes, fuel cell engineering, synthesis of clean fuels. This course covers three closely related transport phenomena: momentum transfer (fluid flow), energy transfer (heat flow) and mass transfer (diffusion). The mathematical underpinnings of all three transport phenomena are closely related and the differential equations governing them are frequently quite similar. Since in many situations the three transport phenomena occur together, they are presented and studied together in this course. Meets with ENGMS527. Students may not receive credit for both.
  • ENG ME 528: Biological Physics
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: Graduate standing or instructor consent. Introductory courses in hydrodynamics, thermodynamics, math (Fornier transform) and standard Calculus.
    This course offers an introduction to biological physics and consists of four blocks. 1)Thermodynamics and statistical physics with a particular focus on Einstein's approach. 2)Physics of (Bio) polymer networks. 3) Nano and Microfluidics and life and low Reynold numbers. 4) Interface physics and biomembranes.
  • ENG ME 533: Energy Conversion
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG ME 304.
    Thermodynamic and mechanical aspects of modern conventional energy conversion systems, including steam electric power plants, gas turbine and internal combustion engines, and refrigeration systems. Combined cycle and cogeneration are also considered, as well as economic and environmental aspects of energy conversion. Includes design project.
  • ENG ME 535: Green Manufacturing
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: Senior/graduate standing; CASCH101 or CASCH131; CASMA226; ENGME304 orENGEK424; or consent of instructor.
    Provides a systems view of the manufacturing process that aims to efficiently use energy, water, and raw materials to minimize air and water pollution and generation of waste per unit of the manufactured product. Specifically, the course will discuss methods to maximize yield and minimize waste effluents in processes, ways to devise treatment strategies for handling manufacturing wastes, innovative ways to decrease energy consumption in manufacturing, by-product use and product recycling, and policies that encourage green manufacturing. Same as ENG MS 535. Students may not receive credits for both.
  • ENG ME 537: Product Realization
    This course focuses on the essential and challenging process of getting a design from the drawing board into the hands of a customer. Cases are drawn from a range of industries, technologies and development speeds (everything from hardware startups to aircraft). It includes topics such as Design for Manufacturing, validation testing, cash flow modeling, in vs outsourcing, setting up a factory, selecting supplier partners, distribution, and ongoing product support. There will be a semester long project to build and prototype a small production line.
  • ENG ME 538: Introduction to Finite Element Methods and Analysis
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG ME 305, Linear Algebra, Ordinary differential equations.
    This class serves as an introduction to linear finite element method, and its application to static and dynamic problems with an emphasis on solid mechanics. The first half of the course will use the stiffness and energy approaches to developing the finite element equations as applied to bars, beams and trusses. Lab sessions will focus on learning how to utilize commercially-relevant finite element software to find numerical solutions to problems in solid mechanics. The second half of the course will focus on developing the finite element method as one that is applicable as a general numerical method for solving ordinary and partial differential equations that arise in all areas of science and engineering, including solid and fluid mechanics, thermal systems and electrostatics.
  • ENG ME 539: No longer offered
    No longer offered
  • ENG ME 541: Classical and Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG ME 304.
    First law and second law. Entropy. Extremum principles. Gases, liquids, and solids. Phase transition. Solutions. Kinetics. Fields and internal degrees of freedom. Non-equilibrium systems. Radiation. Biological systems. Small systems. Stability theory. Critical phenomena. Statistical mechanics.
  • ENG ME 542: Advanced Fluid Mechanics
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG ME 303
    Incompressible fluid flow. Review of control-volume approach to fluids engineering problems, with advanced applications. Differential analysis of fluid motion. Derivation of full Navier-Stokes, Euler, and Bernoulli equations. Unsteady Bernoulli equation. Velocity potential and its application to steady 2D flows. Vorticity and vortex motion.
  • ENG ME 543: Sustainable Power Systems: Planning, Operation and Markets
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: Senior standing or consent of instructor.
    Breakthroughs in clean energy generation technologies and the advantage of exploiting efficiently the available work in fossil fuels will render electricity the dominant energy form in a sustainable environment future. We review the key characteristics of Electric Power Transmission and Distribution (T&D) networks and the associated planning and operation requirements that ensure supply adequacy, system security and stability. Capital asset investment and operation cost minimization is discussed in a systems engineering context where the assets as well as the dynamic behavior of generators, T&D networks, and loads interact. Recent developments in the formation of competitive wholesale markets at the High Voltage Transmission system level, the associated market participation and clearing rules and the market clearing optimization algorithms are presented and analyzed in terms of their effectiveness in fostering cost reflective price signals and competitive conditions that encourage optimal distributed/not-centralized investment and operating decisions. Finally, we present T&D congestion and supply-demand imbalance related barriers to the widespread adoption of environmentally friendly and economically efficient technological breakthroughs, and propose a systems engineering and real-time retail-market based coordination of centralized as well as decentralized generation, storage and load management resources that is able to achieve desirable synergies and mitigate these barriers. Same as ENG EC 543 and ENG SE 543. Students may not receive credits for both.
  • ENG ME 544: Networking the Physical World
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENGEC312 & ENGEC450 or equivalent. ENGEC441 is desirable. C programming experience.
    Considers the evolution of embedded network sensing systems with the introduction of wireless network connectivity. Key themes are computing optimized for resource constrained (cost, energy, memory and storage space) applications and sensing interfaces to connect to the physical world. Studies current technology for networked embedded network sensors including evolving protocol standards. A laboratory component of the course introduces students to the unique characteristics of distributed sensor motes including programming, reliable communication, sensing modalities, calibration, and application development. Experience with the C language is required.Same as ENG EC 544 and ENG SE 544. Students may not receive credit for both.
  • ENG ME 545: Electrochemistry of Fuel Cells and Batteries
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG ME 505.
    Topics covered include Fundamental Electrochemistry of solid-state materials as well as aqueous and non-aqueous systems including molten salts. Thermodynamics and kinetics of electrode reactions and associated mass transport in electrochemical systems. Measurements techniques (dc polarization, ac impedance spectroscopy, blocking electrodes, etc.) used in characterizing electrochemical systems. Design of devices including fuel cells, batteries, and sensors. Electrochemical processes including membrane separation and electrolysis. Same as ENG MS 545. Students may not receive credits for both.