Research

Our faculty is actively engaged in applied and fundamental research to address timely scientific questions relevant to mechanical engineering, using experimental, computational and theoretical methods. Research in the mechanical engineering program is often interdisciplinary. 

The mechanical engineering faculty at UVM works closely with students in five research areas:

Areas of Faculty Research

Computational Multiscale Simulations and Theory

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Student working on computational multiscale simulation and theory research

Research: Computational fluid dynamics, finite-element analysis, molecular dynamics simulation, first-principles calculations

Faculty: Yves Dubief, William Louisos, Jihong Ma, Jeff Marshall, Frederic Sansoz

Thermo-Fluid and Aerospace Engineering

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close-up image taken in the UVM plasma lab

Research: State of matter, transport of fluids, heat and mass. Energy harvesting.

Faculty: Yves Dubief, Douglas Fletcher, Jihong Ma, Jeff Marshall

Mechanical Engineering in Medical Research

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Researcher displaying newly developed Biomaterial

Research: Biomaterials, Biomechanics, Orthopedics

Faculty: Niccolo Fiorentino, Rachael Floreani, Linda Schadler.

Dynamical Sensing, Monitoring and Control

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Researchers testing ground penetrating radar prototype

Research: Robotics, Safety, Structural Monitoring, Control Systems

Faculty: Dryver Huston, Hamid Ossareh (EBE Department), Laura Treers

Materials Science and Engineering

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Research work in biomaterials

Research: Nanomaterials, Nanocomposites, Metamaterials, Biomaterials

Faculty: Rachael Floreani, Jihong Ma, Frederic Sansoz, Linda Schadler

Ski Safety Lab

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Binding release testing equipment in the ski safety lab

The Ski Safety Lab features a “504” test machine, the industry standard for rigorous testing of ski binding release characteristics, along with a ski flex and boot stiffness tester.  This will be part of our Mechanics Laboratory, which supports senior design projects. The return of binding testing to the UVM will enable further collaborations with UVM Orthopaedics and will foster novel boot and binding designs to improve skiing world-wide.

The test equipment and lab renovation are thanks to a generous donation from William C. and Carolyn L. Stutt, longtime supporters of the University of Vermont (parents and grandparents of UVM alumni who love skiing). The “504” was developed by Carl Ettlinger, UVM ME (BS 1967, MS 1969) who founded Vermont Ski Safety Equipment and Adjunct Professor, UVM Orthopaedics. Development of the standard for binding testing led to Carl being named Fellow of the ASTM. Prof. John O. Outwater was Carl’s research advisor at UVM and a longtime research collaborator.

Areas of Multidisciplinary Research
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  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Turbulence
  • Complex and Bio Fluids
  • Energy Harvesting and Conversion
  • Heat Transfer
  • Small-scale Mechanics and Fracture
  • Biomechanics and Orthopedics
  • Biomaterials
  • Nanostructured Metals and Alloys
  • Polymer Nanocomposites
  • Metamaterials
  • Micro and Nanotechnology
  • Control Systems
  • Micro-Robotics
  • Mechatronics
  • Smart Structures/Smart City
  • High-performance Computing

A description of faculty expertise and research areas can be found on their online profile. Reach out to faculty members directly by email for more information about specific projects and opportunities available in their laboratory.

Mechanical Engineering Faculty List