2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Mechanical Engineering
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 Return to: Lyle School of Engineering: Academic Programs
Professor Amin Salehi-Khojin, Chair
Professors: Adel Alaeddini, Ali Beșkök, Ali Dogru, Xin-Lin Gao, Yildirim Hürmüzlü, MinJun Kim, Elizabeth Laboa, José L. Lage, M. Volkan Otugen, Peter E. Raad, Amin Salehi-Khojin, Saeed Salehi, Wei Tong
Associate Professors: Elena V. Borzova, Xu Nie, Edmond Richer, David A. Willis
Assistant Professor: Hamidreza Karbasian
Professors of Practice: Steven L. Lerner, James R. Webb
Adjunct Faculty: Phillip Andrew, Bogdan Antohe, Eric B. Cluff, Christopher Colaw, Douglas Coldwell, Levent Kaan, Mohammad Kashki, FanRong Kong, Michael Meaders, David J. Nowacki, Ardas Sabuncuyan, Andrew Weaver
General Information
The mission of the Lyle School of Engineering laboratories is to support high-quality practical research and technological innovations.
The Biological Actuation, Sensing and Transport Laboratory is developing biologically-inspired nano/micro-scale robotic systems for minimally invasive surgery and particulate drug delivery as well as solid-state nano-pore systems for single molecule analysis. This is an interdisciplinary experimental group working on three core subject areas: nano/microbio-robotics, transport phenomena, and single molecule biophysics. Although each core program consists of a distinct project, we would like to emphasize their synergistic nature - advances in one core are expected to drive the development of the others. The unifying component of all the cores is “nanoscale engineering.”
The Biomedical Instrumentation and Robotics Laboratory supports research activities that promote strong interdisciplinary collaboration between several branches of engineering and biomedical sciences. The research interests are centered on (1) Medical robotics, especially novel robotic applications in minimally invasive, natural orifice, and image-guided and haptic-assisted surgery; and (2) in vivo measurements of mechanical properties of biological tissues. These areas of concentration touch upon fundamentals in analytical dynamics, nonlinear control of mechanical systems, computer-aided design and virtual prototyping, applied mathematics, data acquisition, signal processing, and high-performance actuators.
The Bio-Microfluidics Laboratory concentrates on designing, building and testing microfluidic devices for biomedical applications. Research also includes numerical modeling of mass momentum and energy transport in micro and nano-scales using continuum and atomistic simulation methods.
Center for Digital and Human-Augmented Manufacturing (CDHAM). The Lyle School of Engineering Center for Digital and Human-Augmented Manufacturing, also known as CDHAM, is poised to revolutionize current manufacturing research technology paradigms with an unwavering commitment to adapt to emerging challenges, leverage cutting-edge technologies, and drive innovation that addresses real-world problems with real-world industrial partners. There are two main components of the CDHAM: “Digital” communicates a linkage to Industry 4.0+, advanced simulation and modeling, and utilization of Digital Twins, while “Human-Augmented” communicates a focus on human-machine teaming whereby artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), and manufacturing technology excellence transform manufacturing processes as we know them. These approaches are at the forefront of a competitive digital landscape where the speed and agility of the engineering and manufacturing system enables those who succeed versus fail.
The Impact Mechanics Laboratory explores the mechanics and physics in dynamic response and failure of advanced materials. The lab is currently equipped with Kolsky compression/tension bar facilities of different sizes for high-rate characterization of materials and structures. A high-resolution Kirana high-speed camera is implemented with the Kolsky bar systems to observe the dynamic deformation and failure process of materials. The lab also has A Skyscan 1172 Micro-CT for non-destructive evaluation of materials microstructure.
The Laboratory for Porous Materials Applications is concerned with modeling; numerical simulation; and experimental testing of mass, energy and momentum transport in heterogeneous and porous media.
The Laser Micromachining Laboratory conducts studies of laser-assisted micro-fabrication, including high-power laser ablation and laser micromachining.
The Mechanics of Metamaterials Laboratory is devoted to studying thermomechanical responses of metamaterials created by microstructural design and 3-D printing. Such materials include cellular materials, lattice structures, and interpenetrating phase composites that exhibit negative Poisson’s ratios and/or non-positive thermal expansion coefficients. Higher-order continuum theories, micromechanics, structural analysis, and variational principles are employed as the major tools, and theoretical analysis, numerical simulations and experimental studies are utilized as the main approaches.
The Micro, Nano and Biomechanics of Materials Laboratory is devoted to solid mechanics and materials engineering research, with a focus on the combined experimental characterization as well as the computational analysis of mechanical properties, stress/strain, and microstructure of engineering and biological materials. Applications in advancing manufacturing and materials processing technologies, engineering design analyses, and biomedical sciences and engineering are also studied in this facility.
The MicroSensor Laboratory focuses on research in the development of micro-optical sensors for a wide range of aerospace and mechanical engineering applications, including temperature, pressure, force, acceleration and concentration. A major research component in this lab is concentrated on the study of the optical phenomenon called the “whispering gallery modes” and its exploitation for sensor development in the microsize level with a nano-level measurement sensitivity.
The Nanoscale Electro-Thermal Sciences Laboratory (NETSL) was established in 1995 in recognition of the local industry’s needs for noninvasive characterization of microelectronic devices. The Laboratory features (a) laser-based transient thermoreflectance (TTR) capabilities to measure the thermal properties of thin-film materials and their interfaces, (b) Thermoreflectance-based thermal imaging capabilities for the transient thermal imaging of active microelectronics at deep submicron resolutions, and (c) a self-adaptive computational tool that enables rapid thermal simulation for concurrent electro-thermal analysis. True to the vision of its founders, today’s NETS Laboratory continues to focus on the research and creative use of thermal sciences to enhance the design and reliability of microelectronics as well as to explore new scientific and metrological opportunities.
The Systems Laboratory is dedicated to analysis and modeling of bipedal gait dynamics, rigid-body impact mechanics and the pneumatically operated haptic interface system.
The Systems, Measurement and Control Laboratory is equipped for instruction in the design and analysis of analog and digital instrumentation and control systems. Modern measurement and instrumentation equipment is used for experimental control engineering, system identification, harmonic analysis, simulation and real-time control applications. Equipment also exists for microprocessor interfacing for control and instrumentation.
Mechanical engineering is a very diverse, dynamic and exciting field. Because of the wide-ranging technical background they attain, mechanical engineers have the highest potential for employment after graduation and the exceptional mobility that is needed for professional growth even during bear market conditions.
The Mechanical Engineering Department at SMU has a long tradition of offering a superb engineering education within an environment that fosters creativity and innovation. Small classes, a trademark of the program, not only allow for strong mentoring but also promote academic excellence through cooperation and teamwork. The department’s exceptionally qualified faculty members are continuously engaged in cutting-edge research projects, facilitating the attainment and transmission of knowledge to the students. Leading by example, through encouragement and dedication, the faculty is committed to the success of every student during their tenure at SMU and after graduation.
The SMU program prepares students to be creative by providing a solid background in fundamentals of science and engineering without compromising the practical aspects of mechanical engineering. Essential entrepreneurial know-how, interpersonal skills and an understanding of the importance of lifelong learning complement the educational experience of SMU students. The program also stimulates professional and social leadership.
Graduate Degrees. The Mechanical Engineering Department offers the following graduate degrees:
ProgramsDoctoral
Master
Dual Degree
CoursesMechanical Engineering
All on-campus mechanical engineering graduate students are expected to enroll and participate each term in the graduate seminar course ME 7090. Special courses are courses reflecting specific areas of interest that have not been taught on a regular basis and may be offered if sufficient interest is shown.
| Advanced Special Topics |
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Graduate Seminar
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ME 7090 |
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Master’s Thesis
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ME 7(0,1,2,3,6)96 |
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Seminar Series on Ethics in Engineering and Technology
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ME 7190 |
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Selected Problems
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ME 7(1–4)9(4–5) |
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Advanced Topics II
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ME 7384 |
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Selected Topics
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ME 7(1–9)9(0–3); 8(1–9)9(0–4) |
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Dissertation
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ME 8(0,1,6,9)96 |
| Special Courses |
ME 8325, 8326, 8327 |
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