About Our Research

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Last Updated: Apr 23, 2025, 11:27 AM

Fundamental Areas

The world-class faculty in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Materials Engineering are renowned experts in fundamental areas of mechanical engineering: Biomedical Engineering, Energy Processes/Chemical Engineering, Material Science/Engineering, Mechanical Design and Systems, and Thermal and Fluid Science/Engineering.

Biomedical Engineering

  • Biomechanics
  • Cell and Tissue Engineering
  • Computational Modeling
  • Nanocrystalline Composites

Energy Processes/Chemical Engineering

  • Hydrogen Production
  • Liquid Fuels Production
  • Air Pollution Control
  • Biomass Utilization
  • Utilization of Renewable Energy
  • Improved Energy Utilization and Conservation

Thermal and Fluid Science/Engineering

  • Experimental Fluid Dynamics
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Engine Testing and Development
  • Refrigeration Systems
  • Phase Change Phenomena
  • Electrohydrodynamics
  • Computational Heat Transfer
  • Computational Microfluidics and Biofluids
  • Particulate Flows
  • Acoustics and Vibration

Materials Science/Engineering

  • Fuel Cell Materials
  • Carbon Composite Materials
  • Intermetallic Diamond Cutting Tools
  • Processing of Ceramic Materials
  • Hot Pressing of Advanced Materials
  • Nanomaterials

Mechanical Design and Systems

  • Control Systems
  • Friction Systems
  • Impact Systems
  • Contact Mechanics and Tribology
  • Drive Train Systems
  • Mechanical Design
  • Mechanics of Elastic and Plastic Solids

Faculty Research Laboratories

The School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Materials Engineering places a strong emphasis in laboratory training, with well-equipped modern facilities uniquely suited to accomplish our research and educational mission.  We strongly believe students needs and receive more hands-on training in the various teaching and research laboratories.

  • College General Computer Laboratory
  • MAME Computer Instructional Laboratory
  • Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
  • Controls Laboratory
  • Thermal Measurements Laboratory
  • Materials Science Laboratory
  • Engine/Combustion Laboratory
  • Ceramic Powder Laboratory
  • High Temperature Sintering Laboratory
  • Ceramic and Composite Processing Laboratory
  • Materials Testing Laboratory
  • X- Ray Diffraction Measurements Laboratory
  • Mechanical Systems Laboratory
  • Intelligent Measurement and Evaluation Laboratory
  • Biochemical and Waste Heat Recovery
  • Pneumatic Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory
  • Acoustic Engineering Lab

Research Centers

The School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Materials Engineering has several research centers and institutes.  We also belong to various consortia, and we are home to several national and international research organizations.  See our list of Research Support Facilities.

Advanced Coal and Energy Research

The Advanced Coal and Energy Research Center (ACERC) assists faculty, students and others in the campus research community in engaging in advanced coal and energy-related research and service opportunities.  Established in 1974 as the Coal Research Center and expanding its focus in 2014 to include the broad array of energy research occurring across campus, ACERC is the hub for access to resources and information regarding advanced coal and energy research for SIU and the regional community.  Research has been conducted ranging from mine reclamation, coal processing, and gasification to energy policy, biofuels and renewables.  Ever at the forefront of efforts for safer, cleaner and more efficient energy, SIU researchers are making discoveries in areas such as carbon dioxide utilization, chemical looping combustion, microalgal fermentation and advanced materials for fuel cells. 

Center for Embedded Systems

The Center for Embedded Systems (CES) is a research collaboration between academia (Arizona State University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale), industry (leading electronics companies throughout the world) and government (the National Science Foundation). Its purpose is to advance in the field of embedded systems in algorithms, applications, and architectures to new levels; thereby, sharing resulting advancements and commercializing applications to advance commerce. The CES specializes in research in the following areas: Power, Energy and Thermal-Aware Design, Electronic System-level (ESL) Design and Technologies, Embedded Multicore Architectures and Programming, Embedded Software Systems, Cyber-Physical Systems, Integrated Circuit Technologies, Design, and Test.