Department of Mechanical Engineering

Holmes 302
2540 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7167
Fax: (808) 956-2373
Email: meoffice@hawaii.edu
Web: me.hawaii.edu

Faculty

*J. J. Brown, PhD (Chair)—nanomaterials, micro/nano devices, experimental mechanics, nanomanufacturing
*J. S. Allen, PhD (Graduate Chair)—acoustics, multiphase fluid dynamics, micro-biomechanics
*D. M. Azimov, PhD, DSc—guidance and control, autonomous space systems, space flight dynamics, optimal control
*P. J. Berkelman, PhD—haptic interfaces, surgical robotics, magnetic levitation
*C. X. Du, PhD—soft materials, molecular dynamics, statistical mechanics, collective behavior, machine learning/artificial intelligence for materials design
*G. Gallo, PhD—chemical rocket propulsion
*M. N. M. Ghasemi Nejhad, PhD—nanotechnology, composites, renewable energy, smart structures
*R. Ghorbani, PhD—renewable energy, dynamics, controls, design
*L. H. Hihara, PhD—corrosion materials, mechanical behavior of materials
*A. Klishin, PhD—physics-informed machine learning, complex systems, statistical mechanics, design problems, network theory
*M. Kobayashi, PhD—computational fluid dynamics, aeroacoustics, dynamical systems, topology optimization
*B. Konh, PhD—medical devices, smart materials, mechatronics
*S. F. Miller, PhD—manufacturing, design of medical devices, tribology
*H. Ozawa, PhD—non-stationary high speed aerothermodynamics, transient optical flow diagnostics, shock/shock and shock/boundary layer interactions, laminar to turbulent boundary layer transition in hypersonic flows, supersonic combustion
*W. Qu, PhD—boiling and two-phase flow, microscale thermofluid transport phenomena
*T. Ray, PhD—microfluidics/nanofluidics, novel microfluidic device fabrication-design, process development, device characterization, nanoparticle characterization, sensing technologies (optical, electrical, chemical), microassembly, acoustophoresis, graphical design
*A Z. Trimble, PhD—renewable energy, industrial automation, precision engineering
*W. E. Uspal, PhD—microhydrodynamics, statistical mechanics, soft matter
*T. Wang, PhD—soft robotics, underwater robotics, bioinspiration, soft medical devices and system, miniature robotics, mechanics
*T. F. Yap, PhD—soft manufacturing, soft matter, soft machines, additive manufacturing, interfacial phenomena, temperature-dependent reaction kinetics
*Y. Zuo, PhD—colloids and surfaces, lung surfactants, AFM, biomedical applications

Affiliate Graduate Faculty

C. Ippolito, PhD—aerospace engineering
W. Lee, PhD—nanoscale thermal transport, nanotechnology, nanomaterials, quantum transport, energy conversion
R. McGinnis, PhD—digital health, mHealth, biomedical signal processing
Z. Sherman, PhD—chemical engineering
S. Shin, PhD—fluid mechanics, heat transfer, microfluids
Z. Song, PhD—autonomous robots, sensor fusion, multi-agent systems, marine robotics
F. Zhu, PhD—spacecraft and mission design, dynamics and control, machine learning, robotics, intelligent systems

Adjunct Faculty

C. J. Kamp, PhD—surface science, catalysis, nano-lithography, materials science
M. F. Young, PhD— rocket propulsion, mixed convection heat transfer, turbulence modeling, solar energy

Cooperating Graduate Faculty

M. Cooney, PhD—high rate waste water treatment and reactor design; sustainability analysis; bio-oil bearing biomass
M. Dubarry, PhD—battery testing, modeling and simulation; grid scale Li-ion energy storage systems, vehicle-to-grid strategies, and testing of emerging battery technologies
N. M. Gaillard, PhD—theory-guided materials design, solid/liquid interface phenomena, light/matter interaction in nanostructures
S. Higgins, PhD—air purification, battery separation, microbial fuel cells and anaerobic digestion technologies
Z. Huang, PhD—wave-structure interaction, multi-phase flow modeling, coastal engineering
A. Kim, PhD—environmental engineering; computer simulations
M. Krieg, PhD—marine robots, biomimicry analysis, unconventional propulsion, hydrodynamic modeling, autonomous systems and control, distributed fluid sensing, and coupled autonomous systems
S. M. Masutani, PhD—combustion, turbulent transport phenomena, energy systems
M. Nunes, PhD—improving the development, launch and operations of new satellite architectures
T. Reshetenko, PhD—electrochemical energy conversion, fuel cells, metal catalysts, hydrogen generation
R. Rocheleau, PhD—thin film ceramic materials
G. Severa, PhD—contaminant mitigation, absorbent materials
T. C. Sorensen, DE—space mission design and operations, space craft autonomy, design, orbital mechanics, guidance and control, space propulsion, software design and development, lunar missions, space history
D. Takagi, PhD—fluid mechanics
S. Q. Turn, PhD—thermo chemical energy conversion, fuels processing, energy systems
R. Woo, MD—medical design

* Graduate Faculty

Mission Statement

Our program prepares the mechanical engineering workforce, and advances the frontiers of knowledge and technology, through integrated research and education. We aim to prepare graduates for successful engineering and professional careers and leadership roles with lifelong learning and ethical conduct that will lead them to be engaged good citizens, engineers, and professionals in their communities and the world.

Program Educational Objectives

Our graduates will become accomplished professionals by learning to formulate, communicate, and solve problems using engineering principles, methodologies, and modern tools.
Our graduates will be professionals and leaders in industry, national laboratories, academia, and society by employing engineering fundamentals, design skills, thinking creatively, communicating effectively, collaboration, and implementing emerging and innovative technologies.
Our graduates will be professionals and leaders who accept and practice their professional and ethical responsibilities, respect diversity of opinion and culture, and have a proper understanding and consideration for a healthy and aesthetic environment.

The Academic Program

Mechanical engineering (ME) is concerned with the design of all types of machines, conversion of energy from one form to another, instrumentation and control of all types of physical and chemical processes, the manufacturing and utilization of engineering materials, and control of human and machine environments. Mechanical engineers conceive, plan, design, and direct the manufacture, distribution, and operation of a wide variety of devices, machines, instruments, materials, and systems used for energy conversion, heat and mass transfer, biomedical applications, environmental control, control of human and machine environments, physical and chemical process control, materials processing, transportation, manufacture of consumer products, materials handling, and measurements. Mechanical engineers also employ Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), Computer Aided Testing (CAT), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), computer modeling and simulations, novel materials, robotics, and mechatronics (integration of computers with electromechanical systems) in their day-to-day activities. Mechanical engineers find opportunities for employment in every branch of industry and in a variety of government agencies. Work may involve research, development, design, analysis, manufacture, testing, marketing, or management.

Undergraduate Study

Student Outcomes

All graduates of the mechanical engineering program are expected to have demonstrated an ability to:

An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Professional Components

A culminating design experience that integrates knowledge and skills acquired throughout the curriculum
The application of engineering standards and realistic constraints, including consideration of economics, environmental sustainability, manufacturability, ethics, health, safety, society, and politics

Graduate Study

Outcomes

Demonstrate mastery of the methodology and techniques specific to the field of study.
Communicate both orally and in writing at a high level of proficiency in the field of study.
Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work.
Perform in their field of study at a professional level.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers graduate programs leading to MS and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering with areas of concentration in Thermal and Fluid Sciences (heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, biotechnology, alternative energy conversions, sustainability, boiling and two-phase flow, combustion, multidisciplinary design and analysis optimization, and high-performance computing); Mechanics, Systems, and Controls (robotics, mechanical design, mechatronics, control systems, dynamical systems, space and ocean science and exploration, biomedical engineering, rehabilitation engineering, and renewable energy systems); and Materials and Manufacturing (nanotechnology, composite and smart structures, electrochemistry and corrosion, precision machining, and joining of dissimilar materials). For qualified graduate students, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and scholarships are available.

Programs

Bachelor’s

Master’s

Mechanical Engineering, MS

Doctorate

Mechanical Engineering, PhD

Combined