• Design and Kinematics
• Mechatronics
• Noise and Vibration
  
  

"Optimal design, smart dynamic structure, simultaneous optimization. . . the research in DDS at Michigan Tech is always in the front of this field. Here you can learn what our future will be—that is intelligent!"

—Chen Wei
PhD Candidate, Design Dynamic Systems

The program
Design dynamic systems (DDS), a program within the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM), emphasizes research in noise/vibration/harshness, smart structures, modal analysis, controls, computer-aided engineering, noise control, vehicle dynamics, environmentally conscious design, design methodology, and lean enterprises.

Degrees
MS in Engineering Mechanics
MS in Mechanical Engineering
PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

ME-EM is structured along four areas of teaching and research (design dynamic systems, energy thermofluids, manufacturing/industrial, and solid mechanics) with heavy emphasis placed on graduate student participation in laboratory and theoretical investigations, including interdisciplinary research and industrial and federally funded projects.

Off-campus
Highly motivated, qualified practicing engineers may participate in MTU’s distance learning MS and PhD programs. The programs create experts in areas of interest to industry.

Recent and current research projects in DDS

Design and Kinematics

• Optimal design of smart structures
• Hardware-accelerated geometric problem solving for computer-aided design and manufacturing
• Selection of industrial coatings based on environmental and societal impact characteristics
• Lean and sustainable product development
• Design of a power-assisted gait orthosis device

Mechatronics

• System identification and control of hydrostatic transmissions
• Nonlinear control of underactuated systems
• Modeling and control of electromagnetic bearing spindles
• Robot trajectory design for high-speed flexible payload operations
• Design of networked drive-by-wire control systems
• Fatigue specification-based control design

Noise and Vibrations

• Dynamic characterization of elastomers, bushings, and shock absorbers
• Viscoelastic damping analysis and design for passive noise and vibration control
• Subjective and objective methods for improving sound quality and speech intelligibility in products and communication systems
• Development of excitation systems for point mobility measurements
• Structural integrity of timber bridges from impact excitation
• Methods for characterizing side-view mirror image distortion

Laboratories
  Research is conducted in laboratories, completely outfitted with the latest technology used in industry today. Some examples below:

• Dynamic Systems Lab
• Environmentally Responsible Design and Manufacturing Lab
• Intelligent Systems and Control Lab
• Life-cycle Engineering Lab
• Mechanical Design Research Lab
• Noise Control and Sound Quality Lab

Stature
The ME-EM department is one of the largest in the nation and is the largest in the College of Engineering at Michigan Tech. It has more than 40 full-time faculty members. In fall 2002, 147 graduate students, which included 59 doctoral students, were enrolled in the department.

Students at MTU work on projects funded by organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, DOE, DOD, DoEd, the automobile industry, and the aerospace industry.

ME-EM students work in laboratories that occupy more than 50,000 square feet of space and house the most advanced research and computing equipment available to date.

A $3.2-million campaign provided a new Student Innovation Complex for the ME-EM department, along with a number of renovated labs and new learning environments to support the revised curriculum.

All students are automatically considered for financial support—no additional application forms are necessary.

ME-EM is ranked 17th nationally in graduate student enrollment and 23rd nationally in PhD degrees awarded (1999-2000).