• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Power Train
• Space Propulsion
• Transport Processes
  
  

"Tech's ETF program is very good because we have practical projects from both industries and institutes that provide students the hands-on experience of solving problems."

—Xiaomin Wang
Energy Thermofluids graduate student

The program
Energy Thermofluids, a program within the Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM) department, emphasizes thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics. Current research activity is in combustion processes, internal combustion engines, heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, computational fluid dynamics, sensor development, remote telemetry, and emissions/air quality control.

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 technical experts in areas of interest to industry.

Recent and current research projects in energy thermofluids
CFD

• Optimization of compound nozzle using computational fluid dynamics
• Computational fluid dynamics analysis of turbulent flows

Energy Systems

• Cooling system modeling of diesel-powered vehicles
• Nozzle designs to minimize droplet sizes of aerosols

Powertrain

• An optical sensor for measuring fuel film dynamics in a port-fuel-injected engine
• Compound electroformed metal nozzles for high-pressure gasoline injection
• Piston heat transfer in a direct fuel injected two-stroke engine
• Cavitation signatures in torque converters
• Spray impingement in DI diesels
• Diesel particulate and NOx Control Technology
• Low-speed ports for a two-stroke engine

Space propulsion

• Study of magnetic field interaction in clustered Hall-effect thrusters
• Micro-spacecraft formation flying using inter-vehicle Coulomb forces for control
• Evaluation of alternative propellants for ion propulsion

Transport Processes

• Development of a two-phase fuel-flow model
• Modeling of the atomization process
• Modeling of the flow, heat transfer, and particulate matter reactions in a diesel trap
• Electrostatic enhancement of pseudo-dropwise condensation of non-CFC refrigerants
  

Laboratories
Research is conducted in laboratories, completely outfitted with the latest technology used in industry today. They are:

• Advanced Space Propulsion Lab
• Automotive Engine Lab
• Automotive Two-Stroke Lab
• Cold Room
• Diesel Engine Lab
• Heat Transfer Lab
• Laser Lab
• Piston Temperature Measurement Lab
• Small Engines Lab
• Two-Stroke Marine Engine 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).