home
undergrad
graduate
Research
advising
contact

MECHANICAL Engineering

Engineering the mechanics of tomorrow, today

Undergraduate
Graduate
Research
Faculty

Cutting-edge research and hands-on learning across diverse fields such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, robotics, aerospace, and nanotechnology. Our graduates are equipped to tackle complex global challenges with a strong foundation in design, analysis, and sustainable solutions.

Internships

Programs

Starting Salary

Another stat

Mechanical Engineering Capstones

The senior projects making waves.

APPLY TODAY!

wearable robotic system for home-based gait training for older adults

Babak Hejrati, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Dynamics and Controls

Stay in touch!
give to mcec

READY TO JOIN US?

APPLY TODAY!

Program Offerings 

MECHANICAL Engineering Overview

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maine offers a comprehensive educational journey, from undergraduate to doctoral studies, with exciting research opportunities at every level. Faculty expertise spans areas including renewable energy, advanced materials, robotics, aerospace engineering, biomechanics, and computational mechanics, providing students with a dynamic and interdisciplinary learning environment.

Research highlights include innovations in offshore wind energy systems, 3D printing for sustainable manufacturing, bio-inspired aerospace design, robotics for rehabilitation, and nanoscale thermal energy transport. With state-of-the-art facilities and collaborations across industry and academia, UMaine’s Mechanical Engineering program prepares students to lead in fields critical to addressing societal and environmental challenges. Join a vibrant community committed to innovation, problem-solving, and creating a sustainable future.

MECHANICAL Engineering and Engineering Technology – Similarities and Differences

Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) are closely related fields, but they differ significantly in focus, educational content, and career paths. ME emphasizes theoretical, conceptual, and analytical design, with students delving deeply into advanced mathematics, physics, and engineering principles. The curriculum often includes courses in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, material science, and system design, preparing graduates to conceptualize, analyze, and develop entirely new systems and technologies. In contrast, MET focuses on the practical application and implementation of engineering principles. Its curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning with applied mathematics, manufacturing processes, automation, and the operation and maintenance of mechanical systems.

Graduates of ME programs, typically earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), are prepared for careers as design engineers, researchers, and analysts, often working in roles that require innovation and system optimization. Many ME graduates pursue licensure as Professional Engineers (PE), which is essential for certain roles, particularly those involving public infrastructure or high-level responsibility. On the other hand, MET graduates, who earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology (BSMET), are better suited for practical roles in manufacturing, quality control, and system maintenance, focusing on troubleshooting, testing, and implementing designs. While MET graduates may pursue advanced education or licensure, their training is generally oriented toward immediate technical application in the workforce.

Ultimately, the choice between ME and MET depends on individual interests and career goals. ME is ideal for those who enjoy theoretical problem-solving, design, and research, while MET is better suited for individuals who prefer hands-on work, practical problem-solving, and the application of existing engineering methods. Both disciplines play crucial roles in the engineering ecosystem, supporting innovation and functionality in diverse industries.

Department Information

Department Chair: Masoud Rais-Rohani
Department Administrator: Meghan Honnell

Mechanical Engineering
75 Long Road
Orono, ME 04469
Tel: 207.581.2120
Fax: 207.581.2379
um.mecheng@maine.edu

Mechanical Engineering Research


The Mechanical Engineering Department provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students for research in a wide variety of areas. Explore eaCH AREA and associated faculty members.

Aerodynamics, UAVs, and Aerospace Design

Focuses on the study of airflow, control, and dynamics of aerial vehicles, including drones and aircraft, with applications in harsh environments and bio-inspired aerospace designs.


Faculty and Research Areas:

  • Ahmed Aboelezz, Ph.D.
  • Drones for Harsh Environment
  • Applied Aerodynamics
  • Flight Dynamics and Control of UAVs
  • Wind Energy Systems and Turbine Performance Optimization
  • Bio-inspired Design and Applications in Aerospace Engineering
  • Wilhelm “Alex” Friess, Ph.D.
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Lighter-Than-Air Vehicles
  • Engineering Education
  • Energy Efficiency in Extreme Climates
  • Kewei Xu, Ph.D.
  • Aircraft Aerodynamics
  • Bluff Body (Ships and Vehicles) Airwakes
  • Active Flow Control
  • Wind Turbine and Turbomachinery Applications

Offshore Wind and Renewable Energy Systems

Covers offshore wind turbines, floating energy structures, tidal energy, and advancements in renewable energy systems to enhance performance and efficiency.


Faculty and Research Areas:

  • Andrew Goupee, Ph.D.
  • Numerical Methods and Model Testing of Floating Offshore Structures
  • Experimental Techniques and Structural Optimization
  • Multiscale Methods for Heterogeneous Materials
  • Richard Kimball, Ph.D.
  • Offshore Wind Energy: Floating Systems Development and Testing
  • Marine Diesel Engine Performance Testing and Emissions Reduction
  • Low Emissions Fuel Development
  • Tidal Energy Systems
  • Amrit S. Verma, Ph.D.
  • Offshore Wind Turbine Technology: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance
  • Leading Edge Erosion of Wind Turbine Blades
  • Structural Testing and Finite Element Analysis

Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology

Explores the design, testing, and mechanics of advanced and multifunctional materials, including composites, ceramics, and nanostructures, for various engineering applications.


Faculty and Research Areas:

  • Sharmila Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D.
  • Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Design, Synthesis, Characterization, and Testing
  • Compact Lightweight Components for Energy, Environment, and Biomedical Applications
  • Surface and Interface Phenomena

Combustion, Heat Transfer, and Thermal Systems

Investigates combustion science, heat transfer processes, and energy transport at various scales, including modeling and experimental methods for thermal systems.


Faculty and Research Areas:

  • Sheila Edalatpour, Ph.D.
  • Near- and Far-Field Radiative Energy Transfer
  • Computational Heat Transfer
  • Electromagnetic Light Scattering
  • High-Performance Computing
  • Thermal Energy Transport at Micro/Nanoscale
  • Christopher Mordaunt, Ph.D.
  • Sooting Propensity of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels
  • Biomass Combustion
  • Combustion Characteristics of Coal-Based Liquid Fuels
  • Combustion Instability in Land-Based Gas Turbines
  • Olivier Putzeys, Ph.D., P.E.
  • Combustion and Fire Science
  • Smoldering Combustion and the Transition to Flaming
  • Combustion in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres
  • Thermal Modeling of Animals Using Infrared Thermography
  • James Sucec, M.S., P.E.
  • Skin Friction and Heat Transfer in Turbulent Flow over Aerodynamically Rough Surfaces
  • Transient, Conjugated Forced Convection

Robotics, Biomechanics, and Virtual Reality

Develops robotic systems, biomechanical analysis tools, and virtual reality technologies for applications in rehabilitation, manufacturing, and motion control.


Faculty and Research Areas:

  • Babak Hejrati, Ph.D.
  • Robotics and Robot-Assisted Gait Rehabilitation
  • Controls and Dynamic Systems
  • Biomechanics and Motion Analysis
  • Haptics and Virtual Reality
  • Mechanical Design and Manufacturing

Manufacturing, Additive Technologies, and Sustainability

Addresses advanced manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing, sustainable practices, and digital technologies to improve industrial processes and reduce environmental impact.


Faculty and Research Areas:

  • Bashir Khoda, Ph.D.
  • Digital Manufacturing
  • CAD/CAM/CAE
  • Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing
  • Bio-Manufacturing
  • Philip King, Ph.D.
  • Additive and Convergent Manufacturing
  • Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM)
  • Sustainable Manufacturing
  • Large-Scale Manufacturing
  • Metal Casting

Structural Engineering and Optimization

Focuses on the optimization, testing, and analysis of structures, leveraging modeling techniques to improve performance under various conditions and constraints.


Faculty and Research Areas:

  • Vincent Caccese, Ph.D., P.E.
  • Design, Testing, and Analysis of Impact Attenuating Materials
  • Structural Testing and Finite Element Analysis
  • Dynamic Systems Modeling and Testing
  • Fatigue Response of Connections
  • Masoud Rais-Rohani, Ph.D., P.E.
  • Structural and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization
  • Mechanics of Thin-Walled (Aircraft, Automotive, and Composite) Structures
  • Probabilistic and Non-Probabilistic Approaches for Uncertainty Quantification
  • Reduced Order and Surrogate Modeling

Solar and Thermal Energy Systems

Examines solar energy systems, thermochemistry, and thermal cycling, with a focus on materials and technologies for high-temperature applications.


Faculty and Research Areas:

  • Justin Lapp, Ph.D.
  • Solar Thermal Energy and Thermochemistry
  • Numerical Heat Transfer Modeling for High-Temperature Systems
  • Thermal Radiation
  • Material Behavior Under Solar Thermal Cycling
  • Determination of Optical and Thermal Properties of Materials

Computational and Dynamic Systems

Applies computational modeling, dynamic system analysis, and multiscale methods to understand and improve material and structural behaviors.


Faculty and Research Areas:

  • Senthil S. Vel, Ph.D.
  • Mechanics of Composite Materials
  • Computational Solid Mechanics
  • Micromechanical and Multiscale Modeling of Heterogeneous Materials
  • Thermoelastic Properties, Seismic Anisotropy, and Creep of Rocks, Ice, and Polycrystalline Materials
  • Zhihe Jin, Ph.D.
  • Fracture of Engineering Materials and Structures
  • Thermal Stresses and Thermal Shock Failure of Advanced Ceramics and Composites
  • Fluid Migration Through Fracture Propagation in Geological Materials
  • Thermo-Poroelasticity
  • Continuum Theory of Thermoelectric Energy Conversion Materials

Hydrophobic and Surface Technologies

Develops innovative surface technologies like superhydrophobic coatings and PFAS-free solutions for applications requiring advanced liquid and droplet control.


Faculty and Research Areas:

  • Xiaoxiao Zhao, Ph.D.
  • Liquid Droplet Transport
  • PFAS-Free Surfaces
  • Liquid-Like Polymer Brushes
  • Micro/Nano Surface Patterning
  • Durable Superhydrophobic Surfaces

Marine and Energy Systems

Explores marine propulsion, emissions reduction, and energy-efficient systems for extreme climates, including fuel development and propeller/turbine design.


Faculty and Research Areas:

  • Richard Kimball, Ph.D.
  • Computer Design of Propellers and Turbines
  • Tidal Energy Systems

Our Faculty and Staff

At MCEC, our faculty is the heartbeat of our academic community. Dedicated, inspiring, and deeply knowledgeable, our professors go beyond the traditional classroom experience to foster real-world skills and a passion for learning. Whether mentoring, leading innovative research, or providing personalized support, our faculty members are committed to empowering students to achieve their highest potential

Stephen Abbadessa

Stephen Abbadessa – Crosby Laboratory Manager109A Crosby Hall(207) 581-2370stephen.abbadessa@maine.edu Stephen Abbadessa Crosby Laboratory Manager Education: Technical Interests: Teaching:

Andrew Goupee

Donald A. Grant Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Senthil Vel

Arthur O. Willey Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Akm Khoda

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Justin Lapp

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Philip King

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

MCEC NEWS

Stay conNECTED

Supercomputing

Research Areas: High-performance computing, supercomputing

Faculty:  Prof. Zhu, Prof. Weaver

Laboratories: Computer Architecture and Systems Lab (Archsys) – Faculty: Prof. Zhu

Supercomputing

Research Areas: High-performance computing, supercomputing

Faculty:  Prof. Zhu, Prof. Weaver

Laboratories: Computer Architecture and Systems Lab (Archsys) – Faculty: Prof. Zhu

Supercomputing

Research Areas: High-performance computing, supercomputing

Faculty:  Prof. Zhu, Prof. Weaver

Laboratories: Computer Architecture and Systems Lab (Archsys) – Faculty: Prof. Zhu

Supercomputing

Research Areas: High-performance computing, supercomputing

Faculty:  Prof. Zhu, Prof. Weaver

Laboratories: Computer Architecture and Systems Lab (Archsys) – Faculty: Prof. Zhu

Supercomputing

Research Areas: High-performance computing, supercomputing

Faculty:  Prof. Zhu, Prof. Weaver

Laboratories: Computer Architecture and Systems Lab (Archsys) – Faculty: Prof. Zhu

Supercomputing

Research Areas: High-performance computing, supercomputing

Faculty:  Prof. Zhu, Prof. Weaver

Laboratories: Computer Architecture and Systems Lab (Archsys) – Faculty: Prof. Zhu