{"id":88,"date":"2025-02-25T10:29:31","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T15:29:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tickle.utk.edu\/mae\/?page_id=88"},"modified":"2026-07-02T09:24:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T13:24:49","slug":"areas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tickle.utk.edu\/mae\/research\/areas\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Areas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Explore what we’re working on<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Areas<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Together, our faculty and students drive progress in five key research areas including computational science, energy storage, manufacturing, robotics, and of thermal, fluid, and structural systems. Use the links below to learn more about each of these research areas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Computational Sciences, AI\/MIL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our faculty specializing in computational engineering are leveraging advances in computing and Artificial Intelligence to develop powerful tools for modeling and analyzing complex systems across fields such as aerospace, fluids, robotics, and manufacturing, enabling faster, more accurate insights and applications from defense to healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Computational Research<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Energy Storage and Conversion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our faculty specialize in energy storage and conversion systems applying their expertise in thermal and fluid dynamics, electrochemistry, and advanced manufacturing to improve the performance and scalability of systems for vehicles, grid power, and space, collaborating widely with industry and government partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy Storage Research<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Manufacturing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our faculty lead advancements in manufacturing by exploring innovative materials and methods\u2014ranging from additive manufacturing of polymers, metals, and ceramics to high-precision machining\u2014while partnering with industry and government to drive commercial and defense applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manufacturing Research<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Robotics and Control<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Several mechanical and aerospace engineering faculty specialize in robotics and control systems, applying their expertise to areas ranging from surgical robots and autonomous spacecraft to advanced manufacturing with robots and cobots, bridging fundamental research and real-world applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robotics and Control Research<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Thermal, Fluid, and Structural Dynamics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Department faculty and researchers apply experimental and computational methods to study thermal, fluid, and structural systems across scales, advancing research in aerodynamics, combustion, materials testing, and micro\/nanoscale heat transfer for applications ranging from aerospace to manufacturing and HVAC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thermal, Fluid, and Structural Dynamics Research<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Explore what we’re working on Research Areas Together, our faculty and students drive progress in five key research areas including computational science, energy storage, manufacturing, robotics, and of thermal, fluid, and structural systems. Use the links below to learn more about each of these research areas. 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