Research Fields

Mechanics and Materials

Study on mechanics and materials focuses on the microstructure and characteristics of metals, polymers, composite materials, nanomaterials, and fuel cells. The field of material science has evolved dramatically at the turn of 21st century. Due to intensive research in this area, rapid advancement in material design, production, modeling, and characterization has been made possible. Understanding the complicated multi-scale behavior of both natural and engineered materials is a major area of study in mechanics and materials. It is particularly challenging to anticipate material behavior in the nanoscale.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering, BUET has several modern laboratories to conduct both experimental and computational research on understanding material behavior also evaluating properties of material. Several courses are also offered both at undergraduate and post-graduate level that covers both industrially relevant and basic areas of mechanics and materials science. Research conducted on mechanics and material at the department of mechanical engineering range from macroscopic behavior analysis to nanoscale material modeling and analysis. Some of the topics on which research projects are currently ongoing at the department are,

  •          Mechanical Vibration
  •          Behavioral Analysis of shape memory alloy
  •          Functionally Gradient Material
  •          Stress and Failure Analysis of Micro-Electronic Components
  •          Micro and nano mechanical property evaluation
  •          Dislocation mechanics
  •          Modelling and analysis of 2D material
  •          Nano Mechanics
  •          Behavioral analysis of nanocomposite materials
  •          Viscoelastic material

ME faculties in Mechanics and Materials research fields

Heat Transfer and Thermal Engineering

Heat Transfer and Thermal Engineering covers the areas of thermo-sciences, applied thermodynamics, energy systems, heat transfer, and pollution control. Thermal Engineering also deals with the transfer and conversion of energy from nano-scale devices to global-scale systems. Thermal Science research aims at developing fundamental understanding of basic and applied thermodynamics. It covers a wide range of applied thermal science and engineering applications that are closely related to industry, including the laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamic processes, heat and mass transfer at various scales (nano, micro, and macro), efficient engines and refrigeration power cycles, combustion (thermal effects and chemical reactions), energy transport and storage, fluid mechanics, building urban and distributed systems, and development of materials for energy.

Research in the area of thermal science is being conducted by numerous faculty members over a wide time and length scales. Their research topic covers many aspects of heat transfer and thermal engineering ranging from thermodynamic cycle to nanoscale heat and mass transfer. Students at both undergraduate and post-graduate level get the opportunity to work at various research groups dedicated to conduct high quality research. Both experimental and computational research work is conducted on thermal science. Some of the topics on which research is being conducted are as follows,

  • Combustion Dynamics
  • Alternative Fuels for I.C. Engines
  •  Applied Thermodynamics
  •  Heat and mass transport in microscale
  • Phase change at nanoscale
  • Computational Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Microelectronics Cooling

ME faculties in Heat Transfer and Thermal Engineering research fields

Fluid Mechanics and Fluids Engineering

Fluid mechanics spans many fields of science and engineering and plays an integral role in many broader societal issues including energy, health, and the environment. It is a traditional subject in mechanical engineering, and research in fluid mechanics remains vital today. The majority of industrial processes include fluid flow, and many of these fluids exhibit complicated rheologies. Numerous obstacles still exist despite the field's maturity, notably in the numerical simulation of turbulent flows, the flow of non-Newtonian fluids, biophysical fluid dynamics, and fluid-structure interactions.

Numerous courses in the area of fluid mechanics and fluids engineering are offered by the mechanical engineering department at BUET at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students also have access to various modern laboratories such as Turbulence Laboratory, High-Speed aerodynamics lab, fluid machinery lab etc. to conduct both experimental and computational research. Several faculty members from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at BUET are currently working on research projects in a variety of fluid mechanics-related topics such as,

  •          High speed Aerodynamics
  •          Microfluids & Micro Propulsion
  •          Biofluid Mechanics
  •          Biomimetics
  •          Wind Power
  •          Multiphase Flow
  •          Cardiovascular Fluid Dynamics
  •          Fluid-structure interaction

ME faculties in Fluid Mechanics and Fluids Engineering research fields

Micro/Nanoscale Science and Engineering

The characterization and creation of nanostructured materials and metamaterials with novel electrical, photonic, and mechanical properties that answer pressing societal requirements are made possible by the tools provided by micro- and nanoengineering. It includes the creation, characterization, design, modeling, and integration of nano devices and structures into engineered systems. At nanoscale unique properties can result such that the fundamentals of thermo-physical processes and material behavior deviate from traditional macroscopic level.

Nearly every aspect of our life is impacted by research on micro and nano structures. Healthcare and biomedical research, information processing and storage, generation and storage of renewable energy, and environmental monitoring are some of the impact sectors. Faculties at Department of Mechanical Engineering, BUET are engaged in many aspects of micro and nano engineering. The research projects conducted are frequently diverse and necessitates cooperation with other departments as well as academics from other national and international universities.

Some of the topics on which nano and micro scale research in conducted are:

  • Stress and Failure Analysis of Micro-Electronic Components
  • Carbon nanofibers and nanotubes fabrication and properties   
  • Nanocomposite materials
  • Nano Structure Fabrication
  • Micro and nano mechanical property evaluation
  • Nanoengineered Surface
  • Nanoscale thermal transport

ME faculties in Micro/Nanoscale Science and Engineering research fields

Energy Engineering

Energy Engineering is a broad field of mechanical engineering that deals with energy generation, conversion, utilization, storage, management, energy efficiency, energy services, sustainable energy, renewable energy, and alternative energy technologies. Energy engineering combines different fields of study including the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, environmental science, and economics. This is a more recent field of mechanical engineering with crucial significance and opportunities in the modern world.

The department of Mechanical Engineering of BUET offers many courses in the field of energy engineering at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The department also offers students access to a number of modern laboratories dedicated to energy research. Several faculty members from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, BUET are carrying out various research projects in this field. These research projects are being conducted on a range of energy engineering topics including-

  • Modelling and optimization of power cycles
  • Power generation from low grade heat sources
  • Micro-wind power generation
  • Energy storage systems and materials
  • Electric vehicle systems
  • Fuel cells
  • Electrochemical energy systems
  • Renewable energy sources

The energy engineering research at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, BUET is being carried out keeping both the global and local context in mind. A constant stream of top-quality publications is coming out of these research projects on energy engineering.

ME faculties in Energy Engineering research fields

Robotics and Control

Control and robotics are two closely related disciplines that have a rich history of profound intellectual inquiry and practical accomplishments. Robotic aided surgery, cell manipulation, unmanned vehicles, and service robotics for railway and aerospace maintenance are just a few of the many areas where research is being done to improve robotic capabilities, automation, and intelligent sensing. The development of mathematical models for real-world systems, ranging from fluid flow in the human brain to heavy-lifting hydraulic cranes, is the main focus of research in robotics and control. These models are then used for sensing, visualizing, predicting, and controlling key variables within these systems.

Faculty members of Department of Mechanical Engineering, Buet are actively conducting various research projects on control system and robotics. These research projects range of topics including,

  • Bio-inspired Robotics
  • COBOT
  • Control of Complex Systems

ME faculties in Robotics and Control research fields

Interdisciplinary Research

Interdisciplinary research integrates information, data, techniques, tools, perspectives, concepts or theories from two or more disciplines or bodies of specialized knowledge. It Advances fundamental understanding or solves problems whose solutions are beyond the scope of a single discipline or area of research practice.

To conduct quality research collaboration between different departments is essential. Faculties from the department of mechanical engineering, BUET actively collaborates with faculties of other departments such as the department of chemical engineering, chemistry, computer science and engineering, material and metallurgical engineering, biomedical engineering etc. Collaboration on various range of topics is typically observed such as,

  • Nanoengineered surface fabrication
  • Supercapacitor
  • Fire dynamics
  • Cardiovascular Mechanics
  • Polymer electrolyte fuel cells
  • Redox flow battery
  • Linear and nonlinear spectroscopy
  • Laser diagnostics

ME faculties in Interdisciplinary Research research fields