The department is actively involved in basic research, which expands the frontiers of knowledge, as well as applied research designed to solve both present and future technological needs of society. Research activities span a variety of disciplines related to mechanical engineering and are largely conducted in cooperation with eight research centers (see below) and their accompanying state-of-the-art research laboratories.
The AME Center serves as an incubator for cross-disciplinary research involving researchers in the 3 core research areas, as well as faculty and scientists from Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and other STEM disciplines. An example of this synergy is the application of the mechatronic group's novel optimal adaptive control technology to problems in flow control, a specialty of the aero-propulsion group.
This Center of Excellence (COE) conducts fundamental research that transforms the way conventional distributed sensing, state estimation, morphing structures, and control are applied to high speed aerospace systems. Our team addresses the limitation of conventional feedback loops using novel sensing motifs and inherent coupling to adaptive structures to create an agile and robust aerospace system with integrated sense, assess and respond functionality. Our inter-disciplinary approach leverages diverse methodologies and team member expertise in information theory, physics-based models, reservoir computing, sensors for high speed environments, morphing structures, control and experimental aerodynamics to meet the goals of an integrated sense, assess and respond framework.
Applied Superconductivity Center (ASC) advances the science and technology of superconducting magnets, working from atomic scale fundamentals, through complex conductors to construction of the highest field superconducting magnets yet made. ASC has comprehensive laboratories for superconductor fabrication, superconducting property and microstructural evaluations, and magnet construction and testing.
Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS) is a multidisciplinary research center organized to perform basic and applied research to advance the field of power systems technology with emphasis on application to electric utility, defense, and transportation. It has core competencies in the areas of power systems modeling, analysis, and control in the context of real-time digital simulators, power electronics, electrical machines and drive systems, superconductivity, and thermal systems analysis.
The vision of the Center for Intelligent, Systems, Control, and Robotics (CISCOR) is to use state-of-the-art technology to develop practical solutions to problems in systems, control, and robotics for applications in industry and government. CISCOR faculty come from Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Statistics and provide expertise such as mechanical design, dynamic modeling, control, artificial intelligence, pattern recognition, and computer vision.
Energy and Sustainability Center (ESC) addresses the most challenging energy issues related to the use of alternative energy through the development of innovative solutions for consumers and industry. Technologies of interest and areas of expertise include: off-grid zero emission buildings, algae photobioreactors, solar-thermal tri-generation systems, waste heat recovery, solar driven power cycles, fuel cells, and thermodynamic optimization of energy conversion systems.
Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion (FCAAP) is a State Center of Excellence involving FSU, the University of Florida, the University of Central Florida, and Embry-Riddle University. The principal focus of FCAAP is on aerospace and aviation research and technology, and FCAAP's efforts in this industry are having a major impact on Florida and the entire nation. FCAAP's state-of-the-art facilities include: 1) a polysonic wind tunnel, 2) a subsonic wind tunnel, 3) an anechoic wind tunnel, 4) a high temperature jet facility, and 5) a short take-off and vertical landing facility.
The multidisciplinary High-Performance Materials Institute (HPMI) performs research for emerging advanced composites, nanomaterials, multifunctional materials and devices, and advanced manufacturing. Currently, HPMI is involved in four primary technology areas: High-Performance Composite and Nanomaterials, Structural Health Monitoring, Multifunctional Nanomaterials Advanced Manufacturing and Process Modeling. Over the last several years, HPMI has proven a number of technology concepts that have the potential to narrow the gap between research and practical applications of nanotube-based materials.
The Florida A&M University – Florida State University College of Engineering maintains a Machine shop for support of research programs and of undergraduate and graduate education. The Machine Shop assists students, faculty, and staff with their cutting edge research and education by providing the necessary knowledge, equipment, and experience in machining and fabrication. In addition to offering the latest in CAD/CAM programs, the COE Machine Shop is equipped with a Haas CNC lathe, Haas CNC mills, and an Omax water jet machining center, enabling the shop to offer a high level of part accuracy for a variety of manufacturing processes.
For more information or to request services, visit the machine shop web page.
The mission of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL), as set forth by NSF, is: "To provide the highest magnetic fields and necessary services for scientific research conducted by users from a wide range of disciplines, including physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, biology and geology." In line with this, it generates the world's highest DC magnetic fields. ME researchers in the Maglab perform research and development projects involving very low temperature science and technology, relevant to the cooling of superconducting magnets.