Postgraduate Courses

Continuum concept for deformation of solids; analysis of stress and strain; constitutive equations; solution of problems relevant to materials processing, fracture mechanics and structural analysis; energy methods and numerical solutions.

Basic knowledge of materials science and mechanics of micro- and nano-scale thin films with an emphasis on the mechanical properties of thin films and failure mechanisms in electronic devices.

Tensor notation, derivation of Navier-Stokes equations, vorticity transport, viscous flow, flow separation, boundary layer, flow instability, turbulent boundary layer, stratified flow, rotating flow.

Numerical simulation of viscous incompressible flows and heat transfer; finite-difference and finite element methods; accuracy and stability; grid generation; stream function and primitive-variable formulations; application to internal, external flows, diffusion, convection, and dispersion problems.

Elementary statistical concepts; ensembles and postulates; partition functions and their properties; calculation of thermodynamic properties; kinetic theory of transport process; fluctuation-dissipation theorem; Langevin equation; mass and heat transfer in fuel cells.

Laminar and turbulent boundary layer heat transfer by similarity, integral and superposition methods; effects of roughness, curvature, transpiration and high turbulence; forced and free convections, free-shear flows and buoyant flows; numerical methods.

Relationships between microstructure and mechanical behavior in crystalline materials; temperature-dependent deformation in elasticity, viscosity and creep; embrittlement, fatigue and fracture of engineering materials; strengthening mechanisms in crystalline materials.

An advanced treatment of the thermodynamics, kinetics and transport properties in solids, solutions, surfaces, and heterogeneous reactions.

This course is designed to provide fundamental understanding of emerging nanocomposite materials science and technology. The topical areas to discuss include synthesis of various nanoscale reinforcements, such as nanowires, nanotubes, and inorganic nanoparticles; fabrication and processing techniques of nanocomposites; dispersion of nanoreinforcements; interfacial adhesion; mechanical and functional properties of nanocomposites including gas/moisture barrier characteristics, electrical and magnetic properties, thermal properties and flame retardancy; molecular dynamic simulations; design and applications of nanocomposites.

Curves and surfaces, geometric modeling, computer graphics, optimization in engineering, NC toolpath generation algorithms, optimization in manufacturing, process planning, mesh generation techniques for analysis, reverse engineering, rapid prototyping.

Dynamic modeling; state space equation; feedback control; stability, performance of the closed-loop system, time-domain and frequency-domain; stability analysis based on Lyapunpov's direct method; PID, Robust control, Variable Structure control, Adaptive control, and Fourier based Learning control schemes.

Principles of precision engineering, 3D tolerancing for precision design, flexure and nano-positioning, interferometry for precision measurement, dynamic control for precision machining of engineering materials, ductile machining for brittle materials, applications and industrial practices.

Basic concepts of precision machining; the well developed methods and systems of fixed and free abrasive technology for micro- and nano- precision machining and fabrication applications; methods and techniques for process control modeling and characterization; advanced applications of abrasive technology such as free form machining and micro fabrication.

This course introduces the packaging technology of light-emitting diodes (LED) for the applications of solid-state lighting (SSL). Detailed topics include the principles of luminance and chromaticity; designs and structures of LED chips, packages, and modules; material selection and packaging processes; characterization of optical, electrical, and thermal performance; reliability tests and considerations.

Finite element formulation; variational principles for structural and continuum mechanics; numerical interpolation and integration; plane stress and plane strain analysis; plate bending and three dimensional solids; solution of large systems of algebraic equations.

Physics of Scaling; energy transduction, sensing and actuation principles; micro-fabrication technology and technology fundamentals; film formation, photolithography and etching; integrated Microsystems and Microsystems packaging.

Technical seminars in various disciplines of mechanical engineering; presentations are given by students, faculty, or guest speakers. Graded P or F.

This one-credit course aims at providing research postgraduate students with basic training in teaching skills, research management, career development, and related professional skills. This course consists of a number of mini-workshops. Some department-specific workshops will be coordinated by Department of MECH. Graded PP, P or F.

Selected topics in mechanical engineering of current interest to the Department and not covered by existing courses.

An independent research project carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. (Only one independent studies course may be used to satisfy the course requirements for any postgraduate program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.)

Master's thesis research supervised by a faculty member. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.

Original and independent doctoral thesis research. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.