Mechanical Engineering

  • NSF logo

    Twelve engineering students awarded prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

    Nine engineering doctoral students have been awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Three engineering undergraduate students also have received NSF fellowships. Read More

    Apr 14, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    Bike-inspired exoskeleton could allow humans to run 50 percent faster

    Runners could soon keep up with cyclists, thanks to a new exoskeleton invention from a team of mechanical engineers at Vanderbilt which would bring cycling mechanics to the human body. Read More

    Apr 7, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    VU engineers and VUMC doctors team up for open-source ventilator design

    As COVID-19 continues to push unprecedented challenges on medical communities, one of the most pressing threats for hospital staff across the country is a dwindling supply of ventilators. Now, an interdisciplinary team of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center faculty is taking on the challenge by way of a fabricated, open-source ventilator design. Read More

    Mar 27, 2020

  • close-up of film projector lens glowing as if light is passing through it

    Team demos breakthrough in analog image processing, Nature reports

    A research team of Vanderbilt engineers has demonstrated a new ultrathin filter, based on metamaterials, that allows for analog optical image processing. Read More

    Feb 24, 2020

  • Abbey Carlson

    Student-athlete Abbey Carlson: Engineer and golfer

    The ability to play top-level golf would be enough for most college students. But it barely scratches the surface of what drives Vanderbilt standout Abbey Carlson. Read More

    Jan 31, 2020

  • Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt mechanical engineers earn top materials research awards

    Vanderbilt mechanical engineers took home top awards at the Dec. 6 meeting of the Materials Research Society in Boston, Massachusetts. Mechanical engineering professor Kelsey Hatzell received the Materials Research Society Nelson “Buck” Robinson Science and Technology Award for Renewable Energy. Hatzell was selected from more than 25 candidates for her research contributions to renewable energy.... Read More

    Dec 13, 2019

  • Nabil Simaan (Vanderbilt University)

    Simaan honored as IEEE fellow for robotics advancements

    Nabil Simaan, professor of mechanical engineering, has been elevated to fellow by the Board of Directors of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The award recognizes Simaan for contributions to dexterous continuum robotics for surgery. Read More

    Dec 9, 2019

  • portrait in lab holding device

    Robot prototype shows promise for microsurgery on eyes and aneurysms

    A new continuum robot designed by Vanderbilt engineers achieves multiscale motion and may open up a huge world of previously impossible complex microsurgeries. Read More

    Nov 14, 2019

  • Vanderbilt University

    Valentine named Vanderbilt faculty liaison with ORNL

    The Oak Ridge National Laboratory collaboration with Vanderbilt University will grow stronger through a new faculty liaison—a School of Engineering professor—and enhanced management of travel assistance awards. Read More

    Nov 8, 2019

  • rocket

    Vanderbilt Rocketeers take on the 2020 NASA Space Robotics Challenge

    A 25-member engineering team—13 seniors, 9 undergraduates and three graduate students—in the Vanderbilt Aerospace Design Laboratory is taking on the 2020 NASA Student Launch challenge.   Read More

    Nov 7, 2019

  • Left, Nilanjan Sarkar, professor of mechanical engineering, is the lead investigator on a significant new NSF convergence grant. He, Joshua Wade, a senior staff research scientist, Michael Breen, an intern on the project, and Claire Barnett, communications coordinator at the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, work an interactive prototype, developed with Microsoft support, that prepares applicants with ASD for job interviews. (Vanderbilt/Joe Howell)

    VU engineers lead $1M NSF pilot to develop tech for workforce inclusion of people with autism

    A Vanderbilt mechanical engineering professor is leading an ambitious pilot project that will develop prototypes of new AI-based technology and tools to train, connect and support people with autism spectrum disorders in finding jobs and succeeding in the workforce. Read More

    Oct 16, 2019

  • portrait in lab

    Hatzell wins ECS Toyota 2019-20 Fellowship

    Kelsey Hatzell, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, is one of five recipients of an Electrochemical Society Toyota 2019-20 Young Investigator Fellowship awarded this year for projects in green energy technology. Read More

    Aug 29, 2019

  • Vanderbilt celebrates opening of Frist Center for Autism and Innovation

    Vanderbilt celebrates opening of Frist Center for Autism and Innovation

    The ribbon-cutting of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation with (l to r) Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affair Susan R. Wente, Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Dean of Engineering Philippe Fauchet, Jennifer R. Frist, BS’93, William R. “Billy” Frist, Frist Center for Autism & Innovation Director Keivan Stassun, Daria Mulkey and John Mulkey.... Read More

    Jul 29, 2019

  • Webster and Herrell standing with telescoping surgical device

    Hand-held robot points to less invasive prostate surgery

    Vanderbilt collaborators focused on minimally invasive prostate surgery are developing an endoscopic robotic system with two-handed dexterity at a much smaller scale than existing options. Read More

    Jul 18, 2019

  • Hand-held robot points to less invasive prostate surgery

    Hand-held robot points to less invasive prostate surgery

    Vanderbilt collaborators focused on minimally invasive prostate surgery are developing an endoscopic robotic system with two-handed dexterity at a much smaller scale than existing options. A key part of the design – telescoping, curved, concentric tubes – received U.S. patent protection in March 2019, the same month the principal investigators secured a $2.1 million R01... Read More

    Jul 18, 2019

  • Five engineering faculty awarded Discovery Grants

    Five engineering faculty awarded Discovery Grants

    Five proposals from School of Engineering faculty have been selected by the Office of the Provost for 2019 Discovery Grants, which advance new ideas and cutting-edge scholarship in the university’s core disciplines. “Discovery Grants serve as a key internal funding vehicle for fostering research that has the potential to improve lives and address society’s complex problems—a vital part... Read More

    Jun 29, 2019

  • Weiss to lead VINSE starting July 1

    Weiss to lead VINSE starting July 1

    Sharon Weiss (Vanderbilt University) Sharon Weiss, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Engineering, professor of electrical engineering and physics and deputy director of the Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (VINSE), will become the new director of VINSE, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Susan R. Wente announced today. Weiss’ appointment will begin on July... Read More

    Jun 27, 2019

  • Vanderbilt engineers tripped people 190 times, but it was for a good cause

    Vanderbilt engineers tripped people 190 times, but it was for a good cause

    Andrés Martínez strode briskly on the treadmill, staring straight ahead and counting backwards by seven from 898, a trick to keep his brain from anticipating the literal stumbling block heading his way: a compact 35 pounds of steel specifically designed to make him fall. Special goggles kept him from looking down. Arrows on an eye-level... Read More

    Jun 19, 2019

  • Nine engineering design projects earn awards for seniors

    Nine engineering design projects earn awards for seniors

    Nine exceptional student design projects have been recognized as winners in the School of Engineering’s annual design competition for the 2018-2019 academic year. More than 70 teams of senior engineering students in biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science presented their final projects on April 22—Design Day 2019. The... Read More

    Jun 18, 2019

  • Vanderbilt Engineering and Science Building wins international S-Lab Award

    Vanderbilt Engineering and Science Building wins international S-Lab Award

    Vanderbilt’s Engineering and Science Building has won an international S-Lab award in the category of Engineering and Related Buildings for Wilson HGA, a national design and architecture firm specializing in science and technology facilities for higher education. S-Lab awards recognize excellence in science buildings, equipment, facilities and management. Designed by Wilson HGA, the 230,000-square-foot, seven-story... Read More

    Jun 3, 2019