Mechanics and Materials research includes monolithic and composite materials, non-destructive testing and evaluation, analytical modeling, experimental determination of mechanical properties, verification of analytical models, parametric studies, materials processing and systems and the design of composites for sophisticated applications. Ceramics and ceramic-metallic-organic composites research includes experimental characterization and the development of structural, thermal, and fatigue properties of materials over a wide range of environment, the development of novel test methods and test equipment. In addition, our faculty designs and creates new systems of braids and weaves for composite structures for unique engineering challenges, and develops techniques to determine the global elastic and thermal properties of these special materials. They also develop models to predict global and local failure and fracture properties and tests them on engineered materials. Research is also under way to develop efficient structures that are light, stiff, and resistant to fatigue and impact damage.

The department and its faculties are actively engaged in research in the area of nanoscale science, engineering and technology. The prime areas of research include Nanocomposites, carbon nanotubes, nanomagnetics, self-assembly, modeling and simulation, nano-sensors and devices. The department also offers courses on nanotechnology at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Manufacturing research includes high speed machining, modeling, identification of process characteristics and intelligent control of manufacturing processes. Research in dynamic systems involves the application of inter-disciplinary approach to solving engineering problems including instrumentation and control, and machine performance. Design research activities include the development of smart devices and sensing, autonomous robotics control, and development of robotics tooling for environmental restoration.