Mechanical and automotive engineers shape the world in which we live by addressing technological challenges to provide machinery and energy for a better, safer, healthier and more efficient future.
We are an Australian leader in mechanical and automotive engineering research, with the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA 2018) rating RMIT at "above world standard" for mechanical engineering.
Research focus
We push the limits of the possible in our research areas by employing design thinking, computational simulation, control systems and multi-scale approaches that range from the nanoscale to complex engineering systems.
Our current research is focused on the following areas.
Mechanical engineering
- Structural dynamics and computational engineering
- Composite, light weight, stronger, and new materials
- Optimal design, system design, machines and mechanisms
- Finite element analysis (FEA) and Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Multi-scale and multi-purpose robotic systems
- Dynamics, vibration, stability, and control of dynamic systems
Sustainable energy engineering
- Solar-thermal systems
- Hydrogen energy systems
- Photovoltaic systems and new generation of solar cells
- Sustainable desalination
- Energy efficiency
Automotive engineering
- Autonomous and self-controlled vehicles
- Human Machine Interface (HMI) and ergonomics
- Alternative fuels, clean engine, hydrogen power generators
- Noise, vibrations and acoustic
- Vehicle dynamics and stability
- Transport vehicle safety
- Application of artificial intelligence in mechanical systems
Sports engineering
- Swim suit
- Helmet
- Ski suit and board
- Sports shoes
- Ergonomics in sport engineering
Our impact
We work with a vast range of Australian and global organisations to provide practical, efficient, and economical solutions across civil and defence industries. Some of our major industry partners include:
- Airbus
- Defence Science Institute
- Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA)
- DefendTex
- Department of Defence (Australia)
- Department of Defence (USA)
- Ford Motor Company Australia
- General Electric
- LEAP Australia
- Thales
- Australian Motor Industries
- Honeywell
- Siemens
- Toyota Australia
- Fujikura (Japan)
- ADEKA Corporation (Japan)
- Eldor Corporation (Italy)
- Jayco Australia
Highlights of our current research include:
- Hydrogen power supply solutions for stationary and mobile applications
- New methods for bulk hydrogen storage and transport
- Semiconductor quantum dot solid solar cells
- Metal halide perovskite solar cells
- Photocatalytic nanomaterials for water treatment
- Solar water splitting
- Sustainable water treatment and desalination
- Energy efficiency and waste energy recovery
- Heat pipe technologies for thermal management solutions
- Human-machine interface and interaction
- Autonomous farm robotic systems
- Alternative fuel and green engine technology
- Nonlinear-parametric dynamic systems stability analysis
- Attitude dynamics control of satellites
- Safety and road traffic rules reviewing
- Computer aided biomedical research using CFD modelling and 3D printing
- Innovative design of composite fabrication process
- Predictive modelling of building ventilation
- Vehicle and sensors simulation for the Autonomous Combat Warrior (ACW) program
Research centres and groups
Our expertise and facilities contribute to many research organisations across Australia.
- Intelligent Automation Research Group
- ARC Training Centre for Lightweight Automotive Structures (ATLAS)
- Cooperative Research Centres for Advanced Composite Structures
- Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC)
- DSTO Centre of Expertise in Aerodynamic Loading
- iMOVE CRC
- LMS Noise Vibration Harshness Centre of Expertise
- Sir Lawrence Wackett Centre
- Nanomaterials & Solar Photovoltaics Group
Facilities
- Renewable energy park
- Noise and Vibration Laboratory
- Advanced Manufacturing Precinct
- Green engines laboratory
- Flight simulator laboratory
- Industrial wind tunnel
- Sustainable hydrogen energy laboratory (SHEL)
- Advanced thermo-fluid laboratory
- Composites laboratory
- Wet chemistry laboratory
- PV characterisation laboratory
- Laser spectroscopy laboratory
- Autonomous Systems laboratory
Who we are
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