Texas Tech University

Specialized Research Areas Overview

Cardiovascular Mechanics

Primary Investigator:Dr. Zhaoming He
zhaoming.he@ttu.edu
Phone: 806.742.3563 x225
Website
The Cardiovascular Mechanics group is comprised of seven individuals who are currently pursuing research in multiple different areas of the cardiovascular system. Please refer to each individual's synopsis to learn more about their specific areas.

Combustion Laboratory

Combustion Laboratory

Primary Investigator:Dr. Michelle Pantoya
michelle.pantoya@ttu.edu
Phone: 806.742.3563 x227
Website

The Combustion Laboratory in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech University conducts research in the area of energetic materials. Most current research involves quantifying and qualifying differences between the properties of nano-scale and micron-scale thermite powders. Other research areas include underwater applications of thermites, thermite gas production properties, and thermite-aided diffusion.

Computational Fluid Dynamics

Primary Investigator:Dr. Siva Parameswaran
siva.parameswaran@ttu.edu
Phone: 806.742.3563 x246
Website: Research Group Website


The Computational Fluid Dynamics Lab involves simultaneous solution of momentum, heat, and mass transfer problems by applying various computational techniques.

Computational Mechanics Lab

Computational Mechanics Lab

Primary Investigator:Dr. Alexander Idesman
alexander.idesman@ttu.edu
Phone:
Website

The Computational Mechanics Lab's research focuses on the development of numerical algorithms for the simulation of mechanical systems and their application to the analysis of different engineering problems. The main results obtained are related to new numerical approaches for the time-integration of elastodynamics problems, new finite elements with reduced dispersion that are used for elastodynamics, finite elements algorithms for the simulation of large thermoelastoplastic deformation and phase transformations, as well as the modeling of numerous engineering problems.

Contact and Surface Engineering Laboratory

Primary Investigator:Dr. Alexander Idesman
alexander.idesman@ttu.edu
Phone: 806.742.3563 x234
Website

Contact and Surface Engineering Laboratory (CSEL) research is focusing on thermomechanical/chemical contact behavior of materials in relation to surface degradation, material transfer, and magnetic/electrical properties.

Dynamic Intelligent Systems, Control and Optimization (DISCO) Group

disco

Primary Investigator:Dr. Beibei Helen Ren
beibei.ren@ttu.edu
Phone: 806.834.6692
Website

The vision of the DISCO group is to push the boundaries of control theory for systems with model uncertainties and external disturbances; and explore the impacts of control in broad applications, including renewable energies and grid integration, microgrids, unmanned aerial vehicles, and smart materials-based actuators, etc.

High-Pressure Materials

High-Pressure Materials

Primary Investigator:Dr. Yanzhang Ma
y.ma@ttu.edu
Phone: 806.742.3563 x243
Website

The High-Pressure Material Science Lab's research focuses on understanding the physical and chemical behavior of materials and the synthesis of novel materials with advanced properties through experimental methods under extreme conditions of pressure, shear, and temperature.

Healthcare Engineering

Healthcare Engineering

Primary Investigator:Dr. Ming Chyu
m.chyu@ttu.edu
Phone: 806.742.3563 x230
Website

Healthcare is the largest and fastest-growing industry in the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, wage and salary employment in the healthcare industry is projected to increase twice as fast as all industries combined through 2016. Healthcare Engineering research at Texas Tech is overseen by Dr. Ming Chyu, professor of mechanical engineering.

Human-Centric Design Research Laboratory

Human-Centric Design Research Laboratory

Primary Investigator:Dr. James Yang
james.yang@ttu.edu
Phone: 806.834.6746
Website

The Purposes of the Human-Centric Design Research Lab are:

  • To advance the understanding of human movement capabilities by means of modeling, simulation and experimentation, and develop computer software package that facilitates human-centric design, biomechanics analysis, ergonomics assessment, injury prediction, traffic safety system including digital human visibility prediction and human performance assessment
  • To model and simulate the interaction between the human and personal protective equipment (helmets, goggles, and respirators, clothing, shoes, etc.) for hazard and discomfort assessments
  • To promote intelligent for digital human models and simulate the action and interaction of individual digital human
  • To advance computer-aided design and simulation of mechanical systems
  • To understand wellbore systems by modeling and simulation
  • To enhance traffic safety systems by developing tools/models
  • To contribute renewable energy system through modeling and simulation (optimization of wind turbine performance, and human factors related wind turbine design and maintenance

Materials Performance and Failure Analysis

Materials Performance and Failure Analysis

Primary Investigator:Dr. Jahan Rasty
jahan.rasty@ttu.edu
Phone: 806.742.3563 x240
Website

When any object is formed through cold working, there is the possibility for the development of residual stresses. These stresses are not visible, but can still decrease the total strength of the material. Therefore, it is necessary to establish means by which the residual stresses can be measured, and even predicted.

Microfluidics and Microrheology - Christopher Lab

Microfluidics and Microrheology - Christopher Lab

Primary Investigator:Dr. Gordon F. Christopher
gordon.christopher@ttu.edu
Phone: 806.407.3563 x235
Website

The Christopher Lab at Texas Tech University focuses on developing microrheology and microfluidics techniques to study the rheology and structure of complex fluids and structured interfaces.

Soft Matter and Complex Fluids - Blawzdziewicz Research Group

Soft Matter and Complex Fluids - Blawzdziewicz Research Group

Primary Investigator:Dr. Jerzy Blawzdziewicz
jerzy.blawzdziewicz@ttu.edu
Phone: 806.742.3563 x226
Website

The primary focus of the Blawzdziewicz Research Group is on non-equilibrium behavior of complex fluids (e.g., colloidal suspensions, emulsions, foams, macromolecular solutions). We are also interested in the dynamics of granular materials and glass-forming matter.

 

For a listing of fundamental research areas and teaching interests, visit the Fundamental Research Areas page.

Department of Mechanical Engineering