Florida State University Graduate Bulletin 2007-2009
Department of Mechanical Engineering
FAMU—FSU College of Engineering
Chair: Chiang Shih; Professors: Chandra, Chen, Collins, Gielisse, Krothapalli, Lourenco, Schwartz, Shih, Van Dommelen, Van Sciver; Associate Professors: Alvi, El-Azab, Hollis, Hruda, Kalu, Luongo; Assistant Professors: Cartes, Foreman; Visiting Assistant Professors: Moore, Ordonez; Affiliated Faculty: Buzyna, Garmestani, Haik, Han, Hussaini, Tam; Adjunct Faculty: Bickley, Booeshagh, Moore, Vaghar
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers two graduate degree programs: the master of science (MS) and the doctor of philosophy (PhD). The graduate program in mechanical engineering is designed to provide students with the necessary tools to begin a productive career in engineering practice or research, a career that probably will span a period of three to five decades. Although it is not possible to teach everything that one needs to know in the graduate program, the program provides the student with the skills, knowledge and philosophy that will enable the student to continue to grow throughout his/her career. The graduate training a student receives emphasizes a fundamental approach to engineering whereby the student learns to identify needs, define problems and apply basic principles and techniques to obtain a solution. This philosophy is incorporated in classroom lectures, laboratory activities, design projects, and research.
It is essential that a successful department cultivate and maintain a diverse and dynamic program that is nationally recognized. The department is actively involved in basic research, which expands the frontiers of knowledge, as well as applied research designed to solve present and future technological needs of society. The major research activities are focused in three primary areas: fluid mechanics and heat transfer, solid mechanics and material science, and dynamic systems and controls (including mechatronics and robotics). State-of-the-art laboratories are associated with each of these areas. In addition, much of the research is conducted in cooperation with the National High Field Magnetic Laboratory (NHMFL), the School of Computational Science (SCS), the Center for Material Research and Technology (MARTECH), and the Center for Nonlinear and Non-equilibrium Aero Science.
A complete description of the mechanical engineering graduate program, including recent changes, may be found at http://www.eng.fsu.edu/
Research Programs and Facilities
The Advanced Mechanics and Materials Laboratory (AMML) is primarily involved in the computational modeling and thermo-mechanical characterization of high performance materials. The research recognizes that there needs to be a paradigm shift from generating new materials purely from experimental methods to the use of computer models to effectively identify potential material systems. This is seen as the ideal way to develop advanced materials to meet the increasing demands of future space and automotive applications in a timely fashion. The overall objective of the laboratory is to engineer materials by establishing relationships between material constituents, processing and performance, and integrating them in computer models. The AMML is equipped with excellent facilities, including a highly automated Materials Testing System testing machine (MTS 810) and a Scanning Electron Microscope. The computational facilities include a network of dedicated workstations (VAX, Silicon Graphics and Macintosh). There is also a direct link to a supercomputer at Florida State University (a Silicon Graphics Power Challenge XL).
The Program in Computational Fluid Dynamics involves algorithm development and application in the areas of: 1) unsteady flows with large- scale separation; 2) computational and mathematical acoustics; 3) unsteady biofluid mechanics; 4) modeling of turbulent flows; and 5) parallel solution of partial differential equations. These are areas of considerable interest, as well as physical importance, which pose particular numerical simulation challenges. The computational program is supported by the School of Computational Science (SCS) at Florida State University, which operates an 168 node IBM SP-3 with 84 gigabytes of memory, as well as a heterogeneous compute cluster and several mid-range computers.
The Cryogenics Laboratory is a fully equipped facility for the conducting of low-temperature experimental research and development. The laboratory, which occupies approximately 400 m2 at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (adjacent to the College of Engineering), supports research and development projects in a wide variety of technical fields. Numerous experimental apparatus are available within the Cryogenics Laboratory for research projects. The Liquid Helium Flow Facility (LHFF) consists of a 5 m long, 20 cm ID horizontal cryogenic vessel with vertical reservoirs at each end containing circulation pumps and other hardware. The facility includes transverse viewing ports for flow visualization studies. The Cryogenic Helium Experimental Facility (CHEF) consisting of a 3 m long, 0.6 m ID cryogenic vessel with N2 and He temperature thermal shields. CHEF is equipped with a high-volume flow bellows pump capable of up to 5 liters/s. The Cryogenic Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) Facility including apparatus to perform micro-scale imaging studies of flow fields in cryogenic fluids. A cryogenic vessel with optical windows, dual head pulse Nd:YAG laser and image processing equipment are included in the facility. Currently, this facility is being used to develop neutral density particles, including solid H2/D2, and observe flow fields in liquid helium. A cryogenic transport property measuring facility that includes a two stage GM Cryocooler with compressor that can achieve Tmin = 10 K and provide 30 W at 20 K and 60 W at about 70 K. All cryogenics facilities are supported by a full complement of cryogenic hardware to measure flow rate, void fraction, liquid level, temperature and pressure. Microcomputer data acquisition is available for interfacing to all experiments. The electronics available in the laboratory that may be accessed through this system include a full complement of amplifiers, signal conditioning equipment and data recorders. The laboratory contains all necessary equipment to perform modern cryogenic experiments. High vacuum equipment including a mass spectrometer leak detector and two portable turbo pump systems provides thermal isolation. A high-capacity vacuum pump (500 liter/s) is used to support subatmospheric experiments including those with superfluid helium.
Research in controls and mechatronics encompasses many different but related topics that can be divided into four broad areas: robust control, mechatronics and robotics, applications of adaptive and intelligent control, and computer aided design. In robust control research, emphasis is on the development of optimization-based, control synthesis techniques for the design of fixed-architecture, robust controllers for mechanical systems (e.g., jet engines and magnetic bearings) with uncertain dynamics. Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary design methodology based upon a synergistic integration of fundamental procedures and techniques from mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. Research in this area involves the use of specialized microelectronic sensors, actuators, and processors. In the area of robotics the objective is to employ multiple sensors and actuators to monitor and control wheeled mobile robots. Adaptive and intelligent control focuses on distributed knowledge based control techniques for linear and nonlinear systems, which allow processes to adapt to changes in parameters and learn to respond properly under rapidly changing constraints. Research in this area requires highly integrated mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and computer science solutions and is conducted in the Power Control Lab of the Center for Advanced Power Systems. The research conducted in the Computer Aided Design facility (CAD) involves computer modeling of complex systems, such as solid assemblies, followed by the simulation of these same systems. The CAD facility is currently well equipped with IBM RS/6000 workstations, Silicon Graphics Indy workstations, multimedia Pentium personal computers, and several laser and color inkjet printers.
The Fluid Mechanics Research Laboratory (FMRL) is a well-established, nationally recognized laboratory with a diverse and dynamic research program. A number of faculty and scientists actively and collaboratively conduct research at FMRL, examining a broad range of fluid dynamic problems. The main areas of research are in high-speed flows and their control and the development of non-intrusive diagnostics for the study of complex flows. The laboratory contains a number of state-of-the-art testing and diagnostic facilities, not commonly available at university research centers. Some of these facilities include the following: a recently built Hot Jet Anechoic Facility capable of operating supersonic hot jets up to 2000° F. This facility is used for examining and controlling the aeroacoustic properties of supersonic jets at realistic Mach numbers and temperatures; a STOVL (Short-Take Off Vertical Landing) Hover Test Facility that is used mainly to study and control jet-induced aerodynamic phenomena on STOVL models during hover; an optical diagnostic development lab and a combustion laboratory, a supersonic and a large subsonic wind tunnel. The FMRL studies fundamental fluid dynamics problems that also have direct practical applications. Some of the current research programs include active control of supersonic jet noise and mixing; control of supersonic impinging jets; control of supersonic cavity flows; development of high-fidelity, three-dimensional Particle Image Velocimetry (3D-PIV); control of separated flows in engine inlets; supersonic flows at micro-scales; and aeroacoustic behavior of supersonic jets issuing from nozzles of various geometry. Research is supported by and conducted in close collaboration with industry and government agencies, such as Boeing, NASA, Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). Over the past few years, research has been funded at a level of $1 - 1.5 million/year.
The High Temperature Superconductors Magnets and Materials Laboratory (HTSMML) involves experimental and computational research that advances the fundamental understanding and applications of high-temperature superconducting materials. HTSMML research is interdisciplinary, involving materials processing, composite mechanical behavior, and electrical-magnetic-mechanical properties of these emerging technical superconductors. This research includes the investigation of the key obstacles to implementing HTS materials in practical magnet systems. Current research directions include the development of a 5 T insert coil, coil design optimization, electro-mechanical behavior of conductors for power applications, magneto-optical imaging of YBCO coated conductors subjected to axial tension, quench propagation measurements, ac loss measurements, processing of low ac loss conductors, processing of alternative conductor materials, and texturing of materials within high magnetic field. Computational research is motivated by the experimental research. Research in the HTSMML is lead by Professor Justin Schwartz and includes research staff from the NHMFL and the Center for Advanced Power Systems, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
Research programs in the Materials Processing and Applications Laboratory focus on the development of processes that put high performance materials into actual system or device applications. As such, the programs tend to be interdisciplinary and cooperative research efforts often are carried out with industrial firms. The laboratory's aim is to provide novel ideas and approaches to solutions of engineering problems in cutting edge technologies and to educate students in complex real-life settings. Accomplishments include the development of a magnetometer system for nondestructive analysis of materials and the development of a software design tool for multilayer structures. Physical property measurements of materials are being conducted in a variety of areas, including the measurement of the thermal expansion of materials at cryogenic temperatures by digital micro-image processing.
Research in the Materials Testing and Characterization Laboratory is focused on the investigation of processing-structure-property relationships in advanced materials. Materials of interest include but are not limited to high temperature materials (titanium aluminides and their composites), superplastic materials (titanium and aluminum), superconducting materials, and high-strength conductors and polymeric matrix composites. The program is divided into three areas of specialization: processing and testing, materials characterization, and micromechanical modeling. Research in processing and testing employs deformation processing, such as rolling, forging or wire drawing to improve the mechanical properties of materials. Research in materials characterization aids in the improvement of the mechanical properties of materials by identifying and measuring vital metallurgical parameters at several stages of processing. The microstructural characterization facility consists of optical microscopes, an X-ray diffractometer, a scanning electron microscope, and an environmental scanning electron microscope. Research in micromechanical modeling relates the micromechanics to mechanical properties such as stress, strain rate and hardness.
Graduate students participating in research are provided office space in the laboratories and have access to substantial staff support from their research group.
Master of Science
The department offers a thesis-type program and a course-type program for the master of science (MS) degree. The program includes common core courses, depth courses in the student's major area, and breadth courses in other areas of mechanical engineering outside the student's area of focus. Currently, depth courses are offered in the general areas of fluid mechanics and heat transfer, mechanics and material science, and dynamics and control, including robotics and mechatronics. A total of thirty (30) semester hours of course work is required to complete the program under the thesis option, while thirty three (33) credit hours are required under the non-thesis option. A complete catalog detailing the program is available in the department or may be found on the department Web site.
Admissions
For admission, candidates should possess a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline from an accredited institution. Students who do not possess such a degree will be required to complete a department-designated sequence of undergraduate courses with grades of "B" or better. Candidates should meet all other University requirements for admission, including the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).
General Requirements
All students must take the following minimum distribution of courses (thirty [30] semester hours under the thesis option; thirty-three [33] semster hours under the non-thesis option.)
Common Core Courses
Fifteen (15) semester hours: EML 5060, Analysis in Mechanical Engineering (3), two (2) of the core courses in the major area (either dynamics and controls, solid mechanics and materials, or fluid mechanics and heat transfer), and one (1) course in each of the two remaining areas.
Core courses in dynamics and controls: EGM 5444, Advanced Dynamics (3); EML 5317, Advanced Design and Analysis of Control Systems (3).
Core courses in solid mechanics and materials: EGM 5611, Introduction to Continuum Mechanics (3); EGM 5653, Theory of Elasticity (3); EML 5930r, Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (1–6).
Core courses in fluid mechanics and heat transfer: EML 5152, Fundamentals of Heat Transfer (3); EML 5709, Fluid Mechanic Principles with Selected Applications (3).
Major Depth Area
Six (6) semester hours: two (2) additional courses from the student's chosen depth area.
Additional Free Elective Courses
Three (3) semester hours: courses selected from an approved list in consultation with the student's adviser. Courses may include EML 5905r, 5910r, and 5930r.
Thesis Option Requirements
In addition to the above general requirements, students must take a minimum of six (6) semester hours of EML 5971r, Thesis (3–6), and EML 8976r, Masters Thesis Defense (0). Of the courses taken, at least twenty-seven (27) semester hours must be taken on a letter-grade basis.
Non-thesis Option Requirements
In addition to the above general requirements, students must take an additional nine (9) semester hours of course work selected from an approved list and in consultation with the student's graduate committee. Of the courses taken, at least thirty (30) semester hours must be taken on a letter-grade basis.
Doctor of Philosophy
Before students can be admitted to candidacy for the doctor of philosophy (PhD) degree, they must satisfy the following requirements: 1) the student should have fulfilled the department's requirements for the master's degree or its substantial equivalent; 2) passed the doctoral qualifying examination, usually taken during the second semester of the program, if the student enters the program with an MS degree in mechanical engineering; and 3) the student should have completed three units of supervised research (EML 5910r). A complete catalog of requirements may be obtained from the department.
Research on the doctoral dissertation may not be started formally prior to passing the preliminary examination.
After selecting an area for study and research, a candidate, in consultation with their dissertation supervisor, forms a doctoral dissertation committee, which assists in the formulation of research and study programs and monitors the candidate's progress. The subjects selected to fulfill the major and minor program requirements must be approved by the committee. The candidate's mastery of the major area is tested by an oral general examination (preliminary examination) administered by the doctoral dissertation committee after completion of the major subjects.
Demonstrated ability to perform original research at the forefront of mechanical engineering is the final and major criterion for granting the doctoral degree. The candidate's dissertation and publications in archival journals serve, in part, to demonstrate such competence; on completion it is defended orally in a public seminar before the doctoral dissertation committee, which may then recommend the awarding of the degree.
Course Requirements
Beyond the master's degree a total of forty-five (45) additional semester hours of work is required, of which twenty-one (21) semester hours must be letter-graded course work. Normally, continued registration is expected for each semester the student requires departmental consultation in completing dissertation work. The twenty-one (21) semester hours of course work are chosen by the candidates with the approval of their advisers from a list of courses which can be obtained upon request from the department and must include nine units of advanced mathematics.
A student wishing to complete the PhD requirements in four years of graduate study should ordinarily complete the MS by the fall of the second year; pass the qualifying examination by the spring of the second year; and complete the course work, demonstrate feasibility of research methods, obtain approval of the dissertation proposal, and pass the oral general examination by the end of the third year. The PhD dissertation normally represents at least one full year of research work and must be a substantial contribution to knowledge.
Definition of Prefixes
EGM—Engineering Sciences
EGN—Engineering: General
EMA—Materials Engineering
EML—Engineering: Mechanical
Graduate Courses
EGM 5444. Advanced Dynamics (3). Prerequisites: EGN 3321; EML 3220; MAP 3306. Topics include particle and rigid body kinematics, particle and rigid body kinetics, D'Alembert Principle, Lagranges equations of motion, system stability, computational techniques, orbital dynamics, multi-body dynamics.
EGM 5611. Introduction to Continuum Mechanics (3). Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Solid and fluid continua. Cartesian tensor theory. Kinematics of infinitesimal deformation, relations between stress, strain, and strain rate for elastic, plastic, and viscous solids and for compressible and viscous fluids. General equations of continuum mechanics, integral forms, and their physical interpretation. Particular forms of equations and boundary conditions for elastic and viscoelastic solids and Newtonian fluids.
EGM 5653. Theory of Elasticity (3). Prerequisite: EGM 5611. This is an introductory course which provides background necessary to mechanical engineers who wish to pursue the area of theoretical or analytical solid mechanics. Topics include Cartesian tensors, kinetics and kinematics of motion, constitutive equations, linearized theory of elasticity, and solutions to boundary value problems.
EGM 5810. Viscous Fluid Flows (3). Prerequisite: EML 5709. Presents the basic fundamentals underlying the mechanics of gas, air, and fluid flows. Discussion of the possible methods of estimating and predicting the characteristics and parameters governing those flows.
EGM 6845. Turbulent Flows (3). Prerequisite: EML 5709. In-depth study of turbulent, flows, statistical description of turbulence; instability and transition; turbulence closure modeling; free shear and boundary layer flows; complex shear flows; development of computational strategies; recent literature on applications and chaos phenomena.
EGN 5456. Introduction to Computational Mechanics (3). Prerequisite: MAP 4402. Familiarizes students with the procedures, stability, advantages, and disadvantages of numerical discretization, as applied to solution of common engineering problems. Emphasizes numerical experimentation, cost effectiveness, and range of applicability.
EMA 5226. Mechanical Metallurgy (3). Prerequisites: EGM 3520; EML 3234. Tensile instability, crystallography, theory of dislocations, plasticity, hardening mechanisms, creep and fracture, electron microscopy, composite materials.
EMA 5514. Optical and Electron Microscopy (3). Prerequisite: EML 3012C or permission of instructor. Fundamentals and techniques of optical and electron microscopy as applied to the determination of physical, chemical, and structural properties of materials and materials behavior in practice.
EML 5060. Analysis in Mechanical Engineering (3). Prerequisite: Graduate standing in mechanical engineering. Familiarizes the student with methods of analysis in mechanical engineering. Surveys applications of integration and series, ordinary and partial differential equations, and linear algebra.
EML 5072. Applied Superconductivity (3). Prerequisites: EEL 3472; EGM 3520; EML 3100; 3234; PHY 3101. Introduction to superconductivity for applications, fundamentals of the superconducting state, transport current and metallurgy of superconductors, Superconducting electrons and magnets, system engineering.
EML 5152. Fundamentals of Heat Transfer (3). Prerequisite: Graduate standing in mechanical engineering. An introductory course in basic heat transfer concepts. Topics include conduction and heat diffusion equation, forced and free convection, radiative heat transfer, boiling heat transfer, and condensation.
EML 5155. Convective Heat and Mass Transfer (3). Prerequisites: EGM 5810; EML 5152. Familiarizes the student with methods to evaluate a convection heat transfer coefficient and a mass transfer coefficient for a variety of engineering applications. Evaluation of the driving force in mass transfer and combined problems.
EML 5162. Cryogenics (3). Prerequisites: EML 3100, 3140, 3701; PHY 3101. Fundamental aspects of cryogenics system and engineering properties of materials and fluids at low temperatures. Cryogenic heat transfer and fluid dynamics, low temperature refrigeration and system engineering.
EML 5311. Design and Analysis of Control Systems (3). Prerequisite: MAP 3306. Mathematical modeling of continuous physical systems. Frequency and time domain analysis and design of control systems. State variable representations of physical systems.
EML 5317. Advanced Design and Analysis of Control Systems (3). Design of advanced control systems (using time and frequency domains) will be emphasized. Implementation of control systems using continuous (operational amplifier) or digital (microprocessor) techniques will be addressed and practiced.
EML 5361. Multivariable Control (3). Prerequisite: EML 4312 or 5311. Course covers H2 and H control design for linear systems with multiple inputs and multiple outputs and globally optimal techniques, fixed-structure (e.g., reduced-order) techniques. Includes introductory concepts in robust control.
EML 5451. Energy Conversion Systems (3). Prerequisites: EML 3101, 3140, 3701. Investigation of such energy conversion systems as the internal combustion engine, compressors and turbines, gas turbines, nuclear power plants, garbage burning power plants, solar, wind, geothermal and electrical systems.
EML 5537. Design Using FEM (3). The Finite Element Method - what it is, elementary FEM theory, structures and elements, trusses, beams, and frames, two-dimensional solids, three-dimensional solids, axisymmetric solids, thin-walled structures, static and dynamic problems, available hardware and software, basic steps in FEM analysis, pre/post processing, interpretation of results, advanced modeling techniques, design optimization, advanced materials using FEM.
EML 5543. Materials Selection in Design (3). Prerequisite: EML 3234 or equivalent. The application of materials predicated on material science and engineering case studies covering most engineering applications.
EML 5709. Fluid Mechanic Principles with Selected Applications (3). Prerequisites: EGM 5611; EML 5060; graduate standing in mechanical engineering. Introductory concepts, description, and kinematical concepts of fluid motion, basic field equations, thermodynamics of fluid flow, Navier-Stokes equations, elements of the effects of friction and heat flow, unsteady one-dimensional motion, selected nonlinear steady flows.
EML 5710. Introduction to Gas Dynamics (3). Prerequisites: EML 3101, 3701. Concentrates on the unique features of compressibility in fluid mechanics. It provides the student with knowledge and understanding of the basic fundamentals of compressible fluid flow and is basic to studies in high-speed aerodynamics, propulsion, and turbomachinery.
EML 5725. Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics (3). Prerequisites: EGN 5456; EML 5709. Topics for this course include introduction to conservation laws in fluid dynamics; weak solutions; solving the full potential equations for subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flows; solving system of equations. In particular, upwind schemes and flux splitting will be introduced in solving the Euler equations. Coordinate transformation and grid generation methods will also be covered.
EML 5802. Introduction to Robotics (3). Prerequisite: Graduate standing in mechanical engineering. A study of the fundamentals of robot operation and application including: basic elements, robot actuators and servo-control, sensors, senses, vision, voice, microprocessor system design and computers, kinematic equations, and motion trajectories.
EML 5905r. Directed Individual Study (1–6). (S/U grade only.) Prerequisite: Instructor consent. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.
EML 5910r. Supervised Research (1–5). (S/U grade only.) A maximum of three (3) semester hours may apply to the master's degree. May be repeated to a maximum of five (5) semester hours.
EML 5930r. Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (1–6). Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Topics in mechanical engineering with emphasis on recent developments. Content and credit will vary. Consult the instructor. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.
EML 5935r. Mechanical Engineering Seminars (0). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of ten (10) times.
EML 5946r. Professional Internship Experience in Mechanical Engineering (4). This course provides practical experience through working as an intern at selected industry or research laboratiories surpervised by the on-the-job mentors and by the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The course is designed to provide the student with professional internship experience in preparation for his/her future career development.
EML 5971r. Thesis (3–6). (S/U grade only.) A minimum of six (6) semester hours is required.
EML 6365. Robust Control (3). Prerequisite: EML 5361. Course covers control design for systems with uncertain dynamics; robust H design, structured singular value synthesis; LMI and Riccati equation solution techniques.
EML 6716r. Advanced Topics in Fluid Dynamics (3–6). Prerequisite: EML 5709. Topics vary from term to term and include: boundary layers, jets, free shear layers and wakes, acoustics, shock waves and related discontinuities, one dimensional unsteady flow, steady supersonic flow in two dimensions, transitions, and turbulence. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.
EML 6980r. Dissertation (1–12). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of forty-eight (48) semester hours.
EML 8966r. Master's Comprehensive Examination (0). (P/F grade only.) May be repeated twice.
EML 8968. Preliminary Doctoral Examination (0). (P/F grade only.)
EML 8976r. Master's Thesis Defense (0). (P/F grade only.)
EML 8985r. Dissertation Defense (0). (P/F grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) times.