Undergraduate and graduate mechanical engineering students have ample opportunities to engage in extensive, relevant research under the supervision of highly qualified, readily accessible faculty. The department’s growing aerospace program provides research outlets through the annual Design/Build/Fly Competition as well as the Kentucky National Space Grant Consortium. The Weightless Wildcats organization offers students a chance to develop mechanical engineering solutions for NASA. Students can also collaborate with peers from other departments through the hands-on research of the Solar Car Team.

Undergraduate research provides an excellent foundation for future graduate work, which is why every year some of the top graduates go on to pursue a master’s or Ph.D. degree, either at UK or at other outstanding universities throughout the country.

Graduate students pursue research projects that encompass a broad range of mechanical engineering disciplines, such as aerospace, sustainable manufacturing, painting technology, fluid dynamics, precision systems, industrial applications, lean manufacturing systems and more.

View details about the research the Mechanical Engineering Faculty are conducting.