Mechanical Engineering Research

The Department of Mechanical Engineering has been active in acoustic research since the early 1960’s. The acoustic facilities have been continuously developed and currently consist of a reverberation room, transmission loss suite, fan noise test rig and low noise wind tunnel. These facilities are supported by state-of-the-art Bruel and Kjaer multi-channel analysers, sound level analysers, microphones, accelerometers, sound intensity systems, noise sources and calibration equipment. An extensive range of software is also available for computational analysis including ANSYS and COMSOL, environmental modeling software SoundPlan, sound absorption and sound transmission prediction software ENC and INSUL, room acoustics modeling software ODEON. In the last 10 years the group has been heavily involved in product development programs for NZ industry.

The Aerospace Engineering theme focuses on advancing knowledge and technology in the design, development, and analysis of aerospace systems. This research theme encompasses a wide range of topics, including aerodynamics, propulsion systems, structural analysis, and flight mechanics, both in the Earth’s atmosphere and in space. Students and researchers are engaged in cutting-edge projects that address the challenges of modern aerospace engineering, from improving the efficiency of aircraft and spacecraft to exploring new materials and innovative designs. Through a combination of theoretical study and hands-on experimentation, the theme aims to prepare graduates for successful careers in the aerospace industry and to contribute to the advancement of aerospace technology on a global scale

The Applied Mechanics theme is dedicated to understanding and applying the principles of mechanics to solve real-world engineering problems. This theme covers a broad spectrum of topics, including solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, dynamics, and materials science. Students and researchers in this area focus on the behaviour of materials and structures under various forces, the dynamics of mechanical systems, and the flow of fluids in engineering applications. By integrating theoretical analysis with experimental techniques, the Applied Mechanics theme aims to innovate and optimise mechanical systems for industries such as manufacturing, construction, and transportation, providing practical solutions and advancing technological progress

Biomedical engineering is an active area of research at the University of Canterbury with a robust postgraduate programme. We are active in research that integrates principles of engineering and biological sciences to develop technologies and treatments to improve human health

The Design and Manufacturing Group has a diverse range of research and development interests. We look at everything from design methodology, advanced manufacturing techniques, and rapid product development to engineering art and kinetic sculptures. Our group works collaboratively with Robotics, Materials, Instrumentation and Control, Applied Mechanics, Aerospace, and Biomedical disciplines to help reduce their ideas to practice

The interdisciplinary team of researchers brings diverse expertise and focused research interests that collectively advance energy solutions. With strengths in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics, they apply their knowledge to enhance HVAC systems, building services, and combustion processes, optimizing energy efficiency, and sustainability in urban environments

Industrial engineering is an interdisciplinary area of research that seeks to optimise production processes. It includes an element of engineering design, manufacturing, or materials science, and combines that with elements of modelling/simulation, psychology, biomechanics, commerce, or management. Engineering management is an overlapping but distinct research area, which is primarily focussed on the organisation of people into teams and organisations

Fluid mechanics is an enabling technology that underpins many industrial sectors, and its applications are fundamental to addressing a wide range of societal challenges. It is central to understanding our changing climate and for developing renewable energy technologies. In the Department of Mechanical Engineering fluid mechanics research is concerned with a broad range of topics including aerodynamics, coatings and thin-film flow, spray and particle distribution, flows in heat transfer, biomedical and biological flows, flow in porous media, and drug delivery

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is actively involved in a broad range of research topics concerned with engineering materials, including ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, polymeric and composite materials, ferroelectric ceramics, and fracture and failure mechanisms. Members of this theme are also frequently involved with providing consulting services to a wide variety of industries across New Zealand. Both research activities and consulting services are supported by modern laboratories that provide a wide range of testing and characterisation methods

The UC Robotics, Control and Instrumentation Research Theme facilitates research in multiple laboratories, including the Mechatronics & Robotics Laboratories, the Bio-Medical Laboratory as well as the Vibrations & Dynamic Systems Laboratories.

Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer are fundamental pillars in the realm of mechanical engineering, especially in research at the graduate level. Thermodynamics forms the foundation for understanding energy conversion processes. In mechanical engineering, researchers often deal with designing and optimizing energy systems like engines, turbines, and power plants.