Mechanical and Systems Engineering

Newcastle and the North East have a long and proud tradition in mechanical engineering. From the roots laid down by pioneers such as Stephenson, Armstrong and Parsons, we now draw on a number of subject disciplines such as bioengineering, engineering mathematics, MEMS (microelectromechanical systems), mechatronics, manufacturing, power and transmission systems, railway research, robotics, smart materials, thermal systems and multiphase flows to meet the mechanical engineering challenges of the twenty-first century.

The results for the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 testify to the quality of our research. Eighty per cent of our submission was classed as ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘internationally recognised’ with 15 per cent classed as ‘world leading’.

Our research falls into four main fields and we offer research degree supervision for topics in any of these areas. Bioengineering has strong collaborations with medicine and agriculture within the University, as well as the NHS, medical charities and the British Equine Federation. Strengths in this area include biotribology, musculoskeletal modelling, and motion analysis. The MEMS and sensors grouping collaborates with areas elsewhere in the University, such as nanoLab and the Institute of Cellular Medicine, producing multidisciplinary research combining MEMS, nanotechnology, smart materials and robotic solutions. In design, manufacture and materials, we focus on the design, rapid prototyping, development, analysis and testing of novel materials, structures and processes. In the field of multiphase flow and thermal systems, our work ranges from the theoretical study of fundamental processes and the development of novel mathematical and computational models, to advanced experimental work and industry collaborations.

It is important to us that our research produces results that are useful beyond the laboratory setting. Several specialist research centres promote cross-faculty, interdisciplinary research that targets industry problems. NewRail, for example, has a vast range of expertise in diverse areas of the rail industry; the Design Unit provides consultancy services in the fields of gear technology and metrology, testing and failure analysis, medical instrumentation and special machine tools; CREST focuses on interdisciplinary research in clinical rehabilitation and rehabilitation engineering.

Our taught postgraduate programmes are closely linked with our research and many of our MSc students continue on to PhD studies. You will find our excellent facilities and good contacts with industry provide a strong basis for your career progression.

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