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About Us

About the department

Mechanical engineering is the broadest of all engineering disciplines, and interdisciplinary work is key to our department’s success. Our students and faculty work together in collaborative environments, forging partnerships across campus and with government agencies and industry partners. In recent years our research has increasingly expanded in the areas of health technology and energy. This focus has allowed us to diversify our curriculum and is moving the department to the next level in national and international stature.

In addition to health and medicine, the department also has focused research programs in areas such as novel and automated manufacturing, clean and alternative energy, design for the environment, micro and nanotechnology, biomechanics, and advanced manufacturing and materials, to name but a few.

A photo collage. On the left: A research holding a 3D-printed mask. On the right: A diver underwater holding a cylindrical device

Degree programs

Educating tomorrow’s leaders is our highest priority. We draw talented and creative students and offer a world-class education with an incredible breadth of skill and technological training. Our graduates are making a difference in diverse sectors such as biotechnology and health, environmental engineering and energy, transportation, manufacturing and information systems.

A photo collage. On the left: Three students touching the surface of an EccoCar. On the right: two researchers in a lab

Faculty

Composition   Achievements  
44 Core faculty members 13 NSF Presidential, Young Investigator and Early Career Award recipients
29 Joint or adjunct faculty from other UW departments 3 National Academy of Engineering members
82 Affiliate faculty from industry and external research and educational institutions 7 Washington State Academy of Sciences members
18 Postdoctoral research associates 3 UW Presidential Entrepreneurial Faculty Fellows

Breadth of funding sources (FY19–FY21)

The sources of major grants for the Department of Mechanical Engineering illustrate the breadth and and caliber of research being conducted. From government grants for energy and health to aerospace and automotive industry contributions, these grants help support our diverse research areas and return major impacts for the funding organizations, the state and nation.

Sponsor 3 Year Total Percent 3 Year Average
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) $7,677,881 19% $2,559,294
National Institutes of Health (NIH) $7,498,231 19% $2,499,410
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) $6,795,816 17% $2,265,272
Boeing Company $5,915,297 15% $1,971,766
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) $4,703,465 12% $1,567,822
National Science Foundation (NSF)  $1,889,817 5% $629,939 
Other $1,181,880 3% $393,960
State of Washington Department of Commerce $1,125,360 3% $375,120
Aoyama Seisakusho Co. Ltd. $808,865 2% $269,622
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) $556,000 1% $185,333
U.S. Department of the Interior $499,851 1% $166,617
M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust $459,000 1% $153,000
Prostate Cancer UK $285,080 1% $95,027
Oculus VR, LLC $244,460 1% $81,487
IP Group Inc. $234,824 1% $78,275
Mayday Fund $206,258 1% $68,753
Magic Leap Inc. $205,116 1% $68,372
Total $40,287,202   $13,429,067