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Research

Energy and Environment

UW Mechanical Engineering is helping to advance the adoption of a clean energy future by developing next generation marine, solar and wind energy and electrical energy storage materials, devices and systems, as well as their integration with the grid. Our students and faculty are working to increase the scope and impact of our research and education in alternative energies and the environment. We are fostering partnerships that grow our visibility and prominence in pollution prevention, clean combustion and energy research and technology translation. The solutions being developed in our labs will help establish the course toward a smarter, more sustainable future.

Key research areas

  • Acoustics and noise pollution prevention
  • Batteries and energy storage
  • Energy conversion
  • Energy optimization and conversion
  • Hybrid and electric vehicles
  • Low-emissions combustion, pollutants and control
  • Printed and flexible electronics
  • Wind, solar and marine renewable energy and instrumentation

Research highlights

ME researchers are developing novel technologies related to particulates sampling, environmentally- friendly batteries and combustion pollution control.

Woman cooking outdoors

Clean Cookstoves Lab focuses on the testing, design and development of low-emissions, highefficiency wood-burning cookstoves for the developing world.

Pacific Marine Energy Center responsibly advances the technical, environmental and societal dimensions of marine energy by expanding scientific understanding, engaging stakeholders and empowering students.

Clean Energy Institute is working to accelerate the adoption of a clean energy future by advancing solar energy and electrical energy storage materials, devices and systems, as well as their integration with the grid.

Award-winning student teams

EcoCAR students at a whiteboard

EcoCAR is converting a Chevrolet Camaro into a hybrid electric vehicle for a student competition sponsored by General Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Students posing with HPS under water

The Human Powered Submarine team designs, manufactures and competes submarines with the goal of developing the most effective submarine system possible, relying solely on human power

Hyperloop team

UW Hyperloop designs, fabricates and competes small-scale pods that travel by magnetic levitation inside tubes at SpaceX headquarters.

Related News

A group of people posing to the camera on a red semi-truck in a workshop.

Mon, 04/29/2024

An electrifying experience

A new student club is in charge of transforming a medium-duty diesel truck into a battery electric vehicle.

a car charging at a station

Mon, 03/18/2024 | UW College of Engineering

Driven to advance vehicle electrification

COE researchers are advancing electric vehicle innovation, including ME Assistant Professor Shijing Sun and ME Professor Corie L. Cobb.

Man in a lab standing next to two machines

Wed, 01/24/2024

Advancing clean manufacturing research

ME researchers will work on projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy that could improve the manufacturing of composites and electric vehicle batteries.

Brian Pinkard news thumb

Mon, 12/11/2023 | Forbes

ME alum honored in Forbes 30 Under 30 list

Brian Pinkard (ME Ph.D. '20), Aquagga co-founder and CTO, was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 North America list.