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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.

Related News

Two people on the left watching a computer screen in the middle of the picture. A huge wave tank is behind the computer.

Thu, 04/20/2023 | UW News

How researchers are studying marine microplastics

Learn how two UW researchers, including ME Assistant Professor Michelle DiBenedetto, are investigating the issue of marine microplastics.

Three men holding a giant check award

Fri, 04/07/2023 | UW Foster School of Business

2023 environmental innovation challenge winners

PurePlast, a team including ME students, won second-place in the competition.

Woman explaining data on a computer to two male students

Tue, 12/20/2022 | UW College of Engineering

Preparing tomorrow’s clean energy leaders

A story about a multi-disciplinary course that trains students across the scales of clean energy includes ME graduate student Malia Steward.

Two women looking at a computer in a lab

Tue, 12/20/2022

An empowering education

Ph.D. candidate Malia Steward shares her journey to researching renewable energy and how she’s working to improve solar cell efficiency.