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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

Headshots of four ME alumni

Mon, 08/21/2023 | Forbes

ME alums named 30 Under 30 Seattle

The Forbes 30 Under 30 Local Seattle list include ME alums who cofounded startups Aquagga and CathConnect.

Infant CPR Manikin on a table

Thu, 08/17/2023

From idea to implementation

ME undergraduate students gain real-world experience on projects that help industry, nonprofit, government and healthcare partners.

Corie Cobb

Wed, 07/26/2023 | UW News

ME professor elected to Washington State Academy of Sciences

Corie Cobb was elected for her contributions to the understanding of battery electrode architectures and to accelerating commercialization of materials processing technology.

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.