This course involves the study of the basics of fluid mechanics and fluid power. Areas of study include pressure, forces, viscosity, bulk modulus, flow characterization, efficiency and losses. Fluid Power systems and components are also reviewed including hydraulic/pneumatic systems, pumps, compressors, actuators, valves, accumulators, and directional control valves.

Students perform laboratory experiments in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Students will do a group project involving the design, modification, and analysis of a Thermo-Fluid system, its instrumentation, method of test, data analysis and final report presentation. Special emphasis is placed on report preparation and computer-aided data reduction.

Multiphysics modeling is the study of multiple interacting and coupled physical phenomena including heat transfer, fluid flow, deformation, electromagnetics, acoustics, and mass transport. Students will use numerical methods, specialized software, and computer simulations to solve engineering problems and understand the underlying physics of interacting complex engineering systems. This course may be cross-listed with MCET-561; BSMS program students are advised to enroll in the graduate level course.

This course focuses on fluid power, fluid mechanics, flow mechanisms, heat transfer, and the ideal gas laws in the context of mechatronic and robotic systems. Students learn to design and construct pneumatic and hydraulic circuits and controls. Issues of fluid forces, flow characterization, efficiency, losses are applied to pumps, compressors, accumulators, and control valves. Basics of heat transfer, flow mechanisms, and ideal gas laws are applied to robotic and mechatronic systems Laboratory activities put the theory into practice. The course culminates in a comprehensive project where students design and build an electro-fluid power system to solve a practical problem.

Students will rigorously develop their thesis research ideas, conduct literature reviews, identify and plan methodologies, prepare schedules, and gain a clear understanding of the expectations of the faculty and the discipline. Each student will be required to prepare a committee approved thesis research proposal and may begin work on their thesis.