Design methods and automation

We are pushing the frontiers of design theory, methods, and automation in areas ranging from consumer-based innovation to new design tools and materials. By exploring early concept stages all the way through production and focusing on design theory, methods, and practice, we are advancing the efficiency and effectiveness of new products.

Product innovation

  • 3d printed metal part

    Innovation in design

    Can better products be made through 3D printing and new materials? What role does AI play in innovative design?

    Faculty explore product creation, services, and interactive experiences that define new product opportunities to exceed user value expectations.

    They collaborate across disciplines in business, design, and psychology to understand the decision-making that drives consumers to choose products and how people can create more desirable products.

    Faculty also collaborate in the areas of artificial intelligence, biomechanics, energy, materials, and other emerging technologies to advance the design of solutions to hard engineering problems.

    Faculty involved: Jonathan Cagan, Christopher McComb, Jeremy Michalek, Kenji Shimada, Conrad Tucker, Katie Whitefoot, Inseung Kang, Trevor Jones, Ophelia Bolmin

  • AI person holding marker

    Designing together (AI-human teams)

    AI is changing how designers and engineers think and work so creating new ways of collaborating with AI is critical to solve global challenges. That is why our faculty are researching and developing AI agents to collaborate with humans both as individuals and through teams; apply those AI agents to previously-unsolved problems in engineering and design; and prepare the next generation of AI engineering practitioners and researchers through teaching and training efforts.

    Faculty involved: Jonathan Cagan, Christopher McComb

  • CAD design of a statue

    Computational tools for design

    Researchers explore advances in 3D modeling, generative software, and machine learning to enable better design of new products. They investigate the integration of computational tools such as geometric modeling with analysis for efficiency as well as custom-made product opportunities. Other work uses optimizing search to explore broad design spaces, seeking creative outcomes or solutions to challenging optimization problems.

    Our mechanical engineers also take advantage of artificial intelligence and machine learning tools such as deep reinforcement learning, which creates and uses efficient algorithms to solve complex problems in a series of steps. These tools can be applied to a range of areas from healthcare to robotics to electronics design.

    Faculty involved: Jonathan Cagan, Burak Kara, Christopher McComb, Burak Ozdoganlar, Kenji Shimada, Conrad Tucker

  • screwdrivers

    Concept through production

    Can better products be made through 3D printing and new materials? Can we design products consumers love that are also good for the earth? Can we create new tools and methods so that people design creative, better functioning products? What role does artificial intelligence and machine learning play in innovative design?

    Faculty and students in mechanical engineering explore product design from early concept stages through production, focusing on design theory, methods, and practice to advance the efficiency and effectiveness of new products.

    • People

    Learn who in Mechanical Engineering is working product innovation.

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