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Disciplines and Research Areas |
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Mechanical engineering becomes a multi-disciplinary activity.
Its research areas encompass a variety of different topics.
Current disciplines and research areas within the Department are
described hereafter. |
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Current Disciplines
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Research Areas |
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Controls and Dynamics
Control theory is an interdisciplinary branch of
engineering and mathematics that deals with the behavior of
dynamical systems. Control theory has evolved to play an
integral role in the majority of modern engineering systems.
Mechanical systems are becoming ever more complex, yet
performance requirements are increasingly stringent. At the same
time, dramatic developments in microelectronics and computers
over the past few decades make it possible to use sophisticated
signal processing and control methodologies to enhance system
performance.
The
study of dynamics is the study of motion. Whether this motion
involves automobiles, aircraft or the change of economic
indicators, dynamics can be used effectively to gain insight and
understanding. The Department provides a variety of graduate as
well as undergraduate courses that prepare students for research
and development work here and in their professional careers.
Courses are offered in linear and nonlinear dynamics,
vibrations, and continuous systems
Faculty with research interests that
relate to controls and dynamics issues include: H Al-Qahtani,
M. Hawwa, Y.A Khuleif, S. Mekid.
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Design
Faculty in the Design field of Mechanical Engineering work on
problems affecting the analysis, synthesis, design, automation,
fabrication, testing, evaluation, and optimization of mechanical
systems.
The
mechanical program offers an integrated set of design, materials
and manufacturing courses, as well as hands-on laboratory
activities, providing students with a portfolio of skills broad
enough to successfully develop complex mechanical engineering
systems.
Faculty with research interests that relate to Design issues
are: Mekid, S., A F M. Arif, A S Eleiche, T Laoui,
K Mezghani, N Merah, M. Hawwa, Y.A Khuleif
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Thermo-fluid and
Computation
Fluid
Mechanics, thermodynamics provide students with an understanding
of the fundamentals of mechanical systems. The program prepares
graduate students for careers in industry and academia. At the
graduate level, students can study courses in fluid dynamics,
viscous and ideal flows, and advanced thermodynamics before
specializing in particular areas. In addition, the group strives
to provide graduates with a firm foundation in analytical,
computational and experimental essentials of fluid mechanics and
dynamics, and thermodynamics
Faculty with research interests that relate to thermo-fluid and
computations issues are: Dr. Ahmet Z. Sahin, Esmail M. A.
Mokheimer, Mohammed
Yaqub, Haitham Bahaidarah, Antar M, A. Alsarkhi,
Bourhan Tachtouch, P. Gandhidasan, Muzafferuddin Mahmood,
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Mechanics and
Computations
It
includes the classical theory of elastic materials and
deformable bodies under loads. In addition, it includes the
theory of linear elasticity, with its applications to structural
materials; solid mechanics also incorporates modern nonlinear
theories of highly deformable materials. Material and stress
characterization issues and computations in a wide range of
solids, including metals, composites, electronic materials, and
geologic materials, are also a major focus area in the program.
The
program also includes other aspects of continuum mechanics
including approximate theories (such as those involving moderate
strains or moderate rotations) and the Lagrange representation
of vorticity. The behavior of continua that are almost rigid,
with a view to characterizing their dynamical characteristics,
is also an important topic.
Faculty with research interests that relate to mechanics and
computations issues are:
Mekid,
S., Abul Fazal M. Arif, Hussein Al-Qahtani , A S Eleiche, Nesar
Merah, Shafique Khan, Khuleif Y.A
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Materials Science
and Engineering
Fiber-reinforced materials such as carbon, aramid and glass
composites have the highest strength and stiffness-to-weight
ratios among engineering materials. For demanding applications
such as spacecraft, aerospace and high-speed machinery, such
properties make for a very efficient and high-performance
system.
Composite materials can be tailored for specific applications
and several functions can be integrated into a single structure.
For example, an integrated structure requiring both high
stiffness but low thermal conductivity can be manufactured using
mixtures of various composites. Or, a precise satellite antenna
that has both dimensional stability as well as excellent
microwave performance can be constructed using specific amounts
of carbon fiber
Faculty with research interests that relate to materials issues
are: Shafique Khan, A S Eleiche, Faheemuddin Patel, Tahar Laoui,
A. R . Shuaib, Mirza Murtuza Ali Baig, Naser Alaqeeli, Khaled
Mezghani, Nesar Merah, Abu Dheir Numan
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Manufacturing
….
Faculty with
research interests that relate to materials issues are: Mekid,
S., Abul Fazal M. Arif,
Tahar Laoui,
A. R. Shuaib,
Naser Alaqeeli,
Khaled Mezghani, Abu Dheir Numan
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Heat Transfer Energy Science and Technology
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The
study of heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, and combustion
describe the focus of the Thermal Sciences Program. Research
directions in the Thermal Sciences span a wide variety of topics
that have both scientific and engineering content. Graduate
students can take several courses in heat transfer: convection,
conduction and radiation. Other courses in energy are also
offered. Special focus is given to renewable energy: solar wind
and others.
Faculty with research interests that relate to heat transfer and
energy science and technology issues are: Dr. Ahmet Z. Sahin,
Antar M, A. Alsarkhi, Esmail M. A. Mokheimer,
Mohammed Yaqub, Haitham Bahaidarah, Bourhan Tachtouch,
P. Gandhidasan, Samer F. Ahmed, Naser Alaqeeli
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Combustion
The
field of combustion has an inherently multidisciplinary
character, with strong components in fluid mechanics, heat
transfer, chemistry, and materials. Various aspects of
combustion exist in numerous practical processes, including
energy conversion, material processing, manufacturing,
propulsion, waste incineration, pollution, and fire.
Faculty with research interests that relate to combustion issues
are: Samer F. Ahmed, Esmail M. A. Mokheimer,
Mohammed Yaqub,
Antar M, P. Gandhidasan
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Nano and micro
scale technology
Mekid,
S., Shafique Khan, Faheemuddin Patel, Hussein Al-Qahtani, Antar
M, Tahar Laoui, M. Hawwa, Mirza Murtuza Ali Baig, Naser Alaqeeli,
Khaled Mezghani, Nesar Merah
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Clean Energy &
Clean Water (KFUPM – MIT Collaboration)
Mekid,
S., Abul Fazal M. Arif, Dr. Ahmet Z. Sahin, Hussein Al-Qahtani,
Esmail M. A. Mokheimer, Antar M, Haitham Bahaidarah, Tahar Laoui,
A S Eleiche, P. Gandhidasan, Samer F. Ahmed, Naser Alaqeeli,
Khaled Mezghan
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