Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME)

A research project at the undergraduate first year level under the supervision of a faculty member.

This is a projects-based course that serves as an introduction to the engineering design process. It is the first in a series of design courses that will culminate with the capstone senior design course. In this course, students will learn to design a simple component that meets specific needs. They will learn how to model, either from fundamental principles or experimentation, to justify technical decisions made in the design process and to predict system performance. Students will learn and use the basics of Computer Aided Design software. The course will incorporate global, cultural, and social factors into technical decision making while identifying and employing engineering ethics in the design process.

An introduction to the fundamental concepts in fluid mechanics, the science of flight, the atmosphere, and airplane aerodynamics. Applications of the principles of mechanics to aircraft flight performance, stability, control, and design. Fall.

Introduction to the UNIX operating system and the Fortran programming language with applications to engineering computing. Fall.

Lecture component to corequisite laboratory course focused on providing introductory experimental methods utilized in aerospace and mechanical engineering. This includes basic laboratory instrumentation, data acquisition methods and analysis as well as the quantification of experimental uncertainty via stastical methods.

Weekly lectures and experimental projects designed to demonstrate experimental methods applied to solid and fluid mechanics. Emphasis on reinforcing basic measurement concepts introduced in AME Laboratory I, data analysis, written and oral communication, team-building skills, and the design of experiments.

Introduction to systems of forces and couples, vector mechanics. Equilibrium of rigid bodies. Internal forces and moments, trusses and beams, distributed loads, and properties of areas. Friction and virtual work. Kinematics and kinetics of particle motion. Systems of particles. Fall.

Introduction to Newtonian dynamics. Kinematics and kinetics (energy, linear, and angular momenta) of particles, systems of particles, and rigid bodies. Spring.

Basic concepts of thermodynamics. The first law of thermodynamics. Work, heat, properties of substances and state equations. The second law of thermodynamics. Applications to engineering systems. Spring.

Introduction to the concepts of stress and strain, material properties, deflections of bars under axial, torsional, and bending loads, statically indeterminate problems, and stress transformations, including related experimental laboratory exercises. Spring.

Provides students with a background in numerical techniques and modern data science to solve a variety of engineering design and analysis problems.

A seminar series featuring selected speakers who are employed in fields related to Mechanical Engineering or are career development professionals. The presentations and open symposium format emphasizes career opportunities for Mechanical Engineering graduates. Course assignments are focused on personal career development (resume, cover letter, interviewing, networking)

Laboratory component to corequisite lecture course, focused on providing introductory experimental methods utilized in aerospace and mechanical engineering. This includes basic laboratory instrumentation, data acquisition methods and analysis as well as the quantification of experimental uncertainty via statistical methods.

Lab component to corequisite lecture course. Experimental methods applied to solid and fluid mechanics.

This is a one-credit course that is the first in a sequence of three courses on fabrication and manufacturing. At the end of this course, students will be proficient in basic machine shop safety and procedures, including demonstrating correct usage of basic hand and power tools, basic machining practices, basic shop print reading and creation, basic geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, and multi operation part design and fabrication. This one-credit course may only be combined with AME 31243 and AME 41243 to satisfy an AME Technical Elective degree requirement.

A course that focuses on Computer-Aided-Design (CAD). Topics include: Use of CAD in the design process, creating 3D models from 2D sketches, 2D engineering drawings for parts and assemblies, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, and introduction to finite element analysis and 3D printing, Overview of CAD tools.

A course that focuses on Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM). Topics include; use of CAM in the design process, CAD model preparation, defining the manufacturing plan, Numerically Controlled (NC) part programming, machine tool simulation, post-processing, preparing files for laser machining and 3D printing, and a continuation of finite element analysis. Students will create and analyze manufactured parts through individual and group projects.

Introduction to the concepts of stress and strain, material properties, deflections of bars under axial, torsional, and bending loads, statically indeterminate problems, and stress transformations, including related experimental laboratory exercises.

A research project for sophomore AERO or ME students at the undergraduate level under the supervision of a faculty member.

Fundamentals of numerical methods and development of programming techniques to solve problems in civil and environmental engineering. This course requires significant computer use via a scientific program language such as Matlab and/or FORTRAN. Standard topics in numerical linear algebra, interpolation, discrete differentiation, discrete integration, and approximate solutions to ordinary differential equations are treated in a context-based approach. Applications are drawn from hydrology, environmental modeling, geotechnical engineering, modeling of material behavior, and structural analysis. Fall.

Provides students with a background in numerical techniques and modern data science to solve a variety of engineering design and analysis problems.

The course objective is to introduce space exploration in science and industry. The course is broken down to three main sections: beginning, successes, and future challenges in space exploration.

First of a two-course sequence that introduces methods of differential-equation solution together with common engineering applications in vibration analysis and controls. Includes second-order, linear differential equations, feedback control, single-degree of freedom vibrations, numerical solutions to systems of ordinary differential equations, and partial differential equations. Fall.

Systems of nth-order differential equations, multiple-degree of freedom vibrations, linear feedback, s-plane controls analysis, and frequency response analysis. Spring.

A basic course in fluid mechanics. Topics include mathematics of fluids, Euler, Navier-Stokes, Bernoulli's equation, control volumes, differential analysis, dimensional analysis and dynamic similarity, aerodynamics, boundary layers and turbulence. Fall."

An intermediate course of the study of the dynamics and thermodynamics of compressible flow for both internal and external geometries, including boundary layer effects. Applications of compressible flow principles to propulsive nozzles, flight simulation facilities, and supersonic airfoil problems. Spring.

Theoretical and applied aerodynamics, airfoil theory, lifting line theory, boundary layer theory, blade element theory, use and operation of a subsonic wind tunnel for aerodynamic measurements.

An introductory course covering three modes of heat transfer; steady and unsteady conduction, elementary boundary layer analysis for laminar and turbulent convection and the basic theory of radiation. Spring.

A study of basic principles and methods for structural analysis of lightweight structures with emphasis on aerospace applications. An introduction to load analysis of aircraft, materials, fatigue, stress/deformation analysis of thin-walled structures, and aeroelasticity. Fall.

A course introducing the analysis and design of space structures, with an emphasis on application of industry-standard finite element analysis software. The course will cover fundamental stress, deformation, and vibration analyses for idealized structures and loading conditions. Additionally, the course will cover theory and application of the finite element method.

This hands-on lab course introduces students to a variety of electronic actuators, including solenoids, solenoid valves, pneumatic cylinders, DC motors, servo motors, stepper motors, and brushless DC motors. Weekly lab exercises teach students how to control these actuators using electronic circuits and microcontrollers. Importantly, students will learn how to properly integrate actuators into complex mechatronic systems involving sensors, feedback, remote monitoring, and remote control, with the goal of automating thermal, fluid, and mechanical processes. The course consists of a 1-credit hour online lecture component and a 2-credit hour in-person lab component. The 1-credit online lecture component will consist of weekly pre-lab lecture videos, covering basic theory and including in-lab demonstrations of equipment and techniques. The 2-credit lab component will meet for 2 hours on Friday and Monday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30am.

Modeling and analysis of mechanical systems. Automated design decision process, introduction to statistical methods, material engineering, requirements definition, and product specifications. Fall.

Static and fatigue failure theories. Theory, design, and selection of gearing, power transmitting shafts, rolling element bearings, journal bearings, fasteners, springs, brakes, and clutches. Spring.

Dynamics of point masses; The two-body and n-body problems; Orbital elements and time dependence. Orbit determination. Relative motion and linearization. Orbital transfers. Various forms of the three-body problem, including the circular restricted case, the Lagrange points and their stability.

This course provides basic science knowledge and engineering practices used by biomedical engineers toward solving problems in human medicine. Topics will include an overview of bioengineering and modern biology, introduction of cell/molecular/genetic engineering principles and the use of engineering analysis to describe living systems, starting with mass and energy balances to understand cell growth and signal transduction. Examples will include the use of general accounting equations (i.e., mass, energy, momentum and charge) toward problems from selected medical engineering fields.

Applying engineering fundamentals to physiology allows for new insights into normal and abnormal (i.e., pathophysiological) biological function. Using a systems-based approach, we will quantitatively explore the biological, chemical, electrical, and mechanical foundations of human physiology. We will examine how engineering approaches - both empirical and theoretical - can be used to understand healthy and diseased organ systems, including but not limited to the nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. As a running application theme, we will investigate the physiological changes humans undergo during space travel, and we will design hypothetical bioengineering-based experiments to investigate these alterations in microgravity.

This is a one-credit course that is the second in a sequence of three courses on fabrication and manufacturing. At the end of this course, students will be proficient in basic machine shop safety and procedures, intermediate machining practices, mating part and assembly print reading and creation, advanced geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, including true position, datums, and profile measuring with surface plates, height gauges, and an optical comparator. The use of CAD and 3D printing in tandem with basic manual machining to create basic assemblies. This one-credit course may only be combined with AME 21243 and AME 41243 to satisfy an AME Technical Elective degree requirement.

This hands-on lab course introduces students to a variety of electronic actuators, including solenoids, solenoid valves, pneumatic cylinders, DC motors, servo motors, stepper motors, and brushless DC motors. Weekly lab exercises teach students how to control these actuators using electronic circuits and microcontrollers. Importantly, students will learn how to properly integrate actuators into complex mechatronic systems involving sensors, feedback, remote monitoring, and remote control, with the goal of automating thermal, fluid, and mechanical processes. The course consists of a 1-credit hour online lecture component and a 2-credit hour in-person lab component. The 1-credit online lecture component will consist of weekly pre-lab lecture videos, covering basic theory and including in-lab demonstrations of equipment and techniques. The 2-credit lab component will meet for 2 hours on Friday and Monday mornings.

The course objective is to introduce space exploration in science and industry. The course is broken down to three main sections: beginning, successes, and future challenges in space exploration. The course is covered by taking notes. All class notes covered in class are posted on Canvas. To take a great advantage of the overseas program, a tour of the German Aerospace Center will be organized during the class. At the end of the lectures, students will give presentations as a final project.

Covers topics in machine learning from the perspective of engineering applications. Topics include regression and classification problems, decision trees and related models, neural networks, and reinforcement learning. Students will be able to apply these technologies to engineering problems they encounter in other courses.

Individual or small group study under the director of a faculty member in an undergraduate subject not currently covered by any University course. As needed.

Independent study course in Differential Equations for students who have studied abroad.

Independent study course in Vibrations for students who have studied abroad.

A research project for Aero or ME juniors at the undergraduate level under the supervision of a faculty member.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), covering topics ranging from generative modeling to Chat-GPT. The curriculum begins with an examination of the core concepts of deep learning, followed by practical, hands-on experience implementing Linear Deep Learning and Multi-Layer Perceptrons using Python and PyTorch. The latter part of the course is dedicated to in-depth study cases and projects, delving into Generative Modeling, Convolutional Neural Networks (ConvNets), Unsupervised and Self-Supervised Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Reinforcement Learning

This course presents the analysis and synthesis of planar mechanisms. Mechanism analysis includes gear trains, transmissions and differentials and is based on the vector loop method and kinematic coefficients. The course covers the forward and inverse dynamics problems and dynamic simulation. Mechanism synthesis is based on Freudenstein's equation for function generation and the three position problem for rigid body guidance.

The mechanics and thermodynamics of gas turbines and air-breathing propulsion devices. The mechanics of various space propulsion systems are also presented, including an introduction to rocket propulsion. Fall.

This course provides an introduction to the integration of advanced experimental methods and computational simulation in the analysis of aerospace and mechanical engineering problems. Students will develop proficiency in both experimental design (such as sensor selection, error analysis, and data acquisition), and use of industry-standard software to model experiments (including verification, validation, choosing element types, and appropriate idealizations). The interplay between analytical solutions, computational models, and experimental data will be emphasized through primarily solid and fluid mechanics problems. Students will leave with the ability to identify the objective of an experiment, discern key variables of the system, and make appropriate choices to model results. As a final project, students will design and execute an experiment; leveraging their computational models to inform experimental design and analysis. Offered alternating academic years.

Mechanics and equations of motion, aerodynamics forces, airplane motions, longitudinal and lateral. Introduction to autopilot design. Fall.

This course will reinforce and extend the fundamentals of automation and controls covered in AME30315 with hands-on lab experience. The first third of the course will focus on hardware - electronics, sensors, actuators, microcontrollers, and serial interfaces - in the context of feedback control systems. The second third will focus on correctly choosing, designing, and implementing control algorithms. The final third of the labs will be devoted to a final project, where the students will be required to use at least one sensor and one actuator to automate a task of their choosing. Students will submit written reports comparing performance predicted by models with physical results measured in lab.

Lectures and laboratory cover the fundamentals of flow and transport in porous media. Methods of analysis for development of groundwater resources. Fall.

The fundamentals of flight performance are developed. Primary emphasis will be on examining how configuration design parameters affect aircraft performance. Students are introduced to aircraft preliminary design methodology. Fall.

Team design project with application to an aerospace system development. Includes topics in all associated technologies, design methodology, standards, and engineering ethics. Spring.

A course that provides a comprehensive team-oriented, project-based design of a selected mechanical engineering system or process. Projects involve design specification development, engineering design, documentation and prototype fabrication. Fall and Spring.

This course covers fluid dynamics framework of environmental fluid motions, in particular, the application of the equations of motion to predict them. A special emphasis will be made on the effects of earth's rotation and background density stratification, both of which give rise to intriguing natural phenomena. The modification of environmental motions by human influence will be described paying particular attention to engineering applications. Some necessary mathematical tools such as tensors will be covered to some extent.

The course in an introduction to modern electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. It covers basic aspects of batteries, electric motors, powertrain systems, and the vehicle-road system. Emphasis will be placed on energy and power flows in electric and hybrid-electric vehicle systems. Optimization of energy usage for given driving cycles will also be addressed in some detail. Some of the commercially available power management schemes will be introduced and potential alternatives will be explored.

Current topics in engineering entrepreneurship to enable students to understand the opportunities and challenges an entrepreneurial engineer faces when creating and leading successful start-up and early stage companies. Topics will include intellectual property, networking, team-building, market assessment/readiness, de-risking, raising capital, regulatory approval, and exit strategy, among others, with guest speakers, readings and case studies.

In this course students will work in teams comprised of students from Notre Dame and universities in countries other than in the United States. The teams will complete projects provided by multinational companies working in industries related to aerospace or mechanical engineering. Periodic reporting requirements, design reviews and final project presentations consistent with industrial practice are required both to the academic supervisor as well as the industrial sponsor of the project.

An application of linear algebra, engineering principles, and anatomical knowledge to study the motion of human bodies. The course will examine how the nervous system stimulates various muscles which in turn actuates the skeletal system in a desired movement. Specific examples of athletic performance and analysis techniques will be examined. There will be a combination of individual and group assessments throughout the semester.

The course develops the fundamental concepts and theories that can be used to design an efficient wind turbine. To accomplish this task one must know the following; understand the properties of the wind resource from which the power is to be extracted, understand the blade design features and aerodynamics that yields an efficient rotor, know how to control the blade loading during gusting winds to reduce fatigue problems, and to be able to use active control to enhance turbine performance when operating below the rated wind speed. The control portion of the course will focus on various control strategies including passive control techniques as well as distributed active flow control devices and strategies. Students will have an opportunity to develop a conceptual design of a wind turbine for a specified wind distribution.

This course is intended to be an introductory to Hypersonic Systems. It is designed to foster a systems design approach that recognizes the interdependence of the different design elements that are necessary for hypersonic flight within the atmosphere. Following a general introduction, the course covers 10 design elements consisting of hypersonic environments and phenomenology, aerodynamics, thermal protection and mitigation, high temperature materials, structures and manufacturing, propulsion, guidance navigation and flight control, electric energy generation and storage, sensing and communication, and experimental facilities and measurement technology. Supplementing this is a hands-on laboratory that includes a Mach 6 wind tunnel and a Mach 6 shock tunnel.

An introduction to the fundamentals of computational aerodynamics/fluid mechanics. Numerical techniques are developed and applied to the solution of several practical fluid mechanics and aeronautics problems.

The course will introduce students to the revolutionary field of nanotechnology where emphasis will be placed on using nanomaterials to the betterment of a sustainable urban environment. Students will be introduced to the remarkable transformation that the mechanical, optical, electrical, and thermal material properties undergo as their dimensions are reduced to the nanoscale. They will also understand the major nanomaterial fabrication techniques such as nanoscale lithography and self-assembly. In addition, students will be introduced to techniques which characterize materials on the nanoscale. The second half of the course will be devoted to applications and potential applications of nanotechnology which will advance urban sustainability. Applications in water purification, transportation, energy, and biomedicine will be presented to the students

An introduction to the finite element method with applications to structural analysis, heat flow, fluid mechanics, and coupled multiphysics problems. Basics of linear and nonlinear finite element technology (theory and implementation) for continuum problems and engineering structures (bar, beams, frames, plates). Students will build their own finite element code and learn to use commercial software.

This course covers materials processing and advanced manufacturing approaches as applied to biomedical science and engineering including photolithography, softlithography, AFM and SEM-based fabrication and 3D micro-nanofabrication for applications such as microfluidics; scaffold production for tissue engineering, studying mechanotransduction and the cellular forces, nanoparticles and nanoscale structures as functional bio-interfaces, peptide-nanoparticle assemblies, nanoparticle-biomolecule hybrids as bioactive materials, self-assembling peptides scaffolds for 3-dimensional tissue / cell cultures, magnetic cell separation to enrich for rare cells.

Robotics is the study of machines capable of sensing, decision making, and acting. Robots have the potential to improve human life in applications ranging from remote telepresence to assistive mobility to autonomous task execution. This course touches on the broad fields of study involved in robotics, and focuses on the mathematical principles and tools underlying motion and force application of 2-D and 3-D robotic manipulators. Course topics include kinematics, statics, dynamics, design considerations, actuators, sensors, and control fundamentals.

This course focuses on the fundamental principle of biomaterials, the interaction of biomaterials with the biological system, and applications of biomaterials. Topics include molecular principles of biomaterials, cell-biomaterials interaction, host reaction to biomaterials, biomaterials for tissue engineering applications, and biomaterials for controlled drug delivery. Historic and nascent advances in biomaterials are critically and independently evaluated by the class using published reports in the literature. Clinical, business, and regulatory perspectives of biomaterials will be discussed using case studies and group projects.

This course, cross-listed with AME 60572, is an introduction to the application of mechanical engineering analysis to understand topics in biology. Topics will include development, disease, diagnosis, treatment, imaging, and mechanical testing in a variety of biological systems across scales.

Applying engineering fundamentals to physiology allows for new insights into normal and abnormal (i.e., pathophysiological) biological function. Using a systems-based approach, we will quantitatively explore the biological, chemical, electrical, and mechanical foundations of human physiology. We will examine how engineering approaches - both empirical and theoretical - can be used to understand healthy and diseased organ systems, including but not limited to the nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems.

Fundamental principles and analytical methods in dynamics with applications to machine design, robot analysis, and spacecraft control.

Fundamentals of heat conduction, convection and radiation.

An introduction and comprehensive overview of a broad range of additive manufacturing technologies, basic principles and fundamentals of additive manufacturing methods, established and emerging applications such as 3D printing, rapid prototyping, direct digital manufacturing, micro-scale manufacturing, functional device printing, etc.

Feedback and Feedforward Principles. Dynamic System Modeling with Linear and Nonlinear Differential Equations. Analysis of Dynamic Systems: Solution to Differential Equations and Stability. Linear Systems: The Matrix Exponential and Linearization. State Feedback: Controllability and Linear Quadratic Regulators. Output Feedback: Observability, State Estimation, Kalman Filtering, and State Space Controller Desing. Transfer Functions. PID Control: Tunning and Digital Implementation.

An introduction to the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. Kinematics and dynamics of the skeleton. Calculation of inter-segmental forces, muscle forces, and activation levels. Mechanical behavior of typical orthopaedic tissues using appropriate engineering models. Mechanical adaptability of the skeleton to mechanical loads. Applications to the design of arthopaedic devices.

Interdisciplinary course which covers basic science and engineering applications of solar cell technologies. The course will provide students with the basic information needed to (i) understand the principles of photovoltaic system operation, (ii) identify appropriate applications, and (iii) undertake the design of photovoltaic systems. A focus will be placed on basic semiconductor physics relevant to photovoltaic design and function as it applies to practical devices. The course will then examine next-generation solar cell concepts.

This is a one-credit course that is the third in a sequence of three courses on fabrication and manufacturing. At the end of this course, students will have a baseline knowledge of the capabilities of CNC fabrication, as well as its optimization. This one-credit course may only be combined with AME 21243 and AME 31243 to satisfy an AME Technical Elective degree requirement.

Course to be taken in conjunction with AME 40453. This course will reinforce and extend the fundamentals of automation and controls covered in AME30315 with hands-on lab experience. The first third of the course will focus on hardware - electronics, sensors, actuators, microcontrollers, PLCs, and serial interfaces - in the context of feedback control systems. The second third will focus on correctly choosing, designing, and implementing control algorithms. The final third of the labs will be devoted to a final project, where the students will be required to use at least one sensor and one actuator to automate a task of their choosing. Students will submit written reports comparing performance predicted by models with physical results measured in lab.

Lab for the aerospace senior design course.

Lab section of the senior design course

Recitation designed to help engineering students with their problem-solving skills in a smaller group setting.

An introduction to the fundamentals of computational aerodynamics/fluid mechanics. Numerical techniques are developed and applied to the solution of several practical fluid mechanics and aeronautics problems.

Individual or small group study under the direction of a faculty member in a undergraduate subject not currently covered by any University course.

A design project at the undergraduate level under the supervision of a faculty member.

A research project at the undergraduate level under the supervision of a faculty member.

Required by da Vinci Concentration students. 30-minute oral presentation to AME faculty 2-person committee.