Mechanical Engineering Concepts and Applications (Part II)
Mechanical engineering applications are used daily in virtually every industry, from automobile factories to aerospace design. While the principles of the field remain the same, the application can differ greatly. Some major fields where mechanical engineering concepts are applied are discussed here.
Automotive Engineering
Automotive engineering is a field of mechanical engineering that involves the application of engineering principles to the design, manufacture, and operation of automobiles and other motorized vehicles. This includes hybrids, electric vehicles, and light trucks. Topics including heat transfer, vibration, noise and fatigue, combustion, aerodynamics, fuel technology, vehicle handling and safety, and emissions control are all part of automotive engineering. Automotive engineers work in various vehicle sub-systems, such as brakes, chassis, interior, exterior, driveline and engine design. Many automotive engineering graduates find jobs in the automobile industry, either in the development of new designs or in the production of cars.
Robotics
Robotics is a field of mechanical engineering that studies the design, manufacturing and use of robots. Robot design is a multi-disciplinary area, so robotics engineers must be knowledgeable in areas such as mechanics, electronics, and artificial intelligence. The goal of robotics is to build systems that are autonomous or semi-autonomous and can carry out complex tasks. Some examples of robots or robotic systems can include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), autonomous vehicle navigation systems, and robotic surgery devices. Robotics is a rapidly growing field and is quickly becoming integral to many industries.
Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineering is a field of mechanical engineering that focuses on the design of aircraft and spacecraft. This includes many concepts such as aerodynamics, thermodynamics, propulsion systems, aircraft materials, and optimization of design for optimal performance. Aerospace engineers must be knowledgeable in both the practical and theoretical knowledge of aircraft design and construction. As aerospace technology continues to evolve, aerospace engineers will be faced with more complex systems and will have to incorporate more sophisticated concepts into their designs.
Energy Engineering
Energy engineering is a field of mechanical engineering that focuses on improving the efficiency of energy production and utilization. This includes topics such as power plant design, energy conservation, alternative fuel sources, and renewable energy. Energy engineers play an important role in developing efficient and sustainable energy systems. They work in areas such as power generation, thermal power plants, renewable energy systems, and power distribution.
Mechanical engineering is an incredibly vast and diverse field of engineering which touches virtually every aspect of life. From automobiles to aircrafts, robots to renewable energy systems, mechanical engineering concepts are applied daily. The application of mechanical engineering changes over time and for each new project, but the principles remain the same. Mechanical engineers will continue to be integral to our society as we continue to develop new technologies and explore new possibilities.
