Welcome to the Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering (MMAE) at Illinois Tech. The home of our department, located in the John T. Rettaliata Engineering Center, recently underwent a major renovation and now offers a state-of-the-art interactive design studio and machine shop, an interactive learning and fabrication studio, research laboratories, collaborative spaces, and modern classrooms.
The National Academy of Engineering has identified grand challenges for engineering in the twenty-first century, focusing on cross-cutting areas in sustainability, health, security, and the joy of living. The MMAE department prepares students to be innovators and entrepreneurs in all these areas. We offer students opportunities to explore the design and manufacture of machines, vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft, and the structure and properties of engineering materials used for these devices in countless applications of societal impact. By weaving design, group projects, computational, and communication skills throughout our curriculum, we have created a culture of innovation, teamwork, and leadership development that positions our students to be the leaders of tomorrow. We partner with students to enhance their careers through lifelong learning in the ever-evolving practice fields.
Our department builds on over a century of rich history, starting with mechanical engineering, expanding to include aerospace engineering in the 1950s, merging with internationally renowned mechanics of science activities in the 1970s, and incorporating the university programs in materials engineering during the 1990s.
In addition to the involvement of our internationally renowned faculty in the educational programs of the department, they are active in a variety of professional development activities that include research, consulting, professional societies, and administration. One is a member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering. The department faculty, collectively, are fellows of eighteen professional societies, such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), ASM International (ASM), and the American Physical Society (APS), and many are editors of top international journals. Four junior faculty have been awarded National Science Foundation CAREER awards in the last six years; three faculty have received institutional teaching awards in recent years; and two have recently published textbooks.
Students can work side-by-side with these faculty members and perform research on challenging engineering problems—energy, environment, health, clean water, manufacturing, communication, transportation, defense, and space, among others. Specific research thrusts in the department include robotics, satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) guidance systems, driverless cars, turbomachinery, aircraft and flow control, aeroacoustics, transportation and propulsion systems, building design, renewable energy, energy harvesting and energy storage, advanced batteries, high-temperature materials, crystal growth, acoustic cloaking, biomechanics and cardiovascular flows, and space systems. We garner funding from numerous federal agencies and companies, and we enjoy close relationships with institutions in the Chicago area, such as Argonne National Laboratory.
MMAE offers distinctive, hands-on, ABET-accredited bachelor’s degrees in mechanical, aerospace, and materials engineering, and we provide students the opportunity to receive both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in as few as five years through the Accelerated Master’s Program. Our graduate degrees include materials science and engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering, advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, energy systems, engineering management, and more. Talented and driven students are invited to join our research and education enterprise, consisting of approximately 450 undergraduate and 230 graduate students, contribute to leading-edge research in our labs, or get involved in student organizations.
Our students often choose MMAE due to the diverse and far-reaching impact they will have in the future. MMAE alumni can be found pursuing graduate degrees at other top universities, working in national research labs, pursuing careers in a variety of industries, and engaging in entrepreneurship and innovation in companies ranging from small startups to Fortune 500 companies.
Please do not hesitate to visit or let me know when you need further information or assistance regarding our programs.
Louis N. Cattafesta III
John G. and Jane E. Olin Endowed Department Chair in Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering