The Woodruff School has a challenging graduate program that encompasses advanced study and research leading to the degree of Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering for qualified graduates with backgrounds in engineering, mechanics, mathematics, physical sciences, and life sciences. Most graduate coursework is elective, but the program of study must meet the Woodruff School's requirements of breadth, depth, and level.
The Fluid Mechanics Research Group performs research in a wide variety of areas, employing theoretical, experimental and numerical tools. Current projects include studies in turbulent jets and mixing layers, flow control using piezoelectric actuators, hydrodynamic stability of flows driven by surface-tension gradients, fluid mechanics in microgravity, thin films, stability of unsteady swirling flows, vortex breakdown and, in conjunction with faculty in bioengineering, work on hemodyanmics, on flow in bioreactors and on the fluid dynamics of the heart. Support for research in fluid mechanics comes from several sources such as AFOSR, NASA, NSF, the American Heart Association, the Whitaker Foundation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as private companies.
Facilities include the Fluid Mechanics Research Laboratory (FMRL) at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and diagnostic tools suitable for research work in the manipulation and control of shear flows. The design and renovation of the 2600 square foot laboratory space (which included the installation of a 50 ton water chiller unit) was completed in May 1993, and the installation of equipment began in June of that year. The laboratory houses a low-speed, high-quality, open-return wind tunnel having a test section measuring 1 m x 1 m, a closed-return water shear layer facility, a number of air jets including a swirling jet, and a 300-gallon water tank.
