Skip to main content
Research

Energy and Environment

UW Mechanical Engineering is helping to advance the adoption of a clean energy future by developing next generation marine, solar and wind energy and electrical energy storage materials, devices and systems, as well as their integration with the grid.

Our students and faculty are working to increase the scope and impact of our research and education in alternative energies and the environment. We are fostering partnerships that grow our visibility and prominence in pollution prevention, clean combustion and energy research and technology translation. The solutions being developed in our labs will help establish the course toward a smarter, more sustainable future.

Key research areas

  • Acoustics and noise pollution prevention
  • Batteries and energy storage
  • Energy conversion
  • Energy optimization and conversion
  • Hybrid and electric vehicles
  • Low-emissions combustion, pollutants and control
  • Printed and flexible electronics
  • Wind, solar and marine renewable energy and instrumentation

Research highlights

ME researchers are developing novel technologies related to particulates sampling, environmentally- friendly batteries and combustion pollution control.

Woman cooking outdoors

Clean Cookstoves Lab focuses on the testing, design and development of low-emissions, highefficiency wood-burning cookstoves for the developing world.

Pacific Marine Energy Center responsibly advances the technical, environmental and societal dimensions of marine energy by expanding scientific understanding, engaging stakeholders and empowering students.

Clean Energy Institute is working to accelerate the adoption of a clean energy future by advancing solar energy and electrical energy storage materials, devices and systems, as well as their integration with the grid.

Related News

Wed, 05/01/2019 | Physics Today

Microswimmers with no moving parts

Microscopic self-propelled particles could one day be used to clean up wastewater or deliver drugs in the body, according to ME and ChemE professor Jonathan Posner, George Mason assistant professor, and ME alumni Jeffrey Moran, PhD '13.

Tue, 04/09/2019 | King5 News

Researchers in Sequim studying how new energy technology could impact fish

Researchers are studying the effect underwater equipment might have on the behavior of fish, with the help of Adaptable Monitoring Package.

Wed, 01/16/2019 | UW News

Three awards from US Energy Department to fuel UW solar cell research

ME associate professor Devin MacKenzie’s project on perovskite manufacturing using roll-to-roll processing techniques was awarded nearly $200,000 by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.

Fri, 12/14/2018 | UW News

Underwater sensors for monitoring sea life (and where to find them)

ME researchers have created an underwater mechanical eye called an Adaptable Monitoring Package, or AMP. Using a combination of sensors, it watches animals and records their activity when they pass by renewable energy sites.