Signature Research Topics

Designing the future of mechanical systems and materials

Duke MEMS research is focused on solving some of the biggest challenges facing humanity and our planet, including clean and abundant energy, reliable autonomous technology, and biomechanical devices and biomaterials to improve human health. Aligned with these efforts, our faculty also employ advanced computational tools, such as AI, to accelerate the design of mechanical systems and the discovery of new materials.

Major Research Programs

Aerodynamics & Aeroelasticity

Working at the intersection of fluid mechanics, structural mechanics and dynamics, we are investigating a diverse range of aerospace problems

Biomechanics & Biomaterials

We are exploring natural phenomena to inspire new biomaterials as well as engineering clinically relevant analytical and biomechanical solutions

Computation & Artificial Intelligence

Our faculty advance scientific computing and develop new computational approaches, including artificial intelligence, to apply to engineering challenges

Energy Systems & Materials

Duke MEMS faculty are leaders in developing new energy materials, improving energy-related technologies and exploring underlying chemistry and physics

Robotics & Autonomy

Duke MEMS researchers are at work on methods of robust and optimal control and automation, especially in systems that operate in challenging environments

Soft Matter & Nanoscale Materials

Our faculty lead in the computational discovery of new matter and the investigation and creation of polymers, soft-wet materials and nanomaterials

$14M

in new research awards

fiscal year 2024

SMIF

State-of-the-science resources

through Duke’s NSF-funded Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility (SMIF) and MEMS testing and fabrication resources

Major Centers & Initiatives

Duke MEMS faculty participate in interdisciplinary research initiatives including:

aiM

AI for Understanding and Designing Materials

CBTE

Center for Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering

TAST

Traineeship in the Advancement of Surgical Technologies

DMI

Duke Materials Initiative

Latest Research News

9/24 Pratt School of Engineering

Xianyi Cheng: Going Beyond Human Dexterity

Cheng’s work focuses on dexterous manipulation in robotics, emphasizing the need for robotic systems that can handle diverse complicated manual tasks