The online version of the Caltech Catalog is provided as a convenience; however, the printed version is the only authoritative source of information about course offerings, option requirements, graduation requirements, and other important topics.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Additional advanced courses in the field of mechanical engineering may be found listed in other engineering options such as aerospace engineering, applied mechanics, applied physics, control and dynamical systems, and materials science.

EE/ME 7. Introduction to Mechatronics. 6 units (2-3-1). For course description, see Electrical Engineering.

ME 18 ab. Thermodynamics. 9 units (3-0-6); second, third terms. Prerequisites: Ph 1 and Ph 2 (may be taken concurrently). An introduction to classical thermodynamics with engineering applications. First term includes the first and second laws; closed and open systems; properties of a pure substance; availability and irreversibility; generalized thermodynamic relations. Second term emphasizes applications: gas and vapor power cycles; propulsion; mixtures; combustion and thermochemistry; chemical equilibrium. Instructors: Minnich, Hunt.

ME 19 ab. Fluid Mechanics. 9 units (3-0-6); second, third terms. Prerequisites: Ma 2, Ph 1 abc. Properties of fluids, basic equations of fluid mechanics, theorems of energy, linear and angular momentum. Euler’s equations, inviscid potential flow, surface waves, airfoil theory. Navier-Stokes equations, vorticity and vorticity transport. Flow of real fluids, similarity parameters, flow in ducts. Boundary layer theory for laminar and turbulent flow, transition to turbulence. Drag, lift, and propulsion. Instructor: Hall.

ME 35 abc. Statics and Dynamics. 9 units (3-0-6); first, second, third terms. Prerequisites: Ma 1 abc, Ph 1 abc. Introduction to statics and dynamics of rigid and deformable bodies. Equilibrium of force systems, principle of virtual work, distributed force systems, friction, static analysis of rigid and deformable structures, kinematics, particle dynamics, rigid-body dynamics, dynamics of deformable systems, and vibrating systems. Instructors: Lapusta, Andrade, Daraio.

ME 65. Mechanics of Materials. 9 units (3-0-6); first term. Prerequisites: ME 35 abc, Ma 2 ab. Introduction to continuum mechanics, principles of elasticity, plane stress, plane strain, axisymmetric problems, stress concentrations, thin films, fracture mechanics, variational principles, frame structures, finite element methods, composites, and plasticity. Taught concurrently with Ae/AM/CE/ME 102. Instructors: Ravichandran, Bhattacharya.

ME 66. Vibration. 9 units (3-0-6); first term. Prerequisites: ME 35 abc, Ma 2 ab. Introduction to vibration and wave propagation in continuous and discrete multi-degree-of-freedom systems. Strings, mass-spring systems, mechanical devices, elastic continua. Equations of motion, Lagrange’s equations, Hamilton’s principle, and time-integration schemes. Taught concurrently with AM/CE 151 a. Instructor: Staff.

ME 71. Introduction to Engineering Design. 9 units (3-5-1); third term. Prerequisites: ME 35 ab recommended, ME 170. Enrollment is limited and will be based on responses to a questionnaire available in the Registrar’s Office during registration. Introduction to mechanical engineering design, fabrication, and visual communication. Concepts are taught through a series of short design projects and design competitions emphasizing physical concepts. Many class projects will involve substantial use of the shop facilities, and construction of working prototypes. Not offered on a pass/fail basis. Instructors: Collins, Van Deusen.

ME 72 ab. Engineering Design Laboratory. 9 units (3-4-2) first term; (1-8-0) second term; first, second terms. Prerequisites: ME 35 abc, ME 71, ME 18 ab, CS 1 or equivalent, and instructor’s permission. ME 170 can be taken concurrently. Enrollment is limited. A project-based course in which teams of students design, fabricate, analyze, test, and operate an electromechanical device to compete against devices designed by other student teams. The class lectures and the projects stress the integration of mechanical design, sensing, engineering analysis, and computation to solve problems in engineering system design. The laboratory units of ME 72 can be used to fulfill a portion of the laboratory requirement for the ME or EAS option. Not offered on a pass/fail basis. Instructor: Ruoff, Van Duesen.

CS/EE/ME 75 abc. Introduction to Multidisciplinary Systems Engineering. 3 units (2-0-1) first term; 3–6 units second term; 12 units (2-9-1) or 18 units (2-15-1) third term. For course description, see Computer Science.

ME 90 abc. Senior Thesis, Experimental. 9 units; (0-0-9) first term; (0-9-0) second, third terms. Prerequisites: senior status; instructor’s permission. Experimental research supervised by an engineering faculty member. The topic selection is determined by the adviser and the student and is subject to approval by the Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Committee. First and second terms: midterm progress report and oral presentation during finals week. Third term: completion of thesis and final presentation. The second and third terms may be used to fulfill laboratory credit for EAS. Not offered on a pass/fail basis. Instructor: Colonius.

ME 91 abc. Senior Thesis, Analytical. 9 units (0-0-9); first, second, third terms. Prerequisites: senior status; instructor’s permission. Undergraduate research supervised by an engineering faculty member. The topic selection is determined by the adviser and the student and is subject to approval by the Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Committee. First and second terms: midterm progress report and oral presentation during finals week. Third term: completion of thesis and final presentation. Not offered on a pass/fail basis. Instructor: Colonius.

ME 96. Mechanical Engineering Laboratory. 9 units (0-9-0); third term. Prerequisites: ME 18 ab, ME 19 ab, ME 35 ab. A laboratory course with experiments drawn from diverse areas of mechanical engineering, including heat transfer, control, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, atomic force microscopy, materials, combustion, turbomachinery, and dynamics. Instructor: Staff.

ME 100. Advanced Work in Mechanical Engineering. The faculty in mechanical engineering will arrange special courses on problems to meet the needs of qualified undergraduate students. Graded pass/fail for research and reading. A written report is required for each term.

Ae/APh/CE/ME 101 abc. Fluid Mechanics. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Aerospace.

Ae/AM/CE/ME 102 abc. Mechanics of Structures and Solids. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Aerospace.

E/ME 103. Management of Technology. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Engineering.

E/ME 105 ab. Product Design for the Developing World. 9 units (3-2-4). For course description, see Engineering.

EST/EE/ME 109. Energy: Supply and Demand. 9 units(3-0-6.) For course description, see Energy Science and Technology.

ME 110. Special Laboratory Work in Mechanical Engineering. 3–9 units per term; maximum two terms. Special laboratory work or experimental research projects may be arranged by members of the faculty to meet the needs of individual students as appropriate. A written report is required for each term of work. Instructor: Staff.

CE/ME 112 ab. Hydraulic Engineering. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Civil Engineering.

ME 115 ab. Introduction to Kinematics and Robotics. 9 units (3-0-6); second, third terms. Prerequisites: Ma 2, ACM 95/100 ab recommended. Introduction to the study of planar, rotational, and spatial motions with applications to robotics, computers, computer graphics, and mechanics. Topics in kinematic analysis will include screw theory, rotational representations, matrix groups, and Lie algebras. Applications include robot kinematics, mobility in mechanisms, and kinematics of open and closed chain mechanisms. Additional topics in robotics include path planning for robot manipulators, dynamics and control, and assembly. Course work will include laboratory demonstrations using simple robot manipulators. Not offered 2012–13.

ME 117. Nano-to-Macro Transport Processes. 9 units (3-0-6); first term. Prerequisites: ME 18ab, ME 19ab, ME 20, ACM 95 or equivalent. This course provides a parallel treatment of photons, electrons, phonons, and molecules as energy carriers, aiming at fundamental understanding and descriptive tools for energy and heat transport processes from the nanoscale continuously to the macroscale. Topics include energy transport in the form of waves and particles, scattering and heat generation processes, Boltzmann equation and derivation of classical laws, deviation from classical laws at the nanoscale and their appropriate descriptions, with applications in nano- and microtechnology. Instructor: Minnich.

ME 118. Thermodynamics. 9 units (3-0-6); first term. Prerequisites: ME 18 ab, ME 19 ab. Fundamentals of classical and statistical thermodynamics. Basic postulates, thermodynamic potentials, chemical and phase equilibrium, phase transitions, and thermodynamic properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Not offered 2012–13.

ME 119 ab. Heat and Mass Transfer. 9 units (3-0-6); first, second terms. Prerequisites: ME 18 ab, ME 19 ab, ACM 95/100 (may be taken concurrently). Transport properties, conservation equations, conduction heat transfer, convective heat and mass transport in laminar and turbulent flows, phase change processes, thermal radiation. Not offered 2012–13.

Ae/ME 120 ab. Combustion Fundamentals. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Aerospace.

ME 131. Advanced Robotics: Manipulation and Sensing. 9 units (3-6-0); third term. Prerequisite: ME 115 ab. The course focuses on current topics in robotics research in the area of robotic manipulation and sensing. Past topics have included advanced manipulator kinematics, grasping and dextrous manipulation using multifingered hands, and advanced obstacle avoidance and motion planning algorithms. The lectures will be divided between a review of the appropriate analytical techniques and a survey of the current research literature. Course work will focus on an independent research project chosen by the student. Not offered 2012–13.

ME/CS 132 ab. Advanced Robotics: Navigation and Vision. 9 units (3-6-0); first, second terms. Prerequisite: ME 115 ab. The course focuses on current topics in robotics research in the area of autonomous navigation and vision. Topics will include mobile robots, multilegged walking machines, use of vision in navigation systems. The lectures will be divided between a review of the appropriate analytical techniques and a survey of the current research literature. Course work will focus on an independent research project chosen by the student. Instructor: Matthies.

AM/CE/ME 150 abc. Graduate Engineering Seminar. 1 unit; each term. For course description, see Applied Mechanics.

Ae/Ge/ME 160 ab. Continuum Mechanics of Fluids and Solids. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Aerospace.

MS/ME 161. Imperfections in Crystals. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Materials Science.

MS/ME 162. Mechanical Behavior of Materials. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Materials Science.

ME/CE 163. Mechanics and Rheology of Fluid-Infiltrated Porous Media. 9 units (3-0-6); first term. Prerequisites: Continuum Mechanics - Ae/Ge/ME 160ab. This course will focus on the physics of porous materials (e.g., geomaterials, biological tissue) and their intimate interaction with interstitial fluids (e.g., water, oil, blood). The course will be split into two parts: Part 1 will focus on the continuum mechanics (balance laws) of multi-phase solids, with particular attention to fluid diffusion-solid deformation coupling. Part 2 will introduce the concept of effective stresses and state of the art rheology available in modeling the constitutive response of representative porous materials. Emphasis will be placed on poro-elasticity and poro-plasticity. Not offered 2012–13.

AM/ME 165 ab. Elasticity. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Applied Mechanics.

ME 170. Introduction to Mechanical Prototyping. 4 units (0-4-0); first, second, summer terms. Enrollment is limited and is based on responses to a questionnaire available in the Registrar’s Office during registration. Introduction to the technologies and practices needed to fabricate mechanical prototypes. Students will be introduced to both manual and computer-aided machining techniques, as well as computer-controlled prototyping technologies, such as three-dimensional printing and water jet cutting. Students will receive safety training, instruction on the theories underlying different machining methods, and hands-on demonstrations of machining and mechanical assembly methods. Several prototypes will be constructed using the various technologies available in the mechanical engineering machine shop. Experience with computer-aided drafting tools is helpful but not essential. Instructor: Van Deusen.

EST/MS/ME 199. Special Topics in Energy Science and Technology. Units to be arranged. For course description, see Energy Science and Technology.

ME 200. Advanced Work in Mechanical Engineering. The faculty in mechanical engineering will arrange special courses on problems to meet the needs of graduate students. Graded pass/fail; a written report is required for each term of work.

ME 202 abc. Engineering Two-Phase Flows. 9 units (3-0-6). Prerequisites: ACM 95/100 abc, Ae/APh/CE/ME 101 abc, or equivalents. Selected topics in engineering two-phase flows with emphasis on practical problems in modern hydro-systems. Fundamental fluid mechanics and heat, mass, and energy transport in multiphase flows. Liquid/vapor/gas (LVG) flows, nucleation, bubble dynamics, cavitating and boiling flows, models of LVG flows; instabilities, dynamics, and wave propagation; fluid/structure interactions. Discussion of two-phase flow problems in conventional, nuclear, and geothermal power plants, marine hydrofoils, and other hydraulic systems. Not offered 2012–13.

Ae/AM/MS/ME 213. Mechanics and Materials Aspects of Fracture. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Aerospace.

Ae/AM/CE/ME 214 abc. Computational Solid Mechanics. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Aerospace.

Ae/AM/ME 215. Dynamic Behavior of Materials. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Aerospace.

CE/Ge/ME 222. Earthquake Source Processes, Debris Flows, and Soil Liquefaction: Physics-based Modeling of Failure in Granular Media. 6 units (2-0-4); third term. For course description, see Civil Engineering.

Ae/AM/ME 223. Plasticity. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Aerospace.

Ae/AM/ME 225. Special Topics in Solid Mechanics. Units to be arranged. For course description, see Aerospace.

Ae/ACM/ME 232 abc. Computational Fluid Dynamics. 9 units (3-0-6). For course description, see Aerospace.

Ae/CDS/ME 251 ab. Closed Loop Flow Control. 9 units; (3-0-6 a, 1-3-5- b). For course description, see Aerospace.

ME/MS 260 a. Micromechanics. 12 units (3-0-9); third term. Prerequisites: ACM 95/100 or equivalent, and Ae/AM/CE/ME 102 abc or Ae 160 abc or instructor’s permission. The course gives a broad overview of micromechanics, emphasizing the microstructure of materials, its connection to molecular structure, and its consequences on macroscopic properties. Topics include phase transformations in crystalline solids, including martensitic, ferroelectric, and diffusional phase transformations, twinning and domain patterns, active materials; effective properties of composites and polycrystals, linear and nonlinear homogenization; defects, including dislocations, surface steps, and domain walls; thin films, asymptotic methods, morphological instabilities, self-organization; selected applications to microactuation, thin-film processing, composite materials, mechanical properties, and materials design. Open to undergraduates with instructor’s permission. Not offered 2012–13.

ME/Ge/Ae 266 ab. Dynamic Fracture and Frictional Faulting. 9 units (3-0-6); second term. Prerequisites: Ae/AM/CE/ME 102 abc or Ae/Ge/ME 160 ab or instructor’s permission. Introduction to elastodynamics and waves in solids. Dynamic fracture theory, energy concepts, cohesive zone models. Friction laws, nucleation of frictional instabilities, dynamic rupture of frictional interfaces. Radiation from moving cracks. Thermal effects during dynamic fracture and faulting. Crack branching and faulting along nonplanar interfaces. Related dynamic phenomena, such as adiabatic shear localization. Applications to engineering phenomena and physics and mechanics of earthquakes. Instructor: Lapusta. Part b not offered 2012–13.

ME 300. Research in Mechanical Engineering. Hours and units by arrangement. Research in the field of mechanical engineering. By arrangement with members of the faculty, properly qualified graduate students are directed in research.