Mechanical & Materials Engineering | Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Mechanical & Materials Engineering | Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Mechanical & Materials Engineering
Groundbreaking research in a collaborative environment.
WPI’s Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering continues to build upon its 150-year history of innovative undergraduate and graduate engineering education. With the expertise of more than 40 faculty members, our research solves problems that matter to people and the larger society.
The university’s commitment to research contributes to a continuing and substantial growth in research expenditures and graduate student population. Faculty and students work closely to advance WPI’s particular strengths in Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, Advanced Materials, Autonomous Vehicles, Space Exploration, Health and Biotechnology, Sensors and Metrology, Food and Water, and Engineering Education.
Our Academic Programs
Our department offers an ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering; master of science and PhD options in both Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering; and a minor in Mechanical Engineering. An online graduate certificate in Mechanical Engineering for Technical Leaders empowers mechanical engineers with the well-rounded education they need to advance in their field.
Explore Our Degrees
CONTACT
Location:
Higgins Laboratories
Phone:
508-831-5236
mme@wpi.edu
Undergraduate Research Projects Showcase
The 2025 Undergraduate Research Project Showcase was a celebration of research, design, and creative theses—a requirement of every graduating senior through the Major Qualifying Project (MQP)—takes place each spring on campus. Student teams representing all academic departments present their work to their faculty advisors, external sponsors, and the community-at-large, and the public is invited. The chemistry and biochemistry department had extraordinary projects with thorough research from each participating student, as well as two exemplary MQP students who were awarded the Major Qualifying Project Awards. You can see all award winners in the exciting spotlight section below!
More about Undergraduate Research Projects Showcase
Advance with the BS/MS Dual Degree Program
Fast-track your education and career with the BS/MS program by earning a dual degree―an accelerated academic pathway to both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. Saving both time and money while building advanced knowledge and skills could help you stand out in today’s competitive job market.
Discover more about the BS/MS program
and your options to earn a BS/MS dual degree at the links below.
FAQs about the BS/MS program
BS/MS program academic catalog information
Research
Students in WPI’s Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering have many choices for projects and research, including Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, Advanced Materials, Autonomous Vehicles, Space Exploration, Health and Biotechnology, Sensors and Metrology, Food and Water, and Engineering Education.
Explore Our Research
Our Labs & Facilities
Our People
Our world-class faculty use their expertise, diverse perspectives, and commitment to innovation and collaboration to teach the next generation of engineers while also leading groundbreaking research to solve the world's most pressing challenges.
Meet our Faculty & Staff
Beyond WPI
Whether the final goal is a career path in research or one in industry, the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience gained at WPI will ensure students have a place in the next phase of mechanical and materials engineering that has a direct, global impact.
Career Outlook
Research Spotlight
Discover how Yihao Zheng, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, is using applied science, engineering, and technology to advance manufacturing in the healthcare industry.
Announcements
See More Announcements
WPI Represented at USS Massachusetts Commissioning
April 02, 2026
[Marketing Communications]
Sigma Xi Accepting Nominations for Outstanding Research Awards
February 16, 2026
[Physics]
WPI Researchers Develop Process to Heat-Treat Powder from Recycled Scrap for Additive Manufacturing
February 05, 2026
[Marketing Communications]
Boston Chapter of ASHRAE Meets at WPI and Recognizes Students for Cooling System Design Efforts
December 09, 2025
[Mechanical & Materials Engineering]
From WPI's University Magazine
The Space Quest Launched Here
On the 100th anniversary of Robert Goddard's launch of the first liquid-fuel rocket, we ask current members of the WPI community how they got their "spark.
Read more in the University Magazine
The Science of Teaching and Learning
A growing number of WPI faculty are dedicating research efforts to studying—scientifically and empirically—how people learn or how to help people learn.
Read more in the WPI Journal
A Cleaner Vision for the Future
Entrepreneur Jack Duffy-Protentis makes waves with electric Jet Skis.
Read more in the WPI Journal
The Schedule Tamer
Using AI, John Stewart ’97 solves the combinatorial explosion problem of sports scheduling.
Read more in the WPI Journal
In Search of Potable Water on Mars
PhD student Lydia Ellen Tonani-Penha ’23, MS ’25, is addressing the challenge of extracting drinkable water from Mars’ subsurface. As a NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunity fellow, she aims to develop solutions for future Mars explorers.
Read more in the WPI Journal
Making a Difference in Armenia
Through a partnership with the American University of Armenia and driven by alum Mike Aghajanian ’80, WPI students have worked on projects that make an impact at one of WPI’s newer project centers.
Read more in the WPI Journal
News
See More News
WPI Research Advance Steers Toward Better Larynx Surgeries
April 08, 2026
LISTEN:
00:00 |
05:52
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WPI’s Yan Wang Named Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
December 11, 2025
LISTEN:
00:00 |
04:28
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Defying Gravity for Science
December 08, 2025
LISTEN:
00:00 |
05:03
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WPI to Expand Workforce Training for Hydrogen Jobs
November 10, 2025
LISTEN:
00:00 |
05:29
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Meet Our Students
Aditi Bhattamishra ’28
BS in Robotics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering; minor in Media Art
Aditi finds opportunities to grow through project-based learning while also finding community through clubs and music.
[...]
Ron Isidor ’27
BS in Mechanical Engineering, minor in Aerospace Engineering
Ron gets involved with student community groups and appreciates the supportive faculty as he pursues his studies.
[...]
Caleb Cotoia ’26
BS in Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Engineering
Caleb enjoys performing in the many music and theater clubs on campus while expanding his engineering knowledge through hands-on projects.
[...]
Laura Rodriguez Melo ’26
BS in Mechanical Engineering
Laura immerses herself in experiential learning with meaningful projects and other academic opportunities.
[...]
Tessa Lytle, PhD
PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Tessa’s college career, both on and off the skating rink, has provided her many opportunities to get involved and make an impact.
[...]
Lydia Tonani-Penha, BS, PhD
PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Lydia looks to inspire other student researchers while expanding her opportunities for research and learning.
[...]
Makenna Stone ’26
BS in Mechanical Engineering, concentration in Design, minors in Theatre and Fire Protection Engineering
Makenna built her own educational path through her love of theatre and involvement with many groups on campus.
[...]
Anthony Mangano ‘28
BS in Mechanical Engineering
Anthony blends mechanical engineering with a deep involvement in music.
[...]
Donor Profiles
Alumni Couple Gives Back in Gratitude
“The knowledge and skill I gained on The Hill have allowed me to contribute and make an impact in areas ranging from technical design work to solving complex problems in a methodical way," said Danielle (Luongo) Fries ’94 MS ’98 who is paying it forward with her husband Kenneth Fries ’93 MS ’98
Read more in the WPI Journal
Gregory Tucker ’92
Giving back in gratitude
Read more in the WPI Journal
Jason P. Macari ’84
Lifelong learner remains lifelong supporter
Read more in the WPI Journal
Media Coverage
See More Media Coverage
BBC
Your bad habits are destroying your charging cables
In a BBC article exploring myths and realities about how to properly handle charging cables, Robert Hyers, the George I. Alden Chair of Engineering and head of the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, helps explain why parts of charging cables are more susceptible to breaking than others and how one particular consumer behavior puts cables at heightened risk of damage.
BBC
Your bad habits are destroying your charging cables
Robert Hyers, head of the mechanical and materials engineering department, offers a technical explanation to a problem most of us have encountered-- a broken charging cable. "On a microscopic level, bending beyond the elastic range makes the bonds between the atoms break and reform as they shift positions. You get this accumulation of defects called dislocations where the atoms don't line up, like wrinkles in a rug."
Motorsport.com
Phil Surgen talks AI in NASCAR
Motorsport.com reported on an episode of The WPI Podcast, produced by the Division of Marketing Communications, which featured an interview with Phil Surgen, a class of 2004 mechanical engineering alum, about his role as director of technology for Trackhouse Racing. The article highlights some of the topics covered in the conversation, including the role of artificial intelligence and technology in competing in NASCAR.
Additional Publications:
Yahoo! Sports
Essentially Sports
Worcester Business Journal
Space mission: Dozens of Central Mass. firms work with NASA, including WPI, where researchers follow in Goddard’s footsteps
Worcester Business Journal
reported on how the university's NASA-funded research carries on the legacy of alum Robert Goddard, the Father of Modern Rocketry. The article highlights WPI as the largest recipient of NASA research funding of any university in Central Massachusetts in fiscal year 2025 and how this research, often done in coordination with local companies, supports economic growth and workforce development in the state.
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