The William States Lee College of Engineering is committed to applied, interdisciplinary research. Alliances of students, faculty and community partners combine their research efforts to create knowledge, develop technology and improve the world around us.

Research Areas by Departments
Research Areas by Centers

Civil and Environmental Engineering Department
Dr. David Young, Chairman –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Department Website – cee.uncc.edu

Environmental Engineering – Dr. Helene Hilger – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• contaminant source control engineering
• environmental characterization and monitoring systems
• sustainable energy infrastructure

Geotechnical Engineering – Dr. Miguel Pando –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• determination of soil properties, site characterization, testing of materials
• earthquake engineering/soil liquefaction
• geosynthetics in reinforced structures

Structural Engineering – Dr. Janos Gergley –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• composites characterization, design, and strengthening
• investigation of power infrastructure systems
• response of structures to extreme loads (blast, impact, wind, wave)

Transportation Studies – Dr. Martin Kane – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• disaster management
• intelligent transportation systems
• transportation operations and management

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
Dr. Ian Ferguson, Chairman –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Department Website

Communication, Control and Signal Processing – Dr. Asis Nasipuri –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• digital signal processing
• image processing and pattern recognition
• wireless communications and networking

Devices, Circuits and Systems – Dr. David Binkley – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• analog and mixed signal VLSI design
• device processing
• display technology

Energy and Sustainability – Dr. Ian Ferguson – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• active and passive photonic devices
• smart Grids
• wide bandgap semiconductors

High-Performance Embedded Computing – Dr. James Conrad – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• biotelemetry instrumentation
• embedded systems
• VLSI applications in digital and optical signal processing

Power Systems – Dr. Robert Cox – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• electromechanical systems and drives
• electromechanics
• microelectromechanical systems

Engineering Technology and Construction Management Department
Dr. Anthony Brizendine, Chairman –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Department Website

Fire Safety – Dr. Jozef Urbas –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• effectiveness of pre-applied wetting agents
• fire and materials
• ignition in the intermediate scale calorimeter

Sustainable Material and Renewable Technology – Dr. Na Lu – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• improved performance through adaptive envelopes
• natural fiber reinforced polymeric composites
• thermal energy harvesting through thermoelectric materials

Thermal Analytical Research – Dr. Ahmad Sleiti –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• energy systems
• fuel cells
• renewable energy technologies

Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science Department
Dr. Scott Smith, Chairman –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Department Website

Bioengineering – 

• liver preservation, resuscitation, and tissue replacement devices
• orthopedic biomaterials and biomechanics
• biomechanics of Sports Injuries and Rehabilitation
• biopreservation in the cryoand dehydrated states
• biotherapeutic stabilization
• orthopedic and Liver tissue engineering
• design and testing of novel biomedical devices and instrumentation
• drug delivery and Biotransport analysis in biological systems

Computational Modeling – Dr. Harish Cherukuri –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• computational fluid mechanics
• computational mechanics
• computer aided manufacturing

Computer Aided Manufacturing – Dr.Edward Morse –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• computational metrology
• assembly modeling and analysis
• geometric tolerancing and standards

Motorsports Engineering – Dr. Ahmad Solimana –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• advanced power trains
• multicar aerodynamics
• motorsports safety

Precision Metrology – Dr. Robert Hocken – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• instrumentation for nanoscale metrology
• precision optical-electrical-mechanical systems
• national and international standards development

Precision Manufacturing – Dr. Scott Smith – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• computer-aided tolerancing and factory control
• high-speed machining
• polishing

Systems Engineering and Engineering Management
Dr. Gary Teng, Director –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Program Website

Lean Logistics & Systems – Dr. Ertunga Ozelkan – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it & Dr. Gary Teng

• lean systems process design
• production systems modeling and design
• supply chain and logistics management
• systems efficiency and effectiveness enhancement

Decision & Risk Analysis – Dr. Ertunga Ozelkan

• multi-criteria decision making
• decision making under uncertainty
• risk simulation analysis

Production Planning & Inventory Control – Dr. Ertunga Ozelkan

• aggregate planning
• joint pricing and inventory replenishment decisions

Systems Analysis and Engineering Management – Dr. A. Yesim Sireli – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• systems analysis, policy development, strategic planning
• global product innovation, customer-oriented product development
• business forecasting
• energy systems analysis

System Optimization – Dr. Churlzu Lim – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it & Dr. Ertunga Ozelkan

• mathematical optimization
• network analysis and optimization
• non-linear systems optimization
• heuristics development

Research Areas by Centers

Center for Biomedical Engineering Systems

Center Website

Medical Therapies and Technologies Focus Area – Dr. Charles Lee

• biopreservation in the dehydrated, refrigerated, and cryostates
• organ preservation, resuscitation, and replacement technologies
• design of novel biomedical devices and instrumentation
• tissue engineering therapies
• novel cancel treatments
• development of optical probes

Molecular Engineering and Design Focus Area – Dr. Don Jacobs

• molecular recognition and design
• drug delivery
• biosensors and biocatalysts
• molecular machines and self assembly

Biomechanics and Mobility Research Focus Area – Dr. Rick Peindl

• design and manufacturing of orthopedic materials
• medical imaging and medical informatics
• orthopedic implants
• orthopedic tissue engineering

Center for Lean Logistics and Engineered Systems
Dr. Gary Teng, Director – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Dr. Ertunga Ozelkan, Associate Director – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Center Website

Lean Logistics & Systems – Dr. Ertunga Ozelkan & Dr. Gary Teng

• lean systems process design
• production systems modeling and design
• supply chain and logistics management
• systems efficiency & effectiveness enhancement

Systems Optimization – Dr. Churlzu Lim – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• mathematical optimization
• network analysis and optimization
• decision making under uncertainty

Systems Analysis and Engineering Management – Dr. A. Yesim Sireli – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• systems analysis, policy development, strategic planning
• global product innovation, customer-oriented product development
• business forecasting
• energy systems analysis

Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications
Dr. Eric Johnson, Director – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Center Website

Biomedical Optics Laboratory – Dr. Nathaniel Fried –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Guided Wave Photonic Lab; Light-Matter Interaction Lab – Dr. Tsing-Hua Her –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mesophotonics Lab – Dr. Vasily Astratov –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Micro/Nano-Optics Laboratory – Dr. Thomas Sulesk – i This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Micro-Photonics Lab – Dr. Eric Johnson – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Optoelectronic and Nanophotonics Devices – Dr. Yasin Raja –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Single molecule microscopy and spectroscopy – Dr. Pat Moyer – 

Center for Precision Metrology
Dr. Robert Hocken, Director – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Center Website

Environmental Controls – Dr. Kevin Lawton – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• temperature control
• humidity control
• vibration control

Large-Scale Manufacturing – Dr. John Ziegert –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• large power generation parts
• large aircraft parts

Polishing – Dr. Brigid A Mullany –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• high-speed polishing
• ceramic polishing
• diamond turning

Precision Manufacturing – Dr. Scott Smith – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• computer-aided tolerancing and factory control
• high-speed machining
• polishing

Precision Metrology – Dr. Robert Hocken – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• instrumentation for nanoscale metrology
• precision optical-electrical-mechanical systems
• national and international standards development

Center for Transportation Policy Studies
Dr. Edd Houser, Director – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Center Website

• bridge management systems
• pre-disaster mitigation
• intelligent transportation systems

Energy Production and Infrastructure Center
Dr. Steve Patterson, Director – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Center Website

Energy and Sustainability – Dr. Ian Ferguson – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• active and passive photonic devices
• smart grids
• wide bandgap semiconductors

Power Systems – Dr. Robert Cox – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• electromechanical systems and drives
• electromechanics
• microelectromechanical systems

Large-Scale Manufacturing – Dr. John Ziegert –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• large power generation parts

Infrastructure Design Environment and Sustainability Center
Dr. Helene Hilger, Director – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Center Website

• biofuels
• contaminant source control engineering
• environmental characterization and monitoring systems
• environmental / energy policy research
• sustainable building
• waste water

North Carolina Motorsports and Automotive Research Center
Dr. Ahmed Soliman, Director – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Center Website/

• advanced coordinate metrology
• advanced powertrain
• alternative fuels
• advanced fluid mechanics
• advanced surface metrology
• bearing design and lubrication
• computational fluid dynamics
• computational methods in engineering
• deformation and fracture of materials
• engineering metrology
• experimental stress analysis
• finite element analysis and applications
• heat transfer and fluid flow
• mechanical behavior of materials
• mechanical design
• mechanism analysis
• mechanism synthesis
• theory of elasticity
• tribology
• vibrations of continuous systems