Research Areas

Our research areas showcase the specialized projects and collaborative teams driving engineering innovation. Organized by department, these group pages highlight key research areas, faculty expertise and opportunities for student engagement.

World Class Research Happens in Research Areas at Charlotte

Explore the diverse research opportunities within the William States Lee College of Engineering. Across departments including the Albert School of Construction, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, and School of Energy, students engage in hands-on, impactful research that addresses real-world challenges. From sustainable infrastructure and advanced manufacturing to smart systems, energy and data-driven innovation, each department offers specialized research areas where you can collaborate with faculty, gain practical experience and contribute to cutting-edge discoveries. Start here to find the research area that matches your interests and goals.

Albert School of Construction

Explore cutting-edge research in digital transformation and AI, resilient infrastructure and sustainability, public safety and health systems, and innovative education and workforce training while working alongside expert faculty to solve real-world challenges.

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Data and Digital Transformation

Driving digital transformation through advanced data analytics, AI, cloud computing, remote sensing, information modeling, and immersive VR/AR applications.

Infrastructure Systems and Resilience

Advancing resilient infrastructure through smart city technologies, facility management, and sustainable construction.

Safety and Health

Advances safety and health by focusing on occupational and public safety training, optimizing fire service management, digital health and monitoring applications.

Innovation in Education and Workforce Training

Driving innovation in education through active learning, emerging technologies, workforce training, and lifelong learning.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Explore research in sustainable infrastructure, water resources, transportation and environmental systems with hands-on opportunities alongside expert faculty.

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Environmental and Water Resources Engineering

Innovating water quality solutions, monitoring systems and public health protection.

Geoenvironmental Engineering

Advancing soil, waste and ground improvement solutions for sustainable infrastructure and energy projects.

Geotechnical Engineering

Advancing soil, waste and ground improvement solutions for sustainable infrastructure and energy projects.

Structural Engineering

Designing and testing resilient structures, advanced concrete solutions and digital monitoring systems.

Transportation Engineering

Advancing smart mobility, connected vehicles and data-driven transportation solutions.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Engage in cutting‑edge research in areas such as embedded systems, communications, power and energy and intelligent systems while working with faculty on real‑world engineering challenges.

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Communication, Controls & Signal Processing

Explore cutting-edge research in communications, AI, imaging, controls and advanced electronic systems.

Computer Systems

Research includes embedded systems, robotics, hardware security, cloud and high-performance computing and cyber-physical systems.

Devices, Circuits, and Systems

Research spans RF and analog circuits, power electronics, photonics, quantum devices, advanced materials and microelectronics.

Power Systems

Research focuses on power systems, smart grids, power electronics, renewable energy and advanced energy infrastructure.

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Discover research focused on optimizing complex systems, spanning analytics, operations, healthcare, production and smart technologies, through data‑driven solutions and real‑world applications with faculty mentors.

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Data Analytics

Apply forecasting, machine learning, AI, big data and simulation to solve real‑world problems across energy, healthcare, transportation, retail and business.

Energy Systems

Explore power system modeling, smart grids, microgrid control, energy forecasting, electricity markets and cybersecurity to advance modern energy solutions.

Health Care System

Advance healthcare through forecasting, cognitive engineering, motor control, XR digital health tools, human-computer interaction, AI in medicine, systems design and biomechanics.

Operations Research

Optimize decisions with stochastic and nonlinear optimization, revenue management, risk analysis, network modeling, resource allocation and scheduling.

Production Systems

Improve business and manufacturing through forecasting, logistics, supply chain management, production planning, global product innovation, quality management, six sigma and project management.

Transportation Systems

Transform mobility with smart systems, spatial sensing, big data, shared and automated mobility, micro mobility, sustainability and electrification.

Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science

Discover research spanning advanced manufacturing and metrology, computational mechanics and materials, bioengineering, dynamics and controls, motorsports engineering and thermal fluids science that prepares students to innovate in areas from autonomous systems to biomedical solutions.

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Advanced Manufacturing and Metrology

Explore advanced manufacturing and precision measurement, including machining, additive processes, ultra-precision fabrication and metrology for optical and machine systems.

Bioengineering

Explore research in biomechanics, tissue engineering, regenerative neural systems, biomaterials, cryopreservation and microfluidic technologies.

Computational Mechanics and Materials

Explore computational modeling, materials simulation, nanomaterials research and mechanical testing from the macro to nanoscale.

Dynamics and Controls

Explore system dynamics, control systems, robotics, mechatronics and machining dynamics for intelligent engineered systems.

Motorsports Engineering

Explore racecar design and performance through research in vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion systems, simulation and automotive testing technologies.

Thermal Sciences and Fluid Mechanics

Explore heat transfer, fluid dynamics, combustion and computational and experimental modeling across engineering and biological systems.

School of Energy

Gain hands‑on, industry‑driven research experience in areas like renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure systems and technology innovation while applying practical solutions to real‑world engineering challenges.

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Advanced Manufacturing and Security

Explore research in advanced manufacturing, robotics and electromechanical systems driving real-world innovation.

Data and Digital Transformation

Explore research in data analytics, AI, cloud computing and immersive digital technologies.

Energy Transition and Sustainability

Explore research in renewable energy, sustainable systems and technologies driving the future of energy.

Infrastructure System and Resilience

Explore research in smart infrastructure, resilient systems and technologies that strengthen communities.

Innovation in Engineering Education and Workforce Training

Explore research in engineering education, learning innovation and workforce development.

Safety and Health

Explore research in safety, health systems and technologies that improve well-being and emergency response.

Case Studies

Dive into real‑world case studies that highlight how engineering principles are applied to solve complex problems, analyze failures and drive innovation across industries.

Engineering In Action

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Access advanced materials testing, precision machining, and microscopy services to accelerate research, innovation and product development.

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