- Understanding behaviors across various scales
- Elasticity, plasticity, fracture mechanics
- Biomechanics and self-organizing systems
- Interdisciplinary research and educational pathways
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TranscriptAt the Harvard School of Engineering, the convergence of materials science and mechanical engineering forms an expansive field, tackling fundamental work in solid and fluid mechanics. This area of study extends to the intricacies of materials, the design and analysis of mechanical systems, and the mechanics of biological organisms, or biomechanics. The essence of these systems lies in understanding behaviors across various scales, which can include the mechanics of dislocations, grain boundaries, imperfections, interfaces, and the heterogeneity inherent in materials.
Researchers at Harvard delve into the mechanics of material structures and examine geophysical and biological systems. Their work encompasses a range of phenomena, such as elasticity, plasticity, buckling, fracture, and wave motion. The scope of inquiry also stretches to biological control, focusing on the self-organizing behaviors of living systems, particularly the brain. This research aims to develop novel control strategies and machines inspired by biology. Further extending the reach of the field is the development of biomedical instrumentation, teleoperated robots, and intelligent sensors.
Mechanical engineering at Harvard is not limited to a single aspect but is a tapestry of activities including research in dynamics, fluids, materials, solids, and thermodynamics. The research is defined by its interdisciplinary nature and stands at the intersection with other scientific disciplines such as Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Chemistry and Chemical Biology.
For those aspiring to join this vibrant field, Harvard offers several educational pathways. Undergraduate students have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. For those seeking a more advanced trajectory, there is the combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Science program. On the graduate level, Harvard offers a PhD program, preparing the next generation of leaders in materials science and mechanical engineering. This rigorous academic structure is designed to foster innovative thinking and equip students with a comprehensive skill set, enabling them to address some of the most pressing challenges in engineering and applied sciences today.
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