CLEMSON, S.C. — The rise of building of electric vehicles and the batteries to power them is helping drive Clemson University’s decision to form a new school that brings together its mechanical and automotive engineers.
The new School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering puts the departments of mechanical engineering and automotive engineering under one umbrella. Officials say it will better position Clemson for innovation and education in a number of areas, including mobility, energy and advanced manufacturing, all cornerstones of the South Carolina economy.
Clemson University President Jim Clements said mechanical and automotive engineering at Clemson are entering a new era.
“The School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering will continue to position Clemson University as a national leader in academics and research as well as strengthen key industry partnerships,” Clements said. “The workforce of the future is rapidly changing. Opportunities for students to engage in experiential learning and interdisciplinary research, along with faculty and industry’s need for innovation, entrepreneurship, and discovery will be key to meeting the demands of South Carolina and beyond.”
Bringing the mechanical and automotive engineering departments under one umbrella better positions them for collaborative, high-impact research, officials say.
Areas of expertise in the new school include autonomy, composite materials, computational modeling and simulation, flow and turbulence, human-robot teams, smart materials, systems integration and vehicle electrification.
The founding director of the new school is Zoran Filipi.