Research
The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MIE) has a vibrant research environment motivated by our dedicated faculty. Our research programs are funded by many government agencies. In addition to the government, working with academia and industry is part of our focus. We have established large-scale collaborations with government agencies and industry including Rogers Corporation and Dow Chemical, Army Research Laboratory, and Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems.
Research activities at the department can be classified by research areas and by research centers. The department is focused within twelve disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and trans-disciplinary research themes strengthened by the wide range of MIE faculty expertise. Department faculty are leveraging Northeastern’s global network and Institutes to build strong research partnerships, these include the Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security – Burlington, MA, Roux Institute – Portland, MA, Institute for Experiential Robotics, Network Science Institute, Institute for Experiential AI, and Global Resilience Institute. The department also leads two research centers, including the Center for High Rate Nanomanufacturing and the Healthcare Systems Engineering Institute, both federally funded.
View faculty profiles to learn about their research, including work being conducted in their laboratories. Also, view our Annual Reports.
Recent News
Zhu Recognized as 2025 Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate
MIE Associate Professor Hongli (Julie) Zhu was named a 2025 Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate in the Cross-Field category, highlighting the broad interdisciplinary reach of her research spanning energy storage, advanced materials, solid-state batteries, operando neutron, and scalable manufacturing technologies.
Advanced Battery Design Improves Power and Sulfur Utilization
MIE Associate Professor Hongli Zhu published her research on “Operando Neutron Imaging of Lithium Flux and Gradient Cathode Design for Enhanced Kinetics in High-Loading All-Solid-State Li─S Batteries” in Advanced Materials.
Modeling Powder Behavior to Prevent Battery Swelling and Degradation
MIE Assistant Professor Juner Zhu’s research on “Modeling the powder plasticity of porous electrodes for the prediction of battery breathing and swelling prior to degradation” was published in the Journal of Power Sources.
Zheng Named One of Greater Boston’s Ten Outstanding Young Leaders
MIE Associate Professor Yi Zheng was selected as one of the 2025 Ten Outstanding Young Leaders (TOYL) in the area of Energy, Climate, & Construction by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation.