Mechanical Engineering

How does energy flow through engines, refrigerators, and power plants? Why is efficiency limited by physical laws like entropy? What innovations might make future energy systems cleaner or more efficient? How do engineers test thermal performance in complex machines? What energy system do you use every day without thinking?

How do robots sense their environment and make decisions? What mechanical challenges arise when designing robots for mobility or precision? Which industries have been most transformed by robotics? How do engineers ensure robots operate safely around humans? What robot or automation technology interests you the most?

How do factories use machining, molding, and assembly to produce goods at scale? What role does quality control play in manufacturing? How has automation changed industrial workflows? What environmental impacts come from different manufacturing techniques? Which manufactured object impresses you with its precision or simplicity?

How do engineers analyze forces, motion, and vibration in machines? What factors influence whether a mechanical design succeeds or fails? How do computer simulations improve mechanical engineering? What trade-offs must engineers consider when balancing strength, weight, and cost? What mechanical design do you find especially elegant or clever?

How do engines, transmissions, and suspension systems work together in a vehicle? How are EVs changing traditional automotive design principles? How do safety systems like airbags and crumple zones protect passengers? What innovations might define the future of transportation? How has vehicle technology changed your own experience of driving?