Mechanics and Interactions

Mechatronics and Biodesign: A Booming Industry

The interactions between mechanics and other scientific disciplines can take many different forms. In the MI program, these interactions are illustrated by two rapidly expanding fields with a promising future:

Mechatronicsintegrates mechanical, automatic, and electronic functions, which are inseparable and complementary. The need for a systems-based approach when designing complex, predominantly mechanical products is already imperative in industrial sectors such asthe automotive and aerospace industries, as well as in any sector that uses highly automated production lines, and will become even more so in the future with the emergence ofservice robotics—first in the professional world and then in the home.

The integrated design of the purely mechanical components, drive trains, and control algorithms of a mechatronic system is an essential approach not only for today’s robotic production cells but also for machines that will perform cleaning, safety, or human-assistance functions in the near future.

Biodesignbridges the gap between mechanics and the living world, with an emphasis on human biomechanics. At a time when public health is playing an increasingly prominent role—both in terms of policy and societal choices, as well as in its industrial applications and economic repercussions—integrating these issues into the very design of systems has become crucial. It is therefore no longer feasible to continue developing technologies and industrial products without taking into account their potential impact on the surrounding environment. Furthermore, public health issues—against a backdrop of increasing life expectancy and a growing demand for quality of life in general—are placing mounting pressure ontechnological development in the medical sector.

The MI engineering student:

- has a thorough understanding of the scientific and technical tools used in the mechanics of materials, structures, and systems;

- is familiar with the main tools for optimizing complex systems;

- is proficient in computer-aided mechanical design (CAMD) tools and numerical simulation software;

- is able to incorporate constraints of various origins (economic, biological, etc.) from the product design stage onward.