Mechanical engineering is concerned with energy, including its transformation from one form to another, its transmission, and its utilization. Mechanical engineers conceive, plan, design, and direct the manufacture, distribution, and operation of a wide variety of devices, machines, and systems for energy conversion, environmental control, materials processing, transportation, materials handling, and other purposes. The field includes two areas, thermal-fluid engineering and mechanical systems. Work on these systems requires and interdisciplinary tam, with the mechanical engineer as an important member.
Energy engineering is the conversion, distribution, and utilization of energy.
The key science in energy engineering is thermodynamics. My current focus is making existing buildings more energy-efficient by developing controls. Students work on a design project for Deere for nine months. They work on campus, developing the software, hardware, and the process to develop the product that Deere wants. Every two weeks or so the y meet with the company's chief engineer, face to face.