Research - The Science and Practical Application of Machine and Instrument Design

There comes a point in all hardware technology where the state-of-the-art can’t handle emerging applications. Forward motion requires creativity and invention to generate fundamentally new ideas. These ideas must be made practical and useful via a rigorous combination of basic machine design science with applied research and application. That is what we do.

We (1) invent, design and fabricate high-performance machine systems; and (2) Generate design theory/tools/methods that enable deployment the preceding and (3) Teach scientists/engineers to make and use them via professional classes. We produce new concepts that change the paradigm for specific machine technologies. We develop understanding of the fundamental issues that dominate/limit these technologies, then create the knowledge/tools/theory/proof that engineers need to design/employ them. We apply this work to advanced machine technologies that:

  • Make (e.g. manufacturing, rapid prototyping, fixturing, etc…)

  • Move (e.g. robotics, actuators, motion stages, mechanisms, etc…)

  • Measure (e.g. sensors, instrumentation, medical devices, telescopes, etc…)

Education - Theory Meets Hands-on

Hands-on fabrication/testing are key to the work in our lab. Prof. Culpepper teaches advanced design and manufacturing classes wherein theory and applied methods are integrated to produce engineers that truly live MIT’s motto… Mens et Manus - Mind and Hand.

I am at MIT because I love enabling people to become better designers/scientists/engineers and I enjoy working with them to create new technologies.

Professor Martin L. Culpepper
Class of 1960 Fellow, MIT MechE