Research Centers and Laboratories

Research Centers

Research Labs

Following is a partial list of laboratories in our department.

  • ACRES – Advanced Composite Research, Engineering and Science.
  • Aerospace Wind Tunnel Facility – Wind tunnel computational projects, such as predictions of boundary layers and lift performance.
  • Advanced Research for Manufacturing Systems (ARMS) Laboratory - Professor Soshi aims to improve machining and additive manufacturing processes for the state-of-the-art CNC machine tool systems in his Advanced Research for Manufacturing Systems (ARMS) laboratory. 
  • Bioastronautics and Exploration Systems (BXS) Laboratory – Interdisciplinary research understanding the physiology of human spaceflight whilst engineering tools, technologies, and countermeasures to facilitate operations and minimize risk in extreme environments.
  • Bionic Engineering and Assistive Robotics (BEAR) Laboratory – Interdisciplinary engineering lab that aims to promote the integration of humans and advanced assistive technologies.
  • Biologically-Informed Research and Design (BIRD) Lab - Interdisciplinary lab that aims to identify fundamental biological principles and attributes relating to flight that can be optimized and refined to improve engineered systems.
  • Bioinstrumentation and BioMEMS Laboratory – Research, design, and implementation of analytical sensors for extremely small concentrations of chemical and biological materials.
  • CORE Lab – Control, Optimization, Robotics and Electrification (CORE) Lab deploys concepts and methods from engineering, mathematics, and computer science to tackle engineering challenges in the fields of automation, control, and energy.
  • Cyber-Human-Physical Systems Lab -- Engineering and understanding collaborative, assured autonomy. 
  • Davis Applied Aerodynamics Lab -- DAAL aims to advance multi-disciplinary innovations through fundamental and applied research that make aviation more efficient, ecological, and energy-sustainable
  • DynaaTECC (Dynamics Acoustics Aeroelasticity Theory Experiments Computations Controls) Lab -- The DynaaTECC research laboratory deals with dynamics, acoustics, aeroelasticity, theory, experiments, computations and controls of mobility systems found in engineering and medical cross-disciplinary fields that can behave rigidly or flexibly under natural and forced environments. 
  • Energy Systems Automation, Optimization, and Integration Lab - Enabling Next Generation Energy Systems.
  • Green Transportation Laboratory (GTL) – Design, test, in-situ neutron radiography and numerical modeling on Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells and Li Batteries. UC Davis Formula SAE Hybrid Racing Team Project.
  • Future Mobility Lab – The group studies modeling, simulation, and control of dynamic systems
  • Human Robotics Vehicle Integration and Performance - Broadly interdisciplinary research to keep humans alive in extreme and highly hazardous environments, such as spaceflight, aircraft emergencies and robotic surgery. 
  • Hydrogen Production and Utilization Laboratory – Study of hydrocarbon reformation via steam and autothermal reforming methods, renewable hydrogen production, hydrogen clean-up methods, optimization of fuel cell vehicles and fuel cell power systems, Hydrogen combustion, demonstration and operation of a Heavy-Duty Fuel Cell Transit Bus.
  • Integration Engineering Laboratory – Interdisciplinary study of all aspects involved in developing  networked intelligent robotic and mechatronic systems, from designing mechanical components to control systems and custom software development.
  • Intelligent Manufacturing Laboratory – Development of software and automation technologies, including tools, robots, computers, and instruments, with application to mechatronics and manufacturing process design and control.
  • Manufacturing and Sustainable Technologies Research (MASTeR) Laboratory -- Educating people about sustainable manufacturing, researching process mechanisms, and identifying how manufacturing processes affect product life cycle, all within the scope of abrasive processes.
  • Material Performance Laboratory – Study of material endurance using mechanical testing, simulation, residual stress measurements, and advanced data acquisition systems.
  • SMARTLAB -- Scaled Model Aerospace Research and Testing Laboratory.
  • Soltani Laboratory for AI, Robotics and Automation (LARA) -- Research at LARA lies at the interface of artificial intelligence, controls and mechanical design focusing on the development of robotic systems with applications in materials and medical research, autonomous driving and manufacturing automation.
  • Steel Lab -- The Solar Thermal and Energy Enhancement Laboratory (STEEL) was developed to further research in advanced heat exchangers for a variety of applications such as solar power generation, thermal desalination, waste heat utilization, and solar fuels.