Research Centers, Laboratories, and Institutes

Through research and scholarly activities, the faculty and staff of Western Michigan University's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences are committed to advancing knowledge in the areas of engineering and supporting the WMU gold standard of being a discovery-driven institution. Many of our faculty members are active researchers, and their research, scholarly activities and service make a significant contribution to their engineering disciplines and to their teaching.

We continue to strengthen our traditional connection with industry, conducting applied research including both graduate and undergraduate students as research assistants through our many research centers and laboratories. At the same time, faculty have increased their emphasis on both fundamental research and on engineering education, focusing on diverse topics.

Economic impact in Michigan

Focusing on design and innovation, our research impacts industry and education throughout Michigan. Many businesses turn to us for solutions in our many areas of expertise.

Research centers and institutes

• Bronco Construction Research Center
• Center for Advanced Smart Sensors and Structures (Floyd Hall, A-110)
• Center for Advanced Vehicle Design and Simulation (CAViDS) (Floyd Hall, A-118)
• Center for Advancement of Printed Electronics (Floyd Hall, C-111-1)
• Center for High Performance Computing and Big Data
• Center for Integrated Design (Floyd Hall, F-104)
• Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Secure, Efficient and Sustainable Energy Technology (Floyd Hall, B-122)
• Center for Printing and Coating Research
• Center for Sustainable Paper-Based Packaging Research
• Center of Excellence in Engineering Education
• Center of Excellence for Structural Durability
• Cybersecurity Studies Center
• Human Performance Institute (Floyd Hall, G-210)
• Transportation Research Center for Livable Communities (Floyd Hall, F-212)

Research and education laboratories

• Advanced Fatigue and Fracture (Floyd Hall, F-114)
• Aerospace Laboratory for Plasma Experiments (Floyd Hall, G-110)
• Alternative Fuel Research (Floyd Hall, G-109)
• Applied Aerodynamics (located at the Bronco Construction Research Center)
• Combustion and Flow (Floyd Hall, F-207)
• Computational Engineering Physics Lab (Floyd Hall, C-211)
• Computer Architecture and Systems Research (Floyd Hall, A-209)
• Computer Controlled Manufacturing (Floyd Hall, F-208)
• Digital Image and Signal Processing (Floyd Hall, A-208)
• Dimensional Metrology (Floyd Hall, F-106)
• Energy Conversion and Power Electronics (Floyd Hall, B-212)
• Energy Efficient and Autonomous Vehicle Lab (Floyd Hall, G-114)
• Engineering Management Research (Floyd Hall, G-105)
• Fabrication and Assembly (Floyd Hall, F-113)
• Fluid Mechanics (Floyd Hall, G-106, G-107)
• Fuel Cell (Floyd Hall, G-109)
• Intelligent/Fuzzy Logic Controller (Floyd Hall, A-208)
• Earthquake and Structure Simulation (Floyd Hall, C-113)
• Mac Lab (C-208)
• Machining (Floyd Hall, F-112)
• Medical and Biomolecular Engineering (Floyd Hall, B-123)
• Metal Casting (Floyd Hall, F-111)
• Molecular Beam Epitaxy Lab (Floyd Hall, B-113)
• Neurobiology Engineering (Floyd Hall, A-211)
• Nonlinear Circuits and Systems (Floyd Hall, A-238)
• Optimization, Data, and Decision Science Lab (Floyd Hall, G-210)
• Parker-Hannifin Motion and Control (Floyd Hall, F-107)
• Plastics Processing (Floyd Hall, E-101)
• Power Equipment Simulation and Design (Floyd Hall, A-207)
• Printing Lab (Floyd Hall, C-111)
• Process Evaluation (Floyd Hall, F-105)
• Radio Frequency and Communications
• Security and Trust and AI for Robust Systems Lab
• Smart and Advanced Material (Floyd Hall, A-119)
• Student Projects (Floyd Hall, G-112)
• Transportation Electrification and Applied Mechatronics (Floyd Hall, A-210)
• Virtual Materials Science (Floyd Hall, A-121)
• Wireless Sensor Network Systems Lab (Floyd Hall, B-213)