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
- Center for Advanced Vehicle Design and Simulation (CAViDS)
- Center for Advancement of Printed Electronics
- Center for High Performance Computing and Big Data
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Secure, Efficient and Sustainable Energy Technology
- Center for Printing and Coating Research
- Center of Excellence in Engineering Education
- Center of Excellence for Structural Durability
- Human Performance Institute
- Transportation Research Center for Livable Communities
Research and education laboratories
- Advanced Fatigue and Fracture
- Aerospace Laboratory for Plasma Experiments
- Alternative Fuel Research
- Applied Aerodynamics
- Combustion and Flow
- Computational Engineering Physics Lab
- Computer Architecture and Systems Research
- Computer Controlled Manufacturing
- Digital Image and Signal Processing
- Dimensional Metrology
- Energy Conversion and Power Electronics
- Energy Efficient and Autonomous Vehicle Lab
- Engineering Management Research
- Fabrication and Assembly
- Fluid Mechanics
- Fuel Cell
- Intelligent/Fuzzy Logic Controller
- Earthquake and Structure Simulation
- Machining
- Medical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Metal Casting
- Molecular Beam Epitaxy Lab
- Neurobiology Engineering
- Nonlinear Circuits and Systems
- Optimization, Data, and Decision Science Lab
- Parker-Hannifin Motion and Control
- Plastics Processing
- Power Equipment Simulation and Design
- Process Evaluation
- Security and Trust and AI for Robust Systems Lab
- Smart and Advanced Material
- Student Projects
- Transportation Electrification and Applied Mechatronics
- Virtual Materials Science
- Wireless Sensor Network Systems Lab