Introduction
DTU Mechanical Engineering covers engineering disciplines
related to thermodynamics, fluid and hydrodynamics, structure
and solid mechanics, as well as advanced materials and surface
engineering. Applications include the analysis, engineering
design, manufacture and maintenance of mechanical products,
systems and large structures and plants.
Our more than 330 colleagues have been
working hard during 2017 to achieve
remarkable results:
• The department’s core educational activities
are focused on “Mechanical Engineering”
(BSc, BEng), “Design and Innovation”
(BSc, MSc), “Engineering Design and
Applied Mechanics” (MSc), “Materials and
Manufacturing Engineering” (MSc) and
“Sustainable Energy - Thermal Study” (MSc).
Furthermore the department contributes
to the educations in “Civil Engineering”
(BSc, BEng, MSc) and is also increasing its
engagement in “General Engineering” (BSc).
• More than 7000 students followed our
courses and 238 students finalized their
MSc theses, 92 their BSc theses and 70
their BEng theses.
• Professor Tim McAloone was awarded the
“Lecturer of the year” award by the PF
students’ association at Commemoration
Day.
• Around 200 scientific papers were published
in journals and 200 contributions were
published in proceedings of international
conferences.
• Our colleagues applied for more than dkk
488 million for externally funded projects.
During the year more than dkk 107 million
was secured in external funding.
• The department started 32 new PhD
students during 2017 and 25 finalized their
PhD in the same period.
• More than 176 collaboration agreements
and contracts were signed with industrial
partners in 2017.
DTU Mechanical Engineering is in an excellent
shape and the DTU job satisfaction survey
of 2017 showed a very good result for
the department. The competences of the
department are experiencing a high level
of demand by industry, and therefore many
student projects and research projects are
defined in collaboration with industrial
partners. This creates many opportunities
also for direct funding of research activities
by industrial partners. The department will
continue to apply for funding both from
research councils and more industry oriented
funding bodies in order to maintain the high
level of external funding.
This annual report shows highlights of 2017
including awards, performance statistics and
feature articles on circular economy, design of
complex structures, innovation and education
at DTU Mechanical Engineering. Each of our
sections are presented by showing selected
research activities.
I hope you will enjoy reading this annual
report, and I look forward to our continued
collaboration in 2018.
Hans Nørgaard Hansen
Head of Department
2 Introduction