A major relocation of all of MEAM's machining research activities into a new Integrated Manufacturing Systems Laboratory (IMSL) in the Herbert H. Dow Building.

A new $5 million General Motors Satellite Research Laboratory located in MEAM as a joint effort of University and industry researchers.

The creation of a new Combustion and Synthesis Kinetics and Diagnostics Laboratory and further growth of such ongoing interdisciplinary ventures as research on mobility in older adults, development of a microassembly process for microelectromechanical (MEMS) devices, the Center for Laser Aided Intelligent Manufacturing (CLAIM), and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center for Reconfigurable Machining Systems (ERC/RMS), to name just a few.

A more open, user-friendly atmosphere in the newly remodeled and reorganized Academic Services Office (ASO)- including the addition of an undergraduate peer counselor and a graduate student recruiter.

These are just some of the exciting activities of growth and development that marked the 1997-98 academic year at the College of Engineering's (CoE) Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM).

photos: U-M MEAM CPO / Rodney Hill
This SMS Machining Center was the largest piece of equipment brought to the new IMSL.

In every corner--from faculty research and discovery to student achievement and success--MEAM reached forward to new heights, strengthened in large part by a wide range of innovative partnerships and collaborations. As MEAM continued to forge close working relationships between far-reaching disciplines at the University, throughout business and industry, and with higher education here and abroad, the Depart-ment continued its pursuit of excellence.

The following takes a closer look at some of MEAM's major accomplishments during the 1997-98 school year.