Research

The research conducted at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design is related to the manufacturing of new operational surfaces and materials for new products and processes. Faculty’s research teams are working in the areas of computer modelling of materials and constructions and their numerical analysis, they create innovative production processes and systems, develop systems and sports equipment catering for the needs of the disabled. The research carried out at the Faculty attempts to solve challenges of nuclear energy technology and the safe closing of power plants, and to improve the efficiency of thermoenergetic systems.

Research fields

Alternative energy in transport

Dynamics and energy efficiency investigations of vehicles with alternative fuels, electric and hybrid power-stations, dynamic models development and modelling;
Studies on the use of algae for the production of third generation biofuels.

Clothing materials, products and their exploitation processes

Modelling, research and evaluation of clothing materials and their systems of exploitation;
Analysis and improvement of 3-dimensional products made of fibrous materials technology, creation of new technology;
The application of 3D virtual technology to the quality research of fibrous material products.

Biomechanics

Creation of systems meeting the needs of the disabled;
Development of sports inventory (strain adjustment, no-balance trainers);
Measurement and analysis of human anthropometric parameters, muscle electric activity, dimensional movement.

Sustainable mobility transport systems

Investigation of transport and passenger flows;
Creation of mobility models in the transport system, creation of models of interoperability between system vehicle/driver/environment;
Development and implementation of innovative engineering systems in transportation/logistics processes;
Intelligent transport systems/new movement (unmanned) and communication technology development and deployment.

Ethnographic textile and ornament

Use of modern textile in ethno cultural textile research;
Virtual and real reconstruction of materials, sampling of ornaments characteristic to the Lithuanian culture;
Creation of data bases and their new implementation with today’s technology.

Functional textile materials and products

Development of new textile material constructions and their nano-structural coating;
Functional textile materials’ investigation, evaluation and prognosis of their qualities;
Creation of nano-thread material using electric spinning and its research
new generation multi and micro thread yarn creation and research;
Biomedical frames for textile engineering, antibacterial textile materials development and research;
Textile materials with implemented pharmaceutical medication development and research;
Nano-, micro- filter textile development and research.

Production processes and systems

Mechanical manufacturing processes’ computer modelling and numerical analysis;
Machine and construction reliability, investigation of malfunctioning causes.

Defence technologies

Investigations of laser shooter training systems dynamics and their synthesis;
Investigations and applications of internal, external and rear ballistics of two related masses in artillery systems;
Development, research and installation of rocket technology.

Heterogenic polymer material systems

Creation of polymer mixtures, polymer nanocomposites and bio composites, their mechanical behaviour investigation;
Forming of microstructures in photopolymer nanocomposites, searching for new formation methods, optical research on the operating mechanisms;
Recycling of polymer waste and research on the possibilities of their secondary uses;
Creation of super hydrophobic and antimicrobial polymer coating for medicinal purposes.

Wood and bio composites

Modelling and evaluation of wood, its materials’ sorbic, mechanical and exploitation features;
Modification of wood surfaces;
Polymer materials and wood reciprocal interaction research;
Wood and its composites creation and research.

Microsystem engineering

Mechanical systems’ vibration measurement using non-contact methods;
Mechanical, optical and other systems deformation measurement using non-contact methods;
High frequency vibration application for technological processes’ improvement;
Various surfaces’ research using optical microscope;
Computer-generated hologram creation, using 2D photographic bases;
Periodical microstructure diffractive effectiveness measurements and geometrical parameter evaluation.

Rotortronics

Development of rotortronic machine malfunction prevention methods.

Mechanics of structures and composites

Stress analysis of composite and metal structures;
Mechanical testing of materials and constructions;
Development and research of multifunctional composite hard facings for extreme wear conditions;
Research of high performance structures and composite materials;
Application of advanced engineering methods for innovative structural solutions.

Heat transition and transformation processes

Water and liquid fuel heat and mass exchange in different transfer process conditions modelling and intensity definition in the context of phase transformation heat utilisation from wet smoke, pollution reduction and thermal technology improvement;
Modelling of fluid streams and heat transfer in the environment;
Modelling of fluid substances hydrodynamics, heat exchange, phase transformation and combustion processes in complex two-dimensional and three-dimensional systems.

Vibroaccoustics

Vibroacoustic monitoring systems and specialized hardware development and implementation;
Development and implementation of vibration diagnostic, monitoring strategies and methodologies;
Vibration monitoring of building structures and foundations, vibration measurements, cracks’ diagnostics;
Investigation of noise emitted by machinery and equipment;
Noise measurements in technical and in laboratory environment (accreditation certificate No. LA.01.051).

Thermoenergetic systems

Centralised heat supply network’s perviousness and configuration optimisation;
Dual-phase stream heat exchanger development and investigation.

Behaviour of vehicle structures

Investigations of vehicle structures;
Active and passive safety systems and means investigation, development and impact on traffic safety and exploitation.

Research groups

Research groups	Led by
Materials engineering	prof. Rimvydas Milašius
Experimental and computational mechanics	assoc. prof. Paulius Griškevičius
Transport engineering	assoc. prof.Vaidas Lukoševičius
Energy and thermal engineering	assoc. prof. Robertas Poškas
Technologies of functional materials	prof. Virginija Jankauskaitė

Research achievements and impact

Scientific achievements and impact

KTU Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design conducts research in the field of engineering (technological sciences). Defining feature of the Faculty is transdisciplinary approach to solving engineering issues through scientific research and studies. The areas of research conducted by the Faculty‘s researchers and scientists include various topics of mechanical engineering, vehicle engineering, energy and energetics technology and material engineering. The Faculty is also actively involved in various art and design practices.

Disertations

Name/Surname	Name of Disertation	Scientific Supervisor	Years
Zubauskienė, Donata	Upholstery materials behavior evaluation method	Prof. dr. Eugenija Strazdienė	2017
Rusinavičiūtė, Jolita	An analysis of morphological, geometrical and mechanical indices of dogs‘ hair fibres and their influence on the properties of textile materials	Doc. dr. Audronė Ragaišienė	2017
Kot, Liucina	Development of spatial double-layer woven fabrics using lithuanian folk textile motifs and investigation of their properties	Doc. dr. Eglė Kumpikaitė	2017
Bakanas, Ramūnas	Holographic structures formation in light sensitive photopolymeric materials using pulsed laser and digital holography method	Prof. dr. Virginija Jankauskaitė	2017
Poškas, Gintautas	Modelling of the radiological contamination and dismantling process of the nuclear reactor technological systems	Prof. habil dr. Gintautas Miliauskas	2017
Šakalys, Rokas	A study of the influence of high-frequency excitation on the quality of microstructures replicated by thermal imprint technologies	prof. habil dr. A. Palevičius	2017
Mačiukienė, Viktorija	Development and research of device for magnetorheological fluids parameters setting	Prof. dr. E. Dragašius	2016
Žukas, Tomas	Effect of nanofillers on the structure and properties of orthopaedic carbon fibre reinforced poly(methyl methacrylate) composite”	Prof. dr. Virginija Jankauskaitė	2016
Veličkienė, Asta	Evaluation and forecasting of properties of terry fabrics woven from natural fibers	Prof. dr. Salvinija Petrulytė	2016
Širvaitienė, Anne	Investigation of the mechanical behavior of pre-tensioned vegetable fiber reinforced composites	Prof. dr. Virginija Jankauskaitė	2016
Malašauskienė, Jolanta	Statistical estimation of structure of web from electrospun nano- microfibres	Prof. dr. Rimvydas Milašius	2016
Skrockienė, Vitalija	Development and evaluation of secondary thermoplastic polyurethane/polycaprolactone blend and nanofiller composites	Doc. dr. Kristina Žukienė	2015
Kuzė, Jovita	Development of light sensitive nanocomposites and their use in microstructure formation	Prof. dr. Virginija Jankauskaitė	2015
Mickevičienė, Agnė	Investigation of functional properties of antibacterial treated plain plated knits	Doc. dr. Daiva Mikučionienė	2015
Lekeckas, Kęstutis	The influence of textile materials mechanical properties upon the virtualization of clothing	Prof. dr. Eugenija Strazdienė	2015
Krikštanavičienė, Kira	Development of biodegradable microfibres based by polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate and evaluation of their properties	Prof. dr. Sigitas Stanys	2015
Dargienė, Jovita	Image analysis method for the investigation of woven structure deformations	Doc. dr.Jurgita Domskienė	2015
Audzevičiūtė, Inga	Investigation and evaluation of deformations of woven and knitted fabrics and their filar systems	Doc. dr. Milda Jucienė	2015
Paukštaitis, Linas	Investigation of the thermal hydraulic interaction between the bodies of a different form and a fluid	Prof. habil dr.Jonas Gylys	2015
Skvorčinskienė, Raminta	Analysis of the second level boiling crisis processes on the spherical body	Prof. habil dr.Jonas Gylys	2015
Kukis, Mindaugas	Strength and stability analysis of cellular pressure vessels	prof. habil. dr. A. Žiliukas.	2015
Tadžijevas, Artūras	Dynamics and diagnostics of vertical rotors with nonlinear supports stiffness	prof. habil. dr. V. Barzdaitis	2015
Venytė, Ingrida	Investigation of the physical-mechanical parameters of braille dots and relief elements	Prof. habil. dr. E. Kibirkštis	2015
Sadauskas, Edvardas	Mutual part alignment using elastic vibrations	Prof. habil. Dr. B. Bakšys	2015

Impact of technological solutions

Impact of technological solutions

In order to promote research conducted by the Faculty’s research groups to the global scientific community and society, the outcomes of scientific research and the newest findings are being introduced in international conferences in Lithuania and abroad (Mechanika, Materials Engineering, Mechatronic Systems and Materials, Transport Means, European Materials Research Society, International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics,International Baltic Conference of Engineering Materials & Tribology,International Conference on Vibration Measurements by Laser and Noncontact Techniques, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics International Conference, International Conference of DAAAM Baltic Industrial Engineering, International Conference on Composites Materials,Nano Today,Energy Materials Nanotechnology on Droplets,International Conference on Compressors and Coolants,Design Principles and Practices, 4D Designing Development, Developing Design).

Publications and their impact

Publications and their impact

The scientists and researchers of the Faculty publicise their research in top-level international scientific journals with high impact factor (Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (IF= 8.05), Carbon (IF=6,33), Pharmacological Research (IF=4,48), Polymers (IF=3,68); International Journal of Pharmaceutics (IF=3,64); International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer (IF=3,45), Molecules (IF=2,98), Sensors (IF=2,96); Plasma Processes and Polymers (IF=2,84)).

Scientific events and their impact

Scientific events and their impact

The Faculty has been organising international conference Mechanics for the last 17 years. Conference includes presentations on cyclic strength of materials and structural elements, mechanical technologies, dynamics of machinery and systems, engineering materials and their application, and other imminent topics of the scientific field of mechanics.

International scientific conference Transport Means has been organised annually since 2003. Transport Engineering bachelor‘s and master’s students actively participate in transport engineering section of the annual conference Mechanical Engineering for young scientists.

Every three years (since 1990) international conference Materials Engineering organised by Baltic Materials Research Societies is taking place; it analyses the issues of powder metallurgy, founding, welding, tribology, engineering materials, new experimental equipment. Conference proceedings are published in the journal Materials Science, scientific journal published by KTU.

International conference Strength, Durability and Stability of Materials and Structures is being organised every four years.

Science laureates, awards and other achievements

Science laureates, awards and other achievements

In 2017 Professor Dr Rimvydas Milašius was elected to the study programme committee of the international European Master’s programme Advanced Textile Engineering E-TEAM at the University of Ghent (Belgium).

In 2015 Dr K. Buinevičius was awarded a Badge of Honor of a Lithuanian Energy Specialist.

In 2015 Dr E. Puida was awarded with the letter of appreciation from Minister of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania Rokas Masiulis for scientific activities and significant contribution to the practical application of thermal technologies.

In 2015 Dr Lawrence Raslavičius was elected to represent Lithuania in the EU Framework programme’s Horizon 2020 Committee “Smart, Green and Integrated Transport”.

In 2009 Professor S. Kaušinis (with colleagues) became laureate of the Lithuanian Science Award.

In 2003 Professor V. Volkova and Professor Habil Dr V. Barzdaitis became Lithuanian Science Award Winners.

Services

KTU Open Access Centre

Using technological solutions created by our scientists and researchers we help our clients solve technological problems. Partnership with business encompasses all stages of cooperation: from simple orders and first tests to joint R&D projects and other services.
Reserve equipment or order a service through KTU Open Access Centre.

Centre of Laboratories

ABOUT THE CENTRE OF LABORATORIES

The Centre of Laboratories at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design MIDF LC was established in 2014 using the joint infrastructure of the laboratories of the Faculty of Mechanics and the Faculty of Design and Technologies.

Science demonstration laboratories for studies, training and research: Materials Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Thermal Power, Transport Engineering, Mechatronics, Production Engineering laboratories.

Research, experimental and technological development laboratories: Defence Technologies, Technological Systems Diagnostics, Geometric Measurements, Reverse Engineering and 3D Prototyping, Properties and Structures of Materials Research laboratories.

At the initiative of enterprises “Mitutoyo” and “Gespa”, one of the most modern laboratories of geometric measurement in Lithuania was established in 2019. The laboratory is equipped with modern contemporary measurement equipment: CNC vision measuring system, CNC CMM measuring system, surface roughness/contour measuring system formtracer, altimeter, hardness testers and other measurement equipment.

The main objectives of the Centre of Laboratories: ensure technical supply of the required laboratory equipment and materials to research and studies, initiate, organise and implement R&D activities, conduct the outsourced research and experimental development, innovation works and services.

Contacts

Head of Centre of Laboratories
Valdas Norvydas