Mechanical and Electrical Technology

Head of Section: Christian Kim Christiansen

We develop and apply mechanical and electrical technologies that are essential to the green transition and the transformation of industry and energy systems.

Our research spans materials, thermodynamic processes, mechanical systems and robotics, as well as power electronics, energy systems, control, operation and maintenance. Across these fields, we focus on how technologies interact and can be implemented in real-world systems - from individual components and machines to production environments, power grids and critical energy infrastructure.

By combining expertise in mechanics, materials, energy and electrical engineering, we contribute to technologies and solutions that are more efficient, robust and sustainable, and that can be implemented and scaled in collaboration with industry.

Research Areas

Advanced Materials
We develop nano- to meso-structured functional polymers and composites with tailored properties, by integrating novel synthesis and characterization techniques. Areas of research include porous materials for sensing, recyclable plastics, and metamaterials for thermoacoustic insulation.

Design and Manufacturing
We utilize traditional engineering design in collaboration with companies, and we work on the digital design and additive manufacturing of components, experimental setups and prototypes for demonstration purposes.

Autonomous Systems and Robotics
We develop algorithms for high-level perception, planning and control, and leveraging state-of-the-art AI frameworks to enable autonomous systems androbots in human-centric environments – from assistive robots in hospitals, homes, and labs to optimized unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance.

Fluids and Thermal Processes
We integrate computational multi-physics methods (FEM, CFD, FSI) with theoretical analysis, application of AI, and experimental validation to develop innovative solutions in energy conversion systems.

Power Electronics Technologies
We work on multi-energy systems, microgrids, and sustainable industries, with a focus on renewable energy integration, energy management, advanced control strategies, and sector coupling to improve resilience, efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of future energy systems.

Current PhD projects

• Swetha Gopalakrishnan, Metal-organic framework arrays for liquid-phase sensing, 2025-2028. (Supervisor: J. Sundberg)
• Audrey Delahaye, Control of local energy systems for enhanced stability and resilience of electrical grids, 2026-2029. (Supervisor: M. Savaghebi)
• Aristea Maria Makou, Mechanics of soft architected materials for tissue engineering, 2026-2029. (Supervisor: S. Gaitanaros)
• TBD, iFLOW: Intelligent flow field prediction from limited data, 2026-2029, (Supervisor: I. Aslanidou)
• TBD, RE:PRINT – Decision framework for Recycling & End-of-life Pathways for Responsible Industrial 3D PriNTing, 2026-2029, (Supervisor: S. Horch)
• TBD, Mechanics of soft architected materials for bio-engineering applications (working title), 2027-2030, (Supervisor: S. Gaitanaros)