Research - Inventing New Machines Elements and Systems

We (1) invent, design and fabricate high-performance machine systems; and (2) Generate design theory/tools/methods that enable the preceding. We produce new concepts that change the paradigm for specific machine technologies. We develop understanding of the fundamental issues that dominate/limit these technologies, then create the knowledge/tools/theory/proof that engineers need to design/employ them. We apply this work to advanced machine technologies that:

  • Make (e.g. manufacturing, rapid prototyping, fixturing)

  • Move (e.g. robotics, motion stages, mechanisms), or

  • Measure (e.g. instrumentation, medical devices, telescopes)

Education - Theory Meets Hands-on

Hands-on fabrication/testing are key to the work in our lab. Prof. Culpepper teaches advanced design and manufacturing classes wherein theory and applied methods are integrated to produce engineers that truly live MIT’s motto… Mens et Manus - Mind and Hand.

 I am at MIT because I love enabling people to become better designers/engineers and I enjoy working with them to create new technologies. My research focuses on the invention, design and fabrication of high-performance machine systems. In essence, we tackle problems that can only be dealt with by new machine technologies. We generate new concepts, understand and research the fundamental issues that govern them, then create the knowledge engineers need to design/employ them. This includes research on new mechanisms, actuators, sensors, and fixtures. Our work has had impact in fields where machines make (manufacturing/rapid prototyping), manipulate (robotics/medical) or measure (instrumentation, telescopes).

Professor Martin L. Culpepper
Class of 1960 Fellow, MIT MechE