Because of our unique structure and approach to engineering, for example, the lack of formal boundaries between engineering disciplines, our research is highly interdisciplinary and often includes connections to other departments on campus outside of the School. Brown Engineering offers Graduate Programs focused on the following research areas:
The Biomedical Engineering program at Brown provides cutting-edge, interdisciplinary, graduate-level education at the interface of engineering, biology, and medicine. The program features an interdisciplinary approach in four complementary research areas: tissue engineering/regenerative medicine, neuroengineering/imaging, biomaterials/nanotechnology, and biomechanics.
The Chemical and Biochemical Engineering program (CBE) applies chemical and engineering sciences to emerging technologies and their impacts on human health and the environment. Specific research thrusts include environmental remediation, biotechnology, biotransport processes, chemical nanoscience, carbon-based materials, and thermal and electrochemical energy conversion.
The Electrical Sciences and Computer Engineering group is divided into solid state and quantum electronics (SSQE) and computer engineering. Research topics include projects in experimental laser sciences, semiconductors, optoelectronics, condensed matter physics, nanoscience and technology, biophotonics, and bioengineering. The Computer Engineering group has topics in multimedia signal processing, medical imaging, computer vision, 3D photography, speech processing, image understanding, design and test of digital integrated circuits, computer architecture, physical integrated circuit design, and nanoscale system design.
Research in the Fluids and Thermal Sciences group focuses on a broad range of disciplines and applications including fundamental fluid dynamics and heat transfer, micro- and nanoscale fluids, complex fluids, biotechnology, acoustics, thermodynamics and energy sciences.
The Materials Science group is concerned with the development of materials with new properties and improved performance through an understanding of the relationships between processing, the atomic-scale mechanisms that build specific microstructures, and how these new and modified materials achieve specific performance goals.
The Mechanics of Solids group fosters a balanced program that integrates the perspectives of continuum mechanics, structure of matter, and materials science.
The Program in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship (PRIME) merges engineering science and design with innovation and entrepreneurship.