I am very excited to be teaching Mechatronics again this spring. This course remains a cornerstone of modern engineering education, serving as a vital bridge across traditionally separate disciplines.
The Contemporary Engineering Mandate
The unrelenting progression of automation, robotics, and complex cyber-physical systems decisively dictates that the next generation of engineers must possess a truly integrated systems understanding. The reliance on purely mechanical or purely software-based problem-solving is rapidly diminishing. Mechatronics is the discipline where the three critical fields of mechanical dynamics, electronic sensing and actuation, and embedded control coalesce into functional, robust smart systems.
My excitement for teaching this material stems from the fact that it is where theory meets immediate application. The challenges presented in this course directly mirror the complex, multi-domain problems engineers face in leading firms worldwide.
A Commitment to Rigorous, Practical Training
While the subject matter is stimulating, this course is designed to be academically demanding. My goal is to elevate your skill set beyond theoretical knowledge to genuine implementation capability. For Spring 2026, we will focus on several high-value, practical competencies:
- Feedback Control Expertise: Mastery of linear control theory is non-negotiable. We will move rapidly through system modeling and spend considerable time on the quantitative design and lab-based tuning of PID controllers. This ensures robust stability and desired transient response performance in physical hardware.
- System Realization: Students will utilize contemporary embedded platforms (microcontrollers) to interface sensors and actuators. The instruction will emphasize structured programming techniques necessary for creating real-time, reliable control loops.
- Integrated Project Development: The semester culminates in a comprehensive project. Students will work in teams to conceptualize, analyze, prototype, and rigorously test a complex mechatronic device. This hands-on process is where the concepts truly solidify, producing tangible evidence of professional engineering competence.
Training the System Thinkers of Tomorrow
I am looking forward to working with the talented students at UNC Charlotte in this class. Mechatronics provides the intellectual framework necessary to design the cutting-edge devices that will define the future of technology and manufacturing.
