Mission

Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Seoul National University

At the forefront of innovation,
leading the world in advanced engineering.

Our department is dedicated to educating students, empowering them to pioneer cutting-edge technology based on a strong foundation in the core disciplines of mechanical engineering. Our goal is to nurture talents who will not only lead the world in established areas of mechanical engineering, such as future mobility, robotics, and energy technologies but also push the boundaries in emerging fields, including bioengineering, nanotechnologies, and data and AI-based technologies
Education and Research Areas
The Department of Mechanical Engineering focuses on dynamics and solid mechanics, fluid mechanics describing the motion of fluids (liquids and gases), and thermodynamics dealing with the flow of energy. It educates and conducts research in advanced technologies for controlling and mass-producing state-of-the-art machinery, such as robots, automobiles, rockets, and artificial organs.
Industrial Significance
Mechanical engineers in Korea play a crucial role in leading the global automotive industry, developing robots and machinery for manufacturing in various sectors, including semiconductors, electronics, steel, and construction machinery. They are also involved in inventing new energy conversion devices like secondary batteries and renewable energy sources like wind, geothermal, and solar energy.
Advanced Mechanical Engineering
In advanced mechanical engineering, there are key roles being played in shaping our future society. This includes autonomous vehicles that can navigate themselves and find their way, smart factories that automate the entire production process from raw materials to final products, digital twins that enable real-time monitoring of engines and components in automobiles and aircraft, the Internet of Things that senses and collects information from all objects, and cyborgs that replace human brains, organs, or limbs with machines. These machine technologies that utilize big data and artificial intelligence (AI) will not only advance Industry 4.0 but also serve as a cornerstone for Industry 5.0.