Areas of research include computer-aided engineering, design, and manufacturing (CAE/CAD/CAM) methods for marine and other complex mechanical systems with special focus on geometric modeling, computer graphics, scientific visualization, and virtual reality.

Geometric Modeling. New methods have been developed to aid in the design of free-form surfaces for ships, automobiles, and aircraft. Interactive smoothness indicators like the porcupines and the highlight lines have been devised and are now in use by industry. Innovative methods for the direct manipulation of curves and surfaces permit precise modification of local and global surface features.

Computer Graphics. M-PLOT, a portable and device-independent graphics system was developed for education and research and is now in use across the UM campus and at many other locations throughout the world. Numerous applications based on M-PLOT have been implemented in the areas of ship hull design, computer-aided instruction, scientific visualization and others.

Scientific Visualization. High-end computer graphics workstations and specialized video equipment are used for the visualization of physical features that vary in space and time as, for example, in computational fluid dynamics. The UM Program in Scientific Visualization was developed to support interdisciplinary visualization activities in such diverse areas as medicine, sciences, engineering, architecture, and the arts.

Virtual Reality. In the new Virtual Reality Laboratory, research focuses on industrial applications of interactive, immersive virtual reality for virtual prototyping, operational simulations, and virtual assembly and production processes.