Engineering Education Reimagined: Where Virtual and Physical Worlds Converge at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
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Prof. Larry LI is Associate Head and Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at HKUST. A recognized leader in engineering education innovation, he is a two-time recipient of the School of Engineering Teaching Excellence Appreciation Award. Prof. Li is passionate about transforming engineering education through experiential learning and emerging technologies. He currently leads a multi-institutional UGC-FITE project, “Harnessing the Power of Augmented Reality for Enhanced Learning,” which pioneers AR laboratory experiences enhanced with artificial intelligence across multiple disciplines and institutions. His team’s innovative AR-powered wind tunnel, accessible via smartphones, enables students to experience virtual labs before physical sessions, exemplifying the fusion of traditional engineering education with digital innovation. |
By Prof. Larry Li
When I tell prospective students about our Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) programs at HKUST, their eyes light up at a surprising feature – not just our wind tunnels or robotics labs, but how they can first experience these facilities through their smartphones or tablets. Welcome to engineering education reimagined, where augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) transform how our students learn and prepare for their engineering careers.
At HKUST’s MAE Department, we’ve revolutionized traditional engineering education by seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology into everyday learning. Imagine exploring airflow patterns in a virtual wind tunnel before conducting actual aerodynamics experiments, or dissecting complex mechanical systems layer by layer through AR on your mobile device. These aren’t future possibilities – they’re current realities in our department. Our AR-enhanced laboratories, powered by AI, enable students to familiarize themselves with sophisticated equipment and procedures before hands-on sessions, maximizing their learning effectiveness and safety.
The integration of AR and AI technologies has transformed how students grasp complex engineering concepts. In aerodynamics courses, AR visualizations reveal invisible flow patterns around airfoils and turbine blades in real time, while students engage in dynamic discussions with an expert AI agent that adapts to their learning pace. In mechanical systems laboratories, students perfect their experimental techniques under the guidance of an AI tutor that provides personalized feedback, while simultaneously observing stress distributions in loaded structures or heat transfer through cooling systems. This multisensory approach combining spatial, visual, and verbal learning makes abstract concepts tangible and memorable, leading to deeper understanding and enhanced knowledge retention.
Our programs offer comprehensive foundations in either mechanical or aerospace engineering, where traditional engineering principles merge seamlessly with digital innovation. Students work with AI-powered analysis tools that provide instant feedback on their designs and calculations, accelerating the development of their engineering intuition. These virtual laboratories serve as sophisticated training grounds, allowing students to experiment freely and build confidence before transitioning to physical equipment and real-world applications.
Career prospects for our graduates are excellent. Our mechanical engineering alumni excel in diverse sectors ranging from smart manufacturing to sustainable energy, while our aerospace graduates advance the frontiers of aviation and aircraft technology or pursue careers as airline pilots. Many continue to prestigious graduate programs worldwide, where they leverage their unique combination of traditional engineering expertise and digital fluency.
If you’re passionate about engineering and excited by the prospect of learning through cutting-edge technology, join us at HKUST’s MAE Department. Here, you’ll experience the perfect synthesis of traditional engineering excellence and technological innovation, preparing you for leadership in the digital age of engineering.