Professor
The Lee Hunter Professor of Mechanical Design
Education
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1988
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1984
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1983
Biography
Professor Jakiela came to Washington University from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At MIT, he was named a National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator in mechanical engineering and served as Associate Director of the MIT Computer-Aided Design Lab.
At Washington University, Professor Jakiela teaches courses related to engineering design, including
Introduction to Mechanical and Structural Engineering (design contest project course),
Mechanical Design and Machine Elements,
Engineering Design Optimization, and
Fluid Power Systems.
Research
Professor Jakiela specializes in the application of evolutionary computation to problems in design and manufacturing. Together with associated researchers, he has developed systems that perform structural topology optimization, shape pattern nesting, finite element mesh generation, antenna design, as well as several other applications. His recently completed projects include composite layup optimization and the optimal arrangement of piezoelectric actuators on aerodynamic surfaces. His current research focus is the development of computer-based systems that allow engineering design and product development to be done by web-based user communities.
He has had collaborative research projects with many industry partners, including Polaroid, Ford, Nissan, Hitachi, and Boeing.