Research at the Department of Mechanical Engineering covers a broad scope with focus on Energy- and Chemical Technology, Product Engineering and Logistics, Mechatronics, Ship and Nanotechnology. Research is funded by the State of Nordrhein-Westfalia, the Federal Ministry of Economy and Technology, the German Research Foundation, the European Union and industrial corporations.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is significantly participating in two large cooperative research efforts. The aim of the Collaborative Research Center 445 (SFB 445) is the experimental and theoretical investigation of the formation of nano-particles in the gas phase, the characterization of their structure, physical and chemical properties and the correlation between particle structure and properties. Particle generation, gas phase synthesis and charge carrier transport is investigated by groups from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The long term goal of the research program of the Research Training Group 1240 (GRK 1240) is the realization of devices for the conversion of electrical energy into light and vice versa. The devices are generated from disperse systems on the basis of inorganic nano-particles as optically active materials. The close cooperation between the academic groups at the University Duisburg-Essen and the industrial partner Evonik / Degussa GmbH is a key to solve this challenging problem. Groups from the Department of Mechanical Engineering are significantly contributing in particle synthesis and colloidal particle processing.

Institutes embedded within the Department of Mechanical Engineering collaborate closely with four associated institutes thereby emphasizing the applied character of research in engineering sciences. The Institute for Energy and Environmental Technology (IUTA) carries out research and development in air pollution control, filtration, sustainable nanotechnology, industrial hygiene, gas conditioning, hydrogen technology and nano-particle synthesis. The IWW Water Center is a research and consulting center for drinking water, process, industrial and waste water in the areas of water resource management, water technology, water quality, applied microbiology, and management consulting. The development center for ship technology and transport systems (DST) investigates transport systems, shallow water hydrodynamics, and ship development and ship operation technology. The Center for Fuel Cell Technology (ZBT) is developing low temperature fuel (PEM) cell technology including compact reactors for decentralized hydrogen generation and gas purification. Fuel cells and their components as well as safely operating electrical power systems are constructed.