The research and learning activities carried out by the Department of Mechanical Engineering deal with scientific and industrial contexts in rapid expansion. Companies are recently working in a scenario characterised by a high economic, social, cultural and political interdependence and – due to industry structural change – they have to increase their competitiveness through the innovation of products, systems and processes. To solve the complex issues set by engineering, new theories, methods and technologies overtaking the single disciplines are required.

Nowadays, it is necessary an approach to problems based on continuous learning and innovation – to include in a context facing academic and industrial network globalisation. Moreover, in contrast with the past, engineering actually focuses on social and sustainable aspects, where the life quality of citizens and the safeguard of the environment are specific requirements of each project.