Research interests: MEMS, NEMS; linear/nonlinear dynamics and vibrations and structural mechanics.
Current teaching activities:
Dynamics of MEMS and Microsystems (ME521)
Advanced Dynamics (ME523)
Advanced Vibrations (ME524)
Intermediate Dynamics (ME425)
Mechanical Vibrations (ME421)
Nonlinear System Dynamics (ME629).
Mohammad Younis received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan, in 1999 and M.Sand PhD degrees in Engineering Mechanics in 2001 and 2004, respectively, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Younis is the recipient of the Paul E. Torgersen Graduate Research Excellence Award of the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, 2002, and the Rank-First-in-the-Class Award, 1999, from Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Jordan Engineers Association.
Research description:
Mohammad Younis’s research goal is to utilize the knowledge gained from understanding the exceptional mechanical and motion aspects of microstructures in multi-physics fields to design, optimize and invent MEMS devices of distinctive characteristics and superior performance.
Younis works on designing, modeling and characterizing MEMS and NEMS devices and structures with a focus on their mechanical and motion aspects. His research includes designing novel MEMS sensors and switches, such as developing a threshold switch triggered by mechanical shock and a capacitive switch that operates at reduced voltage. His research encompasses modeling MEMS devices and structures under coupled multi-physics (mechanical, electrostatic, squeeze-film, thermoelastic) forces; developing reduced-order models and computationally efficient approaches to tackle the coupled multi-physics and nonlinear problems; analyzing MEMS phenomena, such as the dynamic pull-in instability; and investigating the reliability of microstructures under mechanical shock. Younis has analyzed and characterized various MEMS devices including accelerometers, threshold switches, mass sensors, thermal actuators, resonant sensors and RF switches and filters.
