About the Department

The main task of the Department is to realize the idea that the uninterrupted development and achievements of mechanics as a fundamental engineering discipline are installed into the education of mechanical engineers who are to solve problems in real surroundings in accordance with the demands of the
society.

Department organizes the Undergraduate and Master Academic Studies for Mechanical Engineers and Doctoral Academic Studies in the field of mechanics.
Mechanics is a science on forces, movement and body deformations as a consequence of force action. Even though it comprises axioms, theorems, proofs, definitions, and principles, the core of mechanics is to learn how to set the problem and how to solve the problem. Mechanics actually deals with problems and problem-solutions. It is a science on patterns for setting a concrete problem and on manners to pass the path from a problem to a solution. In this frame, the Department for Technical Mechanics and Design has been established.

The studies are to answer the challenge of engineering, and that is to turn new technical solutions into a commercial reality through the clear application of accumulated scientific knowledge, practical engineering experience and problem-solving skills. The studies provide excellent application for both analysing and solving the most general problems met by a mechanical engineer in an everyday practice, and for the continuation of education towards the academic degree of a Doctor of Science. It is all established on the application of contem systems, the usage of contemporary computer tools and the interpretation of results in an acceptable form.

During the studies, biological systems are also studied, especially the human body. Due to its multifunctionality, complex geometry and structure, these systems are much more complex than technical ones. In that domain, the emphasis is on the development, expansion and application of mechanics in order to understand better the physiology and pathophysiology, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries with the ultimate goal of general improvement in life conditions. The emphasis at the study programmes at the Department is in understanding the fundamental physical and geometrical principles, the development of problem-solving skills and the design of a system or an appliance, whether it is an existing one in demand of improvement or a completely new one whose performances and feasibility are to be investigated. It is all realized through the independent practice, hard work and creative thinking. Hence, the competence of a mechanical engineer and later a Doctor of Science is to be achieved, regarding foremost the independency in decision-making process and in ability to take responsibility for decisions made. The basic scientific fields studied by teachers and assistants at the Department include mechanics, mechanics of deformable bodies and biomechanics. Within these, relatively wide areas, certain specializations are performed, thus the areas studied today are the following:

• Dynamics of systems with unilateral limitations;
• Application of a derivative of a random real order in engineering
and medicine;
• Stability and optimization of elastic bodies;
• Mechanics of continuous space and viscoelasticity;
• Theory on collision and biomechanical injury analysis;
• Variation principles and movement management;
• Non-linear oscillations;
• Nonholonomic and non-smooth mechanics;
• Rheological properties of human tissue and respiratory materials;
• Dynamics of human body movement;
• Biomechanics of a continuous space.

The Department for Technical Mechanics can be traced to a remarkably large number of scientific papers published in foreign journals, having a high citation index. Concrete results can be seen at http://mechanics.ftn.uns.ac.rs/publications/indeh.
html

A part of these papers is related to the research results financed by the AP Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia and international organizations.

Currently active projects are as follows:
• High Elasticity of Fraction Type and Optimization of Shape in the Rod Theory;
• Mechanics of Non-Linear and Dissipative Systems: Contemporary
Models, Analysis and Applications;
• Application of Biomedical Engineering in Pre-Clinical and
Clinical Practice;
• Multi-Scale Methods and Their Application in Biomedicine;
• Parametrically Induced Oscillations: Behaviour, Phenomena
and Usability;
• Seismic Waves in Non-Homogenous Geological Environments
with Discontinuities.

Technical Mechanics has always been the key to technology of the future since it includes a great range of complex problems and as such, it presents the most significant part of the foundation for the development of the society. Through the realization of study programmes, scientific and research work and international cooperation, the Department tries to contribute to that development.