Join Us
The Maha Fluid Power Research Center is recognized as a leader in innovative methods to research and apply fluid power technology. We conduct research on existing technical challenges, explore new application fields, and promote industrial collaborations.
Our researchers bring their expertise to all aspects of fluid power - from computer modeling to real-world experimentation – and apply that knowledge to hydraulic components and overall actuation systems. With faculty from the Colleges of Engineering and Agriculture, we provide solutions in the several areas of fluid power, including solutions for high efficiency, low noise emissions, superior controllability, integration of fluid power and electric technology.
Explore the different ways you can engage with the Maha Fluid Power Research Center.
Maha Membership >>>
The Maha Fluid Power Research Center operate as Purdue University core, by directly engaging industry into fundamental research, educational and recruiting activities. The industry members can closely follow and direct our research projects, and also provide guidance to our researchers. The center also organized meetings, intensive courses, webinars and workshops for the member companies in key fluid power topics. A complete list of the Maha Events for the member companies can be found here.
Industry members can join the Maha Fluid Power Research Center as Executive or Basic member. More details on the membership are provided below.
Current Maha Members
Contact us today to learn about the advantages of becoming a member at Maha Labs! Email Andrea Vacca: avacca@purdue.edu
Executive Members
Basic Members
Industry Advisory Board
The industry advisory board is involved in all strategic decisions of the center concerning research, education and recruiting activities.
Current board compositions is as follows:
Executive Members
- Bobcat: Jeff Dahl, Vice President of Engineering, Global Core Technology
- Bosch Rexroth: Enrique Busquets, Vice President Business Area Leader Mobile Solutions
- Casappa: Antonio Lettini, Global R&D Director
- HUSCO: Corey Quinnell, Vice President Global Engineering
- Parker: Shawn Horner, Vice President of Technology & Innovation
- Poclain Hydraulics: Damien Marsal, Technical Director
- Wipro Infrastructure Engineering: Jugal Prasad, Vice President Global Engineering
Basic Members
- Bucher Hydraulics: Christian Eitel, Vice President of Engineering, North America
- Case New Holland: Ryan Jenkins, Innovation Hydraulics, R&D Competency Center
- Caterpillar Inc: Wesley T. Payne, Global Hydraulics Chief Engineer
- Danfoss Power Solutions: Robert Rahmfeld, Sr. Director, Hydrostatics Engineering
- Hengli America: Rong Wang, Application Engineer Manager
- John Deere: John Mahrenholz, Senior Engineer, Compact Construction Equipment
- Moog: Nathan Keller, Strategic Business Manager
- Sargent Aerospace & Defense: Gary Spangenberg, Vice President, Engineering, Chief Engineer R&D
- Ognibene Power: Claudio Ognibene, President, Ognibene Power SpA
- Oilgear: Dan Mizell, Business Development Manager
- Settima Meccanica: Luca Pellegrini, General Manager
- Stackpole: Richard Muizelaar, Director Research & Innovation
- Sun Hydraulics: Steve Weber, Applications Engineering & Technical Sales
- Thomas Group: Dr. Matthias Krug, Director Advanced Engineering & Simulation
- TotalEnergies: Pradeep Kapadia, Engineer - Transmission Lubricants
Benefits of Membership
Membership in the Maha Fluid Power Research Center provides numerous benefits for you and your company. You can stay current with ongoing research, receive insights into technological trends, network with other fluid power professionals in professional development settings, engage with Purdue students studying the field, and support research projects at the center. Investigate our two levels of membership, Basic ($10,000 annually) and Executive ($55,000 annually), and determine which one is right for your organization.
1. Stay Informed with Ongoing Research
- Learn the most current fluid power research through conference and webinars
- Access Maha models and virtual hydraulic trainer simulator
2. Professional Development - Intensive Fluid Power Courses
- Over 100 hours curriculum divided into three classes - Summer, Fall, and Spring
- Three topics:
a) fundamentals in Hydraulics,
b) Hydraulic Control Systems,
c) Hydrostatic Pumps and Motors - The Maha industry committee will suggest more topics*
3. Maha Fluid Power Conference
- Annual three-day technical event
- Presentations on the most current fluid power research topics
- Invited technical presentations from industry and other international universities
- Social and networking events
4. Recruiting Opportunities
- Receive biannual updates on “Maha recommended” Purdue students looking for job opportunities
- Participate in a recruiting session during the annual Maha Fluid Power Conference
- Organize a private recruiting event at the Maha Fluid Power Research Center*
5. Support Maha Research
- Determine a research project (confidentiality will be respected and, with permission, only data with normalized results will be presented)*
- Provide directions for future Maha research topics*
- Over 90% of the membership cost going directly to the research without overhead
*For Executive level members
Maha Sponsors >>>
Beside the Maha membership, research at the Maha Fluid Power Research Center greatly benefits from the support of by government agencies, associations and industry sponsors. Industry sponsors can engage Maha in one-to-one research collaborations, with dedicated research agreements that regulate project deliverables, project timeline as well as aspects related to confidentiality and intellectual property (IP). Several contracting options are made available by Purdue for industry sponsored research, including flexible solutions regarding project IPs.
The list below reports the organizations that have supported research at Maha as Sponsor (last 5 years).
Government Sponsors / Associations
Industry Sponsors
Prospective Students >>>
Apply to Maha
We are always looking for motivated researchers at the undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral level.
We are particularly interested in people with passion and/or past experience related to our research topics (see Research tab).
Below is a list of topic areas and expertise in which we are in high need at the moment:
- Noise and vibration related to fluid power components
- Computer programming skills (C++) for advancing Multics capabilities
- Design and simulation of hydraulic pumps and electric machines
If you are interested in a research position at the Maha Fluid Power Research Center, please email your application to Dr. Vacca (avacca@purdue.edu) or Dr. Shang (shangl@purdue.edu).
Required items:
Directions from Purdue University campus:
Take State Street east, crossing the Wabash River into downtown Lafayette. After 1.2 miles, turn right onto Main Street. After 1.4 miles, turn left onto McCarty Lane. After 0.8 miles, Maha Labs will be on the right, across from the CAT Park soccer fields.