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3D nano-inks push industry boundaries

Mechanical engineering researchers at Michigan Technological University have created a 3D-printable nanocomposite polymeric ink using carbon nanotubes. The ink's properties, such as electrical conductivity and increased strength, make it suitable for various applications, including aerospace and electronics industries.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalAdditive Manufacturing·DateSep 24, 2021

A robotic fish tail and an elegant math ratio could inform the design of next- generation underwater drones

University of Virginia researchers design a simple way to implement a tunable stiffness strategy in robots, enabling efficient swimming at varying speeds. The approach, inspired by the natural adaptability of fish, uses a programmable artificial tendon to adjust tail stiffness in real-time.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021

Finding the cause of a fatal problem in rocket engine combustors

Researchers found significant periodic flow velocity fluctuations in fuel injector ignite combustion oscillations, leading to high mechanical stress on the combustion chamber. The findings provide a reasonable answer for why these oscillations occur and have significant implications for preventing fatal damage in critical engines.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalPhysics of Fluids·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2021

Using machine learning and radar to better understand storm surge risk

A team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin has applied a machine learning algorithm to analyze Synthetic Aperture Radar images and create detailed maps of land types. This new approach can help predict storm surge risk and inform mitigation strategies, such as building 'green walls' to protect inland areas.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalIEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing·DateJun 11, 2021

Computational modeling enables heart valve visualizations

Researchers used computational modeling to visualize heart valve implant behavior for the first time, revealing that thinner biological tissues can induce leaflet flutter, compromising durability and causing blood cell damage. This study builds upon decades of research and showcases the importance of supercomputing power in improving s...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 5, 2020

A great new way to paint 3D-printed objects

Rutgers engineers have created a highly effective way to paint complex 3D-printed objects using an efficient painting method that reaches all nooks and crannies. The technique, known as electrospray deposition, has been used mainly for analytical chemistry but has also been applied in lab-scale demonstrations of coatings.

SourceRutgers University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 28, 2020

Time-to-death of Roman emperors followed distinct pattern

A statistical analysis of Roman emperors' deaths reveals a distinct pattern, with high risk in the first year and a bathtub-like curve indicating stabilization by the eighth year. The study suggests underlying processes governing the length of each rule until death, similar to reliability engineering.

SourceSpringer·JournalPalgrave Communications·DateDec 22, 2019

Robot masters human balancing act

Researchers at UT Austin successfully demonstrated a novel approach to human-like balance in a biped robot, allowing it to dynamically balance without ankle control. The technique uses whole-body controllers and inverse kinematics to mimic human movement, with implications for robots in emergency response, defense, and entertainment.

Zapping bacteria with sanitizers made of paper

A Rutgers-led team has invented a promising technology for killing microbes using paper-based sanitizers, which can eliminate more than 99 percent of bacteria cells. The devices consist of paper with thin layers of aluminum and hexagon/honeycomb patterns that produce plasma to kill microorganisms.

SourceRutgers University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 1, 2017

'Squishy' motors and wheels give soft robots a new ride

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a soft motor that enables torque without bending, making it suitable for search and rescue missions, deep space exploration, and manipulating objects during MRI. The squishy wheels allow for passive suspensions in wheeled vehicles, making the design simple yet effective.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 28, 2016

Study finds that fast-moving cells in the human immune system walk in a stepwise manner

A team of biologists and engineers at the University of California, San Diego has discovered how white blood cells generate traction forces to propel themselves forward by coordinated action of contractile proteins. This finding is crucial for developing new pharmacological strategies to treat chronic inflammatory diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMar 17, 2014

The physics of bank shots

A study by NC State University researchers found that bank shots are more effective than direct shots, especially from 12 feet away or in the 'wing' areas between the three-point line and free-throw lane. The optimal aim points create a 'V' shape near the top center of the backboard.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports·DateMar 10, 2011

Was it a bird or was it a plane?

A new study of extinct reptiles called kuehneosaurs shows that these early flyers used extraordinary extensions of their ribs to form large gliding surfaces on the side of the body. The research, published in Palaeontology, found that one species was more suited to parachuting than flying.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPalaeontology·DateJul 14, 2008