A new automobile exhaust system reduces pollution and boosts engine power at the same time. The design increases overall engine performance by 5 percent while also cutting emissions by 15 percent, making it a significant improvement over standard auto exhaust assemblies.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed new radio antennas that can be embedded in car windshields, potentially reducing the need for air conditioning and making cars more energy-efficient. The designs use materials already present in car windows to create invisible antennas that receive AM and FM signals.
A computer program developed at Ohio State University has enabled the U.S. Navy to design a new system of antennas that reduces radio interference and makes its destroyers less visible to enemy radar. The NEC-BSC program traces the path of electromagnetic waves and allows for the design of lighter materials and improved radar performance.
The discipline of human factors/ergonomics aims to improve people's health, safety, and comfort through the application of human-system interface technology. Despite its potential to make a difference in quality of life, organizations often fail to recognize its value, citing added costs as a reason.
The USMP-4 experiment has provided new data on metallic dendrite growth, revealing a closer correspondence between microgravity and theory. The findings are being used to improve computer casting models, reducing the design process from weeks to days.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have created a method that purposefully unbalances reentry vehicles to steer them closer to targets, improving accuracy. The approach also enables the reorientation of satellites in space without changing their shape or requiring fuel.
Researchers identified two critical periods of high error rates: before dawn and mid-afternoon. By understanding these patterns, workplaces can design jobs that exploit human strengths while protecting against attentional lapses caused by sleep deprivation.
The new method allows engineers to visualize how changes in their designs will affect design requirements. Graph morphing enables designers to see the trade-offs between different design variables, making it easier to understand relationships between subsystems.
The University of Cincinnati engineers have created a unique high-performance concrete (HPC) mix that significantly strengthens conventional concrete. Tests show the HPC can last up to 80 years without major maintenance due to its denser material and resistance to freeze-thaw cycles.
ATMs are increasingly used due to their convenience, but users face difficulties such as machine malfunctions, poor visibility, and slow operation. Design changes and training can address these issues, incorporating technologies like touch screens, voice guidance, and Braille indicators.
The study recommends that foldaway powered wheelchairs have a maximum weight of 14.19kg to ensure safe handling and portability. This is below the current average weight of commercially available wheelchairs, allowing for more accessible designs that cater to users with limited exercise endurance.