The University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering is leading a $1 million project to advance design and manufacture of nuclear plant components via 3D printing. The team aims to develop innovative dissolvable supports, topology optimization, and microstructure design to reduce costs and improve structural integrity.
The University of California, Irvine has received a $5 million National Science Foundation grant to support nearly 200 community college transfer students pursuing engineering degrees in advanced manufacturing. Under the program, each student will receive up to $10,000 annually over five years.
Researchers developed a rapid method for creating highly detailed physical models directly from volumetric data stacks, overcoming current limitations in 3D data processing workflows. The new approach enables accurate anatomical details to be replicated in 3D-printed models, improving diagnostics and presurgical planning.
A new laser technology developed by Swansea University has won the Materials Science Venture Prize, allowing for real-time monitoring of molten metal furnaces without stopping production. This innovation saves steel plants up to £4.5 million a year and can be applied to various metals such as aluminium and copper.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design have successfully developed sustainable 3D printing using cellulose, a widely available organic compound. The new material, FLAM, is strong, lightweight, and inexpensive, with a production cost 10 times lower than traditional plastics.
A novel gene encoding the enzyme thebaine synthase has been isolated from the opium poppy, enabling the commercial production of non-plant based biosynthetic manufacturing systems for active opioid agents and intermediates. This breakthrough opens the door to creating new opioid molecules with reduced addictiveness.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a one-step 3D printing process for multimaterial projects, allowing for faster production and reduced manufacturing steps. The technology enables the creation of complex products with multiple parts in one operation, reducing the need for adhesives and joint connections.
A study found that extreme price competition in the generic pharmaceutical market leads to more manufacturing-related recalls, which may put patients at serious health risk. The researchers suggest that regulators and insurers should temper their pressure on pharmaceutical companies to bring prices down.
Researchers at NIST developed a novel power meter called 'Smart Mirror' that measures laser power in real-time using radiation pressure. The device is compact, sensitive, and fast, enabling continuous measurement during welding and calibration processes.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a 3D printer that creates delicate networks of hardened isomalt sugar structures, which can be used to grow cells and tissue, or create microfluidic devices. The structures' ability to precisely control mechanical properties makes them ideal for biomedical applications.
Researchers have developed an automated atom fabrication process using machine learning, paving the way for mass production of atom-scale devices. This breakthrough aims to reduce energy consumption by 1000 times and increase computation speed a hundredfold, making it a game-changing technology for the information age.
The UTA industrial engineering team partnered with Foxconn to develop data analytics and smart manufacturing solutions for improving efficiency in large-scale cell phone manufacturing processes. The partnership resulted in the development of automated systems to detect fake parts, reduce human inspection time, and increase output.
The MIT researchers developed modular blocks that can be assembled to produce diagnostic devices for diseases such as cancer, Zika virus, and tuberculosis. These 'plug-and-play' devices are inexpensive, easy to use, and can perform multiple biochemical functions, potentially improving access to medical technology in developing countries.
Researchers explore creating self-assembling microscopic particles to manufacture materials in space with tailored nanostructures. The ability to create self-assembling and potentially self-repairing materials could be key to surviving deep space destinations.
Researchers have proposed a non-contact method to assess internal stress in composite materials, allowing for early detection of damage and improving operational safety. The new technology uses amorphous soft magnetic circuits to detect stress without physical contact.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new polymer-curing process that uses minimal energy and cuts manufacturing time in half. The breakthrough could lead to cost-effective production of high-performance polymers for aerospace and automotive industries.
Textile composites' strength and durability can be compromised by a simple wrinkle in the manufacturing process. Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed a custom-made fixture to iron out this issue, improving their effectiveness by pulling materials in two directions simultaneously.
Lehigh University, TE Connectivity, and Broughal Middle School collaborate to promote STEM education through a manufacturing course and annual expo. The program benefits students from both institutions, providing hands-on experience with engineering techniques and industry partnerships.
Swansea University's METaL scheme has received £1.4m EU funding to increase skills in the advanced manufacturing sector. The additional funding will enable the scheme to support over 400 people in gaining technical skills, with a focus on emerging sectors such as energy and smart manufacturing.
The lab will upgrade its unique computed tomography facilities to enable high-resolution, in situ, three-dimensional material characterization with unprecedented three-dimensional imaging quality and efficiency. The research aims to study physics phenomena governing manufacturing irregularities or defects in composite parts.
Researchers from Boston University, MIT, UC Berkeley, and CU Boulder develop a method to fabricate silicon chips that can communicate with light, speeding up data transfer and reducing energy consumption. The technology is compatible with current chip manufacturing processes and could revolutionize computing and mobile devices.
A new technique allows for the assembly of optical and electronic components on separate layers of silicon, enabling the use of modern transistor technologies. This breakthrough increases the speed and reduces the power consumption of chips, which is crucial as transistors continue to rise in count.
Researchers at MIT have developed a continuous manufacturing process to produce long strips of high-quality graphene. The team's results are the first demonstration of an industrial, scalable method for manufacturing high-quality graphene suitable for membrane applications.
Researchers at the University of Huddersfield will conduct exhaustive tests on a lightweight carbon fiber rail bogie frame, which could lead to significant savings for operators. The project uses recycled carbon fibers to reduce weight by up to 50% and track wear, resulting in lower maintenance costs.
Researchers developed a coordinated control architecture for motion management in ADAS systems, demonstrating improved safety and comfort. The study showed that 'coordinated control' strategy successfully damped out deviation errors, giving much greater precision in following intended trajectories.
Researchers propose social manufacturing as an innovative solution for the personalized customization era, allowing consumers to participate in the design and production process. This approach can reduce material waste and energy consumption while satisfying both material and spiritual needs.
The proposed system, called FabRec, would allow companies to share manufacturing data in a secure and reliable manner, increasing transparency and efficiency in the supply chain. This public network could help small- and medium-scale manufacturers gain access to potential clients, while also promoting accountability and authenticity.
Researchers from the University of Houston are developing a new quality control tool that can detect imperfections in nanomanufacturing almost instantaneously. The goal is to provide continuous monitoring during production, enabling faster and more efficient manufacturing processes.
The EPSRC RCUK Catapult Researchers in Residence (RiR) initiative aims to accelerate impact, increase knowledge exchange, and develop new collaborations. The first tranche of 18 awards has been successfully funded.
Researchers refuted long-held beliefs about sodium's impact on solar cell production by demonstrating its dual effect: homogenizing elements within grains but slowing inter-grain homogenization. This finding could lead to improved manufacturing processes and new insights into solar cell production.
A Northwestern University-led team has developed a new way to manufacture proteins outside of a cell, which could have important implications for therapeutics and biomaterials. The team successfully produced high yields of proteins with non-canonical amino acids, opening up possibilities for decentralized manufacturing and distribution...
Researchers create device that absorbs trace fragrances on skin, gathering a profile of scents remaining after rinsing off. By mixing with polymers, they enhance fragrance retention and reduce costs for industry and consumers.
Workers who lost their jobs during the Great Recession continued to earn lower lifetime wages, even after re-entering the workforce. About 45% of these losses resulted from reduced work hours and 55% from lower hourly wages. Effective reemployment services could help workers recover by re-establishing a good job match.
American chemical manufacturers are adopting new technologies to improve efficiency, thanks to a $10 million grant collaboration between academia and industry. The goal is to replace traditional batch processing methods with continuous processing, which could lead to significant energy savings and improved competitiveness.
A £1 million funded research project at Swansea University is developing virtual qualification for high-value manufacturing. This technology uses 3D X-ray imaging to create digital replicas of components, allowing for the assessment of performance and reduction of human error. The goal is to reduce testing time from weeks to hours.
Researchers have developed a new method to chemically bond multiple soft materials without sacrificing their properties. The technique allows for manufacturing of more complex soft machines, including wearable devices and flexible electronics.
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a new method for processing nanomaterials that could lead to faster and cheaper manufacturing of flexible thin film devices. The 'intense pulsed light sintering' method uses high-energy light to fuse nanomaterials in seconds, retaining conductivity while reducing temperatures.
Researchers will explore new mathematical and computational foundations to transform traditional design processes, leveraging massive compute power. TACC provides a comprehensive platform for developing computational methods, creating data visualizations, and analyzing large experimental data sets.
NYU Tandon researchers have developed a new method for manufacturing lightweight syntactic foams using 3D printing. The breakthrough could enable the creation of complex parts that can withstand stresses at greater depths, benefiting submarines. The filaments were made with recycled fly ash and high-density polyethylene plastic.
Researchers have developed a 3D temperature-based model to understand the CGDS film-growing process. The model connects particle impact velocity, energy transformation, and temperature rise in three dimensions, predicting how the average temperature of the particle impact zone will rise and subside.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a $227,000 grant to develop the manufacturing process for the REHEAL glove, a bioengineered healing glove that delivers medicine to injured hands to speed up healing. The project aims to accelerate rehabilitation and improve patient care.
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University have created a customizable, fabric-like power source that can be recharged many times and has the ability to store an electrical charge four times higher than most existing stretchable supercapacitors. The editable supercapacitor is made of strengthened manganese dioxide nanowire composit...
Scientists at University of Limerick are teaming up with Enterprise Ireland to commercialize continuous nanomanufacturing technology. The project aims to tackle the biggest challenge facing the pharmaceutical industry today, which is that seven out of ten drugs never reach patients due to poor solubility.
The University of Copenhagen has developed a new marking technique that uses randomness and rare earths to create an un-hackable authentication system. The system can be used to identify genuine products and prevent counterfeiting, with the potential to save industries millions in lost revenue.
Researchers at Tufts University have developed highly selective membrane filters that can separate organic compounds by size and electrostatic charge, potentially reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The membranes mimic biological systems and can sort compounds in various filtration systems.
The milliDelta robot overcomes the miniaturization challenge of Delta robots, operating at millimeter scale with high speed and precision, making it suitable for micromanipulation tasks in manufacturing and medicine. Researchers demonstrated its potential as a hand tremor-cancelling device and explored its use in retinal microsurgeries.
A new method using sunlight to split atmospheric nitrogen molecules could drastically cut the energy needed for fertilizer production. Researchers at Princeton University used computer simulations to model light's behavior in tiny structures made from gold and molybdenum, which concentrates light energy to boost a catalyst's power.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a faster method for manufacturing 'heart-on-a-chip', allowing for quicker testing of new drugs on engineered human heart tissue. This new approach aims to reduce cardiac toxicity and improve the predictability of drug effects, paving the way for safer clinical trials.
Researchers at Aalto University have developed a new breed of 'memristors' that can store data for more than 10 years without power and work with low voltages. These ferroelectric tunnel junctions have the potential to revolutionize neuromorphic computing and enable efficient IoT processing.
The Manufacturing Immortality Project aims to create materials with self-healing properties, combining biological and non-biological components. Researchers hope to develop consumer goods like smartphones with self-healing screens within the next three years.
The Future Vaccine Manufacturing Hub aims to increase vaccine coverage worldwide, improve response to deadly outbreaks, and overcome barriers in vaccine distribution. Researchers will explore innovative approaches, including synthetic RNA vaccines and protein stabilisation, to rapidly respond to emerging threats.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a novel metal printing method that produces flexible, stretchable electronics at reduced costs. The technique uses molten metal alloys with low melting points and is compatible with existing manufacturing systems.
The $554,000 NSF grant will establish a manufacturing and automation research center at Penn State Behrend, developing hands-on curricula for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classes in PA, NY, and OH. The center will complement the college's K-12 outreach efforts and Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Center.
Craftsman Tools Ltd aims to boost tool-holding sector turnover from £1.2m to £4m within five years through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) grant. The project, led by Daniel Emsley, will focus on introducing advanced technology and manufacturing systems, including intelligent tool-holding with internet of things sensing technology.
A new collaborative engineering project funded by NSF aims to make numerical computation of departure rates and route choice faster, enabling rapid rerouting and diversion. The project uses machine learning to develop statistical models of traffic flow, potentially reducing congestion by seconds, minutes or hours ahead of time.
The partnership aims to apply advanced chemical engineering research to industrial-scale chemical manufacturing, reducing waste generation, utility, and energy costs. The University of Pittsburgh's Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department is developing new educational programs and internships to prepare students for the industry.
A new special issue of Yale's Journal of Industrial Ecology investigates the environmental, energy, and health impacts of additive manufacturing. The research reveals that while 3D printing offers local production and zero-waste potential, its environmental performance depends on machine usage patterns and material configurations.
A new method enables rapid 3D printing of fully functional electronic circuits using a single inkjet printing process. The technique combines 2D printed electronics with additive manufacturing, allowing for the creation of complex structures with multiple materials, including metals and plastics.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a new catalyst to produce valuable chemicals from biomass, allowing for the creation of green raw materials for manufacturing. The catalyst enables the production of important chemicals like 2-butanol and cyclohexanol without emitting CO2.
The ILIAD project aims to develop self-optimising autonomous forklift trucks that can operate safely and efficiently alongside human co-workers, adapting to changing work demands. The robots will be equipped with advanced computer vision and AI to detect and track humans, making fleets fully scalable.