Articles tagged with Manufacturing
A new study describes the 3D printing of Shape Memory Polymers to produce active meta-materials that can change shape and recover their original state when heated. The researchers demonstrate that these 4D structures can achieve large area changes of up to 200% within a programming and recovery cycle.
Researchers at UC Davis developed a simplified method to produce extremely low-density palladium nanofoams, which have potential applications in hydrogen fuel cells. The new technique achieves high loading capacity and excellent thermodynamic stability, making it an ideal candidate for industrial-scale use.
A new non-destructive method using Raman spectroscopy has been demonstrated to make abraded serial numbers on polymers visible again. Researchers from INRS have successfully recovered erased information from polycarbonate samples without damaging the material.
Researchers are developing customized 3D implants that can be printed in real-time during tumor surgery, allowing for more precise treatment of bone cancer. This innovative technology has the potential to improve patient outcomes and expand surgical options.
Researchers developed a postprocessing treatment for silicon-based electrodes that improves mechanical properties and storage capacity, leading to up to ten times increased electrode performance. The treatment involves placing electrodes in a humid environment for two to three days, resulting in greater stability and longer cycle life.
Researchers at UTA will improve CT scanning technology to detect manufacturing flaws and structural damage in composites. The goal is to increase the reliability of composite aircraft and address a critical need for large-scale inspections.
The licensed technology increases deposition rates by three orders of magnitude, improving quality and minimizing roughness in printed parts. This enables the production of high-resolution parts with reduced post-processing needs.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory has received funding to commercialize a gas atomization nozzle design for producing metal powders with customizable sizes and improved quality. The funding will support the adaptation of this technology in industrial manufacturing processes.
A new study from North Carolina State University, MIT, and the University of Michigan found that surface texture of microparticles can cause internal friction altering suspension viscosity. This finding helps address issues with pumping suspensions in industries.
The CSAIL team developed a VR system that lets users teleoperate robots using an Oculus Rift headset. The system mimics the user's movements to complete various tasks, making it feel like they are inside the robot's head. This technology could enable blue-collar workers to telecommute and benefit from the IT revolution.
A Huddersfield-based company has partnered with the University of Huddersfield to leverage a Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) and develop modernized products for the rail industry. The partnership aims to reduce material usage, increase efficiency, and lower costs through the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software.
A new study found that rotating FDA inspectors can reduce medical device recall rates by 20%, resulting in 100 fewer recalls per year. The study analyzed 4,767 inspection outcomes and 2,863 recalls, finding increased risk of future recalls with repeated inspections.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago are working on discovering new 2D materials to manufacture improved and cost-effective batteries. The goal is to increase battery efficiency by about 1,000 times, enabling sustainable energy generation, chemical manufacturing, and pollution removal.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a soft, flexible origami-inspired robot called TWISTER. The robot uses multiple layers of polygons to bend, contract, extend, and twist, making it suitable for fragile-object manipulation and direct human-robot interaction.
Researchers at HRL Laboratories successfully 3D print high-strength aluminum alloys, including Al7075 and Al6061, overcoming a long-standing challenge in additive manufacturing. Their nanoparticle functionalization technique prevents hot cracking and retains alloy strength.
Researchers have created ultra-thin carbon nanomembranes that can filter out specific molecules from water and air, with significant implications for purification and other industries. The membranes' unique properties can be tailored to suit different purposes, making them versatile tools in various fields.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new manufacturing process called PRESiCE, which enables the mass production of silicon carbide (SiC) power devices. This process reduces the cost of SiC devices by up to 1.5 times that of silicon-based devices, making them more competitive in the market.
The Georgia Institute of Technology-led NSF Engineering Research Center will develop scalable technologies and tools for consistent, low-cost production of high-quality living therapeutic cells. These cells could revolutionize treatment of various diseases by enabling broad use of potentially curative therapies.
A new roadmap is being published by Purdue University's Advanced Lyophilization Technology Hub to identify improvements needed in the lyophilization process. The road map will focus on three key areas: products, processes, and equipment, with the goal of increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
A new technique developed by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has improved the properties of plant-derived biodegradable plastic, allowing for large-scale industrial production. The approach involves rapidly heating bio-plastic fibers to high temperatures, resulting in enhanced resistance to heat and moisture.
Scientists have discovered a plethora of chemical compounds in avocado seed husks, which could be used to treat debilitating diseases. The researchers found compounds like behenyl alcohol, heptacosane, and dodecanoic acid, which may inhibit tumor cell growth and increase HDL levels.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology and Rutgers University have developed a three-layer system to verify that components produced using additive manufacturing have not been compromised. The system uses acoustic and physical techniques to detect malicious activity and quality problems, reducing materials waste.
Experts at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Georgia Tech have created three methods to defend against sneaky attacks on 3D printers, including detecting malicious fill patterns and printing defects using sensors and high-tech scanning.
Researchers at UTA are developing iWork, a robot-based system that assesses workers' physical, cognitive, and collaborative skills. The system uses advanced computational methods to identify human ability, intent, and potential, providing personalized training solutions for millions of people seeking retraining for manufacturing jobs.
Researchers have developed a hybrid rigid-soft robotic arm for endoscopes with integrated sensing, flexibility, and multiple degrees of freedom. The device is powered by water and features a suction cup-inspired mechanism to safely interact with tissue.
A University of Stirling study found that tobacco companies are offering retailers cash bonuses and other rewards to promote their brands in Scotland. The researchers discovered that retailers were being incentivized to boost sales of tobacco products despite the ban on open displays.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have discovered a new way to precisely pattern nanomaterials, enabling the creation of complex structures and paving the way for next-generation electronics. The DOLFIN technology makes it possible to mass-produce nanomaterials directly into usable devices.
Researchers from MIT's CSAIL have developed InstantCAD, a tool that enables designers to interactively edit and optimize CAD models using a streamlined workflow. This allows for real-time improvements and optimizations, reducing the time required to test and refine complex designs.
A team from KAUST developed a cheap, reliable system to signal danger using disposable sensor nodes linked wirelessly to fixed nodes. The system uses 3D printing and inkjet printing to create small sensors that can detect heat, low humidity, and hydrogen sulphide.
Researchers systematically examine available high-index materials for their resonances in visible and infrared ranges. Crystalline silicon is identified as the best material for dielectric antennas operating in visible range, while germanium outperforms other materials in infrared band.
A study by Michigan Technological University finds that 3-D printing can save consumers up to 90% on toy purchases, with the potential to offset $60 million in annual savings. DIY manufacturing also enables the creation of novel toys and games that are not commercially available.
A University of Michigan team has created a method to add metallic nanoparticles into semiconductors with virtually no added manufacturing cost. The process enhances LED lighting efficiency and allows for precise control over the distribution of particles, potentially enabling future applications such as invisibility cloaks.
An innovative system is proposed by Professor Mo Ehsani to address coral bleaching: a single-piece pipe feeding cooler water to stressed coral. The InfinitPipe uses wave energy and clean, renewable sources to power the pump.
Researchers developed two types of titanium implants with fine and coarse textures using electron beam melting and direct metal laser sintering. The study found substantial differences in mechanical testing results, including improved osseointegration and torsional properties for the fine-textured implants.
A new Northwestern University study reveals that cosmetic complaints have more than doubled from 2015 to 2016, with hair care products being the biggest offender. The lack of regulatory scrutiny and poor reporting by consumers and manufacturers lead to significant under-reporting of adverse events, with only 200-400 reported annually
Researchers created a system that uses continuous flow technology to produce pharmaceutical compounds, improving safety and yield. The new approach yielded 24 kilograms of chemotherapy agent prexasertib over three days, demonstrating its effectiveness.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are developing new steel alloys for additive manufacturing with a focus on high-strength low-alloy steels suitable for naval construction and repair. The project aims to improve mechanical properties and corrosion resistance using integrated computational materials design.
Researchers developed a biocatalytic system to produce terephthalic acid from p-xylene using metabolically engineered E. coli, offering a greener alternative to traditional chemical methods. The resulting yield of 97 mol% demonstrates the feasibility of this bio-based technology for large-scale production.
A group of NYU Tandon School of Engineering researchers have discovered ways to deliberately embed hidden flaws in CAD files to thwart intellectual property theft. By intentionally inducing defects that disappear under specific conditions, manufacturers can prevent counterfeit parts from being produced.
A team of researchers from Université Laval has created a smart T-shirt that can monitor a person's breathing rate in real time. The innovative design uses an antenna sewn into the chest level to detect changes in thorax circumference and air volume, allowing for reliable data capture.
Researchers developed a novel approach to create self-expandable polymer stents that can grow with pediatric patients, are biodegradable, and require minimally-invasive procedures. The stents were created using computational design, simulation tools, and 3D printing technology.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a revolutionary process for 3D printing stretchable electronic sensory devices that can give robots the ability to feel their environment. The discovery also has potential applications for printing electronics on real human skin, enabling new forms of wearable technology.
Researchers developed a device to study the effects of 'extensional flow' on proteins, which can lead to reduced effectiveness and aggregation. The device revealed that manufacturing processes can be optimized to reduce protein damage, improving the quality of biopharmaceuticals.
Researchers have developed a new method to produce butadiene, a key chemical component in plastics and rubber, from biomass-derived sugars. The process, called dehydra-decyclization, uses a novel catalyst to convert sugars into butadiene with high yield and selectivity.
MIT engineers developed a technique using graphene to transfer crystalline patterns onto semiconductor wafers, reducing wafer costs and opening opportunities for exotic materials. The method allows manufacturers to copy and peel off semiconducting layers, reusing the original wafer multiple times.
Researchers develop new method to make nanowires with widths below 10 nanometers, using templated assembly and block copolymers. The technique enables mass manufacturing with existing lithographic methods and can be used to create complex patterns for microchip interconnections.
Researchers have found that conventional desktop and professional 3D printers build objects at a slow rate of 10-20 cubic centimeters per hour. The team identified a pinch-wheel mechanism as a limitation, which can be improved to increase printing speed.
A study by University of California, Irvine researchers finds that global manufacturing and trade significantly increase health risks for people in regions far from producing factories, with 22% of air pollution-related deaths associated with goods produced elsewhere.
A new study reveals that financialization in the US impaired its emerging solar industry, while Japan's photovoltaics manufacturers thrived. This case study highlights the conflicting relationship between finance and production, and calls for policies that bring productive and financial capital together to support low-carbon industries.
A study published in Nature found that air pollution mortality is disproportionately felt by people living near producing regions, often far from where goods are consumed. The researchers estimated that 22% of fine-particulate-matter air pollution deaths were related to goods produced elsewhere.
Researchers found Asian tobacco companies are shifting from domestic focus to transnational expansion through government support, manufacturing for export, and new product development. This shift is expected to lead to a further increase in tobacco-related deaths worldwide, totaling six million annually.
Researchers at FAU have created a method to combine exhaust gas purification with the synthesis of high-value products. Nitrogen oxides can be used to produce balsalazide and sulfasalazine, two drugs for chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.
Researchers at the University of Barcelona have developed a new bonding technique for chips using inkjet printers with silver nanoparticles, enabling the creation of rigid and flexible hybrid circuitry. The method uses inkjet printing technology to assemble surface mount devices, achieving high electrical conductivity and reliability.
A study by SFU professor Kelley Lee found that Asian tobacco companies are shifting from a domestic focus to become transnational players, aiming to increase their share of the world market. The companies' business strategies include government-supported consolidation, product innovation and foreign direct investment.
Researchers developed a novel method using Terahertz spectroscopy and 3D-printing technology to measure water content in crude oil with high accuracy. The technique can be used to continuously monitor moisture content and is suitable for applications even during high-water-bearing periods.
Researchers at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and Delft University of Technology created a technology for obtaining gradient microstructures in metals, combining properties of two metals for high performance characteristics.
A study published in the Journal of Operations Management found that a production system called seru can help manufacturers remain competitive in high-cost markets. Seru is a cellular assembly approach that uses highly trained workers to achieve responsiveness and quality.
A novel 3D manufacturing method rapidly creates intricate, nanoscale architectures that mimic natural materials like wood and bone. The technique can produce porous structures with high surface area and strength, opening up possibilities for advanced battery technologies and ultrastrong materials.
Gallium nitride (GaN) layers grown on SOI wafers exhibit higher crystalline quality and improved breakdown characteristics than those grown on silicon substrates. This enables the use of clearly higher voltages in power electronics and reduces losses and crosstalk in high-frequency applications.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed innovative methods for creating complex patterns, accelerating gas separation, and optimizing manufacturing processes. The lab's expertise in additive manufacturing has enabled the rapid prototyping of components, while membrane-based gas separation has shown promising results.