Research on machines, structures, and mechanical design. Covers metal foam for safer cars, drone flight paths, crumpling mechanics, and materials behavior.
A study on on-orbit autonomous assembly of deployable modules reveals the importance of real-time deformation control and motion control during assembly. Numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of a proposed control strategy, reducing geometric errors to below 0.013 mm.
Researchers at MIT have developed a handheld device to collect living cells from specific locations in patient samples, enabling early cancer detection and personalized medicine development. The device uses a microfluidic channel to gently detach living cells from tissue, allowing for targeted sampling and cultivation for diagnostics a...
A quadruped robot, RAIBO2, completed a 42.195 km marathon without battery swap, capturing 4 hours and 19 minutes of real-world running data. The research team developed design principles for long-distance operation, focusing on system-level efficiency and reliability.
A startup collaboration between Silly Surfacing and the University of Pittsburgh's IDEA Lab has led to the development of a pothole-filling robot, utilizing 3D scanning, mapping, and computer vision to repair road damage. The system uses a time-of-flight camera and can fill a pothole at full scale.
Researchers at MIT have created tiny, bioresorbable batteries that can power ingestible electronic devices, such as RFID tags and capsules that stimulate ghrelin production, for up to three days. The batteries, made from magnesium and molybdenum trioxide, can be fully broken down and absorbed by the body, reducing environmental impact.
Binghamton University professor Mohammad Younis leads a project to develop an ultrasensitive gas detection MEMS device with autonomous actuation to detect thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries. The device features a vibrating wire and thermal conductivity principle, and can be self-contained and act autonomously
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas discovered that making ice colder can weaken its grip on surfaces, making it easier to remove. This challenges conventional thinking and suggests that in extremely cold environments, cooling ice rather than warming it may be a better approach.
The consortium aims to improve inspection and maintenance tasks using robotics, focusing on corrosion detection and surface maintenance in extreme environments. SwRI will manage the project, leveraging its expertise in manufacturing robotics, mechanical engineering and oil and gas services to deliver pioneering robotic solutions.
Researchers at Binghamton University and Georgia Tech are developing computer models and conducting experiments to understand the behavior of oil-coated bubbles in turbulence. This research could lead to breakthroughs in environmental cleanups, drug delivery, and energy-efficient desalination systems.
A new printable textile enables motion-controlled, adaptive thermal management by combining passive radiative cooling and biomechanical energy harvesting. The technology allows for wearable applications like athletic clothing and maintains temperatures 3 to 6 degrees Celsius below the surrounding air in outdoor tests.
Researchers found that composite metal foam (CMF) can absorb more energy during high-velocity impacts, reducing crash severity and improving driver and passenger safety. CMF outperformed conventional front rail designs, increasing safety limits by up to 40% and reducing maximum deceleration by 38%.
A new framework jointly optimizes UAV trajectories and FANET topology to maximize data transmission, outperforming existing methods in field experiments and simulations. The approach enables more efficient and reliable multi-UAV missions for environmental monitoring and other applications.
Harvard researchers have developed a mechanics-based framework to control crumpling on inflatable membranes, enabling the creation of reconfigurable, bistable structures. By locally controlling crumples on the surface, the researchers can tune the stability of the whole structure, giving rise to complex shapes and forms.
Researchers at MIT developed bifur-circuits, a new type of shape-changing smart device that can be reconfigured to form different shapes and maintain electrical connections. These interactive building blocks can be used to create adaptable smart devices, such as assistive furniture and reconfigurable robotic grippers.
Seoul National University researchers use probabilistic fracture mechanics to assess pipe rupture frequency in nuclear power plants, accounting for degradation mechanisms and individual parameters. The study highlights the importance of inspections in reducing rupture frequency, and the results can help engineers identify key factors g...
Joachim Groß, a process engineer, has received an ERC Advanced Grant to develop an open-source system that combines empirical and physical models for predicting complex chemical processes. The system aims to overcome the limitations of current models and provide a high degree of precision for both science and industry.
SwRI has developed advanced computer models to realistically simulate supercritical CO₂ environments for CCUS, allowing for the testing of downhole equipment with CO₂. The test rig and computational models enable the observation of tool performance and reliability in realistic conditions.
Researchers create synthetic materials that selectively recognize and bind to biological substances, improving detection and removal of harmful pathogens. The materials combine recognition and absorption capabilities to enhance performance in complex fluids, supporting advances in water purification, disease monitoring, and food safety.
Researchers at SwRI will use a plasma reactor to convert waste CO2 into solid carbon for a domestic graphite supply, reducing reliance on foreign imports. The team aims to produce graphite through a process that involves tuning the CO2 molecule to remove oxygen atoms and solidify into carbon allotropes.
Engineers at Texas A&M University, NASA, and Purdue University create algorithms for managing spacecraft traffic around Gateway, a lunar spaceport. The system balances fuel efficiency and operational demands to reduce the risk of collisions during space missions.
A new training interface, World-Space Interface, mimics the movements of an excavator's arm and bucket, eliminating the need for mental maps to operate the machine. The system consists of a mechanical arm and a virtual simulator, allowing operators to physically control the excavator in a cab or remotely.
A HKU engineering team has achieved a breakthrough by uncovering the microscopic physical nature of ultralarge elasticity in covalent semiconductors. They discovered that ultra-large tensile strains in silicon and diamond originate from reversible atomic lattice displacements.
The University of Hong Kong has pioneered 'RoboDojo', a unified benchmarking platform evaluating robotic manipulation across simulated and physical environments. The platform's initial findings reveal a significant performance gap between current robotic systems and human capabilities.
Chao-Yang Wang, a world-renowned battery innovator, has been appointed Vice President and Executive Director of the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute. He brings over three decades of experience in academia and research leadership to advance safe and reliable energy storage technologies.
Researchers found that electrifying kilns and using DAC can significantly reduce cement production's climate impact. The technology removes more CO₂ than it generates over its lifecycle, with efficiencies ranging from 85-96% depending on the energy mix used.
A multidisciplinary project combines computer modeling, particle science, and pharmaceutical science to create more effective inhalers for people who can't inhale deeply. Researchers found that improved designs can reduce deposition in the mouth and throat, increase penetration of particles into the lungs.
A new AI-powered system developed at the University of Waterloo can predict how modern house fires behave, enabling smarter evacuation routes and safer buildings. The system analyzes complex data from experimental fires using machine-learning algorithms, providing insights into toxic smoke hazards and combustion chemistry.
Researchers propose a new analytical approach to determine the limiting velocity of an avalanche crack, revealing that it may propagate at supersonic speeds in certain situations. The findings reconcile conflicting interpretations and provide insights into designing structures impacted by snow masses.
A cross-disciplinary team developed a near-infrared fluorescent dye, SID-788, with excellent biocompatibility and superior ureter imaging performance. The dye enables clear ureter visualisation for at least four to five hours in porcine models using clinical NIR laparoscopes and robotic surgical systems.
Researchers have developed a novel hybrid control strategy for quasi-zero stiffness isolators, addressing payload variations and residual resonant peaks. The 'smart cushion' can adapt to changing loads in seconds, making it crucial for precision applications like chip manufacturing and robot handling of fragile goods.
A team of researchers from Chiba University developed a method to monitor laser ablation in real time by detecting tiny push-back forces during laser cutting. By tracking the recoil force, they can sense depth and detect completion in real time, allowing for precise control over the process.
Researchers at Binghamton University are developing an ear probe that utilizes the unique way spiders 'hear' through their webs to detect inner-ear problems. The probe uses patented sensing technology inspired by spider silk, which can respond to sound with perfect fidelity from 1 Hz up to 50 kHz.
Twenty NII papers were accepted at ACL 2026, including two that won the Best Theme Paper and Outstanding Paper awards. These achievements lay the groundwork for developing trustworthy AI and advancing research in explainability and transparent AI.
Two Lehigh University AI projects have been selected for funding from the Department of Energy's Genesis Mission. The RIVER-AI project will improve flood- and water-level prediction, while the REACT project aims to accelerate reactor-scale fusion energy by developing an AI-enabled digital twin. These awards strengthen Lehigh University...
A research group at Tohoku University has overturned the long-standing assumption that smoother surfaces produce less aerodynamic drag. By applying Distributed Micro-Roughness, they achieved a world-first experimental demonstration of up to 43.6% drag reduction.
Researchers identified simple changes to surgical tools that can significantly affect how pressure is distributed across the esophageal wall during neck surgery. Wider retractor blades reduced stress beneath the center of the blade by up to 82%, but also shifted higher stress toward the edges.
The SWRI and UT San Antonio experiment will test the Mars Atmospheric Reactor for Synthesis of Consumables (MARS-C) in partial gravity environments. The MARS-C is designed to produce fuel, oxygen, and life-support compounds using local resources on Mars.
Researchers at MIT have created a precise way to engineer artificial blood vessels by mechanically stretching and pulling a "blood vessel on a chip". The new method, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, enables controlled sprouting of new vessels and programming of their growth patterns.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown damage mechanism in metals under shear loading, where stiff particles inhibit material movement and boost void growth. The study used synchrotron computed laminography and 3D simulation methods to investigate an aluminum alloy and found significant damage growth up to sixfold.
Flexible electromagnetic induction-type tactile sensors offer a promising route for low-power, robust and self-powered interfaces. The researchers provided a systematic roadmap for development, including application-oriented design and multimodal integration with other sensing mechanisms.
Researchers at UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science developed CRAFTS, a plug-and-play software that simplifies engineering design. The software offers a user-friendly interface and modularity, making it accessible to users without extensive coding knowledge.
A new collaborative study has developed an electrochemical device that can pull carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere using electricity and water-based chemistry, addressing the planet's excess CO2 problem. The technology is designed to reduce new emissions and remove CO2 that has already accumulated in the atmosphere.
A new robot designed by MIT engineers can swim underwater and fly through the air, mimicking the abilities of diving birds. The robot's wing flapping frequency and tail angle were adjusted to enable a smooth transition from swimming to flying.
The HKU Robocon teams, consisting of 55 students from engineering and science backgrounds, showcased exceptional talent and innovation in the competition. They adopted complementary tactical approaches, with Team Sapientia deploying an offensive strategy and Team Virtus focusing on a defensive approach.
The Ferreira group's Cloud-Direct NC (C-DNC) framework integrates hardware, software, and cloud resources to enhance machine control, enabling machines to learn, adapt, and improve. This innovation has already won awards and is being commercialized through a startup venture called ToolBit.
A University of Houston engineer developed a real-time safety system for quadrotor drones that can prevent accidents caused by unexpected events. The new technology uses a 'safety supervisor' module to monitor the drone's tilt and position in real time, ensuring it stays within safety limits.
Researchers developed a new battery management system that uses everyday charging data to detect when silicon is most vulnerable. This helps guide battery temperature control to protect it. By applying heat when silicon works harder and cooling the battery when graphite takes over, the system aims to extend EV battery life.
A modular system designed by Worcester Polytechnic Institute Assistant Professor Jiawei Yang enables the creation of customized hydrogel implants with tailored stiffness and functionality. The system addresses critical challenges in implant design, including adhesion and immune rejection, to improve long-term performance.
A study by University of California, Davis researchers found that red-tailed hawks adjust their wing and tail movements to compensate for missing feathers during molt. The findings could inform wildlife rehabilitation efforts and inspire more resilient UAVs.
Roschli's research applies large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) to nuclear energy construction, reducing production times from weeks to days. He was recognized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for his contributions to additive manufacturing innovations.
Researchers aim to create a physics-based forecasting tool that predicts degradation and durability of TiFe-based metal hydride vessels through a chemical and thermo-mechanical framework. The tool will enable accurate lifecycle assessments of solid-state hydrogen storage systems.
Researchers at Harvard's SEAS have developed a highly sensitive calorimeter that can detect metabolic heat signals on the order of 100 picowatts in living cells. The device tracks the growth of small populations of bacteria in real-time, including monitoring how bacterial growth changes in response to different antibiotics.
Nikhil Bajaj's $649K NSF CAREER Award aims to develop a unified computational framework for designing nonlinear systems. The approach targets bifurcation behavior in devices such as ultrasensitive gas-leak detectors and energy harvesters. By starting from explicit behavior specification, researchers can engineer systems backwards.
Researchers developed a designable van der Waals crystal that mimics the functions of human neurons and synapses using light. The device demonstrates key synaptic functionalities and achieves high accuracy in edge detection and image recognition tasks.
Researchers at HKU have discovered a significant piezoelectric effect in ultrathin and ultra-flexible polycrystalline diamond membranes. The finding challenges the long-held assumption that diamonds are non-piezoelectric, opening up new possibilities for medical and energy applications.
James Dante, a leading expert in corrosion science, has been named Fellow of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance. He is renowned for developing laboratory test methods to predict corrosion and coating system degradation, and his work has been instrumental in standards development.
Researchers at Penn State developed photomemristors that adjust sensitivity based on light levels, like the human eye. These devices can process light data faster and more accurately than traditional systems in mixed lighting environments.
Large-scale simulations show that chemical impurities trigger graphitic interface formation in amorphous carbon, promoting low-friction surfaces. Hydrogen and oxygen-based impurities help stabilize tiny voids within the carbon network.
A new study by URV reveals that temperature affects aerosol dispersion, making respiratory diseases more contagious. The researchers found that greater temperature differences between exhaled air and ambient air cause clouds of particles to remain more concentrated and travel further.
Researchers at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) have developed methods for analyzing light emitted during hypervelocity impacts using high-speed spectroscopy. The study aims to identify materials involved in collisions, benefiting missile defense and planetary science fields.