Articles tagged with Mechanical Engineering
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Researchers developed piezoelectric patch sensors that track finger movements to play rock-paper-scissors, promoting self-motivated healthcare and entertainment. The sensors provide quantifiable data and objective feedback, improving patient outcomes through accessibility, independence, and motivation.
Dustin T. Osborne, a SwRI staff engineer, was elected ASME Fellow for his significant contributions to locomotive emissions measurement and large-bore engine performance evaluations. He has led various testing campaigns and published numerous papers on alternative fuels and emissions control technologies.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are designing how humans will build and survive on the moon, focusing on sustainable construction using lunar regolith. The institution's efforts aim to reduce costs associated with shipping materials to the moon, making it possible to produce rocket propellant locally.
A new approach combines MRI scans and AI tools to measure fluid flow in the brain, shedding light on the glymphatic system’s mechanics. The study reveals two main ways the system washes away particles, with one way moving faster than the other.
Researchers at SKKU have created a highly efficient water-splitting catalyst that activates 'lattice oxygen' to break the oxygen evolution reaction bottleneck. By controlling atomic spacing, they enabled robust metal-oxygen interactions, achieving lower energy levels than precious metal catalysts.
A high-resolution model developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers shows that river levels once expected every 50 years now occur every few years due to climate change. The 1-in-100-year threshold marks a tipping point when flooding spreads rapidly across the urban landscape.
Professor Zhou's research explores heat transfer mechanisms across diverse materials to develop innovative solutions for electronics and sustainable architecture. His work has potential applications in improving mobile device performance and reducing energy consumption in data centers.
Researchers Nadim Hmeidat and Amber Hubbard have been honored with the 2026 Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) for their contributions to advanced manufacturing research and engineering innovation.
Researchers developed a stevia-PVA hydrogel-based triboelectric nanogenerator that demonstrates improved mechanical strength, electrical output, and recyclability. The device achieves over 70% visible light transmittance and can be recycled via a water-assisted process, making it an eco-friendly material for wearable devices.
Researchers create shape-morphing filaments using rotational multimaterial 3D printing, enabling programmable artificial muscles that bend and twist on demand. The breakthrough could accelerate the development of complex technologies such as soft robotics, energy damping, and biomedical devices.
The study introduces an architectural approach to improve carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites' strength and resistance to catastrophic failure. The design features custom-designed thermoplastic lattice interlayers that preserve load-bearing pathways while allowing damage to spread gradually.
The H4PERION project will demonstrate the safe and reliable use of a hydrogen-capable internal combustion engine on a large commercial vessel, combining full-scale engine development with onboard demonstration and digital modelling. The project aims to shorten the path from research to real-world impact for low- and zero-carbon shipping.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a rapid way to engineer blood clots that stop severe bleeding and support tissue healing more effectively. The technique, called 'click clotting,' links red blood cell surface proteins through a chemical reaction, resulting in a biocompatible clot.
Wagner's research aims to bridge the gap between molecular structure and mechanical properties, using machine learning to analyze entanglements in polymer chains. This could lead to designing more effective biomimetic tissue implants and other cutting-edge biomedical devices.
The new facility enables scientists to observe and measure detonation forces in unprecedented detail, shedding light on industrial safety risks and potential breakthroughs. Researchers aim to develop safer designs and protocols by examining detonation disasters like the Buncefield Fire.
A new study from Rice University transforms lunar regolith simulant into a valuable building resource, strengthening advanced composite materials by up to 30-40%. The innovative approach reduces dependence on Earth-supplied materials, increasing the feasibility of longer missions and infrastructure development.
Quaise Energy is building the world's first power plant using superhot geothermal energy, with the goal of producing at least 50 megawatts of clean electricity. The project aims to harness temperatures greater than 300 degrees C and validate its long-held hypothesis that higher subsurface temperatures can improve power production.
MIT researchers found plants respond to sound waves generated by raindrops, stimulating germination. Seeds exposed to rain sounds germinated 30-40% faster than those not exposed.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed a new class of miniature actuators using ultrathin silicone film-based pumps. The pumps can operate without motors, compressed air, or lubricants and can be switched on and off as needed.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed a new AI-powered snake-like robot that optimizes its movement using deep reinforcement learning. The robot's 'rolling motion' achieves twice the travel speed per unit of power consumption compared to traditional slithering motion, making it more efficient on flat surfaces.
The University of Hong Kong's High West Development has been awarded the Outstanding MiC Project (Design) award for its innovative application of Modular Integrated Construction. The project features high-quality design, campus planning, and heritage sensitivity, showcasing how MiC can be integrated with these aspects.
The forum brought together leading scholars and industry experts to discuss cutting-edge breakthroughs in advanced materials, energy science, sustainability, and micro-nano engineering. Key findings include innovative designs for atmospheric water harvesting and electrocatalysts for hydrogen economy.
Researchers at HKU have developed an innovative method for fabricating scalable, free-standing diamond membranes with exceptional efficiency and scalability. The breakthrough enables the production of ultra-flat and flexible diamond films crucial for next-generation electronic and photonic devices.