Mechanical Engineering
Articles tagged with Mechanical Engineering
Hmeidat, Hubbard named outstanding manufacturing engineers
When the Schuylkill swallowed the city: Lessons from Hurricane Ida’s historic flood
From common natural sweetener to high-performance energy material
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.
Toward artificial muscles that bend and twist on demand
Rice University students turn classroom project into publishable breakthrough in aerospace composites
Hydrogen takes a major step forward in maritime – University of Vaasa to coordinate ambitious European demonstration
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.
McGill researchers engineer faster, more effective blood clots
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.
NSF CAREER Award winner hopes to improve design of soft materials
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.
Texas A&M opens world’s largest academic controlled-explosions lab
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.
Rice-led research turns lunar material into building blocks for future moon infrastructure
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 on track to build world’s first power plant using superhot geothermal energy
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.
Plants can sense the sound of rain, a new study finds
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.
Hannover Messe: Thin polymer films – the material behind a new generation of pumps
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.
Smarter than slithering only: AI boosts snakebot movement efficiency
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.
HKU Department of Mechanical Engineering inaugurates X-Dimension: Frontiers in Engineering Science Forum
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.
HKU High West Development receives Outstanding MiC Project (Design) award
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.
HKU's ultra-thin diamond fabrication technology named among China’s top 10 scientific advances of 2025
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.
SwRI supports novel industrial heat production system
The Joule Hive Thermal Battery system can generate and store heat up to 1,800 degrees Celsius using renewable energy sources like solar or wind. The system's thermal energy storage capabilities make it possible for industrial sites to rely on renewable energy sources flexibly.
Ancient alphabets, new insights: Researchers uncover hidden links among the letters
Researchers from SDSU discovered surprising similarities among ancient writing systems from Africa and the Caucasus region. The study suggests the Armenian alphabet may be more closely related to the ancient Ethiopic writing system than previously thought, revealing possible cultural contact and influence between regions.
Wristband enables wearers to control a robotic hand with their own movements
Researchers at MIT have developed an ultrasound wristband that precisely tracks hand movements, allowing users to control a robotic hand or manipulate virtual objects. The device produces high-quality images of the wrist's muscles and tendons, which are then translated into specific hand positions, enabling precise movement control.
HKU engineers designed and fabricated inch-scale ultrahard diamond wafers with 200 GPa hardness
Researchers developed inch-scale, binder-free ultrahard diamond wafers with Vickers hardness exceeding 200 GPa. The ultra-hard diamond wafer exhibits outstanding wear resistance and structural stability, making it suitable for applications in extreme-environment electronics, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductor thermal management.
PolyU research unveils mechanoelectrical perception in sea urchin spines, empowering next-generation biomimetic sensors
A research team led by Prof. Wang Zuankai has discovered the mechanism behind mechanoelectrical perception in sea urchin spines, which allows them to detect water flow instantly. The team has developed a bionic metamaterial sensor using gradient porous structure and 3D printing, holding promise for sensing technology breakthroughs.
New test dissolves threat of fake drugs
Researchers have developed a low-cost fake drug detector that uses an infrared sensor to track pill dissolution rates. The device can identify legitimate medications from counterfeit ones with high accuracy, making it a valuable tool in the fight against global health threats.
Toward autonomous self-organizing biological robots with a nervous system
In a breakthrough study, researchers successfully integrated neuronal precursor cells into biobots, resulting in the formation of functional nervous systems. This development has significant implications for neuroscience, bioengineering, and regenerative medicine, enabling the investigation of fundamental questions about the origin of ...
Vibrating atomic tip sculpts 3D memory channels into fragile semiconductors
Prof. Yanquan Geng's team has devised a way to carve variable-depth, three-dimensional trenches into gallium antimonide using a microscopic tip vibrating thousands of times per second. This process improves the crystal's structural integrity and enables the creation of pristine 3D nanogrooves with controlled depths and widths.
SKKU develops hafnium oxide-based next-generation memory devices for AI hardware
Researchers at SKKU develop hafnium oxide-based ferroelectric transistor arrays for AI hardware, achieving high endurance and precise analog weight control. The devices demonstrated scalable operation and stable synaptic learning behavior, paving the way for next-gen in-memory computing technologies.
A dynamic twist of light’s ‘handedness’
The Harvard researchers' new device is elegantly designed to be tunable, with a bilayer design that becomes geometrically chiral and able to 'read' chiral light. By using the MEMS device to continuously vary the twist angle and interlayer spacing, the team showed they could tune the device's intrinsic ability to read different chiral l...
SwRI upgrades facilities to expand subsurface safety valve testing to new application
Southwest Research Institute has upgraded its facilities to accommodate subsurface safety valve (SSSV) testing for carbon capture and storage (CCS) applications. The upgrades support existing high-quality testing services while enabling efficient testing at extreme temperatures.
SwRI earns CMMC Level 2 cybersecurity certification
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has achieved CMMC Level 2 certification through an independent assessment, demonstrating a commitment to cybersecurity best practices. The certification covers SwRI's Intelligent Systems and Mechanical Engineering divisions and requires the organization to meet 110 security-related requirements.
SwRI and the NPSS Consortium release new version of NPSS® software with improved functionality
NPSS 3.3 offers new interfaces, features and data types to enhance model and component development times, supporting turbomachinery, air-breathing propulsion systems and hybrid electric systems. The software now includes FFI integration with external functions and built-in support for .CSV file format exports.
SwRI develops magnetostrictive probe for safer, more cost-effective storage tank inspections
The SwRI MST 8x8 probe uses guided-wave technology to detect corrosion in storage tanks with exceptional accuracy. It reduces expensive downtime by allowing inspections without emptying the tank, improving inspection safety in hazardous spaces.
Test platforms for charging wireless cars now fit on a bench
Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University have created a rotating tabletop device to test dynamic wireless power transfer for electric vehicles. They successfully replicated conditions of a car moving at 40 kilometers per hour, promising accelerated research into next-gen charging.
Why do we get a skip in our step when we’re happy? Thank dopamine
A new study by engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder found that dopamine influences movement speed, particularly when rewards are expected. The researchers discovered that people tend to move faster towards targets that offer rewards and experience a surge in energy when they receive unexpected treats.
Lehigh University engineering faculty named Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors
Five Lehigh University professors have been recognized for their innovative work, collectively holding over 2,000 U.S. patents. Their research focuses on diverse areas, including orthopaedic device technology, nanocrystalline alloys, and energy storage systems.
Leaping puddles create new rules for water physics
A team of scientists, led by Associate Professor Jiangtao Cheng, has discovered a previously unreported method to get a puddle of water up to 1 cm wide to jump into the air. The bursting energy of bubbles trapped inside the droplets is key to this phenomenon.
Utah engineers demonstrate lightweight ‘exoskeleton’ that helps stroke survivors walk
Utah engineers have created a wearable, portable hip exoskeleton that reduces the energy needed to walk by nearly 20% in individuals with hemiparesis after a stroke. The device helps compensate for reduced ankle propulsion and provides real-time motor assistance, improving mobility and quality of life.
A heatshield for ‘never-wet’ surfaces: Rice engineering team repels even near-boiling water with low-cost, scalable coating
Researchers developed a multilayered insulated superhydrophobic (MISH) coating that maintains repellency up to 90°C, outperforming conventional coatings. The coating's insulating layer reduces heat transfer, preventing condensation and maintaining 'never-wet' properties.
Sungkyunkwan University team led by Professor Taesung Kim pioneers next-generation AI semiconductors with a “thermal constraining” technique
Researchers developed a technology that precisely controls the internal structure of semiconductors using heat, enabling faster AI computations with reduced electricity. The approach improves the performance of next-generation artificial intelligence hardware.
3D printing soft robots
Researchers at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a new fabrication method for printing robotic devices with long filaments featuring precisely placed hollow channels. This allows the device to bend and deform in predetermined ways, enabling the creation of soft robots with predictable s...
A UC3M spin-off, 60Nd, secures €2.4 million from the EU to bring magneto-intelligent device to biomedical laboratories around the world
60Nd, a UC3M spin-off, develops NeoMag to study tumor behavior, traumatic brain injuries, and wound healing processes. The technology enables researchers to replicate physical disease behaviors and identify new therapeutic targets.
SwRI earns specialized accreditation for natural gas flow calibration
Southwest Research Institute's Metering Research Facility has received ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, confirming compliance with international testing and calibration standards. The facility offers highly specialized calibration services to energy sector clients using its recirculating natural gas flow lab.
Turning down the heat
A University of Houston professor has found that tree-like thin films release heat at least three times better than traditional methods, enabling more efficient cooling in AI data centers. The discovery demonstrates the power of physics-aware AI design for validating high-impact cooling solutions.
University of Houston professor elected to National Academy of Engineering
Venkat Selvamanickam, a University of Houston engineering professor, has been recognized by the National Academy of Engineering for his contributions to industrial-scale advanced manufacturing processes for high-temperature superconductor wires. His work has transformed the energy industry and modernized electric grids, strengthening e...
Researchers find a way to 3D print one of industry’s hardest engineering materials
Hiroshima University researchers develop novel 3D printing method to produce cemented carbides with high hardness and durability, reducing material waste and cost. The new technique maintains the hardness of conventionally manufactured WC-Co cemented carbides without defects or decomposition.
Dr. Barron Bichon promoted to vice president of SwRI’s Mechanical Engineering Division
Dr. Barron Bichon has been promoted to vice president of SwRI's Mechanical Engineering Division, overseeing a team of over 400 staff members. He will lead the division in advancing additive manufacturing and composite material bonding for defense and aerospace applications.
“A new security technology that locks information with light color and distance” — unhackable metasurface holograms
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a secure hologram platform that stores information using the wavelength of light and spacing between metasurface layers. The technology enables information processing using light alone, without electrical power or electronic chips.
Your future home might be framed with printed plastic
MIT engineers have designed a 3D-printed floor truss system made from recycled plastic, which exceeds building standards set by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The printed flooring can hold over 4,000 pounds and weighs about 13 pounds per truss, making it a lighter alternative to traditional wood-based trusses.
Dr. Ben Thacker named SwRI chief operating officer
Dr. Ben Thacker has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), directing its technical divisions and internal research program. Under his leadership, the institute aims to strengthen its operational foundation to support innovation.
Optimizing robotic joints
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new design method for optimizing rolling contact joints in robots, which can lead to better grippers, assistive devices, and more efficient robotic movement. The optimized joints performed spectacularly, correcting misalignment by 99% in knee-assist devices.
Mechanical engineers’ wood-based material could cut energy costs
A team of mechanical engineers has created a wood-based material that can store and release heat to make building temperatures more comfortable. The phase-change material reduces the need for air conditioning by harnessing excess heat from the environment.
Chung-Ang University scientists generate electricity using Tesla turbine-inspired structure
Researchers create novel contactless electricity generation technique leveraging electrostatic charges and viscous force of compressed air. The device generates high ESD-based outputs, powering electronic devices and regulating humidity.
Powering AI from space, at scale
Researchers have developed a passive, solar-powered orbital data center that can scale AI computing and reduce environmental impact. The system leverages decades of research on 'tethers' and could host thousands of computing nodes to replicate terrestrial data centers.
These caterpillars can hear using tiny hairs on their bodies
Researchers at Binghamton University discovered that caterpillars can hear airborne sounds via microscopic hairs on their bodies. The study found that the caterpillars were 10 to 100 times more responsive to airborne sound than surface vibrations felt on their feet, suggesting a new approach for improving microphone technology.
A single plate captures multiple frequencies at once
Researchers developed a new 'frequency-multiplexed elastic metasurface' that can precisely direct elastic waves at distinct frequencies onto different locations, enhancing signal intensity by up to 48 times. This technology breaks the conventional belief that one structure can perform only one function.
Donated blood has a shelf life. A new test tracks how it's aging
Researchers have developed a fast and easy test that can track the aging process of red blood cells after storage, potentially improving the quality of blood transfusions. The device uses surface acoustic waves to detect changes in metabolites associated with aging cells.
HKUST develops world’s first sub-zero Celsius elastocaloric green freezer, reshaping freezing industry with its zero emissions
Researchers at HKUST developed the world's first sub-zero Celsius elastocaloric freezing device, offering a promising solution to combat climate change. The device achieved a cold-source temperature of -12 ℃ and demonstrated its real-world freezing capability in a package testing outdoors.
Hydrogel cilia set new standard in microrobotics
Scientists created biologically realistic artificial cilia using hydrogel, enabling precise control over their motion. The tiny structures can be powered by low-voltage electrical signals and have shown remarkable durability and versatility.
Chonnam National University researchers develop novel virtual sensor grid method for low-cost, yet robust, infrastructure monitoring
A team of researchers from Chonnam National University has developed a novel superpixel-based virtual sensor framework for full-field vibration measurement. The approach offers robust and accurate motion estimation without the need for physical markers or contact sensors, making it suitable for large-scale infrastructure monitoring.
Hong Kong researchers break the single-field barrier with dual-field assisted diamond cutting
Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University create a new machining method that combines laser and magnetic fields to machine advanced materials like high-entropy alloys. The dual-field approach produces smoother surfaces, reduced damage, and improved material removal rates.