Articles tagged with Mechanical Engineering
Engineers at MIT have developed a new laser-based technique to probe metamaterial structures with ultrafast pulses, enabling the dynamic characterization of microscale metamaterials. The LIRAS system excites and measures vibrations in hundreds of miniature structures within minutes, accelerating the discovery of optimal materials for a...
Researchers at Stanford University discovered that breast cancer cells use a collective, physical mechanism to break through the basement membrane barrier. In a 3D hydrogel model, cancer cells trapped within duct-like structures swelled and stretched, weakening the basement membrane and allowing escape.
A team of researchers has developed a novel experimental system to simultaneously measure the mechanical properties and internal structure of rubber-like materials. The study found that strain within these materials is non-uniform, depending on the shape and size of composite particles.
Researchers developed a wireless, leadless pacemaker that can partially recharge its battery by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. The device harvested approximately 10% of the energy necessary to pace the next beat, paving the way for longer battery life and reduced procedures for younger patients.
Researchers have successfully engineered a soft robotic replica of a 450-million-year-old marine organism, pleurocystitid, to better understand its biomechanical factors and locomotion. The study introduces the field of Paleobionics, which uses Softbotics to explore evolution and animal design.
A team of researchers at MIT has discovered a process where light can directly cause evaporation without heat, exceeding the thermal limit. This phenomenon could explain natural phenomena like fog and clouds, and enable new approaches to desalination.
Scientists from Japan create a new, more efficient form of liquefied stabilized soil from construction waste that can fill narrow spaces and be pumped over long distances. The material has improved flowability and lower environmental impact, making it suitable for large-scale civil engineering projects.
A new project aims to help robots assess risks and make autonomous decisions. The research focuses on quantifying ambiguity in robot perception to improve safety and efficiency.
Researchers at George Mason University are developing innovative biomass-based porous structures for energy-efficient water desalination and purification. The project aims to create a capacitive deionization process using spatial wood carbon scaffolds with nanocellulose fillers.
Researchers developed a new method that allows designing 3D-printed metal parts with varying strength levels, electrical conductivity, or corrosion resistance. The technique uses 3D-printing steps and can reduce manufacturing costs.
A team of researchers from POSTECH successfully engineered a dual metalens capable of switching between different imaging modes using a single lens. This innovation enables fast mode-switching and acquisition of high-resolution images for applications such as bio-imaging and cellular reactions.
A HKU engineering team has achieved a major breakthrough in battery technology by developing a high-performance quasi-solid-state magnesium-ion (Mg-ion) battery. The new design offers a sustainable, safe, and high-energy-density alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Researchers discovered a wide range of organisms, including microbes and humans, exhibit similar movement patterns to navigate their surroundings. These patterns are thought to be linked to uncertainty management in the brain.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a system that uses atomic vacancies in silicon carbide to measure the stability and quality of acoustic resonators, which could improve communications and offer new control for quantum computing. The technique also allows for acoustically-c...
A team of researchers from City University of Hong Kong and Shanghai Jiao Tong University has developed a novel aluminium alloy with unprecedented fatigue resistance using advanced 3D printing techniques. The new alloy, called NTD-Al, surpasses the fatigue strength of high-strength wrought Al alloys and conventional metals.
A team of researchers developed soft yet durable materials that glow in response to mechanical stress, using single-celled algae and a seaweed-based polymer. The materials demonstrate inherent simplicity, no electronics needed, and can be used as mechanical sensors or soft robotics, while also being resilient and self-sustaining.
Researchers created a hydrogel mat with magnetic microparticles that mimic the forces of exercise. The team found that regularly exercising muscle cells resulted in longer, aligned fibers, and improved contraction capabilities.
Researchers have developed soft implantable fibers that can deliver light to major nerves through the body, allowing for precise illumination of nerve pain. The fibers are flexible and stretch with the body, enabling scientists to study peripheral nerve disorders in animal models without constraining movement.
Researchers developed a nanotechnology method to deliver medication through the blood-brain barrier, overcoming its selectivity and expanding therapeutic options for glioblastoma treatment. The technique demonstrated improved tumor shrinkage and survival rates in mice, paving the way for further preclinical studies.
The MIT team designed a train-like system of reactors that harnesses the sun's heat to produce clean hydrogen fuel with up to 40% efficiency. This could drive down costs and make solar thermochemical hydrogen (STCH) a scalable option for decarbonizing transportation.
A research team at UNIST has developed a groundbreaking stretchable high-resolution multicolor synesthesia display that generates synchronized sound and light. This technology shatters preconceived boundaries in multifunctional displays, offering unparalleled optical performance and precise sound pressure levels.
Multistable mechanical metamaterials can switch between multiple stable configurations under external loading, making them reusable and efficient for quick action. Their unique properties make them promising for various engineering applications, including energy absorption, soft actuators/robots, and wave control.
A team of researchers has developed a stable, long-lasting superhydrophobic surface with a plastron that can last for months underwater. The surface repels blood and prevents the adhesion of marine organisms, making it valuable for biomedical applications such as reducing infection after surgery.
Duke researchers demonstrate that incorporating rhythm into movement designs can optimize performance and efficiency for robots and animals. By varying the timing of movements, optimal rhythms can be achieved, affecting all aspects of design.
Researchers add graphene to Bi-2223 superconductors, increasing critical current density and improving phase formation. The findings suggest potential applications in various fields, including power generation, transportation, and quantum computing.
Researchers from FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science employ a computer-vision deep learning technique to analyze wall-bounded turbulent flows. They successfully identify the sources of extreme events in a data-driven manner, providing new insights into non-linear relationships in fluid dynamics simulations.
A new fabrication process for photo-thermoelectric imagers on soft sheets has been developed, enabling highly durable non-destructive inspections. The process simplifies the integration of multi-functional device substrates, contributing to the manufacturing of image sensor sheets.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed three morphing robotic schemes that can change shape on demand, mimicking nature's adaptability. The robots can sense their surroundings, adjust their shape to grasp or navigate obstacles, and potentially aid humans in disaster areas.
Researchers aim to access ocean waters hidden beneath ice shelves, where critical information about climate change is stored. An intelligent mothership and coordinated marine robots will communicate data from under-ice cavities, optimizing sampling and configuration.
Researchers have developed an integrated sensor capable of capturing and enhancing bio-signals, paving the way for potential treatments of brain disorders. The innovative technology uses inkjet printing to create a flexible substrate with a custom-made sensor.
Researchers at Cornell University have created an insect-scale quadrupedal robot powered by combustion that can outrace, outlift, and outflex its electric-driven counterparts. The robot's actuators produce 9.5 newtons of force and operate at frequencies greater than 100 hertz.
A new laser-based sampling system allows for higher depth resolution, enabling scientists to reconstruct continuous annual temperature changes thousands of years ago. The LMS system overcomes previous limitations in sampling ice cores, preserving critical oxygen and hydrogen isotopes needed to infer past temperatures.
The University of Texas at Dallas will develop and commercialize new battery technologies, enhance domestic raw material availability, and train workers for the expanding battery industry. The Energy Storage Systems Campus will leverage $200 million in private capital.
Researchers developed a groundbreaking soft valve technology that integrates sensors and control valves into soft robots, eliminating the need for electric components. This innovation enables safe operation underwater or in environments with sparks risks, reducing weight burdens and costs.
The Beckman Institute has received a $3.6 million NSF grant to acquire an automated system for designing and analyzing polymers. The system will accelerate the discovery of useful materials, especially in combination with artificial intelligence.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed small robotic devices that can change their shape in mid-air using a Miura-ori origami fold, enabling battery-free control over descent. The devices can transition from tumbling to falling states, allowing for precise landings in turbulent wind conditions.
A digital twin of the bladder has been developed to simulate normal and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO)-affected function. The model will help researchers better understand the connection between changes in BOO bladder wall structure and functionality, enabling them to develop new treatments and predict treatment success rates.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a molecularly engineered hydrogel that can create clean water from hot air, using solar energy. The device produces up to 7 kilograms of water per kilogram of gel materials, with potential applications for drought-stricken areas and countries lacking access to clean water.
Researchers developed a self-decontaminating fabric that kills coronaviruses in under 5 seconds using Joule heating. The material can handle hundreds of uses with minimal waste, transforming the way personal protective equipment is made and used.
Researchers at Rice University developed wearable textile-based devices that utilize fluidic control to provide sophisticated haptic cues. The system enables users to navigate through real-world environments using tactile feedback, potentially enhancing visual and auditory inputs for those with impairments.
Researchers propose integrated metasurfaces that can be combined with standard optical components like LEDs and LCDs for commercialization. Collaboration between industry and academia is crucial for developing innovative optical platforms.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed a sensor technology called computer vision-based optical strain (CVOS) that enhances durability and streamlines fabrication processes. This breakthrough enables the precise recognition of intricate bodily motions through a single sensor.
Prof. Zuankai WANG's innovative structured thermal armour (STA) resolves the Leidenfrost effect above 1,000°C, enabling efficient liquid cooling in extreme temperatures. This breakthrough applies to aero-engines, space-engines, nuclear reactors, and electronics devices, with far-reaching implications for chemistry and beyond.
Researchers discovered a unique optical signature in magnetic beads, which can be used to detect pathogens like Salmonella. This technique enables quick detection within less than an hour, potentially revolutionizing food and water testing.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed an isochoric vitrification technique that preserves and revives live coral fragments without forming ice. This breakthrough enables the collection of coral samples throughout the year, supporting conservation efforts to protect reefs and their diverse ecosystems.
Researchers develop adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller to estimate unknown parameters and control nonlinear PAMs, showing improved tracking accuracy and adaptability compared to traditional methods.
Researchers developed a water-soluble nanoimprint mold to overcome challenges in metasurface fabrication. The novel approach enables high-resolution and high aspect ratio results at an affordable cost.
Researchers successfully recreated lung cancer patient's internal environment using hydrogel and 3D bioprinting, preserving specific lung cancer subtype and genetic mutation characteristics. The study enables precise drug evaluation and personalized treatment options for lung cancer patients with underlying diseases.
Scientists studied fluid dynamics to understand interfacial tension, a force affecting mixing of liquids. Their numerical simulation revealed a non-monotonic relationship between flow strength and hydrodynamic instability, overturning conventional wisdom.
A team of researchers has successfully created a high-performance graphene-dielectric interface using a novel technique called UV-assisted atomic layer deposition. This breakthrough results in uniform atomic layer deposition without compromising graphene's properties, leading to improved electrical performance and reduced defects.
University of Melbourne researchers developed a novel approach to 'tissue engineering' blood vessels by combining multiple materials and fabrication technologies. The method creates blood vessels with complex geometries like native blood vessels, offering a transformative solution for cardiovascular disease.
The Kennesaw State University's BRITE program aims to diversify the biomedical engineering field by recruiting students from underrepresented groups. Students will participate in clinical settings, receive faculty mentoring, and work on interdisciplinary research teams.
UVA professor Patrick Hopkins is developing a 'freeze ray' technology to cool electronics in spacecraft and high-altitude jets, which can't be cooled by nature due to the vacuum of space. The technology uses heat-generating plasma to create localized cooling, and has been granted $750,000 by the Air Force.
A Purdue University experiment is investigating how reduced gravity affects boiling and condensation, crucial for long-term space habitats. The research aims to provide data needed to answer decades-old questions about these phenomena in weightlessness.
Researchers have created a one-of-a-kind shape-shifting display that can generate scrolling text and fast enough to shake a chemistry beaker. The device uses soft robotic muscles that sense outside pressure, pop up to create patterns, and could potentially deliver the sense of touch in a digital age.
A new open-source software, NMSM Pipeline, enables clinicians and engineers to create personalized computer models of patient movement to optimize treatment designs. The software uses physics-based models to predict and optimize functional outcomes for patients with various mobility impairments.
Researchers at University of Houston develop prototype of fully stretchable fabric-based lithium-ion battery, addressing safety concerns and enabling new applications for wearable technology. The innovation uses conductive silver fabric as a platform and current collector, providing stable performance and safer properties.
Researchers develop energy-efficient chitinous films that can generate mechanical movement and produce electricity without external power. The films exhibit adaptability and molecular changes in response to environmental changes, enabling applications in engineering and biomedical fields.
Researchers investigated the fatigue behavior of 2D hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs), discovering they can survive over one billion cycles, outperforming most polymers under similar loading conditions. The study provides insights into designing and engineering these materials for long-term mechanical durability.
Researchers from Binghamton University found that collagen fibers in skin become more tightly packed together, leading to increased stiffness and tissue hardness. This study sheds light on the biological mechanisms behind sun-induced skin changes.