Articles tagged with Mechanical Engineering
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong develop a self-charging electrostatic face mask that can continuously replenish its electrostatic charge through the user's breathing. The mask provides high-efficiency airborne particle removal with 95.8% effectiveness after 60 hours of testing.
Researchers create 'Lego-like' BIND interface to assemble stretchable devices with excellent mechanical and electrical performance. The interface allows for easy connection of modules, enabling the development of highly functional wearable devices or soft robots.
A new clinical trial will assess the efficacy of an AI-powered massage robot, EMMA, in managing chronic low back pain. The study aims to explore the effectiveness of robotic Tuina therapy in alleviating pain and improving health outcomes.
The study introduces a new design paradigm for electromagnetics using compliant mechanisms, which can change operating frequencies without hinges or bearings. This technology surpasses origami designs in robustness and long-term reliability.
Engineers at MIT and Caltech have developed an ingestible sensor that can track its location as it moves through the digestive tract, revealing where slowdowns in digestion may occur. The sensor uses a magnetic field produced by an electromagnetic coil outside the body to calculate its position.
A team of researchers from Vietnam and Korea investigated the collapse of a spherical bubble near an oscillating wall using a two-phase flow model. The study revealed significant jet formation, higher pressure peaks, and faster collapse times compared to fixed wall scenarios.
The team developed a way to stack red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes to create vertical, multicolored pixels, enabling higher-resolution displays. This technique could enable fully immersive virtual reality experiences and improve digital screens' sharpness and resolution.
Researchers have created a set of computational models to predict the structure, mechanical properties, and functional performance outcomes of granular hydrogels. The new framework could make it easier to design materials that can be injected for different types of applications.
Researchers developed a haptics-based automated driving system that encourages continuous engagement between drivers and automation. The system achieves this through three functionalities: interaction, arbitration, and inclusion, resulting in increased safety and comfort for human drivers.
A Korean joint research team has developed a new tissue adhesive that restores damaged corneas by filling them and exposing them to light, potentially treating cornea ulcers without surgical interventions. The new sealant integrates well with adjacent tissues and promotes scar-free corneal tissue reconstruction.
Researchers at KAIST developed a quadrupedal robot control technology that enables robots to walk robustly on deformable terrain like sandy beaches. The technology uses artificial neural networks to simulate ground characteristics and adapt to changing environments, allowing the robot to maintain balance and perform high-speed walking.
Engineers design miniature robots that can rapidly shift between liquid and solid states, with magnetic properties, to overcome traditional robot limitations. The new material is used to remove foreign objects, deliver drugs, and assemble parts in hard-to-reach spaces, opening up new possibilities for medical and engineering applications.
A CU research team has developed a method to transform medical images into incredibly detailed 3D models on the computer, which can be printed and used for surgical planning. The approach uses custom software to convert scan data into volumetric pixels, allowing for more accurate representations of human anatomy.
Researchers developed a new tool using vortex ultrasound to break down blood clots in the brain, which eliminated clots more quickly than existing techniques. The approach works by inducing shear stress on the blood clot, reducing risk of hemorrhage in the brain.
Engineers at MIT and Georgia Tech have developed a faster and simpler way to model intrusion through any soft, flowable material. The new method uses Resistive Force Theory (RFT) and adapt it to 3D, predicting forces needed to push objects through sand, gravel, or other soft media in real-time.
Purdue University researchers employ a cellular signal processing system to analyze the migration of cancer cells, identifying the impact of chemical cues and fluid flow on cell movement. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding cancer metastasis and the development of more effective treatments.
Researchers have identified the need for standardization of performance indices and a single frame for normalization methods to address concerns with bioelectrochemical systems. The study proposes strategies for up-scaling BES technologies, enabling resource recovery through on-site treatment of wastewater at an efficiency comparable t...
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to fabricate ever-smaller transistors from 2D materials by growing them on existing silicon wafers. The new method, called nonepitaxial, single-crystalline growth, enables the production of pure, defect-free 2D materials with excellent conductivity.
A team of researchers has made two technical breakthroughs to grow high-quality 2D materials, overcoming challenges such as securing single crystallinity and preventing irregular thickness. Their method enables the growth of single-domain heterojunction TMDs at wafer scale, paving the way for next-generation electronics.
A new digital twin of laser-directed energy deposition repair technology has been developed to improve industrial sustainability. The system automatically determines optimum forming conditions, reducing metal powder waste and increasing the effectiveness of the repair process.
A new understanding of how particle shape controls grain flow can help engineers plan for downstream impacts of restoring a river or removing a dam. The MIT team's better formula estimates bed load transport by considering a grain's drag and friction, rather than its exact shape.
Researchers at Aston University discovered that mechanical vibrations can improve balance control and strengthen calf muscles. The study, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that whole-body vibration could be used to reduce falls and hospital bed days in older people.
A UVA research team developed a real-time detection method for keyhole pore generation in laser powder bed fusion, achieving a 100% prediction rate. This approach expands additive manufacturing capabilities for aerospace and other industries relying on strong metal parts.
Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China designed a hybrid architecture to enhance resistance in a wide range of impact velocities. The study found that nacre-like structures perform well under low-speed loads but dissipate less energy than laminated structures at higher speeds.
Researchers from Okayama University developed a novel mechanical compression method to squeeze maximum benefits from plant biomass. The technique reduces energy consumption by eliminating the need for thermal drying, making it ideal for on-site operation and locally grown plants.
Researchers developed a semi-submersible vehicle that can travel quickly with low drag and a low profile, making it ideal for military, commercial, and research purposes. The vessel's design allows it to collect and transmit data while minimizing energy expenditure.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a highly sensitive and stretchable strain sensor that can detect minor changes in strain with great range of motion. The sensor's innovative design features a patterned cut network that enables it to withstand significant deformation without sacrificing sensitivity.
M.A.R.V.E.L.'s magnetic soles made of Electro-Permanent Magnet (EPM) and Magneto-Rheological Elastomer (MRE) enable fast movement on uneven surfaces. The robot can climb at speeds of up to 70 cm/s on walls and 50 cm/s on ceilings, making it the world's fastest walking climbing robot.
Researchers at POSTECH have created a humidity-responsive display that changes brightness and color depending on humidity levels, allowing for infinite imaging capabilities. The technology uses polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and single-step nanoimprinting to achieve high-tunability of holographic images.
Texas A&M researchers have developed a method to embed hidden magnetic tags in metal parts, providing a new tool to combat counterfeited goods. The technique uses metal additive manufacturing to create unique identifiers that can be read using a magnetic sensor device.
The UTSA-led Consortium on Nuclear Security Technologies (CONNECT) has received a five-year, $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. The program aims to educate and train the next generation of scientists and engineers in nuclear security, with a focus on underrepresented students.
Researchers found that providing language descriptions of tools can accelerate a simulated robotic arm's learning of tool manipulation. The team used GPT-3 to obtain tool descriptions and showed improved performance in tasks such as pushing, lifting, sweeping, and hammering with new tools.
University of Illinois researchers derived the depth profile of electric double layers using statistical analysis and electrostatic calculations. They developed a new method, CP-3D-AFM, to experimentally quantify the charge distribution at electrode-electrolyte interfaces.
The research team successfully transplanted a stem cell sheet onto the heart, promoting angiogenesis and improving cardiac function. The technique has improved integration and engraftment rates, addressing challenges in patch-based treatments for myocardial infarction.
A high-precision 3D printing method has been developed to produce polarisation-encoded 3D anticounterfeiting labels with increased data encryption density. The new label can encrypt more digital information than a traditional 2D label.
A pilot study conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that a low-cost computer vision system was feasible and well-received by employees. The system accurately detected mask adherence 100% of the time, with most participants experiencing a positive interaction.
Researchers used a novel modeling method to study hummingbird wing movement, revealing previously unknown principles of actuation. They found that hummingbirds' primary muscles pull wings in three directions: up and down, back and forth, and twisting. This discovery has implications for technological development of agile aerial systems.
Researchers discovered that eye movements can reveal valuable information about how humans make decisions. The study found that the speed and vigor of eye movements increased as participants considered their options before making a choice.
Researchers developed a simple and accurate method for markerless gait analysis, combining RGB camera-based pose estimation with IMU sensor data. The new technique outperformed existing methods in measuring gait parameters and joint angles, showing significant promise for clinical settings and diverse applications.
A University of Houston researcher has developed a method to describe complex systems using the least number of variables possible, reducing complexity from millions to just one. This advancement speeds up science with efficiency and ability to understand and predict natural system behavior.
Researchers create a soft robot that can detect damage and heal itself using stretchable fiber-optic sensors and polyurethane urea elastomer. The SHeaLDS technology provides a damage-resistant robot that can self-heal from cuts, and the researchers plan to integrate it with machine learning algorithms for more tasks.
Lehigh University has received nearly $1.75 million in funding from the US Department of Energy to support fusion energy research, specifically for ITER's long-pulse scenarios. The project aims to prepare ITER for operation and address critical research questions related to plasma control.
University of Minnesota researchers have developed a contactless manipulation method using ultrasound waves, which can move larger objects without physical contact. This technique uses metamaterial physics to steer objects in desired directions, enabling control through sound reflection.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science developed a new electrostatically controlled clutch that enables soft robotic hands to hold 4 pounds, 40 times more than before. The clutch uses a fracture-mechanics-based model to achieve this feat while requiring only 125 volts of electricity.
Researchers developed a novel 3D printing technique to fabricate complex metal–plastic composite structures with arbitrarily complex shapes. The process, called MM-DLP3DP, allows for the creation of precise metal patterns and high-quality metal coatings, enabling the development of highly integrated and customizable microelectronics.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed a compact vibration energy harvester that amplifies electric power generated from human walking motion by about 90 times. The device can generate electricity from non-stationary vibrations, including walking motion, to power small wearable devices.
Researchers found that boron arsenide's thermal conductivity decreases at extremely high pressures, breaking the general rule of pressure dependence. This discovery may lead to novel materials for smart energy systems with built-in 'pressure windows'.
Researchers at Lehigh University have received a $1.2 million NSF grant to purchase a new plasma focused ion beam system for studying material deformation at the nanoscale. The system enables in situ mechanical testing and EBSD analysis, allowing for detailed study of microstructural elements and
A group of international scientists transformed a top-down process into one that provides electricity to remote Amazonian communities. The "Inclusive engineering" approach engages with local values and preferences, ensuring the system is maintained by the community.
A POSTECH research team developed single-cell-driven tri-channel encryption meta-displays, which project different images depending on where you look at them. These displays overcome the limitations of conventional metasurfaces by combining amplitude modulation and geometric phase manipulation.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University have developed a technique to convert waste paper into lithium-ion battery electrodes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing durability. The new method uses carbonisation and laser cutting to create reusable batteries with superior properties.
CSU researchers created the first successful soft robotic gripper capable of manipulating individual droplets of liquid, enabling precise and lossless liquid cleanup work. The innovative device is lightweight, inexpensive, and can be used for hazardous liquid cleanup scenarios.
Scientists have developed a method to accurately measure the thermal expansion coefficient of 2D materials when heated, which could help engineers design next-generation electronics. The approach uses laser light to track vibrations of atoms in the material, allowing for precise measurements and confirming theoretical calculations.
A team of researchers used molecular dynamics simulations and electrochemical 3D atomic force microscopy to study the electric double layer structure of an ionic liquid on crystalline electrodes. They found that intermolecular interactions among cations and anions are stronger than electrode-specific interactions, proposing a key descr...
A new microscopy system using optical tapered fibers has successfully acquired images of photoacoustic signals without contrast agents. The resolution is sufficient for cellular imaging, including red blood cells, with a resolution of 1.0 ± 0.3 micrometers.
Researchers developed a new device, MAGENTA, that prevents and supports muscle atrophy recovery. The device stimulates muscles to stretch and contract, triggering key molecular pathways for growth. It has potential applications in treating various diseases such as ALS and MS.
A new MIT-developed heat treatment transforms 3D-printed metal microstructure, enabling energy-efficient 3D printing of blades for gas turbines and jet engines. Researchers discovered a way to improve the structure by adding an additional heat-treating step.
Engineers and chemists at the University of Illinois have combined electron microscopy and data mining to visualize chemical and physical alteration within ion batteries. The study reveals patterns of nucleation, growth, and coalescence that can inform the development of better rechargeable battery performance.
MU researchers, including Jay J. Thelen and Dong Xu, are exploring genetic modification to increase seed oil production in camelina and pennycress for biofuel use in the aviation industry. The team aims to create a sustainable 'green energy' source as an alternative to petroleum-based fossil fuels.
Researchers at MIT have created biomedical devices made from aluminum that can be disintegrated by exposing them to a liquid metal called eutectic gallium-indium. This process could eliminate the need for surgical or endoscopic procedures to remove medical devices, such as staples and stents.