Articles tagged with Mechanical Engineering
Researchers used a new X-ray technique to capture detailed images of lung vessels affected by COVID-19. The study revealed that severe infection causes 'shunting' of blood between oxygenated and nutrient-rich systems, leading to reduced oxygenation.
Researchers developed a healable carbon fiber composite that can be repeatedly healed with heat, reversing fatigue damage. This material provides a way to break it down and recycle when it reaches the end of its life, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional thermosets.
Researchers at University of Missouri and University of Chicago develop an artificial material that can respond to its environment, make decisions, and perform actions not directed by humans. The material uses a computer chip to control information processing and convert energy into mechanical energy.
Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science used microscopy to examine surfactant onion layers, discovering they contain defects. Their findings are crucial for designing effective therapeutic carrier systems.
Researchers at the University of South Florida have invented a new technology that enables the rapid printing of wearable and electronic sensors without the need for polymer binders. This breakthrough can significantly reduce production time, making it suitable for applications such as health monitoring, prosthetics, and robotics.
Researchers have discovered a way to manipulate orbiting debris with spinning magnets, allowing for gentler maneuvering and potential repair of malfunctioning objects. The technology has the potential to help clear space junk from Earth's orbit and extend the life of satellites.
A team of WVU researchers has created a six-armed robot, StickBug, to assist with pollination tasks in greenhouse environments. The robot aims to improve food security during insect declines, support indoor agriculture, and provide services beyond what insects can do.
Researchers identified three MOFs providing the most energy efficient capture of SF6 under vacuum swing adsorption, while two others showed best performance under pressure swing adsorption. The study suggests that materials optimal for one process may not be optimal for the other.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that lack of sleep affects gait control, with students who stayed awake all night performing poorly. However, those who compensated for lost sleep by catching up on weekends showed improved walking control.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have developed an all-printed piezoelectric wearable device that detects hand gestures and heartbeats without an external power source. The device utilizes a new hybrid printing method combining multi-material aerosol jet printing and extrusion printing.
Texas A&M researchers are advancing technology to give touch devices the ability to mimic physical objects, enriching virtual environments and reducing audiovisual overload. The goal is to create predictive models for designing devices with maximum haptic effect and minimum sensitivity to users and environmental variations.
Researchers at MIT develop a method to decode images of cells in a tissue to determine its phase, which can indicate its developmental stage or cancer progression. The technique uses triangular order parameters to characterize tissue states, allowing for quicker and less invasive diagnoses.
Researchers created a shape-shifting material that can morph into any stable shape, enabling independent control of geometry and mechanics. The totimorphic structural materials have the potential to be used in robotics, biotechnology, architecture, and other applications.
A new method enables efficient discovery of reliable control system designs comparable to human experts, applicable to 'black box' systems without clear internal behavior. This research aims to reduce design costs and improve safety in various industries.
Plant biologists at Washington University in St. Louis have developed the first artificial scaffolds that can support individual plant cells, mimicking the properties of plant cell walls. The scaffolds demonstrate promising results for studying plant cell adhesion and growth.
Researchers from Michigan Technological University created a robot that uses Marangoni propulsion to move across liquid surfaces like insects. The robot's design is inspired by the ability of certain species to manipulate surface tension for speed and maneuverability.
Researchers created a paper-like material that folds itself into new shapes in response to environmental humidity, with potential applications in self-folding envelopes and boxes. The material's ability to morph on demand could lead to the development of autonomous origami robots and other complex shapes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a non-invasive optical probe to understand the complex changes in tumors after immunotherapy. Using Raman spectroscopy and machine learning, they identified key features that indicate how tumors respond to treatment, showing promising results for predicting patient response.
Researchers are developing insect-like robots for agriculture, mining, and space exploration using dynamic force sensing and agile movement. The goal is to create robots that can navigate difficult terrains and interact safely with humans.
Researchers developed a powered exoskeleton that provides extra energy for walking, reducing the strain on amputee muscles. The device was tested by six individuals with above-knee amputations, showing a 15.6% improvement in metabolic rate and allowing users to walk for extended periods.
Quaise Inc.'s new geothermal drilling technology uses millimeter waves to melt and vaporize rock, allowing for deeper access to hot resources. The company's test campaign aims to drill holes with increasing aspect ratios, simulating the full drilling process.
Researchers developed a technology to rapidly disinfect and recharge N95 respirators, restoring their filtration efficiency. The non-thermal method reduces plastic pollution and conserves electricity, limiting mask consumption to dozens per year.
Researchers have discovered an innovative way to navigate liquids on a surface without external force or energy. The breakthrough enables controllability, versatility and performance in delivering and transporting liquids, offering potential solutions for thermal management, desalination and other applications.
Travelling fires, which burn locally and spread across entire floors over time, can cause significant structural damage in large open-plan spaces. Researchers at Imperial College London have found that these lesser-known fires are a concern for buildings with fuel-rich environments, such as warehouses and offices.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a three-phase approach to optimize the hydraulic systems of tractors and implements. The team built a simulation model and tested it in a lab before conducting real-world tests on a tractor-planter combo. The results show improved efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Researchers at Purdue University have successfully reversed pancreatic cancer progression in a new model called the acinus, which produces digestive enzymes. The study found that reactivating the PTF1a gene in cancerous cells converted them back into normal cells, revealing a potential path to treating pancreatic cancer.
Researchers at Stanford University found that exoskeletons work best when users are given time to learn how to use the device, with customized control improving performance by around half. Participants who received optimized training saw significant reductions in energy expenditure, with benefits persisting even after they became experts.
Researchers create a novel framework for generating and detecting Lamb waves in transparent materials without damaging the sample. They use laser-induced plasma shock waves and high-speed polarization cameras to spot microscopic scratches, demonstrating potential for non-contact damage detection.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a new type of wireless strain sensor that offers improved sensitivity and accuracy. The sensor uses fragmented electrodes to detect changes in electrical resistance or capacitance, allowing for real-time monitoring of material strains.
A Japanese collaborative team presents a novel method for tuning hydrodynamic interfacial instability through a thermodynamic parameter controlling liquid–liquid phase separation. They successfully predict pattern changes of a growing interface by applying the maximum entropy production principle.
A new $3.8 million NSF EPSCoR RII Track-2 grant will enable the expansion of Future Factories Lab at the UofSC McNair Aerospace Center, investigating interactions between humans and automation in manufacturing facilities. The project aims to create a manufacturing resilience ecosystem with significant workforce development opportunities.
SUTD researchers develop sensor that assigns dirt score to areas based on visual and tactile analysis, allowing for more efficient exploration of complex spaces. The sensor is integrated with a smart algorithm that directs the robot to focus on areas with high dirt probability.
Researchers from FAU and MIT develop a microfluidic assay to study the mechanical performance of red blood cells under hypoxic conditions. The study reveals that cyclic hypoxia can lead to mechanical degradation of the red blood cell membrane, contributing to aging.
Researchers from Osaka University introduced a non-contact quality control technology to 3D printing by detecting fine-scale defects below the surface of 3D-printed metal assemblies. They used laser ultrasonics to uncover small defects that are frequently difficult to image.
A Rice University professor has received a $2.4 million grant from the NIH to develop open-source software for designing personalized treatments for movement impairments using computational modeling and simulation. The software will create customized computer models of individual patients, optimizing treatment solutions.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong discovered a way to steer the spreading direction of liquids on a surface inspired by the Araucaria leaf. By adjusting the surface tension, they can control the liquid flow direction, with implications for fluidics design and heat transfer enhancement.
Researchers at Monash University have developed a new type of battery that can store more energy than traditional lithium-ion batteries. By adding sugar to the positive electrode, they were able to stabilize the battery and increase its lifespan by up to 1000 cycles.
A mechanical engineering faculty-researcher at RIT is developing a microfluidic device to improve the detection of drug-resistant bacteria in blood, which can cause severe infection and death. The goal is to detect these strains early, allowing for prompt treatment and recovery.
Researchers at the University of Illinois designed a tube-in-tube heat exchanger with significantly higher volumetric power density than current state-of-the-art devices. The optimized design enables more efficient energy transfer in industries requiring compact and high-performance heat exchangers.
A Swiss research team created a nanogenerator made from functionalized wood, generating 80 times more electricity than natural wood. The device can power household LED lamps and small electronic devices, demonstrating a potential sustainable energy source for smart buildings.
Researchers from Tel Aviv and Berkeley Universities propose a model for seaweed farms to absorb nitrogen, reducing pollution in estuarine and marine environments. The study shows that these farms can produce a natural decontamination facility with significant ecological and economic value.
A team of MIT engineers has developed a drug delivery capsule that can inject large quantities of monoclonal antibodies and other proteins into the stomach lining after being swallowed. The capsule overcomes a major challenge in delivering these drugs orally, which are usually administered via injections.
Researchers at UNIST have developed a thermoelectric tube using 3D printing that can effectively convert waste heat into electricity. The new technology has a high thermoelectric performance and is more effective than conventional cuboid-shaped devices.
Researchers from Binghamton University and Harvard Medical School are using computer modeling and advanced imaging to study brain folding and growth in fetuses. They hope to understand the underlying mechanism of how brains form and how early weeks affect later life.
A low-cost prototype breathing device designed for poorer-resourced healthcare settings has shown promising results in a pilot trial involving healthy volunteers. The device provides continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and operates with oxygen concentrators, which are commonly used in low-pressure systems.
Researchers at Caltech studied ant digging habits and uncovered mechanisms guiding their tunnel construction. Ants use efficient techniques to minimize work, digging straight tunnels along cup edges, and sensing force chains to avoid digging there.
The NIST-developed emberometer uses digital cameras to track embers in mid-air and reconstruct their 3D shapes. This tool helps researchers understand the behavior of embers, which can aid in developing better protection for structures during wildfires.
Engineers at MIT and the University of Twente study water jet impacts on droplets to inform needle-free injection systems. They developed a model predicting fluid jet behavior in human skin, aiming to minimize damage.
A POSTECH research team developed a water-driven self-operating soft actuator that exceeds the strength and speed of conventional soft actuators. The actuator is inspired by the mutable collagenous tissue of sea cucumbers, which can change shape in response to water uptake.
A UC Riverside materials scientist has received a $2 million grant to improve the scalability of quantum computers, allowing them to operate at room temperature. The project aims to create design guidelines and manufacturing strategies for hybrid organic-inorganic structures that can produce quantum computers on a larger scale.
Engineers at MIT have developed a soft, lightweight neuroprosthetic hand that enables amputees to perform daily activities with ease. The prosthetic features a system for tactile feedback, allowing users to feel sensations in their residual limb, and is potentially low-cost for low-income families.
Researchers at MIT have quantified the phenomenon for the first time, finding that boiling droplets on hot oily surfaces move rapidly due to a thin oil cloak coating the outside of each water droplet. This cloak acts as a kind of balloon skin, holding vapor bubbles in place and imparting momentum.
A POSTECH research team has developed an encrypted hologram printing platform that works in both natural light and laser light using the metasurface technology. The device can produce a holographic color image retaining specific polarization, setting it apart from previously reported holograms.
Researchers created a new type of 'chain mail' fabric with hollow octahedrons that can stiffen up to 25 times its original stiffness when vacuum-packed. This technology has potential applications in bullet-proof vests, medical support for the elderly, and protective exoskeletons.
A team of engineers discovered that the unique design of fish fins, with layered structures made up of stiff and soft materials, enables them to achieve remarkable dexterity and flexibility. This finding could lead to new materials and technologies for robotic applications and aircraft design.
The MIT-designed tactile glove can map subtle changes in pressure across the palm, helping to restore motor function after stroke. The glove's sensors can also track pulse and vital signs accurately, even during movement.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed built-in resonators that can be cut into walls or vehicle material to suppress vibrations and reduce noise. The design has potential applications in soundproofing walls and building airplane frames that minimize sound intrusion.
Researchers found significant periodic flow velocity fluctuations in fuel injector ignite combustion oscillations, leading to high mechanical stress on the combustion chamber. The findings provide a reasonable answer for why these oscillations occur and have significant implications for preventing fatal damage in critical engines.
The University of Washington is leading a new NSF institute focused on using artificial intelligence to understand dynamic systems, which describe chaotic situations where conditions are constantly shifting and hard to predict. The institute aims to integrate fundamental AI theory with applications in critical technological areas.
A new research project aims to create strong, malleable biomaterials that support stem cell growth for improved skull reconstruction surgeries. The $2.4 million grant will help accelerate bone regeneration and reduce complications.