Articles tagged with Mechanical Engineering
A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers found that microplastics absorb and concentrate toxic organic substances, increasing their toxicity by a factor of 10. This may lead to severe impact on human health due to contaminated food and drink.
Researchers at MIT and China developed a desalination system that is both more efficient and less expensive than previous methods. The system uses natural convection to draw salt from the water, eliminating the need for wicks or power sources.
Researchers developed a novel wearable soft robotic armband that conveys artificial sensations of touch to prosthetic hands, enabling users to control multiple grasp functions simultaneously. The study showed improved time efficiency and precision in transporting objects, with haptic feedback being crucial for tasks.
A UCF-led team has created a self-powered injection jet shunt that uses the heart's energy to alleviate internal pressure caused by Fontan circulation. The device shows promise in reducing mortality rates for babies born with one functioning heart ventricle.
A new wearable magnetic metamaterial helmet can create better brain scans by boosting MRI performance. It fits over a person's head during a brain scan, creating crisper images that can be captured at twice the normal speed.
A team of researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology has developed a transducer powered by electrochemical reactions to drive fluid pumps without cumbersome parts in soft robots. The ECDT enables self-sensing technology, enhancing the multifunctionality of soft robots and allowing for miniaturization.
A new $1 million project at UCF aims to understand how raindrops interact with hypersonic shock waves. Researchers will use computer simulations and experiments to predict conditions for safe hypersonic travel. The knowledge gained could prevent damage and improve rocket launch accuracy.
Researchers create a sticky patch that can seal large tears and punctures in the colon, stomach, and intestines of animal models without causing inflammation or sticking to surrounding tissues. The patch is designed to be biocompatible, flexible, and holds for over a month.
A new study by NYU Tandon professor Nikhil Gupta explores the recyclability of lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries, highlighting the need for a circular economy approach. While lead acid batteries have a high recycling efficiency, lithium-ion batteries pose significant challenges due to their rapidly evolving chemistry and cell design.
A team of researchers from Ritsumeikan University developed an unprecedented stream cipher using chaos theory to create highly secure cryptographic systems. The new system is resistant to statistical attacks and eavesdropping, even against quantum computers, making it a promising solution for post-quantum era cryptosystems.
Researchers at MIT have developed a pill that can deliver RNA to the stomach, potentially making vaccines easier to tolerate and treat gastrointestinal diseases. The capsule is designed to release RNA in the stomach, where it can stimulate an immune response without being degraded by digestive enzymes.
Geoff Wehmeyer has been awarded a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to deepen understanding of nanoscale heat transfer and improve device performance. He will use scanning transmission electron microscopy nano-thermometry experiments to better understand interfacial heat transport.
Researchers have designed a novel thermal armour that successfully inhibits the Leidenfrost effect up to 1,150°C and achieves efficient liquid cooling across a wide temperature range. The breakthrough has significant implications for applications in aerospace, space engineering, and next-generation nuclear reactors.
Researchers from NC State University have demonstrated a new type of flexible robotic gripper that can lift delicate egg yolks without breaking them. The grippers use a kirigami technique to convert 2D sheets into curved 3D structures, allowing for precise control over the final shape and structure.
Researchers at MIT have developed an all-in-one approach to diabetes treatment, streamlining the process of blood glucose measurement and insulin injection. The new device can automate procedures such as pricking skin, collecting blood, calculating glucose levels, and dispensing insulin, reducing the need for multiple devices and makin...
Researchers developed a novel robotic replica of a human spine with an artificial disc implant and soft magnetic sensor array. The system can classify five different postures of the spine with 100% accuracy, providing physiologically relevant data before invasive surgeries.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to control the interaction between liquids and solids, allowing for the creation of surfaces with high or low wettability. This breakthrough has potential applications in various industries, including thermal management, protective coatings, and heat pipes.
Researchers at Pusan National University discovered that tempered glass is more resistant to water-promoted fracture growth than annealed glass. The study found that water droplets penetrate microcracks in glass surfaces, dissolving silicon-oxygen bonds and degrading mechanical strength.
A research team at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology developed a chemical process to mimic trees' vascular systems in foamed polymers, adding structure and enabling directional fluid transport. The team discovered that increasing or decreasing gelation time enables direct control over the foam's cellular structure.
Researchers have developed a custom finger clip device that measures blood pressure and other vital signs like heart rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature, and respiratory rate. The device uses photoplethysmography sensors and achieves an accuracy rate of about 90% for systolic blood pressure.
Researchers developed a microfluidic chip for rapid and simultaneous diagnosis of COVID-19 and influenza diseases, achieving results within 30 minutes. The device uses the LAMP method for genetic amplification and has potential applications in various fields beyond human infectious diseases.
Researchers at Rice University found that carbon nanotubes and their fibers experience fatigue under cyclic loads, leading to slippage and strain accumulation. The fibers' endurance limit is around 30%-50% of their tensile strength, allowing them to last practically forever.
A robot has been developed to assist elderly users with daily actions like standing up, walking, and sitting down. The robot estimates the user's state using a small number of sensors, including calculating center of gravity candidates, to provide necessary assistance and prevent accidents.
Researchers developed a new photoacoustic imaging technique to visualize deep tissues using a contrast agent based on surfactant-stripped semiconducting polymer micelles. The method achieved the deepest penetration depth among PA preclinical studies, exceeding 5.8cm in tissue thickness.
Lesions in white matter carry messages between neurons, damaging it and leading to cognitive deficits. Researchers found that strain on ventricular walls explains where lesions develop in the aging brain.
A lighter, more robust knee brace for the elderly has been developed through a collaboration between Delsson and Nanyang Technological University. The X-Brace uses lightweight plastic and assistive springs to reduce weight by 30%, making it easier for patients to walk with less pain.
Researchers at Duke University developed a lightweight material that traps thermal energy when dry but opens tiny vents to let heat escape when a person starts sweating. The material has potential as a patch on clothing to help keep the wearer comfortable, expanding thermal comfort zones by 30%.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a simple analytical model to predict chip formation and optimize surface finish in manufacturing processes. The study reveals the critical cutting depth for almost every material, tool geometry, and running conditions, minimizing tool wear and improving product quality.
A new design for thermal actuators accelerates soft robotic movement by exploiting temperature-dependent bi-stability. The structure changes shape in response to heat, allowing for rapid snapping actions. Prototypes demonstrate rapid movement capabilities, paving the way for biomedical, prosthetic, and manufacturing applications.
A Korean research team has developed a metasurface-based optical device that can store over 100 times more information than conventional rainbow hologram stickers. The device selectively displays images according to angle, color, and polarization, making it highly secure against counterfeiting.
Scientists have created a new material using nanometer-scale ceramic particles decorated with polymer strands that exhibit enhanced toughness. The material's unique property allows it to dissipate energy from impacts rapidly, making it suitable for applications such as body armor and bulletproof glass.
A team from the University of Washington has developed a non-destructive 3D imaging method that can help doctors more accurately diagnose borderline cases of prostate cancer. The new approach uses 3D images to identify complex features in tissue samples, which can increase the likelihood of correctly predicting a cancer's aggressiveness.
Researchers at WVU are creating control software for aerial robots to survey Venus' atmosphere, helping model the evolution of climate on Earth. The aerobots will use a hybrid airship design and energy-efficient paths to explore the planet's surface.
New 3D printed sinusoidal spacers successfully decrease membrane fouling by an additional 10% compared to conventional spacers. The design addresses the issue of local dead zones, which can promote membrane fouling.
Scientists at the University of Utah studied the defense mechanism of Armillaria ostoyae, a parasitic fungus that infects and kills over 600 types of woody plants. They found that the fungus's outer layer has a strong protective role, containing calcium to protect itself from chemicals and insects.
A Michigan Tech-developed machine learning model uses probability to classify breast cancer shown in histopathology images and evaluate the uncertainty of its predictions. The model outperforms similar models and can measure uncertainty, promising time savings and referrals to human experts.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh aim to reduce workplace accidents by creating a predictive model of friction based on floor-surface topography. They will use advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy to measure small-scale features that affect shoe-floor friction.
A new study from Swansea University introduces a framework to calculate the material properties of two-dimensional curved hexagonal lattices, potentially improving mechanical metamaterials. The research team developed generalized closed-form expressions, expanding design space and flexibility.
A new study by Vanderbilt University has developed Exo-LiFFT, an interactive calculator that helps companies reduce injury risk from work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The tool projects a 20-60% reduction in workplace back injuries for material handling tasks.
Researchers at McGill University create injectable hydrogel that forms stable structure allowing cells to grow and repair injured organs. The material's toughness and porosity make it suitable for heart, muscle, and vocal cord repair.
Researchers from South Ural State University and international universities reviewed over 200 sources to identify parameters that extend tool life in superalloys. The study suggests various methods, including tool tip texturing, flood cooling, and hybrid machining, to reduce wear and improve surface integrity.
Researchers at Durham University have developed a sugar-containing polymer coating that can repair damaged artificial joint implants by mimicking the way cartilage works to lubricate human joints. The coating uses water to create a slippery surface, protecting the surfaces from wear and tear.
Researchers at POSTECH develop a new method for arranging quantum dots, resulting in display panels with improved resolution. The technique uses the coffee ring effect to assemble QDs in specific areas, reducing manufacturing costs and increasing brightness.
Researchers categorize origami- and kirigami-based mechanical metamaterials into six groups based on folding and cutting patterns. Hybrid designs offer great potential for shape morphing and real-world applications.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that transparent masks can facilitate easier communication between healthcare workers and patients, particularly for individuals with hearing loss. The results showed that 91% of deaf or hard-of-hearing health care workers preferred transparent masks over opaque ones.
Researchers at MIT observed the intricate choreography of butterfly scales forming during metamorphosis, revealing a shingle-like pattern and nanometer-high ridges. The findings could inform the design of new materials like iridescent windows and waterproof textiles.
Researchers developed an automated technique to search for simulation configurations that lead to severe problems in automated driving systems, excluding unlikely scenarios. The technique efficiently discovers situations with high acceleration and steering operation, increasing the significance and efficiency of testing.
Researchers at Rice University developed a method to decontaminate disposable surgical masks by heating them to 70 degrees Celsius, eliminating 99.9% of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and preserving mask material. The study provides promise for adapting this protocol to future outbreaks.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed an anticounterfeit technology that stores information in two separate domains: visible light and infrared light. This technology enhances security by using a new material called metasurface, allowing for dual protection with one security card.
The 'Rolling Fingers' robotic hand can move objects in a single grasp without needing two arms, simplifying tasks for robots. Its adaptive fingers and rotating skin enable safe manipulation of non-rigid objects, making it suitable for industrial and clinical applications.
Researchers at Rice University are creating a 3D-printed smart helmet with embedded sensors to protect soldiers' brains against kinetic or directed-energy effects. The program aims to modernize standard-issue military helmets by incorporating advances in materials, image processing, artificial intelligence, and energy storage.
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 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 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 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.
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.