Articles tagged with Mechanical Engineering
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
Researchers discovered that honey bees plan ahead to create irregular-shaped cells and varying angles to bridge together uniform lattices when space constraints occur. By studying natural honeycombs and computer modeling, the team gained insights into how evolution can lead to multipurpose, strong, and resilient structures.
Researchers developed a mechanical theory to determine the critical force required for needle insertion in soft materials like skin, discovering that tissue toughness and needle radius play crucial roles. The model provides quantitative predictions and may impact future technology like self-administered disposable pads with microneedles.
Ashfaq Adnan's team uses 3D printing to create multilayered materials for smart helmets, absorbing impact energy and deflecting directed energy attacks. The resulting helmets will be lightweight and resistant to blast impacts, alerting soldiers to potential dangers.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University developed a new technology that enables prosthetic hands to distinguish between complex, multi-textured surfaces using liquid metal sensors and machine learning algorithms. This innovation could improve control of prosthetic hands and provide haptic feedback for amputees.
A team of researchers has created a new normal brain growth curve chart for children, resolving decades-long issues in the field. The study found that male and female brains grow differently, but not in terms of cognitive ability, and that there is a universal ratio between brain size and cerebrospinal fluid volume.
Researchers at MIT have developed a sweat-proof electronic skin patch that can monitor vital signs like temperature and hydration over long periods of time. The patch's design features artificial sweat ducts and a kirigami-like pattern to prevent sweat accumulation and sensor damage, enabling reliable health tracking.
A new biosensor developed by Purdue University can record and image tissues and organs simultaneously during surgery, allowing for accurate localization of critical regions. The sensor's unique design and soft bio-inks enable seamless interfacing with the curvilinear surface of organs, making it suitable for various sizes and shapes.
A team of researchers from Penn State, University of Nebraska--Lincoln, and NIST proposed a six sigma framework of quality control for additive manufacturing. The method involves five steps: defining, measuring, analyzing, improving, and controlling, to eliminate defects and drive profits.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University created millimetre-sized robots that can be controlled using magnetic fields to perform highly manoeuvrable manipulations. These robots improve on existing small-scale robots by optimizing their ability to move in six degrees-of-freedom, and can rotate 43 times faster than previous devices.
Kelly Patterson, a University of Texas at Arlington doctoral student, has earned a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship for her research on designing and improving critical infrastructure. With the three-year stipend, she will focus on bridge and hazard mitigation research.
Researchers at Samara Polytech systematized main transformation pathways of o-quinone methides into chromene and chromanes. The review article highlights compounds of interest for medical chemistry.
Researchers at NTU and Rice University have discovered the key to h-BN's extraordinary toughness, which can withstand ten times more force than graphene. The team found that the unique chemical composition of h-BN causes cracks to branch off their path, making it less likely to fracture.
A study by Florida Atlantic University quantifies the optimal mangrove root hydrodynamic with a predictive model, providing insight into sediment transport and erosion processes. The research suggests that optimizing porosity can mitigate coastal erosion and promote biodiversity.
Researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed a new autonomous robot called EVA, which uses artificial intelligence to teach itself how to make appropriate reactive human facial expressions. This technology has the potential to improve interactions between humans and robots in various settings, such as nursing homes and factories.
Scientists have developed a more efficient way to perform biological and chemical experiments using microfluidic chips, reducing collisions by 300% with strategically placed obstacles
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University will assess safety measures against airborne transmission of viral infections. They will evaluate various protective measures, including facemasks and air filters, to develop experimentally verified computational strategies for mitigating airborne transmission.
A team of UMass Lowell students won the Rist Campuswide DifferenceMaker award for their invention of TrueFIT, a product that detects and seals leaks in ill-fitting face masks. The team aims to protect people in their everyday lives as well as workers in various industries.
Engineers can now determine material properties like stress and strain from images of their internal structure, reducing computational complexity. The AI-powered approach uses computer vision and machine learning to generate estimates in real-time.
Professor Amro M. Farid, a Dartmouth associate professor, has been awarded the 2021 Fulbright Future Scholar award in Australia. He will work on the 'Architecting Australia's Nexus Infrastructure of Energy, Water & Hydrogen' project to contribute to the country's national hydrogen strategy.
Researchers discovered that aerosolized droplets generated by flushing a toilet and urinal in public restrooms pose a significant risk of transmitting COVID-19. The study found that these small droplets can remain suspended for hours, contaminating the air and increasing the risk of infection.
Researchers found that accelerating over speed bumps poses a danger for pregnant women and their fetuses, leading to minor injuries to the fetal brain and other complications. The study advises drivers to slow down over 45km/h when hitting a speedbump, with even lower speeds recommended for maximum safety.
Researchers at Monash University developed a new technique to speed up bone implant recovery by altering the shape and nucleus of individual stem cells. The micropillar array 'tricks' the cells into becoming bone, increasing bone production by four times compared to current methods.
A unique head-mounted mini-microscope device has enabled researchers to image complex brain functions of freely moving mice in real time over a period of more than 300 days. The device, known as the mini-MScope, allows holistic imaging of much of the mouse brain surface and captures connections between regions across the cortex.