Research on machines, structures, and mechanical design. Covers metal foam for safer cars, drone flight paths, crumpling mechanics, and materials behavior.
Researchers at UC San Diego created a four-legged robot that doesn't need electronics, using pressurized air for controls and locomotion. The robot mimics mammalian reflexes and can navigate uneven surfaces with the help of pneumatic circuits.
A new tool using machine learning predictive modeling has been developed to predict the success of extubating ICU patients on intensive mechanical ventilation. The study analyzed data from over 1,000 patients and showed a significant reduction in reintubation rate from 9% to 1%.
Researchers at UT Austin will develop methods to validate the cost and scalability of autonomous cargo operations, leveraging machine learning and computational engineering. The team aims to address public concerns about noise pollution, safety, and emissions through mathematical models and terrain-based surface design.
A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a switchable display device using nanostructures that can encrypt full-color images depending on the polarization of light. The device boasts high resolution (approximately 40,000 dpi) and wide viewing angle while being thin.
Researchers at the University of Illinois used artificial materials with defects to study topological features and demonstrate a practical approach for exploring unconventional materials. They created a method for trapping fractional charges on disclination defects, which signals the presence of certain kinds of topology.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers reveals that clicking beetles use a unique hinge-like tool in their thorax to generate extreme accelerations, reaching 300 times the Earth's gravitational acceleration. The snap-through unbending motion enables the beetle to launch itself into the air and move quickly between locations.
Researchers studied the forces behind click beetles' signature clicking maneuver, discovering that they utilize snap-buckling and elastic recoil to release energy. The study provides insights into extreme motion, energy storage, and release in small animals like trap-jaw ants and mantis shrimps.
Dr. Guihua Yu, a materials scientist at the University of Texas, has developed new multifunctional polymeric nanostructures with unique physical properties that improve efficiency and function. His research focuses on organic nanomaterials and understanding structures down to their smallest scale.
A Columbia University engineering team has created a robot that can visually predict its partner robot's future actions and goals, showcasing a primitive form of empathy. The 'Robot Theory of Mind' technology could enable robots to better interact with humans and other robots, leading to more intuitive social communication.
A UCF engineering and biology team tested how well staghorn coral skeletons withstand natural forces and human impacts, discovering a unique safety feature: pores that relieve stress and prevent catastrophic failure. The findings will inform efforts to transplant nursery-reared coral into the wild and support future restoration efforts.
Researchers at UMD developed a morphing nozzle to control fiber orientation during composite additive manufacturing, enabling the creation of materials with on-demand properties. This innovation could lead to new biomedical and defense applications for 3D printed fiber-filled composites.
Researchers found that fibrous proteins form a solid layer on water's surface, interfering with fluid property measurements. This finding has the potential to improve bioprinting results by identifying optimal protein solution concentrations and operating parameters.
A new center at Clemson University will support research on autonomy-enabled ground vehicles, digital engineering, and virtual prototyping. The project aims to reduce timelines for innovation in the autonomous space and fuel next-wave mobility technologies.
The project, funded by NASA's University Leadership Initiative, will create a new paradigm in sensing for hypersonic vehicles. Researchers will use scientific machine learning methods to analyze aerodynamic changes during flight tests and infer where force is being applied.
UTA's David Hunn was selected as a National Academy of Inventors (NAI) fellow for his groundbreaking research in critical thinking and soldier survivability. He credits UTA with teaching him the importance of these skills, which he has applied throughout his distinguished career.
A team led by FSU researcher Kourosh Shoele is working to improve face mask design using flow physics, mechanics, and facial topology data. They hope to develop computational tools that standardize guidelines for face mask design, enabling more effective masks for a broader range of users.
Columbia researchers have created graphene plasmon polaritons without an external gate or chemical dopants, using static charge between 2D atomic layers. The discovery has broad applications in nanotechnology, including biosensing and solar energy.
A team of researchers at MIT and IIT developed a solar-powered system to generate pressurized steam for autoclaving medical tools. The system uses optically transparent aerogel to trap heat and can maintain safe sterilization conditions without electricity or fuel.
Researchers at Arizona State University developed curved origami structures that can adjust stiffness based on function, providing a new range of flexibility in robots. This technology enables robots to perform various movements by adjusting the creases used, and has implications for designing mechanical metamaterials.
A computer model developed by a RUDN University professor shows that low speeds on bumpy roads can cause significant vehicle body damage. The study found that spot welded joints are particularly prone to failure at lower speeds, affecting the vehicle's crashworthiness and service life.
Balachandran's data-driven approach predicts which alloys will perform well in extreme environments, narrowing the search for high-performance materials. His work combines artificial intelligence with quantum mechanics to make the search more productive and cost-effective.
A multidisciplinary team has demonstrated the ability to reproduce the nanostructures that help cicada wings repel water, using a simplified version of nanoimprinting lithography and commercial nail polish. The new technique produces replicas with an average of 94.4% pillar height and 106% of the original wing's pillar diameter.
Researchers have discovered how snakes can detect prey with uncanny accuracy in total darkness by converting infrared radiation into electrical signals. The cells inside the pit organ membrane are found to function as a pyroelectric material, drawing upon the electrical voltage in most cells.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a gel-based 3D bioprinting method that can create complex shapes and tissues with precise cell placement. The yield stress gel allows for the self-healing of the gel structure, enabling the creation of free-form, complex shapes.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) team has made a breakthrough in developing miniaturized organic semiconductors for flexible electronics. The new device demonstrates a record low contact resistance, enabling significant power savings and reduced heat generation.
A research team created dual-mode sensors that capture texture and force, enabling precise measurement of movement magnitude, load, rate, duration, and direction. These sensors could aid people with severe injuries and contribute to advanced robotics.
Researchers found that many household fabrics are effective at blocking droplets, including those released by speaking and sneezing. The study used a medical mask as a benchmark and tested 11 common fabrics, finding that some even outperform medical masks in terms of breathability.
Researchers at Duke University demonstrate prototypes for acoustic tweezers that use sound waves to manipulate bioparticles in Petri dishes. The technology has the potential to bridge the gap between academia and industry, enabling a wider range of laboratories to adopt it.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University found that face shields block initial droplet motion but allow them to disperse widely. Masks with exhalation valves also have limited effectiveness due to unfiltered air passage.
The method can be used in a portable, tabletop device to rapidly identify known and emerging opioid fentanyl substances, aiding in the safety of law enforcement and military personnel. The AI algorithm had a 92.5 percent accuracy rate for correctly identifying molecules related to fentanyl.
A team of engineers has developed a low-power collision detector inspired by locusts' ability to avoid collisions. The device mimics the locust's response to incoming objects, responding in two seconds and using minimal energy.
Researchers discovered that hadrosaurs and other dinosaurs have a unique trabecular bone structure capable of supporting large weights, different from mammals and birds. This adaptation allowed them to carry massive loads without excessive skeletal weight.
The Penn State-led university research alliance aims to develop high-resolution radiation detectors capable of identifying dirty bombs or concealed radiation materials. The team plans to design low-cost, high-efficiency room-temperature detectors that would eliminate the need for extreme temperatures to control detecting materials.
Swimming microparticles have the potential to improve coolant performance by accelerating heat transfer from hot surfaces. This innovative technology could lead to faster, smaller devices with reduced energy consumption, benefiting industries such as electronics, automotive, and renewable energy.
Yan Li received the ASME ORR Early Career Award for her groundbreaking work on predicting fracture toughness in ceramic composites and polycrystalline metals. Her research aims to advance design of fracture-resistant materials and microstructures.
Researchers used computational models to study the effects of thinner biological tissues on transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The findings indicate that thinner tissues can lead to high levels of 'flutter energy', causing blood damage and accelerating leaflet deterioration.
A newly discovered CoO-TiO2 compound effectively stops listeria monocytogenes reproduction in both light and dark conditions, offering a potential solution for controlling bacterial contamination in food products.
Researchers created origami-built metamaterials that retain shape recoverability, directional mechanical properties, and reversible auxeticity. This breakthrough enables multifunctional applications in soft robotics and medical devices.
According to the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, rocks on Earth are, on average, cube-shaped due to fragmentation processes. The researchers' findings suggest that this shape is statistically average and applies not only to Earth but also around the solar system.
A team of bioengineers and clinical experts from Brigham and Women's Hospital and MIT have developed a new, sustainable solution for health care workers to provide protection during the pandemic. The iMASC system is made from sterilizable materials and can fit faces of different sizes and shapes.
Graphene sensors printed with aerosol jet technology can detect histamine in tuna broth down to 3.41 parts per million, exceeding US FDA guidelines for food safety. The technology also has potential applications in environmental toxin detection, wearable health monitoring, and disease diagnostics.
A team of researchers used X-ray measurements to study the behavior of waves in granular materials. The findings provide a better understanding of how particle arrangements and forces affect wave propagation. This knowledge is crucial for detecting earthquakes, locating oil and gas reservoirs, and designing acoustic insulation.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a groundbreaking 3D printing technique that prints electronic sensors directly on organs expanding and contracting. This technology could aid in diagnosing and monitoring patients with COVID-19 by tracking lung movements.
The project aims to develop a computationally efficient model of viral spread to better understand the effectiveness of disease mitigation strategies. Funding from the CDC enabled the development of this model to support H-2A farm worker health and safety.
A method for self-assembling nanostructures with gamma-modified peptide nucleic acid (γPNA) has been developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers. The process enables the formation of complex, all-PNA nanostructures in organic solvent solutions, holding promise for nanofabrication and nanosensing.
A Cornell University team has discovered a way to control electron spin transitions using acoustic waves, eliminating the need for magnetic fields. This breakthrough enables the development of smaller, more power-efficient acoustic sensors for navigation technology and other applications.
Kamesh Subbarao, a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington, has been elected as a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He is recognized for his contributions to robotic controls and navigation of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Scientists at Columbia University developed a new method to analyze cell shapes in fruit fly embryos, revealing that tissues can behave like fluids during rapid changes. By combining experimental studies with theoretical modeling, the team found that anisotropy plays a crucial role in predicting tissue flow and elongation.
A topological pump has been developed to transport mechanical energy even through defective wave-guides and disorder. This innovation could lead to more robust devices that continue to operate despite damage.
Researchers developed an affordable, radiation-free GPS-like system to track flexible surgical robots inside the human body. The system improves localization accuracy, enabling safer and more compliant robot use in constrained environments.
Daniel Preston, a Rice engineer, has received a National Science Foundation grant to investigate the effect of varying temperatures on SARS-CoV-2. His project aims to provide evidence-based guidelines for PPE sterilization and predict virus lifetime in different climates.
A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University is working on developing nanoscale mechanical switches to address the limitations of solid state switches. These switches have the potential to improve energy efficiency and complement existing solid-state technology in various applications.
Rutgers engineers have created a highly effective way to paint complex 3D-printed objects using an efficient painting method that reaches all nooks and crannies. The technique, known as electrospray deposition, has been used mainly for analytical chemistry but has also been applied in lab-scale demonstrations of coatings.
The US Army has developed a new type of multi-polymer filament for 3D printing, allowing for the production of high-strength parts at an affordable cost. This breakthrough enables the use of simple printers to create parts with mechanical properties competitive with injection-molded plastics.
Caltech's Wei Gao creates an electronic skin that runs on biofuel cells powered by lactate in human sweat, generating enough electricity to power sensors and a Bluetooth device. The e-skin can monitor heart rate, body temperature, and metabolic byproducts, enabling continuous health tracking.
Researchers designed a new microfluidic device that uses magnetic nano-beads to isolate minute bacterial particles. The device improves the detection of drug-resistant strains and difficult-to-detect micro-particles such as Ebola and coronaviruses.
Researchers from Politecnico di Milano have successfully used laser 3D printing to create components from lunar regolith, a potential game-changer for future space missions. The study demonstrates the feasibility of using local resources in space, enabling In-Situ-Resource-Utilisation (ISRU) and reducing reliance on Earth-based supplies.
Researchers at UCI have successfully designed a novel plate-cell architecture for nanometer-sized carbon structures that are stronger than diamonds. The design has been shown to improve on the average performance of cylindrical beam-based architectures by up to 639% in strength and 522% in rigidity.
Pradeep Sharma, a UH mechanical engineer, received a Guggenheim Fellowship to investigate why some people can instantly reproduce music while others cannot. He aims to find a physics explanation for this phenomenon, considering the brain and physical characteristics of the ears.
Bacteria form intricate starburst-like patterns as they grow on soft substrates, with wrinkles forming at the edges and propagating toward the center. The researchers developed a chemo-mechanical model to predict where wrinkles would form, corresponding well with experimental measurements.