Articles tagged with Mechanical Engineering
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a method to 3D print piezoelectric materials that can be custom-designed to convert movement, impact, and stress into electrical energy. The new printing technique enables the creation of smart materials with high sensitivities, flexibility, and programmable properties.
Researchers use human T cells to create unbreakable encryption keys, solving a problem in mathematical algorithms that relies on one-way functions. The approach is designed to protect against increasingly powerful computers and quantum computing.
UTA faculty Teik C. Lim and L.K. Mestha have been elected as National Academy of Inventors fellows for their prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions. Their work has made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and society.
Biofilm researchers at Princeton University have found a new method for removing nasty biofilms, which can cause medical infections and clog equipment. The technique, called capillary peeling, uses water to drive a wedge between the biofilm and surface, allowing for complete removal.
Ruiwen Zhang, a University of Houston College of Pharmacy scientist, has been recognized as a leader in cancer prevention and treatment drug discovery and development. He has made major contributions to the discovery of cancer pharmacogenetic/pharmacogenomic syndrome and developed novel gene silencing technologies.
Researchers developed a three-dimensional polymer sponge that promotes ion transfer while inhibiting dendritic growth in lithium metal batteries, potentially increasing cycle life and safety. The technology could enable more powerful and stable metal battery technologies for everyday use.
A team of scientists and engineers at the University of Illinois has developed a new technique for creating nanoscale-size electromechanical devices by using graphene as an etch stop. This allows for precise patterning of two-dimensional structures, enabling the creation of complex devices with improved performance.
The Dr. Bob Woods Distinguished Chair promotes research, innovation, and best practices in automotive engineering and design. UTA's Formula SAE team has won six championships under Woods' leadership for over 30 years.
Researchers have successfully scaled up a water-cooling system that can provide continuous day-and-night radiative cooling for structures. The low-cost hybrid organic-inorganic metamaterial can be scaled into an array small enough to fit on most rooftops and act as a natural air conditioner with minimal electricity consumption.
Engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a 3D printing method that allows for fine-grain control over rigidity, enabling the creation of complex geometries similar to those found in blood vessels. This technology could lead to personalized treatments for hypertension and vascular diseases.
Jimil Shah, a recent mechanical engineering doctoral graduate, is the recipient of the 2018 ASME Electronic and Photonic Packaging Division Student Engineer of The Year Award. He excelled in research and has shown promise to be a strong contributor in the field of electronic and photonic packaging.
Karen Kasza, a researcher at Columbia Engineering, has won a Packard Fellowship for her work on understanding tissue development and morphology. Her lab aims to use novel approaches to engineer functional tissues for medical applications.
Southern Methodist University professors receive an $849,839 NSF grant to build a multi-dimensional drone communication framework, addressing three-dimensional connectivity issues. The project aims to optimize transmission to intended receivers in various swarm formations, with potential applications in commercial and military sectors.
Researchers are creating artificial structures to mimic natural surfaces for coral larvae to settle on. By understanding the interactions between larvae and materials, they aim to increase reef regeneration rates and combat coral bleaching. The project combines engineering and biological expertise to tackle this critical issue.
A KAIST research team has reported a stretchable pressure insensitive strain sensor by using an all solution-based process. The new electronic skin can distinguish mechanical stimuli analogous to human skin and can be uniformly coated on 3-dimensional surfaces.
Researchers at UT Austin developed a novel technique to switch the mechanical motion of nanomotors using visible light, opening doors to autonomous and intelligent machines. The method enables tunable speed and efficient control of nanomotors for various applications.
A team of researchers developed a multi-joint, personalized soft exosuit that assists users in walking by applying mechanical forces to critical joints. The device was tested in the field and found to reduce energy expenditure by up to 22% compared to walking without assistance.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are developing a system that combines drones with existing ride-sharing vehicles to provide synergetic delivery service. The goal is to reduce delivery costs by solving the complex problem of the 'last mile' of delivery, which accounts for 50% of all delivery costs.
A four-year, $6 million project aims to reduce stalk lodging in corn and sorghum using mathematical modeling and innovative technology. The team plans to breed stronger plants that can withstand various environmental factors, potentially increasing global food production by up to a billion people.
Researchers discovered a predictive biomarker for epilepsy by analyzing the connection between heartbeat irregularities and abnormal brain activity in mice. They found that anomalous heart rate patterns slightly preceded abnormal brain waves, allowing them to predict which mice would develop seizures with 100% accuracy.
A team of Penn State mechanical engineers developed a self-healing membrane that screens out smaller objects while allowing larger ones to pass through. The membrane responds to an object's kinetic energy and can be optimized for various applications, including medical devices and sanitation systems.
Researchers at UVA have invented a material with the ability to switch between insulating and cooling, making it suitable for applications such as smart fabrics and active wear. This technology has potential game-changing applications in various fields, including athletics and energy production.
Researchers at the University of Delaware developed flexible carbon nanotube composite coatings on various fibers, enabling the measurement of a wide range of pressure. The technology has potential applications in smart garments, sports medicine, post-surgical recovery, and assessing movement disorders in pediatric populations.
The research demonstrates a novel device structure that allows for unprecedented control over the angular orientation in twisted-layer devices. The team used graphene/boron-nitride heterostructures to show that the energy gap observed in graphene is tunable and can be turned on or off by changing the orientation between the layers.
Scientists have developed a new class of materials inspired by squid DNA that can control thermal conductivity, which could lead to improved fabrics for athletic wear. The materials' thermal conductivity increases dramatically when wet, allowing them to 'flip' a switch and remove heat from the body.
The Rising Sprawl-Tuned Autonomous Robot (RSTAR) is a highly maneuverable search and rescue robot that can creep, crawl and climb over rough terrain. It uses adjustable wheel legs to adapt to different environments and overcome obstacles.
MIT engineers developed a simple, low-cost passive prosthetic foot that can be tailored to an individual's body weight and size, allowing for a more natural gait. The custom-designed prostheses use a design framework that predicts a user's biomechanical performance based on the mechanical design of the prosthetic foot.
Scientists have engineered a molecular soft cocrystalline structure that exhibits reversible twisting upon heating, elastic bending under mechanical force, rapid reversible bending under UV light, and self-healing properties. This multifunctional quality makes it an attractive candidate for advanced materials in electronics and optics.
A novel actuating material system, nickel hydroxide-oxyhydroxide, has been developed at HKU Engineering that can be triggered by visible light and electricity. This material can exert a force equivalent to 3000 times its own weight, making it suitable for various applications in micro-robotics, human assist devices, and medical devices.
Penn State engineers have developed a new lithium-ion battery that can charge electric vehicle batteries up to 10 times faster than current technology, regardless of temperature. The breakthrough could be a major selling point for customers and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.
Researchers have developed a novel cryogenic near-field optical microscope to study graphene plasmons at variable temperatures. They discovered that compact nanolight can travel along the surface of graphene without unwanted scattering, opening up new applications in sensors, imaging, and signal processing.
Researchers at Rutgers University have created a 3D-printed smart gel that can walk underwater, grab objects, and move them. The smart gel resembles human-like muscles and responds to electrical stimulation, making it suitable for various applications including biomedical engineering and soft robotics.
Using cresol, researchers can disperse carbon nanotubes at unprecedentedly high concentrations without additives or harsh chemical reactions. As the concentration increases, the material transitions into a kneadable dough that can be molded and shaped like playdough.
Scientists have developed battery-free 'smart' toys using triboelectric nanogenerators that gather energy from mechanical vibrations. The devices, powered by squeezing or shaking traditional toys, can illuminate LED lights and may pave the way for self-powered medical sensors and wearable electronics.
A new project led by Clemson University's Ethan Kung aims to reduce human and animal testing for cardiovascular devices and surgeries. Kung's hybrid model combines numerical models with experimental ones, enabling more accurate predictions and faster development times.
Researchers have developed an algorithm that can discover and optimize thermoelectric materials in a matter of months, rather than years. The new method simplifies computational approaches for electron-phonon scattering, speeding up the process by about 10,000 times and reducing development time.
Scientists have engineered an extremely low loss nanostring that vibrates for minutes with a period of a microsecond, allowing them to 'hear' the sound of photons in a laser beam. The researchers hope to use this technology to detect weak light forces and potentially cool mechanical objects to absolute zero.
Five Columbia engineering professors have received NSF CAREER Awards for their groundbreaking research. Agostino Capponi develops a framework to increase resilience of global financial markets, while Daniel Esposito creates electocatalytic materials for abundant solar fuels.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a transparent test patch that can signal contamination as it happens, using harmless molecules. The patch can be incorporated into food packaging and monitor contents for harmful pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella, providing a definitive indication of safety before consumption.
Devin W. Laurence, a University of Oklahoma Mechanical Engineering Senior, won the Grand Prize at the 2018 Research Day at the Capitol with his research on atrioventricular heart valves. The $500 award includes a $4,000 summer research internship and recognizes cutting-edge research in cardiovascular heart valve biomechanics.
Researchers have developed an algorithm that mimics aquatic sensory intelligence, allowing underwater vehicles to detect specific flow patterns. The technology has potential applications in navigation and obstacle avoidance, enabling vehicles to leave behind inconspicuous wakes.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame are developing a renewable energy approach for synthesizing ammonia, which is essential for fertilizers and food production. The new process utilizes plasma in combination with non-noble metal catalysts to generate ammonia at milder conditions than the traditional Haber-Bosch process.
A team of researchers from Utah State University and Belgium discovered the exact angle at which a bent fiber holds the most fluid, found to be 36 degrees. This discovery has multiple industrial applications, including drug manufacturing and fog-collection net development.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have improved the traditional design of fog nets to increase their collection capacity by threefold using a 'fog harp' system featuring vertical wire arrays. This innovative design sheds tiny water droplets faster and more efficiently, increasing overall water yield.
Researchers have developed opto-thermoelectric nanotweezers that can control particles at the nanoscale and analyze them in-situ. This technology has the potential to lead to new discoveries in nanotechnology, individual health monitoring, and biological systems.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method to create high-quality imaging lenses quickly using a 3D printer. The customized optical component can be printed in about four hours and has smooth surface quality, paving the way for applications in optics, vision correction, and disease diagnosis.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a mechanically robust conductive coating that maintains performance under stretching, bending, and twisting. The coating, based on two-dimensional metal carbides (MXenes), can be engineered onto various surfaces like cloth, fiber, glass, or plastic.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new technology that can switch heat flows 'on' or 'off' using liquid metal droplets. This innovation has the potential to significantly improve system performance and reliability in electronics systems.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's NSF Center for Space, High-performance, and Resilient Computing has developed a radiation-resistant computer capable of high-performance computing in space. The system will be launched on the International Space Station and is nearly three times more powerful than its predecessor.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a durable wood carbon sponge that can withstand repeated compression and extreme mechanical conditions. The sponge has potential applications in energy storage, pollutant treatment, and wearable electronics.
The University of Michigan has developed a new surgical device called the 'arterial everter' that can connect arteries more quickly and easily. The device, which is currently in development and partnership with Baxter, may reduce surgery time by up to an hour and improve patient outcomes.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor Farhan Gandhi has received the AIAA Faculty Advisor Award for reviving the RPI Student Branch, facilitating seminars, astronaut visits, and providing students with a sense of community. Gandhi's research focuses on rotary-wing aircraft, adaptive cellular structures, and morphing technologies.
Clemson University researcher Suyi Li is investigating how origami can be used to create new materials, including floor pads and building foundations that absorb vibrations in earthquakes. His work could lead to the development of new technologies with a range of applications.
A Virginia Tech student research team has discovered the Melt Mat, a thermally absorptive blanket that increases melting rates by threefold without any effort or energy input. The product can be used on residential driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and athletic fields to save municipalities millions and homeowners from snow shovel duty.
Scientists at Penn State have created materials that can conduct protons, a process used in fuel cells, and are biocompatible. The protein-based proton conductors show promise for developing implantable medical devices without batteries.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a flexible spine-like lithium-ion battery with high energy density, stable voltage, and excellent mechanical properties. The battery's design is inspired by the human spine and provides remarkable flexibility and durability, making it a promising candidate for wearable electronics.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a new graphene printing technology that produces electronic circuits with low cost, flexibility, and conductivity. The technology uses laser processing to create water-repelling surfaces on graphene flakes, opening up possibilities for self-cleaning wearable electronics and sensors.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Jonathan Vande Geest at the University of Pittsburgh has received a $673K NIH grant to construct biomimetic, small-diameter vascular grafts that mimic the body's own blood vessels.
The innovative technology splits sunlight into efficient light and repurposes infrared light for water purification, improving agricultural competitiveness and reducing energy costs in greenhouses. Researchers plan to test the material in pilot greenhouse facilities and expand its application to various crops.
Researchers have developed soft, electrically activated devices that mimic the expansion and contraction of natural muscles. These devices can be constructed from low-cost materials, are able to self-sense their movements and self-heal from electrical damage.