Research on machines, structures, and mechanical design. Covers metal foam for safer cars, drone flight paths, crumpling mechanics, and materials behavior.
Biomass-enabled nanomaterials are being developed to facilitate energy-efficient water treatment, with potential applications in reducing costs and providing clean water to communities. The materials will be designed to remove organic pollutants and heavy metals from water, enabling sustainable desalination and purification processes.
Researchers developed a model that can predict the propulsive efficiency of cetacean fins based on shape and kinematics, revealing fundamental interplay between circulatory forces and added mass forces. The findings could influence the design of fast, efficient, and highly maneuverable underwater robots.
The isoperimetric soft robot is a human-scale, pneumatic robot that can move without a tether and navigate unstructured environments. It achieves this by deforming its soft fabric tubes while maintaining its perimeter constant.
Researchers developed a new kind of soft robot that can change its shape and move freely, combining benefits of soft robots with traditional robotics. The 'isoperimetric robot' has applications in homes, workplaces, disaster response, and space exploration.
Nikhil Gupta received the prestigious Brimacombe Medalist Award from the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society for his innovations in lightweight porous materials. His work has led to eco-friendly materials with applications in marine, automotive, and aerospace industries.
The study reveals how twisted graphene sheets behave and their stability at different sizes and temperatures, providing insights into self-alignment mechanisms and forces. This fundamental research could pave the way for manufacturers to achieve fine control over twist angles in 2D material structures.
Dereje Agonafer, UTA's Presidential Distinguished Professor, received the Howard University Alumni Award for his distinguished postgraduate achievements. He has supervised over 225 graduate students and has published more than 230 papers on data center cooling and 3D packaging/cooling.
Researchers at Penn State's BEST Center have created a lithium-ion battery that balances high energy density with enhanced safety. The All Climate battery can last up to 1 million miles without compromising its performance.
Adnan was honored for his groundbreaking research in traumatic brain injury and multiscale mechanics, which has led to significant advances in the field. He is recognized as one of the best in the field, accorded by ASME to less than 3% of those in the field.
Lehigh University MechE professor Hannah Dailey has received a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation's Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program. Her virtual mechanical test approach holds promise for identifying nonunions, which can lead to depression and opioid abuse, and may enable earlier surgical intervent...
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a new method to isolate atomic sheets from layered van der Waals crystals, producing large-area atomically thin layers with high quality. The monolayers can be stacked in any desired order and orientation to generate a whole new class of artificial materials.
A new air-pressure sensor developed by Binghamton University researchers uses a micro-switch mechanism to improve the performance of various devices, including those monitoring barometric pressure and oxygen levels in hospitals. The sensor's design allows for faster response times and longer lifespans compared to conventional sensors.
A new, battery-free sensor can detect water leaks in buildings, enabling greater protection and reducing costs. The sensor, powered by nanotechnology, sends alerts to smartphones when exposed to moisture, making it more accessible for building owners.
Researchers at Binghamton University developed a new technique to examine gas and oxide interactions, leading to better understanding of catalysts, batteries, and vehicle longevity. The study's findings could also improve materials design for various industrial applications.
Jesse Little, associate professor at University of Arizona, recognized for outstanding contributions to aeronautics and astronautics. He conducts research on subsonic and supersonic flows, leading the Turbulence and Flow Control Laboratory.
Chelsea Heveran and her team have developed a novel approach to make building materials alive, using photosynthetic bacteria called Synechococcus. The self-healing bricks can be replicated and reused, reducing the need for cement and other chemicals.
Engineers at Duke University have developed a model predicting mechanical behaviors and origins of earthquakes in various rocks, providing insights into unobservable phenomena deep beneath the Earth's surface. The model accurately reproduces how friction decreases as rock speed increases, shedding light on earthquake mechanisms.
A Columbia Engineering team has invented a robotic device called the Trunk-Support Trainer (TruST) that can help people with spinal cord injuries sit more stably. The study found that TruST enabled patients to expand their active sitting workspace by an average of 25%, improving their trunk control and balance limits.
Professor Alexander J Smits has been recognized for his seminal contributions to the understanding of wall turbulence, particularly in its structure and behavior at extreme conditions. His work on bio-inspired propulsion and drag reduction has inspired new interests in biomimetic flows.
Researchers developed a parametric 3D modeling methodology to mimic the geometry of individual scales from the chiton mollusk. The scale armor model provides dual protection-flexibility performance through converging inward upon one another when under force, offering varying amounts of flexibility.
A new energy harvester captures biomechanical energy from walking and converts it to electricity, powering wearable electronics without increasing the wearer's burden. The device generates an average power of 1.6 mW, weighing only 307 grams.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a bio-inspired, liquid, sludge- and bacteria-repellent coating that can make toilets self-cleaning. The coating, called LESS, reduces the amount of water needed to flush a conventional toilet by half, making it more efficient and sustainable.
New research reveals that multilayer graphene behaves differently when bent a little versus a lot, with two distinct regimes of stiffness and flexibility identified. This discovery has implications for the creation of machines that can interact with cells or biological material.
A Rice University study found that climate change will increase the size of stalled high-pressure weather systems, leading to larger heat waves and more severe droughts. The research used climate model simulations to predict a 17% increase in blocking events in the northern hemisphere.
A $700,000 NSF grant will help researchers optimize lower limb robotic exoskeletons for patient comfort. The project aims to create a deeper interaction between humans and machines through machine learning techniques and co-learning.
Researchers developed an AI framework that learns human design strategies through observation, enabling it to generate new designs without explicit goal information or bias. The AI performed better than humans on average, but its success came without the advantages humans have, such as specific goals and feedback.
The Paul Scherrer Institute has developed a micromachine that can perform different actions using magnetic fields. The robot measures only a few micrometres across and can be reprogrammed to flap its wings, hover, turn, or side-slip. This technology is an important step towards micro- and nanorobots that can carry out various tasks.
A two-legged robot named Little Hermes has been developed to walk, run, jump and interact with the environment synchronously with a human operator. The robot is guided by a person from a remote location who feels the same physical forces as the robot.
Weiqiang Chen, an assistant professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, has been awarded a $1.7 million NIH grant to develop personalized approaches to CAR-T cell therapy for cancer treatment. The grant will support the development of microfluidic systems to model disease environments and study cell interactions.
A team of WPI researchers has received a $3 million NSF grant to investigate human-robot interaction in the workplace. The project will train 120 graduate students from various STEM fields to develop skills for navigating robot-assisted work environments.
The study reveals that flies execute four perfectly timed maneuvers to land upside down, including a rapid body rotational maneuver and leg-assisted body swing. The findings aim to inspire advanced robotic technology and understand the biomechanical and sensory processes involved.
Researchers are creating tools to design and certify advanced composite structures and materials, reducing costs and increasing efficiency in the industry. The project aims to improve understanding and prediction of composite material properties.
Researchers developed a method to adopt kirigami architectures for graphene-based sensors, achieving strain-insensitivity up to 240% uniaxial strain. The design redistributes stress concentrations, enabling directional mechanical attributes.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a faster and cheaper method to coat liquid medication, using gravity and natural forces to wrap drops in a protective shell. The new technology enables rapid production of capsules with improved stability and flexibility.
The Biomedical Engineering Society has recognized Weiqiang Chen's original research on single-cell mechanical allostasis, a biological process that drives cells to reach a new equilibrium. His work employs principles of mechanical engineering and physics to identify the state of individual cells.
A new decision-making and motion-planning technology has been developed to limit injuries and damage when self-driving vehicles are involved in unavoidable crashes. The system considers various factors such as relative speeds, angles of collision, and differences in mass and vehicle type to determine the best possible manoeuvre.
A University of California - Santa Barbara mechanical engineer's simple running hack uses a light resistance band to increase efficiency by approximately 6.4%. The device optimizes the work needed to swing legs, reducing energy required during each impact with the ground and allowing for shorter strides.
Researchers found that different shapes of micropillars affect liquid retention, with triangular pillars showing reduced critical burst volume for high surface-tension liquids. The study aims to develop an evaporative heat exchange device.
The UC3M has developed a completely autonomous electric vehicle to replace combustion vehicles in the Timanfaya National Park. The minibus features level 5 autonomy, allowing it to operate without human control, and advanced AI perception systems for navigation and localization.
Researchers developed Tunabot to better understand fish propulsion, which could lead to faster, more efficient propulsion systems for underwater vehicles. The robot's design was informed by studies of yellowfin tuna and mackerel, and its performance data sets a high standard for the field of fish robotics.
Researchers have developed a brain-inspired, analog neural network that provides probabilistic responses for complex decision-making. The device is more energy efficient and produces less heat than current computing architectures.
Gnashing teeth's secret strength lies in the microarchitecture of brittle materials, where adding small defects can increase glass strength 200 times over. Researchers developed two models to describe fracture propagation and contact mechanics, paving the way for stronger ceramics, biomedical implants, and building materials.
Researchers at Lehigh University have developed a novel approach to determine when patients with tibial fractures can bear weight. The study used low-dose computed tomography scans and finite element analysis software to create 3D mechanical structural models that identified the regions of bone and new bone, or callus.
Dr. Simon Dai's research aims to advance a passive technology that can attract and capture water droplets from fog and moisture in the air, providing a sustainable solution to global water scarcity. The new funding will help create a more durable lubricant for water harvesting.
A smart sink was tested at Stanford University to see if it could help people use less water while still being comfortable. The results showed that participants used up to 26% less water when washing dishes with the automated faucet.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed an algorithm that can monitor factory and warehouse workers' behavior in real-time, providing risk scores and suggestions for improving ergonomics. The app will alert workers to high-risk actions and provide feedback on how to modify their behaviors.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that mixing strong and weak graphene oxide flakes can create stronger paper, improving the material's durability. The finding sheds light on a general problem in materials engineering and has implications for other two-dimensional materials.
A novel robotic neck brace has been developed to assist ALS patients in holding their heads and supporting range of motion. The device incorporates sensors and actuators to restore approximately 70% of the active range of motion, allowing for improved eye contact and computer control.
The study, published in eLife, reveals that birds adapt their grip by wrapping their toes and curling their claws to stick the landing. Researchers aim to apply this knowledge to develop more nimble flying robots with bimodal capabilities.
A new insect-sized robot created by UC Berkeley researchers can scurry across the floor at nearly the speed of a cockroach and withstand the weight of an average human. The robot's design allows it to 'leapfrog' forward using electric vibrations, enabling it to navigate through tight spaces.
Researchers developed a simulator mimicking human torso behavior to test new back brace designs without human testing. The rig allows for optimized constraint of specific motions while enabling other movements, potentially reducing discomfort and improving spine stability.
Chunlei Liang and Volker J. Sorger are awarded PECASE for their outstanding research in fluid dynamics and photonic integrated devices. Their work has the potential to revolutionize software that predicts space weather and develop faster information processing systems.
Kristin Myers, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University, has been awarded the Presidential Early Career Award (PECASE) for her research on pre-term birth. Her work focuses on determining the biomechanical mechanisms that cause premature cervical remodeling and softening.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology used X-ray computed tomography to visualize cracks forming near material interfaces in solid-state batteries. The study found that fractures, not chemical reactions, are the primary cause of degradation, leading to a possible solution for improving energy storage devices.
A new wearable technology made from stretchy material can accurately monitor heart health for days, surpassing existing electrocardiograph machines. The device measures cardiac health in two ways, taking electrocardiograph and seismocardiograph readings simultaneously.
Virginia Tech researchers uncovered how soap films and bubbles freeze, revealing a previously unknown phenomenon called Marangoni Flow. The study found that temperature gradients cause the flow of ice crystals within the bubble, hastening its complete freezing.
Researcher's groundbreaking contributions to structural health monitoring and life-cycle assessment have transformed policies and practices in building infrastructure components. His work has saved time, money, and likely lives, while advancing sustainable development and resilience.
Researchers from Lehigh University used materials informatics to predict a class of high-entropy alloys with superior mechanical properties. The new method, combined with experimental tools like electron microscopy, revealed alloys with hardness values exceeding initial expectations by a factor of 2.
Lehigh University engineers Sydney Yang, Michelle Kent, Shira Morosohk, and Daniella Fodera have been awarded the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship. The award recognizes their research potential in STEM fields and provides financial stability during graduate studies.
Researchers at Stanford University have created a more stable prosthetic leg that can handle rough terrain, reducing the risk of falls. The new design uses a tripod foot with adjustable pressure distribution to improve mobility and overall quality of life for individuals with lower limb amputations.