Articles tagged with Mechanical Engineering
Researchers at Virginia Tech used experimental measurements and analysis software to understand how fruit bats use their wings to manipulate airflow. They found that bat wings can generate forces up to two-to-three times greater than a static airfoil wing, making them ideal for designing micro air vehicles with flapping wings.
A study by Johns Hopkins engineers used juggling to investigate how vision and the sense of touch help control limb movement, shedding light on potential treatments for neurological diseases. Adding haptic feedback improved performance, but didn't correct errors, highlighting the brain's reliance on timing information.
Researchers found that water molecules in carbon nanotubes don't flow continuously but instead move intermittently, resulting in surprisingly high flow rates. This phenomenon resolves a long-standing issue in fluid dynamics and has potential industrial applications for desalination and other uses.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a graphene 'sandwich' that enables atomic-level imaging of biomolecules in their natural state. This breakthrough improves resolution and minimizes damage to samples, opening up analysis of difficult-to-image biological samples.
University of Cincinnati researchers are developing validation metrics that could help predict the success or failure of hypersonic aircraft. The metrics involve principal component analysis (PCA) decomposition of simulation and test data to measure uncertainty, which will ultimately determine the success in building such a plane.
A team of researchers has successfully integrated key components of a quantum computer onto a silicon microchip, paving the way for the development of a practical quantum computer. The breakthrough enables the creation of a photon-based device capable of performing complex calculations, potentially rivaling modern computing hardware.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a technique to increase the toughness of glass by creating patterns of micro-cracks, mimicking the structure of nacre. This process increases glass's resistance to shattering and can be easily scaled up for larger glass sheets.
Researchers fabricated microstructures including straight filaments, layer-by-layer scaffolds, and freeform helical spirals using a solvent-cast 3D printing technique. The technique demonstrates powerful fabrication capabilities, enabling the creation of three microsystems with diverse functionalities.
A new approach combines evolutionary and engineering analyses to identify biom Mechanical functions favored by natural selection in diverse species, including New World leaf-nosed bats. The study reveals three optimal snout shapes favored by natural selection, with mechanical advantage being more important than structural strength.
Engineers developed tiny self-propelled swimming bio-bots that can traverse viscous fluids and sense chemicals, opening up possibilities for medical and environmental applications. The bio-bots use heart cells to create movement through a wave-like motion, enabling unique navigation capabilities.
Dr. Walter Voit received a DARPA Young Faculty Award to develop medical devices with greater control of prosthetics for wounded soldiers. The goal is to create chronic microstimulation devices that can survive implantation in the body for over a year.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a technique to form virtual walls for oily liquids, confining them to a certain area. This development has implications for guided delivery of oil and effective blockage of oil spreading.
Researchers created CNT structures with optimal blend of characteristics required in thermal stress junctures. Longer, less entangled CNTs showed best combination of flexibility, heat conductivity and strength.
The recipient of the grant proposes a new way to view and study human walking, attaching sensors to mathematically meaningful locations on prostheses and orthotics. This approach aims to create off-the-shelf robotic limbs that allow users to easily control and adjust their devices.
The Henry Samueli School of Engineering at UC Irvine has received a $100,000 grant to further develop its stored energy solar stove, which enables carbon emissions-free cooking. The technology uses a solar collector to concentrate sunlight on an energy storage device, storing heat that can be released as needed.
A team of Columbia researchers has developed a nano-mechanical system that can create FM signals, paving the way for more efficient cell phones and wireless communication. The device uses graphene's unique properties to tune frequency and overcome size limitations.
Researchers from University of Cincinnati develop a brain-computer interface to detect brain signals and interpret intent, paving the way for thought-controlled smart tech and robotic personal assistants. The university also announces its development of an interdisciplinary curriculum for human-centered robotics.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are working on an exoskeleton that could help geriatric patients regain independence in movement. The device is designed to supplement the user's natural movement, rather than forcing a predetermined motion, and has the potential to benefit patients affected by stroke and paraplegia.
A research team led by Johns Hopkins engineers discovered that animals use opposing forces in their movements to increase both stability and maneuverability. This biomimetic approach is found in fish, hummingbirds, and bees, and could simplify designs for small robots that fly, swim, or move on mechanical legs.
Researchers have verified the classical Landau-Squire theory in a nanoscale fluid jet, measuring flow rates of tens of pico liters per second. The findings suggest that the Navier-Stokes equations hold true at molecular scales, with potential applications in ultra-low-volume injectors and microfluidic logic circuits.
A study by Washington State University researchers found that two softballs with different properties can result in significantly different injury risks when hit at high speeds. The team developed a virtual head model using Thums, a computerized skeletal system, to simulate collisions and quantify the effects of ball-impact.
Researchers developed a new program to simulate protein movements by exploiting similarities with robot arms, enabling faster and cheaper analysis. The project combines mechanical engineering and biosciences, aiming to understand protein movement and its potential applications in diseases.
John Foster, a renowned peridynamics expert, will lead a $7.5 million Department of Defense project to advance peridynamic theory and improve material modeling. The five-year initiative aims to enhance the understanding of heterogeneous materials under stress.
Researchers studied the dynamics of squeezing fluids using a simple experiment of clapping with wet hands. The study sheds light on the behavior of fluids at the microscale level and has implications for fuel efficiency and pharmaceutical drug deliveries.
Researchers at MIT suggest designing products to help microentrepreneurs generate income is key to success. Factors such as reliability, profitability and multifunctionality often trump affordability in developing countries.
Researchers use nanoplasmonics to modulate light on the nanometer scale, but controlling the beam's direction is challenging. A bubble lens overcomes this issue by reconfiguring its location, size, and shape to focus or deflect the light beam.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a cost-effective and efficient robot called SkySweeper to inspect power lines. The robot can move along utility lines, searching for damage and other problems that require repairs, and can be scaled up for under $1,000.
Graphene's interface properties have been studied, revealing how it interacts with other materials. A technique has been developed to make graphene-based stretchable devices by 'buckling' the material.
Flavia Tauro, a graduate student at NYU-Poly, has won the AGU Hydrology Section's Horton Research Grant to develop novel tracer particles for hydrological monitoring. Her technique aims to improve the efficiency and feasibility of traditional tracing methods while reducing environmental impact.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute professor Diana Lados received the inaugural Constance Tipper Silver Medal for her seminal research and technical accomplishments in metal fracture and fatigue. Her work has worldwide impact and applications in automotive, aerospace, marine, and military industries.
A new dispatch system could reduce trip lengths by two-thirds and get drivers back home more often, saving money on trucks needed to move freight. The system combines elements of point-to-point and relay networks to optimize load routing and minimize driver impact.
Researchers at MIT have developed an array that precisely tracks motor vibrations through the skin, enabling better localization and perception of tactile stimuli. This innovation could lead to wearable GPS-linked devices providing tactile guidance for navigation and direction.
A team of researchers has successfully measured heat transfer at the atomic scale, enabling insights into the relationship between heat dissipation and electronic structure in devices. This breakthrough could help overcome technological hurdles in creating smaller and more powerful electronics.
Researchers at Rice University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have advanced on the goal of two-dimensional electronics by controlling the growth of uniform atomic layers of molybdenum disulfide. The material is a semiconductor, one of three needed to make functioning 2-D electronic components.
A team of biomechanics experts at SMU are investigating the forces involved in typical basketball collisions and their relationship to balance and body control. The research aims to estimate 'flopping' forces from video data and potentially enhance video reviews of alleged flopping.
University of Illinois researchers create the first bridge between optomechanics and microfluidics, enabling the study of mechanical vibrations in liquids. The technology has potential applications in biosensors, fluid analysis, and optical control of fluid flow.
A new study reveals that Allosaurus was a more dexterous hunter than previously thought, using its unique neck structure to strip flesh from prey. Unlike T. rex, which used brute force power, Allosaurus employed a falcon-like technique that relied on agility and control.
A team of Penn engineers has created a new infrared sensor using nanoantennas, allowing for more sensitive detection and compact designs. The device works by connecting mechanical motion to temperature changes, reducing the need for bulky equipment and expensive materials.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a method to print highly conductive and bendable layers of graphene using inkjet printing. The resulting patterns are 250 times more conductive than previous attempts, paving the way for low-cost, foldable electronics.
Rice University researchers have discovered that the liquid crystal phase of silicone becomes significantly stiffer when subjected to repeated compression. This breakthrough could lead to new strategies for self-healing materials, as well as biocompatible materials that mimic human tissues. The stiffening effect is reversible and occur...
Researchers discovered cicadas can use jumping droplets to remove contaminants from their wings, offering an alternative to conventional self-cleaning methods. This phenomenon works without relying on external forces or gravity.
Researchers at MIT have found that the molecular structure of aggrecans in cartilage makes it more susceptible to damage from physical activities like running or jumping. This discovery could help develop tests to diagnose arthritis earlier and guide engineers in designing replacement cartilage.
A new study from the University of Sheffield used a test machine to measure friction on tennis court surfaces, finding that sand particle size affects clay court friction, particularly when wet. The research aims to create international standards for court surfaces to inform players about court conditions and improve player safety.
Researchers developed a novel rotary actuator that delivers more torque than previous devices, achieving four-fold improvements in loading torque and accuracy. The device uses piezoelectric material and a clamp with a changeable clamping radius to optimize power and control.
Researchers studied silicone oil jets bouncing off each other, finding that high-speed flow can inhibit mixing. The study's findings have implications for fuel efficiency in space rockets.
GCEP is awarding $6.6 million to seven research teams at Stanford and Carnegie Mellon for innovative projects on clean energy and carbon capture. These projects aim to develop technologies that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce electricity or hydrogen fuel, with potential applications in the coming decades.
A new stretchable lithium-ion battery has been developed by Northwestern University researchers, enabling true integration of electronics and power into a small, stretchable package. The battery can be stretched up to 300 percent of its original size without losing functionality.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found a way for small molecules to spontaneously grow into centimeter-long microtubes through self-assembly. The process involves the formation of vesicles that stick onto the surface of the tube, causing it to grow longer and wider.
A WUSTL researcher has received a $2.25 million grant to create 3D computer models of brain biomechanics, which will help improve methods for preventing and treating traumatic brain injuries. The new models will provide a better understanding of what happens to the brain during such injuries.
Researchers aim to mimic reptiles' ability to increase locomotion efficiency and frogs' high propulsion. They investigate drinking strategies of carnivorous animals like cats and dogs to develop bio-inspired systems.
Hyejin Moon's novel microfluidic devices improve accurate images and conditions of huge numbers of samples, enabling quicker disease biomarker identification. The technology has applications for speedier drug development and may lead to the development of devices used by patients in their own homes.
The Air Force's Office of Scientific Research has awarded Virginia Tech a $3.5 million award to develop computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes and a supporting hardware-software ecosystem for simulating micro air vehicles (MAVs). The goal is to achieve substantial speed-ups in simulation speed using accelerator-based supercomputers li...
Researchers have created a material that uses physical movement to knock away bacteria, reducing drag and improving energy efficiency on ships. The innovative solution avoids toxic chemicals often found in traditional antibacterial paints.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new organic solar cell design that maximizes light trapping using a geometric pattern inspired by natural evolution. The design achieved a three-fold increase over the Yablonovitch Limit, a thermodynamic limit for photon trapping in semiconductors.
A team of researchers at the University of Washington has discovered an organic ferroelectric molecule with promising properties for memory, sensing, and energy storage. The molecule offers a range of benefits, including lower costs, flexibility, and reduced toxicity.
Researchers Seung Mun You and Hyejin Moon are using aluminum and nanopore technology to update an ancient evaporative process, known as zeer cooling, to cool vaccines and medicine without electricity. Their goal is to preserve vaccines and medicines in remote areas with limited access to electricity.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has awarded grants to 40 scientists and engineers for basic research in science and engineering. The recipients will focus on various areas including aerospace, materials sciences, and life sciences.
MIT researchers have developed a coated surface with nanostructured patterns that increase the heat-transfer coefficient, allowing for more efficient condensation and reducing the need for expensive manufacturing processes. The technology has been shown to improve heat transfer in industrial plants by up to 30%.
Scientists have discovered a new type of molecular lever that can accelerate chemical reactions 1000 times faster than other molecules. This breakthrough has the potential to engineer more efficient materials with improved mechanical and thermal properties.
Researchers at UT Arlington are working with IBM to minimize heat generated by stacked 3D integrated circuits and develop cooling solutions. The team aims to improve efficiency, speed, and reliability of 3D ICs, which could lead to significant financial savings and advancements in computing.