Articles tagged with Mechanical Engineering
Researchers at UC San Diego have made a breakthrough discovery that can help predict where and how quickly initial fires spread in warehouses. The study focuses on corrugated cardboard, finding that it slows the rate of fire spread due to peeling layers, making it essential for designing warehouse protection systems.
Researchers created a robotic fish that can swim vertically and horizontally with unprecedented agility. The robot uses a sophisticated fin to generate inward counterpropagating waves, allowing it to move in unexpected directions. Its potential applications include underwater recovery operations and long-term monitoring of coral reefs.
A new study in HortScience found that mechanical harvesting creates up to 250% more debris than hand-harvested controls, resulting in increased costs for citrus producers. The research also highlights the importance of tree management practices in preventing debris from entering the harvesting stream.
University of Illinois researchers create an acoustic cloak that hides underwater objects from detection, using metamaterials to manipulate sound waves. The technology has potential applications in military stealth, soundproofing, and medical imaging.
Hassan Aref, a Virginia Tech professor, has been awarded the G.I. Taylor Medal for his outstanding contributions to fluid mechanics research. His work includes shedding new light on chaotic motion and its applications.
Engineers Sunghwan Jung and Navish Wadhwa found that silicone oil jets do not coalesce when impacted at a specific angle, due to the lubrication effect of air between them. This study sheds light on non-coalescence behaviors in various engineering systems.
Jonathan Malen's research may lead to more precise thermal management devices for aircraft and other transportation systems. He proposes using thin layers of small molecules to filter vibrations that carry heat, enabling more precise control over temperature.
The number of US research doctorate degrees awarded grew to 49,562 in 2009, up 1.6% from the previous year. Doctorates in science and engineering fields increased by 1.9%, largely driven by growth in female recipients.
Milan Begliarbekov, a doctoral candidate at Stevens Institute of Technology, has found unique applications for graphene. His research uses µ-Raman spectroscopy to differentiate between monolayer and bilayer graphene, and establishes a new signature of Klein tunneling in graphene heterojunctions.
Rensselaer students Casey Hoffman and Jaron Kuppers won the top prize with their SET process, which offers a new method for curing advanced composites using less energy and cost. The process has the potential to trim manufacturing costs and widen the playing field of businesses that can afford to research and manufacture these materials.
Stevens Institute of Technology has received an NSF grant to acquire a Nanoimprint Lithography System, enhancing its research and educational capabilities in nanotechnology. The new equipment will support high-throughput nanoscale patterning and hands-on experience for students in the Nanotechnology Graduate Program.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new method to produce nanoparticles 500 times faster than traditional methods, using an arrayed microchannel reactor and laminated architecture. This breakthrough could make nanotechnology products more commercially practical and environmentally friendly.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have created intricate, curving 3-D nanostructures from carbon nanotubes using capillary action forces. These shapes can harness the exceptional mechanical, thermal, electrical, and chemical properties of carbon nanotubes in a scalable fashion.
The NSF grant funds the acquisition of a Nanonex 1000 Nanoimprint Lithography System, which will strengthen high-throughput nanoscale patterning research at Stevens. The system will provide hands-on experience to students in the Nanotechnology Graduate Program and undergraduates alike.
Research in the Journal of Tissue Engineering reveals that stem cells detect surface features with mechanosensors, which modulate gene expression through biochemical signaling cascades. This understanding opens doors to develop improved clinical prostheses with topographies that directly modulate stem cell fate.
University of Illinois researchers have created a tiny needle that can deliver quantum dots directly into a cell's nucleus, allowing for the study of internal environments and cellular processes. This breakthrough technique uses electrical potential to control the release of molecules and offers precise monitoring capabilities, opening...
The center will focus on developing innovative ways to reduce the risks and costs of natural hazards. THOR will unify efforts from various academic disciplines to study critical societal issues such as global climate change, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and extreme weather events.
Researchers have successfully produced sheets of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), a potential insulator to complement graphene's electronic properties. The material can be deposited and transferred to various substrates, opening up possibilities for its use in graphene-based electronics.
Researchers have developed a new ultrathin cooling technology that can efficiently cool 'power electronics' in military and automotive systems. The miniature device uses copper spheres and carbon nanotubes to passively wick a coolant, handling up to 550 watts per square centimeter of heat.
Research team discovers unique gut sliding movement in caterpillars, which inspires design of soft material robots. These 'softbots' can move without visible leg translations and are suitable for search-and-rescue operations and space applications.
Researchers at Harvard University have tracked individual atoms as they reorganized into a crystal, driven by quantum mechanics. This achievement opens possibilities for particle-by-particle study and engineering of artificial quantum materials.
The UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science will advance MEMS technology with a $5.5 million grant from the US Defense Department. The goal is to create electrically connected, rotating microscale motors for sensing and communications in defense systems.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive test for cardiovascular disease using VENDYS, a device that monitors finger temperature to measure an individual's risk. The test, which takes 15 minutes, can help identify vascular health issues and provide valuable feedback on progress.
Two studies by Queen's University researchers suggest southeastern Ontario has enormous solar energy potential, producing nearly as much power as the US nuclear grid. The studies, led by Professor Joshua Pearce, estimate 95 gigawatts of potential power in the region.
Jessica Zhang, an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has received a Young Investigator Award for her research on developing novel algorithms to improve ship design and analysis. The award provides $510,000 in funding over three years to support her research goals.
Dr. Chang-Hwan Choi has been recognized with the Young Investigator Program award for his work on efficient anti-corrosion surfaces. His research focuses on nano-engineering of superhydrophobic surfaces to enhance durability and functionality in light metal applications, addressing significant corrosion protection needs for the U.S. Navy.
A team of nanotechnologists used friction force microscopy to study the nanoscale frictional characteristics of four atomically-thin materials. They found that friction increases as the number of atomic layers decreases, regardless of material differences.
A research team at Virginia Tech is perfecting an autonomous helicopter designed to assist in investigating nuclear disasters. The helicopter will carry various payloads to detect radiation levels and map damage, while also having a miniature robot to collect evidence. Plans call for the helicopters to be mission-ready in three years.
The Emergent Behaviors of Integrated Cellular Systems (EBICS) Center will investigate the interactions of cell clusters and create biological modules that can be combined for different capabilities. The center aims to advance research and education, particularly in involving underrepresented groups.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that certain nanomaterials can move in regions called grain boundaries, leading to changes in their strength and plasticity. This finding has implications for the fabrication of microdevices and integrated circuits, as it may alter the materials' lifespan and performance.
Carbon capture and storage technology is crucial for reducing CO2 emissions, but its widespread deployment requires a regulatory policy with a market incentive. Rubin argues that effective climate policies are necessary to incentivize the development of cleaner energy alternatives.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's National Robotics Engineering Center developed a plant-sorting machine that uses computer vision and machine learning to classify and sort harvested strawberry plants more consistently and faster than human workers. The system has the potential to improve quality, streamline production and de...
Engineering students at UC San Diego helped streamline the application process for federal Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, securing $154 million for 192 solar projects. The students developed an analytical tool to calculate energy output and payback time, allowing applications to be completed in 10 minutes.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a fluid-dynamical model that reveals nanopillars form through thermocapillary flow, not pressure fluctuations. This discovery paves the way for a new 3D lithography method with high precision and potentially limitless patterns.
The research team will investigate the role of structural components in knee ligament sprains, combining micro-mechanical models, molecular models, and biological and mechanical experiments. The study aims to clarify micro-structural changes associated with partial and complete tears.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are analyzing insects to develop better artificial tissues and organs. They're studying the internal fluid flows of beetles, grasshoppers, and silk moths to gain insights into efficient respiratory and circulatory systems.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new design program called FEAsy that analyzes designs from raw sketches to speed up parts creation. The program uses finite-element analysis to test designs in the sketching stage, allowing for faster improvements and changes.
Researchers developed a hybrid approach to test how buildings collapse during powerful earthquakes. The new method is safer and far less expensive than traditional shake table tests, allowing for the testing of full-scale buildings. The study's results could help engineers design buildings that are less prone to sustaining damage.
Tiny mechanical devices called resonators can filter electronic signals by cancelling out certain frequencies and allowing others to pass. The devices, made of silicon, are manufactured using a standard procedure and have the potential for advanced applications in medical and homeland-defense fields.
Frank Fisher, an Assistant Professor at Stevens Institute of Technology, received the 2009 Ferdinand P. Beer and E. Russell Johnston Jr. Outstanding New Educator Award for his commitment to mechanics education. The award recognizes his efforts in developing graduate programs and providing exceptional teaching experiences.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have successfully focused ultrasound waves through a flat metamaterial lens to create an acoustic 'superlens'. This innovation could improve high-resolution ultrasound imaging, non-destructive structural testing of buildings and bridges, and novel underwater stealth technology.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a technique that uses sensors to monitor refrigerant temperature and estimate the amount of refrigerant in an air conditioning system, saving energy and reducing maintenance costs. The new method could be easily integrated into automotive and household air conditioners.
Jeremiah T. Abiade received a Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award to increase electrical output of thermoelectric materials and devices. His research aims to enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, for useful power output.
Scientists create nanoneedle to deliver molecules into cell cytoplasm and nucleus with precision, enabling single-molecule studies and molecular manipulation. The delivery method combines molecular targeting strategies using quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles.
A UC San Diego bioengineer has made significant discoveries on the universal need for cells, tissues, organs, and organisms to use common biological modules. The researcher found that despite differences in structure and function, various biological systems respond to forces using similar strategies.
Researchers used the pursuit-evasion game 'Marco Polo' to create a system for controlling moving robots that can autonomously detect and capture other moving targets. The system, which uses multiple sensors and cell decomposition algorithm, has broad applications in security, environmental monitoring, and tracking endangered species.
A mechanical engineer at Washington University in St. Louis has developed techniques to reduce vehicle drag using active flow control technology, resulting in a 15-18% reduction in fuel consumption. The technology is being researched by airplane and automobile companies worldwide to play an important role in fuel conservation.
A team of engineers from University of Wisconsin-Madison has created a new view of nanoscale friction by demonstrating that friction at the atomic level behaves similarly to friction generated between large objects. The researchers found that friction is proportional to the number of atoms that interact between two nanoscale surfaces.
Percy A. Pierre, a renowned engineer and educator, has been awarded the 2008 AAAS Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement for his dedication to increasing the number of African-American and Hispanic-American Ph.D.s in engineering. He has mentored 27 doctoral graduates through the Sloan Engineering Program at Michigan State University.
A collaborative effort between Procter & Gamble and the University of Cincinnati has developed a center of expertise in computer simulation. The UC Simulation Center provides P&G with virtual modeling and simulation capacity, saving costs, time, and engineering resources.
Shashank Priya has received a three-year grant to develop high-sensitivity resonant magnetic field sensors using magnetoelectric thin films. The technology has the potential to enhance performance of communication devices such as GPS systems.
Professor Hamid Hadim has received a grant to develop an introductory level training course on pressurized water reactor nuclear power plants. The course will provide EPRI staff with better understanding of fundamental principles and design methodologies, enabling more valuable research and development.
University of Houston professors Matthew Franchek and Ralph Metcalfe receive a $2.8 million NIH grant to create a pulseless total artificial heart (TAH) with advanced control systems. The device aims to improve reliability and adjust to physiological needs, offering hope for those waiting for a heart transplant.
Nakhiah Goulbourne's NSF CAREER award aims to develop specific models and experiments for heart stent sensors. The goal is to create diagnostic tools that can dynamically monitor the mechanical state of the stented artery, reducing implant failures and improving cardiovascular flow.
Professor Constantin Chassapis and Hamid Hadim will develop educational and training programs to address energy industry workforce challenges, focusing on nuclear engineering expertise. The program aims to provide practical skills and competencies for future nuclear power engineers and technicians.
A Duke University engineer and colleague have applied the constructal theory to explain how trees are designed for water flow and wind resistance. The resulting patterns and proportions match those of the Eiffel Tower, highlighting the interconnectedness of nature's flow systems.
Researchers at Princeton University have invented a technique to pattern surfaces on the nanoscale using lasers and plastic beads. The method enables the creation of ultrasmall features, such as lines and dots, that are 1,000 times narrower than a human hair, with potential applications in biology, medicine, and computing.
A $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy is funding a study to investigate the transport and environmental risks of nanomaterials. Researchers will examine how nanoparticles are partitioned and transported in the environment and human body.
A new international study reveals how the Komodo dragon can efficiently kill prey despite having a weak bite and featherweight skull. The 'space-frame' skull, combined with powerful neck muscles and razor-sharp teeth, allows it to butcher large animal prey.
Yang's project aims to create ultra-high-speed single electron memory devices based on CNTs, which could replace silicon transistors in future electronics. The team will investigate novel in-plane CNT structures for high-speed and low-power applications.