Articles tagged with Mechanical Engineering
A study published in the American Journal of Physics found that the speed of a baseball bat when it hits the ball is the most important factor in hitting a home run. Curve balls are thrown with topspin, which automatically gives them backspin and lift upon impact, making them carry further than fastballs.
Johns Hopkins researchers found deformation twinning in nanocrystalline aluminum, explaining how it deforms under high loads. This discovery will help build models to predict the performance of these materials in real-world devices.
A team of Johns Hopkins students designed and built a computer-guided pill dispensing machine for a quadriplegic man, allowing him to take medication independently. The device, which uses a mouth stick and slam switch, enables the user to select medication and dispense it through a tube into their mouth.
The UC Riverside team designed a single-rider bicycle, Victory, which achieved a top speed of 50 miles per hour and ranked 8th overall. The team won recognition for their design and endurance capabilities, with notable performances in the sprint and grand prix events.
A team of Johns Hopkins University undergraduates invented the Main Squeeze device to ease child car safety seat installation. The low-tech tool applies up to 200 pounds of compression to ensure a snug fit, reducing the risk of injury. The students' design uses a simple crank and attachments for various car models.
Purdue University researchers have created a 'pumpless' liquid-cooling system that removes nearly six times more heat than existing miniature pumpless systems. The system uses microchannels and dielectric liquids to form smaller bubbles, which flow easily through the channels and carry heat away from computer chips.
Researchers aim to enhance understanding of artificial and natural knee joint failures, improve surgical procedures, and create longer-lasting implants. They are developing computational wear models that make quantifiable predictions of deterioration, enabling surgeons to select individualized knee designs.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a simple alternative to complex mathematical models for analyzing car designs. The new technique can pinpoint design flaws more accurately and diagnose problems within days, compared to months, by using vibration measurements.
Two Johns Hopkins engineering students designed and fabricated a new whitewater recreation helmet with three layers of EVA foam for better protection. The prototype helmet was tested and found to absorb enough energy to prevent serious head injuries, with costs reduced by using rapid prototyping technology.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a nanotech control device that achieves six degrees of freedom for precise positioning in nanotechnology and telesurgery. The device eliminates mechanical contact and friction, improving accuracy and resolution, while decreasing manufacturing costs and increasing reliability.
Researchers at Penn State developed new software to design multifunctional surgical instruments, reducing instrument exchanges and improving tactile feedback. The software was used to create a single MIS instrument that can grasp, cut, pivot, and bend around obstructions.
Researchers at Tufts University have engineered custom-made human knee ligaments using adult stem cells, offering a potential solution to the costly and debilitating ACL reconstruction process. The new tissue engineering strategy could significantly reduce recovery time for professional athletes and sports enthusiasts.
A team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University is developing computer simulated models to predict the performance of new implant designs before they are implanted into patients. They aim to uncover how damage occurs in plastic used in total joint replacements and identify potential design concerns.
The program will study the impact of distributed power on Southern California air quality, assess air quality impact, and design low-emission combustors for micro-turbine generators. The grant is funded through the Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program to reduce California's reliance on the power grid.
Researchers at UC Davis's Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction Technology (AHMCT) center are developing high-tech machines to improve safety in highway construction zones. The center has created innovative solutions such as automated debris removal vehicles, crack sealers, and traffic cone-laying robots.
Engineers at Johns Hopkins University invented a globe-shaped motor that can rotate in any direction, giving robotic arms greater flexibility and precision. The device could also be used to create a computer mouse that interacts with the user, or as a three-dimensional wheel with omnidimensional characteristics.
A new book series, interCONNECTIONS, aims to capture the attention of girls ages 8-11 and maintain their interest in math and science. The series features interactive, modular toys/boardgames that bring intangible concepts to life through metaphors and physical connections.
Gary Leal, a professor of chemical engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has been awarded the Society of Rheology's 2000 Bingham Medal. His research on polymeric liquids, liquid crystalline polymers, and suspensions/emulsions has significantly advanced the field of rheology.
The Purdue University engineers' modified office chair uses software algorithms to interpret pressure sensor data and determine the user's seating posture. The system demonstrated an overall accuracy of 96% in distinguishing between different postures, with a special dynamic system being worked on for real-time tracking.
Purdue researchers are developing automotive and portable air-conditioning systems that use environmentally friendly carbon dioxide as a refrigerant. Carbon dioxide is promising for small and light-weight systems, such as automotive or portable air conditioners.
University of Florida researchers Richard Elston and Zhuomin Zhang won the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. The award includes a $500,000 research grant to support their independent research careers. The recipients' work focuses on advancing basic science in heat transfer and thermodynamics.
Researchers at Purdue University are creating plastic and mathematical models to analyze the aerodynamic sound of human speech. They aim to predict the consequences of surgery on the throat and develop a method to better synthesize and characterize voices for robotics and voice-recognition purposes.
The Rockwell Engineering Scholars Endowment will help Clemson meet its commitment to increase its number of engineering graduates by 30 percent. The endowment, valued at $1 million, will provide scholarships for students in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.
A University of Michigan team found that applying repeated strain during tissue development increases the expression of key structural protein genes and improves cell organization, leading to stronger tissues. This approach could improve engineered tissues' strength and potentially be used to investigate disease mechanisms.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new probe that can detect the motion of molecules in polymers as they are being stretched. This breakthrough allows for a fundamental understanding of polymer behavior, which can improve material design and mechanical properties.
Researchers aim to understand the physics of auto airbags to design futuristic airbags with enhanced safety features. Preliminary findings suggest two modifications that could improve airbag safety, including reducing propellant use and installing an aspirator behind the dashboard.
Graduate students will work with leaders in biorobotics and neuro-mechanical prostheses, designing agile robots and creating devices to restore movement. The program aims to educate scientists and engineers for multidisciplinary teams.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a method to create smaller, faster computer chips by stacking electronic devices in vertically connected layers. The technique, called epitaxial lateral overgrowth, allows for the creation of multiple layers of transistors with extremely short connections, leading to faster and denser cir...
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have invented a micropump that utilizes the repeated growth and collapse of a single bubble to push liquids through narrow channels. The bubble-powered pump has no moving mechanical parts, making it unlikely to wear out quickly.
The sensor uses sound waves to analyze the sugar content of the melon, with promising results showing a correlation between signal frequency and actual sugar content. The device is fast, user-friendly, durable, and reasonably priced, making it a viable solution for growers worldwide.
The Whitaker Foundation has awarded over $7.5 million to biomedical researchers at 29 universities to tackle medical problems and improve human health. The grants support innovative research in areas like regenerative medicine, biomechanics, and tissue engineering.
Virginia Tech students will design and develop a hybrid vehicle using the new fuel cell, which produces zero emissions. The team aims to make effective use of the fuel cell in combination with a battery pack.
Researchers will study advanced technologies to minimize earthquake damage and losses in critical facilities like hospitals. They will examine retrofitting methods, smart materials systems, and monitoring systems to detect post-earthquake damage.
Researchers develop tiny coated beads that can release drugs directly onto tumors in response to chemical signals. The beads are designed to remain intact until exposed to sodium-rich blood plasma, at which point they swell and burst explosively, releasing the entrapped drug. This technology has potential for targeted cancer treatment.
Stanford University's Technology Ventures Co-op program accelerates the transfer of technology and science into the economy by teaching engineers entrepreneurship skills. The nine-month program places students in summer jobs with top Silicon Valley startups, providing on-the-job experience and exposure to high-tech products.
Product-based learning, developed at Stanford University, takes a radical approach to higher education by having students design and build real products for external clients. This method promotes deeper learning, relevance, and team collaboration. By working on projects that have real-world applications, students develop problem-solvin...