Articles tagged with Mechanical Engineering
Scientists have engineered materials that are both stiff and excellent thermal insulators, opening up new possibilities for applications such as electronic device coatings. The discovery allows for controlling the material's properties through composition adjustments.
Researchers at Columbia University and colleagues have developed a new method to synthesize large-area graphene without oxygen, leading to reproducible and high-quality samples. The technique eliminates trace oxygen, which has previously affected the growth rate and quality of graphene.
A Virginia Tech researcher has developed a new tool that uses robotics and acoustic energy to move small targets, such as cells and medicine, within the body without cutting or invasive procedures. The 'invisible tweezers' have potential applications in various fields, including engineering, biology, and chemistry research.
A team of researchers has discovered a method to create the Leidenfrost effect at lower temperatures using engineered surfaces. By creating micropillars on a surface, they can increase the temperature at which water droplets hover, improving heat transfer applications.
The HKU Engineering team has developed an interactive multi-stage robotic positioner for MRI-guided stereotactic neurosurgery. The system enables precise interventions with a precision error of less than 3mm, demonstrating immense potential for integration into clinical practice.
The team aims to create a system that can deliver items without human contact, using cables, knots, and multiple robots. They will focus on scaling up the transport of small objects like a basketball and solar panel.
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a new 3D printing technique that uses nanotubes to reinforce additively manufactured metals, making them stronger in corrosive environments. The technique has the potential to revolutionize the field of metal manufacturing and increase U.S. competitiveness.
Scientists from TU Delft and Brown University engineer string-like resonators capable of vibrating for extended periods at room temperature, enabling sensitive sensing applications. The innovation uses advanced nanotechnology techniques and machine learning algorithms to create ultra-long strings with minimal energy loss.
Researchers developed adhesive hydrogel coatings that eliminate fibrosis, a common issue with medical implants. The coatings bind devices to tissue and prevent the immune system from attacking them.
Researchers developed a new component, sepiolite, to improve braking effectiveness in high-speed rail brakes. Sepiolite exhibits high-temperature lubricity, weakening bonds between its layered structures, and accelerates the formation of a surface lubricating film, providing stable friction at high temperatures.
Engineers developed a material that mimics human bone for orthopedic femur restoration, providing optimized support and protection from external forces. This innovative approach uses machine learning, optimization, and 3D printing to create a fully controllable computational framework.
A US Army research collaboration with Boston University's KABlab used an AI machine learning robot to create a record-breaking energy-absorbing shape, breaking the known record of 71% efficiency. The shape has four points, like thin flower petals, and is taller and narrower than early designs.
A systematic investigation by Osaka Metropolitan University calculated 120 combinations of alloy elements with carbon and nitrogen to form bonds in steel. The results showed that specific arrangements of elements harden the iron, improving durability and material strength.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have engineered a thermal trap that can deliver heat at temperatures of over 1000 degrees Celsius using solar radiation. This technology has the potential to decarbonize energy-intensive industries on a large scale, making it an important step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Uppsala University have developed an artificial tactile system that can detect pressure by touch in a similar way to the human nervous system. The technology has the potential to restore lost functionality to patients after a stroke, as well as enhance interactions between humans and robots.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have engineered a thermal trap to deliver heat at high temperatures needed for industrial processes, overcoming the challenge of fossil fuels. The device, which uses solar radiation, absorbs sunlight and converts it into heat, minimizing radiative heat losses and increasing efficiency.
RMIT's low-carbon concrete has been shown to recycle double the amount of coal ash compared to current standards, reducing cement requirements by half. The new mixture also performs exceptionally well over time, with large concrete beam prototypes meeting Australian Standards for engineering performance and environmental requirements.
A Binghamton University professor investigates the adaptive response of fire ant rafts to mechanical load, discovering that they exhibit catch bond behavior under force, which enhances cohesion for survival. This phenomenon is being explored to develop artificial materials with autonomous self-strengthening properties.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed the first wide field-of-hearing metalens, overcoming traditional acoustic lens limitations. The device achieves up to 140 degrees of field-of-hearing without sound distortion, enabling new applications in acoustic imaging and high-sensitivity sensing.
The study found that an 80% concentration of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) and specific solvents leads to the highest pattern transfer efficiency. The conversion efficiency reaches impressive levels in the ultraviolet spectrum, paving the way for commercial viability of metasurfaces.
Engineers at Stanford University have developed a prototype augmented reality headset that uses holographic imaging to overlay full-color, 3D moving images on the lenses of regular glasses. The new approach delivers a visually satisfying 3D viewing experience in a compact and comfortable form factor suitable for all-day wear.
Scientists at the University of Surrey are developing a new type of spacecraft that harnesses thin air for propulsion, enabling higher-resolution Earth observation and faster telecommunications. This innovation has the potential to extend mission lifetimes by removing the need for stored propellant.
A comprehensive study by University of Technology Sydney researchers confirms CPAP therapy's safety without adverse effects on the respiratory system. The study uses computational modeling to assess airflow velocity and shear stress, providing reassurance for patients.
A team of researchers has developed a hemostasis sponge that swiftly staunchs kidney bleeding and facilitates wound recovery. The material uses kidney-derived decellularized extracellular matrix to recreate the kidney's microenvironment, boasting high biocompatibility.
Researchers have developed a theoretical equation to predict the average buckling strength of shells with geometric imperfections. The model, which considers shapes and distribution of imperfections, offers promise for creating lightweight and sustainable structures while ensuring structural reliability.
A research team at Waseda University has discovered a family of poly(thiourea)s (PTUs) with exceptional optical properties, including transparency over 92% and a refractive index of 1.81. The polymers can be easily degraded into simpler molecules, making them suitable for sustainable optoelectronic applications.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new 3D microscope technology using an electronically tunable lens, which automates the focusing process and reduces costs. This innovation enables fast and high-quality 3D imaging, overcoming limitations of traditional microscopes.
Researchers developed a device with AI algorithms to analyze suckling strength and pattern in newborns. The system showed improved accuracy over subjective clinician assessments, identifying abnormal patterns that may indicate the need for surgical intervention or improved feeding practices.
An interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers compared various aspects of running robots with their equivalents in animals, finding that biological components performed poorly compared to fabricated parts. However, animals excel in integrating and controlling these components.
MIT engineers have developed a closed-loop drug-delivery system that can improve chemotherapy outcomes by continuously monitoring patients and adjusting dosage. The new system, called CLAUDIA, uses commercially available equipment to analyze blood samples every five minutes and adjust infusion rates in real-time.
Research at Tampere University aims to develop adaptable safety systems for autonomous off-road mobile machinery. The framework focuses on ensuring public safety without compromising technological advancements, incorporating a human-in-the-loop safety option.
Researchers found that older adults tend to conserve energy by modifying their movements under certain circumstances. The findings suggest that the effort costs of reaching are a determining factor in slowing movement with age. This research may lead to new tools for diagnosing diseases, including Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a novel 2D/3D/2D heterostructure material that can minimize energy loss while preserving ferroelectric material properties. The new structure achieved an energy density up to 19 times higher than commercially available capacitors and efficiency over 90%.
A new online curriculum and simulation training program, developed by Penn State researchers, significantly reduced complications in central line placement. The program, launched in 2022, has been shown to decrease error rates for mechanical issues, infections, and blood clots.
Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering and Computer Science has been selected to work with NASA on the University Nanosatellite Program. The program provides systems engineering training for students and aims to prepare them to work in the space industry.
The WVU Research Experience for Undergraduates program aims to solve real-world problems in Appalachia using mobile robotics. Students will conduct independent research in areas like drone navigation and swarming behaviors, focusing on enabling change with robotics tools.
The team created ten holograms with varying colors and shapes using an inverse design technique driven by artificial intelligence. They integrated an oblique helicoidal cholesterics-based wavelength modulator to accurately implement the designed holograms, enabling the establishment of an optical security system.
Lehigh University researcher A. Emrah Bayrak explores best practices for human-AI collaboration in complex design tasks, aiming to maximize productivity and job satisfaction. His project uses models that predict human decision-making and combines it with AI's training data analysis to determine strategies for division of labor.
Engineers at the University of Florida have developed a novel 3D printing method called VIPS-3DP, which creates single-material and multi-material objects using sustainable materials and less energy. This process allows for custom-made objects to be printed economically and sustainably.
Researchers developed a spring-like device that maximizes muscle contractions to power biohybrid robots. The new flexure design enables predictable and reliable movement, allowing engineers to build muscle-powered robots with increased precision and versatility.
The new metafluid can transition between Newtonian and non-Newtonian states, allowing for programmable viscosity and compressibility. The researchers demonstrated the fluid's capabilities in a hydraulic robotic gripper, picking up objects of varying weights without crushing them.
Research by a team at Pohang University of Science & Technology found that impurities in lithium raw material can enhance process efficiency and prolong battery lifespan, reducing costs and emissions by up to 19.4% and 9.0%, respectively.
The CEC researchers have received funding to transform Eagle Bank Arena into a one-of-a-kind robotics experimentation and competition venue. This unique facility will enable the study of multi-robot systems in adversarial settings, advancing the state-of-the-art in heterogeneous multi-robot technologies.
Researchers have developed two innovative methods for mass-producing metalenses, reducing production costs by up to 1,000 times. The team achieved successful creation of large-scale infrared metalenses with high resolution and exceptional light-collecting capabilities.
The MIT-designed 'architected' reef could dissipate more than 95% of incoming wave energy using a fraction of the material needed, reducing erosion and flooding. The cylindrical structure's unique design leverages turbulence to efficiently break waves, making it a potential solution for coastal protection in various water conditions.
A new MIT-derived algorithm corrects coarse climate model predictions by 'nudging' them toward more realistic patterns, leading to more accurate forecasts of extreme weather events. The approach uses machine learning and dynamical systems theory to improve the resolution of large-scale climate models.
Researchers from Tsinghua University propose a novel process to convert cutting chips into unique microstructures, transforming waste into valuable materials. The finding has potential applications in enhanced heat transfer, anti-icing, and antibacterial properties.
Researchers at WVU are developing solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, with the goal of cutting production costs to $1 per kilogram. The projects focus on improving SOEC design and manufacturing processes to increase efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
The researchers achieved 20-level intermediate states of phase change materials using a micron-scale laser writing system. This allows for the demonstration of ultra-high flexibility in phase modulation and potential applications in neuromorphic photonics, optical computing, and reconfigurable metasurfaces.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have created a chip that can directly isolate blood plasma from a tube of blood in just 30 minutes, removing over 99.9% of blood cells and platelets. The device, called ExoArc, enables high-quality plasma for disease screening and research, improving diagnosis accuracy and reducing waiting times.
Researchers have developed a new dural repair solution using a multi-functional biomaterial that addresses key limitations of current methods. The 'Dural Tough Adhesive' (DTA) performed better than currently used surgical sealants in tests using animal models and human-derived tissues.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a universal approach to controlling robotic exoskeletons that requires no training, calibration, or adjustments. The system uses deep learning to autonomously adjust assistance levels for walking, standing, and climbing stairs, reducing user effort and metabolic expenditure.
Researchers developed a new open-source system to interface with living neurons, offering enhanced control and precision in measuring neural processes. The system boasts over 500 electrodes, allowing for more data collection and customization, while being 10 times cheaper than commercial systems.
Researchers at Rice University have developed an additive-free, water-based ink made of lignin and cellulose for producing architecturally intricate wood structures via direct ink writing. The new method exclusively uses nanoscale wood components for 3D printing, marking a significant advancement in the field.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs by harnessing AI in metamaterials research, leading to faster device development and more precise data analysis. This convergence of AI and metaphotonics has the potential to transform various domains, including diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and security.
A study outlines a gas diffusion media (GDM) design that accelerates water transport and improves reaction gas transport in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, reducing the risk of flooding. The design creates a hydrophobicity gradient to enhance mass transfer ability.
Researchers developed mesoporous metal oxides on flexible materials using synergetic effect of heat and plasma at lower temperatures. The devices can withstand bending thousands of times without losing energy storage performance.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new diagnostic platform that uses sound waves to spin an individual drop of water up to 6,000 revolutions per minute. The technique separates tiny biological particles within samples to enable new diagnostics based on exosomes.
A research team developed an anode protection layer to prevent random electrodeposition of lithium, promoting stable 'bottom electrodeposition' and reducing unnecessary consumption. The breakthrough results in all-solid-state batteries with stable electrochemical performance over extended periods using ultrathin lithium metal anodes.
Researchers at ETH Zurich taught ANYmal, a quadrupedal robot, to perform parkour and navigate rubble using machine learning. The robot uses its camera and artificial neural network to determine obstacles and perform movements likely to succeed based on previous training.