Articles tagged with Structural Design
Researchers at the University of Kansas will investigate improved detailing in steel bridges to prevent constraint-induced fractures, which can lead to bridge failures. They will also evaluate university curricula for graduate students studying bridge design to address gaps in education and improve continuing education.
Researchers at GIST have developed a new approach for designing fiber reinforced composites, which can simultaneously optimize the macrostructure and microscale fiber densities. This method, based on multiscale topology optimization, enables the creation of functionally graded composites with improved strength-to-weight ratios, benefit...
Researchers discovered that fish generate movable vortex pairs of high- and low-pressure regions to propel themselves forward. This process involves precise control of body fluctuations, which enables the fish to swim with high motion control and flexibility.
Researchers have found a way to modify carbon nanotubes to meet the requirements of novel electronic devices. The team discovered that exposure to plasma or shortening tube lengths leads to a drop in conductivity at low terahertz frequencies, but at high enough frequencies electrons move freely.
Engineers from Penn State assessed structural damage and resilience in Mayfield, Kentucky, after the December 2021 Midwest Tornado series. They collected data through door-to-door assessments, drone evaluations, and photographs to understand community recovery and design more resilient structures.
Researchers at TUM explore the use of living trees in architecture, using photogrammetry and skeleton extraction to design structures that adapt to tree growth. They demonstrate a pavilion with a roof structure optimized to follow the shape of supporting branches.
A new $1 million project at UCF aims to understand how raindrops interact with hypersonic shock waves. Researchers will use computer simulations and experiments to predict conditions for safe hypersonic travel. The knowledge gained could prevent damage and improve rocket launch accuracy.
Researchers develop small-molecule serial femtosecond crystallography, enabling precise analysis of complex materials. The technique reveals accurate atomic structures of previously unsolvable compounds.
Researchers from Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) have discovered a way to perform 'general inverse design' with high accuracy. This breakthrough enables the creation of materials with specific characteristics and properties, paving the way for revolutionizing materials science and industrial applications.
Researchers developed soft manipulators based on pneu-nets, mimicking biological systems like elephant trunks and octopus tentacles. These structures can grasp and manipulate soft objects with increased flexibility.
A $4.5 million civil engineering study simulates the impact of explosives on structures using a virtual reality platform to develop strategies for combat operations and protect people. The research, led by Hussam Mahmoud, aims to create more resilient structures that can withstand blasts and other forms of damage.
Researchers at MIT created a computational tool to minimize embodied carbon in truss structures by choosing between timber and steel. The analysis suggests that substituting materials or changing the structure can significantly reduce emissions, with potential savings of up to two times current levels.
Researchers discovered a novel topological edge soliton that inherits topological protection from its linear counterpart, enabling robust and localized light beams. This breakthrough is achieved through nonlinear photorefractive lattices harnessing the valley Hall effect, without requiring an external magnetic field.
Researchers have developed a 3D-printed design that mimics the behavior of auxetic materials, used to absorb and distribute impact forces. The design, made from bioplastic, can potentially replace steel and fiber-reinforced polymer mesh reinforcements in composites.
Travelling fires, which burn locally and spread across entire floors over time, can cause significant structural damage in large open-plan spaces. Researchers at Imperial College London have found that these lesser-known fires are a concern for buildings with fuel-rich environments, such as warehouses and offices.
McGill University scientists created a new glass and acrylic composite material mimicking nacre for exceptional strength and durability. The material is three times stronger and five times more fracture-resistant than regular glass, with potential applications in phone screens and other industries.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong discovered a way to steer the spreading direction of liquids on a surface inspired by the Araucaria leaf. By adjusting the surface tension, they can control the liquid flow direction, with implications for fluidics design and heat transfer enhancement.
Researchers explored wind turbine dynamics under simultaneous wind and earthquake excitation, finding a coupling effect between aerodynamic damping and blade stiffness. This knowledge can guide seismic design of wind turbines and inform determination of wind-earthquake combinations.
A University of Missouri researcher is using a grant from the National Science Foundation to explore how time can factor in a building collapse. She's conducting thousands of hours of laboratory tests to determine the breaking points of reinforced concrete building materials.
Researchers at Skoltech developed a mathematical model for thermoplastic composite materials, reducing conservatism in strength calculations. The model allows for virtual testing of structures, minimizing manufacturing costs while ensuring safety and quality requirements.
Researchers created a wearable sensor that can detect a wide range of strains, from low-level wrist pulses to high-level elbow bending movements. The sensor's novel structural design mimics the scaly structure of snake skin, resulting in exceptional stretchiness and sensitivity.
Researchers used gravity-defying rock formations to determine the peak ground accelerations that could topple them, setting new design ground motion values for the Clyde Dam. The new values are similar to those used when the dam was built in the 1980s, but with a reduced risk due to modern regulations.
Researchers discovered a four-layered exoskeleton with distinctive micro-structure and chemical characteristics that restrict crack propagation and maximize strain energy release during deformation. Bio-mimetic structures fabricated via 3D printing demonstrated improved toughness and strength, guiding high-performance composites fabric...
Researchers used engineering tools to investigate the pelvic floor hypothesis, which states that trade-offs exist between supporting childbirth and protecting organs. A larger pelvic floor would facilitate easier childbirth but risk deforming under weight, causing organs to fall downward.
A study by Kaunas University of Technology reveals the benefits of telehealth, including accessibility, convenience, and cost-saving. However, organizational and individual barriers, such as lack of digital training and reimbursement issues, hinder its widespread adoption.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated and observed 3D hopfions emerging from skyrmions at the nanoscale, a major breakthrough in realizing high-density, high-speed, low-power magnetic memory devices. The discovery could lead to significant advancements in spintronics technology.
Plasmonic tweezers facilitate trapping of micro- and nanostructures using hotspots smaller than the free-space wavelength, providing higher precision. The technique has expanded applications in fields such as biology, chemistry, and physics.
New strategies aim to achieve ideal bistable electrochromic systems for green displays. Researchers explore various approaches, including material design optimization, indirect EC systems, and device structure improvements. The goal is to overcome technical bottlenecks and enable widespread adoption of sustainable displays.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have conducted extensive wind testing on tall mass-timber buildings and found that they can withstand high-wind events up to 20 storeys. However, for taller buildings, aerodynamic and structural improvements are needed to address excessive wind-induced motion.
Researchers have developed a sustainable material called regenerated isotropic wood (RGI-wood) from surface nanocrystallized wood particles. RGI-wood boasts improved mechanical properties, fire retardancy, and electromagnetic shielding capabilities compared to natural wood and petroleum-based plastics.
A team of researchers from the University of Barcelona has developed a new protocol combining multicomponent reactions with domino type processes to synthesize complex molecules. The study reveals a key principle that enables access to high structural complexity, offering a more efficient and sustainable synthetic pathway.
Researchers created Tsugite, a 3D design application to simplify wood joint creation and fabrication. The system allows users to design functional wooden structures quickly and efficiently, without nails or glue, promoting sustainability and flexibility in construction.
Researchers at Shinshu University developed a topology-optimized thermal cloak-concentrator that can cloak and concentrate heat flux using general materials. The study utilized topology optimization to create an optimized structure that achieved both functions simultaneously.
The study reveals that the real catalytically active phase for CO2 electroreduction is inconsistent with the as-prepared or post-catalyzed catalyst structure. High-performance CO2 electroreduction into formate is achieved on the operando regenerative structure.
Researchers have developed a new method for creating multicolor single-mode microlasers capable of emitting over the full visible spectrum. The lasers are achieved through heterogeneously coupled cavities constructed with three spherical microcavities and distinct gain media.
Researchers at NIMS and Hokkaido University successfully created a reusable adhesive structure inspired by insect footpads, capable of repeated attachment and detachment. The structure's strength and ease of use vary depending on direction of pull, with potential applications in industrial robots and outdoor equipment.
Scientists create geometrical drawing method and software to design fan-like structures based on earwig wing folding. The method was used to recreate a Paleozoic earwig's wing folding pattern, shedding light on evolutionary pathways.
The project SAMAS - SHM created a reliable load and impact monitoring system, enabling the estimation of aerodynamic loads, detection of impacts, and quantification of damage. The system was tested successfully during test flights and ground tests, confirming its reliability.
A research team discovered that high-entropy alloys exhibit exceptional mechanical properties at ultra-low temperatures due to multiple deformation mechanisms. The study used in-situ neutron diffraction technique to reveal the sequence of deformation mechanisms, including dislocation slip, stacking faults, twinning, and serrations.
Researchers tested concrete floors with steel beams to understand fire behavior and structural failure. The study found that even well-designed structures can collapse due to extreme temperature shifts, highlighting the need for improved fire safety measures.
Researchers from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have developed virtualized acoustic metamaterials that can be tuned flexibly using software programs. This technology enables a range of applications including broadband stealth, active sound absorption, super-resolution imaging, and beyond.
A new approach to trapping light in artificial photonic materials could revolutionize data transfer speeds online. Researchers at City College of New York led by Alexander B. Khanikaev have made a significant breakthrough, enabling the design of new optical resonators that may impact devices used daily.
Researchers at Kanazawa University developed a reaction to link three components simultaneously, creating highly functionalized ketones. The method uses free radical chemistry and an N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst, controlling the positions of functional groups with high selectivity.
A team of researchers analyzed data on large nearshore waves to provide insights that could help design coastal structures better withstand destructive waves. The study found that the extreme waves in shallow waters tend to be smaller than rogue waves in deep water but have similar characteristics.
Researchers designed a new structural design method that can transform flat layers into predetermined shapes in response to ambient temperature changes. The new structures can achieve complex configurations, such as transforming into a human face shape.
Researchers have designed a new member of the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) family using 1,1,2,4-tetraphenyl-1,3-butadiene derivatives. These TPB derivatives exhibit strong fluorescence in aggregates and variable emission wavelengths due to conformational sensitivity.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new algorithm that enables the 'roboats' to smoothly reshape themselves as efficiently as possible. The system, designed for Amsterdam's canals, allows groups of linked roboat units to unlatch from one another and reattach to form various structures, such as bridges and stages.
A research team led by Prof. Rho developed a simultaneous inverse design of metamaterials using deep learning, allowing for arbitrary photonic structure designs and significant reduction in design time.
A recent study suggests that reinforced concrete walls in Seattle may experience up to 11% larger displacement and a higher probability of collapse during magnitude 9 earthquakes due to basin effects. The research highlights the need for updated building codes and retrofits to mitigate potential damage.
A team of researchers found that cilia's most efficient beating occurs at a natural length of 10-12 microns, but surprisingly lacks synchronization. The study provides insight into human cilia and defects leading to diseases such as primary ciliary dyskinesia.
Scientists have created nanocubes that can form stable cubes at specific temperatures, then scramble back into individual components when heated or cooled. This self-assembly ability mimics life's chemical processes, enabling the creation of complex systems.
The EPFL study found that La Buvette combines several of Prouvé's innovations, including steel 'crutches', an unorthodox material combination, and innovative roof design. The researchers suggest renovating the site into a seasonal exhibition space with a focus on its water element.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have figured out the fundamental mechanisms behind the stability of bendable tubes, including drinking straws. By introducing pre-stress into the material, they found that the structure becomes more stable in a bent configuration, contrary to intuition.
Scientists develop a new assembly strategy to mimic the hierarchical structure of natural materials, resulting in high-performance composites with excellent damage tolerance. The proposed approach is eco-friendly, scalable, and programmable.
Researchers at MIT have designed a highly energy-efficient community building using mass timber, demonstrating its potential for large-scale applications. The structure's laminated veneer lumber design offers improved fire resistance and carbon sequestration, making it an attractive alternative to conventional materials.
Researchers develop magnetically activated soft robots with controlled movements, enabling remote control in enclosed spaces. The new technique uses a new type of 3D-printable ink infused with magnetic particles, allowing for fast, forceful, and body-benign movement.
Researchers use DNA-PAINT technique to visualize individual strands in DNA origami nanostructures, revealing the robustness of assembly and incorporation efficiency of staple strands. The results show that variations in structure formation speed have little influence on overall quality, but some sites remain unoccupied.
A UC3M study identifies inertia effects as key mechanisms controlling dynamic fragmentation in ductile metallic materials. This knowledge can improve manufacturing processes, reduce costs, and enhance the quality of protective structures used in industries such as nuclear power plants and aerospace sector.
Professor Akke Suiker developed a model to determine the stability of 3D-printed walls, considering factors such as material curing characteristics and wall dimensions. His equations enable engineers to calculate the optimal printing speeds and minimize material usage, leading to more stable structures.
A team led by Chang-Beom Eom at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has directly observed a two-dimensional hole gas, a counterpart to the two-dimensional electron gas. The discovery is crucial for advancing oxide electronics materials, which could enable new concepts and applications in fields like computing and communication.