Articles tagged with Structural Engineering
Engineers at the University of Sheffield are developing more effective bomb protection systems by studying explosions in detail. The project aims to provide a better understanding of blast loading and its effects on structures, enabling the design of safer buildings and materials.
Researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering have developed a physics-based model that reveals the relationship between structural defects in graphene and electrode sensitivity. By optimizing point defects in number and density, they can create an electrode up to 20 times more sensitive than conventional ones.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed a novel strategy to create high-strength alloys that are also extremely ductile and flexible. The breakthrough solution involves massive precipitation of nanoscale particles, solving the critical issue of the strength-ductility trade-off dilemma.
Researchers discovered the hierarchical structure of whale baleen contributes to its unique fracture behavior. The nanoscale structure increases stiffness and strength, while microscale tubular lamellae control crack propagation, making it an ideal material for marine applications.
A City College of New York-led research team breaks the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) distance limit using engineered nanocomposite structures called metamaterials. This breakthrough enables the possibility of measuring larger molecular assemblies, with significant increase in energy transfer distance reported.
The world's largest outdoor shake table at UC San Diego will now test heavy structures with complex ground motions, enabling researchers to gather critical data on tall wooden buildings and retrofitting systems.
Karen Kasza, a researcher at Columbia Engineering, has won a Packard Fellowship for her work on understanding tissue development and morphology. Her lab aims to use novel approaches to engineer functional tissues for medical applications.
A team of researchers from Clemson University and two other institutions is working to understand the genetics and structural mechanics behind stalk lodging in corn and sorghum. The study aims to break down complex traits into smaller, intermediate characteristics that can be easily grasped at both genetic and structural levels.
Researchers at MIT have found a way to break dry spaghetti into exactly two pieces by twisting and then slowly bending it. The team developed an apparatus to control the twist and bend, and used it to test hundreds of sticks, finding that this method works consistently across different types of spaghetti.
Dr. Bedewy will explore the kinetics of activation and deactivation in large populations of carbon nanotubes known as 'nanotube forests' using experimental and modeling techniques. The research aims to gain a fundamental understanding of how these forest structures behave collectively, impacting their properties for emerging applications.
Researchers present a new strategy to exploit dynamically reinforced multilevel heterogeneous grain structures for high-strength and large-ductility materials. This approach achieves a strength-ductility combination in a single-phase, simple-structured alloy that would normally require complex heterogeneities.
A team of researchers at Cornell University has discovered 10-nanometer, individual, self-assembled dodecahedral structures that could have significant applications in mesoscale material assembly and medical diagnostics. The discovery was made using a combination of machine learning algorithms and cryogenic electron microscopy.
A UCLA-led team developed a new 3D printer to create complex artificial tissues from multiple materials. The printer uses stereolithography and a custom-built microfluidic chip, enabling the creation of biocompatible structures with different properties.
Five Columbia engineering professors have received NSF CAREER Awards for their groundbreaking research. Agostino Capponi develops a framework to increase resilience of global financial markets, while Daniel Esposito creates electocatalytic materials for abundant solar fuels.
Researchers at the University of Arizona and partnering universities are working on a NSF-funded project to develop buildings that won't collapse under major earthquakes. The focus is on lateral force transfer through steel collectors, which horizontally transmit earthquake forces.
A new study from the University of Utah suggests that repeated stress from everyday activities like walking can cause microdamage to bones in older adults, leading to a higher risk of breakage. This theory, known as 'cyclic loading,' challenges the common-held belief that bone breaks are caused by single impacts or forces.
A new mathematical model, developed by Colorado State University researchers, integrates a community's infrastructural, social, and economic features to quantify resilience. The 'hazard-agnostic' model, tested in the fictional city of Gotham, provides a framework for predicting long-term effects of disasters and disruptions.
Researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering have introduced a new class of unclonable cybersecurity primitives made from low-cost nanomaterials with high structural randomness. These primitives can be used to securely encrypt and authenticate computer hardware and data physically, rather than through programming.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are exploring a new architectural system based on acoustic diodes to create effective sound barriers that can cancel out unwanted noise. The technology has the potential to improve indoor comfort, reduce mental stress, and enhance workplace efficiency.
Biomedical researchers have developed a new method to visualize multiple molecular species simultaneously using self-folding DNA structures with digitally programmable optical properties. This approach overcomes the limitation of current microscopy techniques, enabling ultra-high definition imaging of complex samples.
Dr Dmitry Zmeev has been awarded a £1.4M EPSRC Career Fellowship to investigate the properties of superfluid helium 3He. His research aims to understand its unusual behavior and potential applications in nano-electronics and cosmology.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have synthesized carbon nanotube textiles that exhibit high electrical conductivity and extreme toughness, making them suitable for a range of applications in flexible electronics
Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered that FIB can fundamentally alter a material's structure, affecting its entire sample. The team developed new X-ray techniques to assess this damage and will focus on developing strategies to mitigate FIB damage.
A novel optical technique enables rapid sorting of amino acid sequences in living bacteria, revealing structural properties crucial for materials development. This technology uses femto-pico second lasers to inspect proteins without heating them up, enabling non-lethal screening and separation.
A research team has developed a new method for fabricating lasers using nanoparticles known as quantum dots. By carefully controlling the size of the quantum dots, they can 'tune' the frequency or color of the emitted light to any desired value.
Scientists have discovered a phenomenon where solid metal bismuth retains structural motifs from its liquid predecessor, even when cooled back to solid. This effect, known as 'structural memory', is correlated with changes in magnetic properties and has potential applications in electrical engineering.
Researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering successfully assembled colloidal spheres into diamond and pyrochlore crystal structures, a breakthrough in creating efficient photonic crystals. The discovery has the potential to increase the efficiency of lasers and miniaturize optical components.
Deer antlers' unique structure has been replicated in computer modeling to resist breaking. The staggered arrangement of fibrils allows for energy absorption during impact.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a non-invasive method to detect infections in prostheses using an improved version of electrical capacitance tomography and a thin-film sensor that can detect changes in pH levels. The new method could provide quantitative diagnostic information about the extent and locations of infections.
Researchers at University of Nottingham have developed a new laser scanning test to assess fire-damaged concrete structural safety. The technique uses terrestrial laser scanning to detect damage and provides an accurate assessment of the material's strength changes when heated to elevated temperatures.
A University of Houston engineer leads a multi-institution effort to develop monitoring techniques for stable fuel transport during transit and accidents. Researchers will study structural issues, risk analysis, and new sensing techniques to ensure spent nuclear fuel can be safely moved from temporary storage to permanent disposal sites.
A new technique for structural color has been developed by Harvard researchers, inspired by the disordered nanonetwork of bird feathers. The system creates a gradient of colors using a metallic alloy and a thin transparent coating, enabling vibrant hues for applications such as lightweight coatings, biomimetic tissues, and camouflage.
The spherical mechanical seal's performance is influenced by structure size, including radius, stator-ring distance, and diameter. Increasing the spherical radius reduces contact area but raises temperature and pressure.
A team of researchers from Utah State University, Dartmouth College and Brigham Young University used high-speed imaging and particle image velocimetry to describe the phenomenon. They found that buoyant spheres ascending through a fluid don't always behave as expected, with speed and vortex structures affecting their trajectory.
Researchers from the University of Sydney have created three-dimensional maps showing the positions of atoms critical in the decay process using atom probe tomography. The study reveals magnesium-rich regions between hydroxyapatite nanorods, which play a key role in governing tooth behavior.
The University of Pittsburgh chemical engineer is studying the self-assembly of materials into complex structures at sizes much larger than the nanoscale. The research aims to advance the fundamental understanding of large-scale self-assembly and test applications in biological sensors, computer chips, and photonic devices.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have determined a previously unknown structure of proteins key to making terpenoids, a family of molecules encompassing successful cancer treatments. The study provides insight into how Nature makes these compounds and may lead to engineering structural diversity in bacteria.
Researchers from the University of Delaware have developed a new approach to detect hidden damage in structures, using carbon nanotube composites and electrical impedance tomography. The technique can monitor the health of structures and alert owners to potential problems, with major benefits including scalability and relatively low cost.
Researchers at the IBS Center for Theoretical Physics of Complex Systems engineered Landau-Zener-Bloch oscillations within a lattice structure, revealing anharmonic properties. The study demonstrates potential for engineering new quantum states and resolving the behavior of Bloch oscillations under external fields.
A researcher at the University of Houston is developing a new technique to map the cornea's structural integrity using high-resolution imaging and mechanical mapping. This emerging field, optical elastography, holds promise for early diagnosis and treatment of kerataconus, a progressive thinning of the cornea that affects about one in ...
A joint university team is using field and laboratory tests, computer modeling, to evaluate the level of vibration six rock-based lighthouses endure from constant sea battering. The study aims to understand how climate change affects lighthouse longevity.
The James Webb Space Telescope science instrument package was successfully installed into the telescope structure with precision engineering and teamwork. The team conducted rigorous training and testing before the critical mission operation, ensuring the instruments and mirrors are ready for launch.
Researchers successfully mapped spatial distribution of excitonic coupling in well-defined arrangements of zinc-phthalocyanine molecules. They also observed enhanced single-molecule superradiance for in-line arrangements of up to four molecules.
Researchers have developed a novel 4D printing method inspired by natural structures like plants, which respond and change their form over time. The new technique enables the creation of transformable architectures with precise, localized swelling behaviors.
Engineers completed two deployments for the James Webb Space Telescope's wings, a crucial step in assembling the telescope's carbon fiber framework. The telescope will hold 18 mirrors and fold up to fit inside a launch vehicle.
Engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a method for assembling molecules within liquid crystal defects, creating miniscule tubing that can direct molecular organization. This technique has potential applications in electronics, medicine, and designing selective membranes.
Researchers at UT Arlington are developing a new ceramic material that can withstand both extreme heat and collisions, making it suitable for use in spacecraft, power plants, and other applications. The advanced material is created by blending different ceramics within the same family, resulting in added strength.
Engineers can now predict how complex carbon nanostructures form through a new understanding of the forces involved. By analyzing these structures, designers can create nanotube forests with desired mechanical, thermal and electrical properties, leading to breakthroughs in various industries.
A study analyzing Napa quake damage found that pre-1950 buildings in the sedimentary basin suffered the most severe shaking. The West Napa fault system, a lesser-known fault, triggered extensive damage to residential and commercial buildings.
Engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center tested a 'tripod' supporting the James Webb Space Telescope's secondary mirror in a successful deployment. The system was designed to unfurl in space to 8 meters long and was tested using the Pathfinder backplane structure.
Researchers developed a nonlinear acoustic technique to detect damage previously invisible to acoustic imaging systems. This breakthrough enables intervention before cracks form and predicts the remaining life of engineering structures.
Researchers at UC San Diego used mesh-free simulation to analyze skeletal muscle tissue, finding loss of force exceeds loss of volume with aging. The method cuts back on processing time and can be applied to study injuries from extreme events.
A team of researchers combined precision model experiments with computer simulations to study coiling patterns, discovering that natural curvature dramatically affects the process. The study has practical impacts on everyday life, including understanding transoceanic communication cables and rodlike structures.
Researchers from Brown University developed a mathematical model that helps engineers control wrinkle, crease, and fold structures in various materials. The model shows that at low compression, wrinkles form across the surface, but as compression increases, critical points lead to the localization of ripples into sharp creases.
Researchers identified a mutated enzyme called LovD9 that produces simvastatin 1,000 times more efficiently than the natural enzyme. The team used computer simulations and X-ray crystallography to determine the molecular structures of both enzymes, revealing subtle variations in their behavior when immersed in water.
Researchers are studying ways to selectively use high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete in buildings, exploring its potential to improve strength without increasing costs. The approach focuses on using advanced materials only at vulnerable joints, such as beam-column connections, to enhance structural resilience.
A Concordia University study found that snowplows are the main culprit in erasing roadway markings, which can lead to traffic accidents. To address this issue, researchers suggest using more expensive and durable epoxy paint, which could save lives in the long run.
Researchers from University of Southern Denmark engineer controlled assemblies of artificial vesicles, resembling natural tissues in architecture and functionality. The new systems have potential applications in personalized medicine, studying cells, and as small bioreactors.
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.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have captured fundamental new insights about the stability of gold nanoparticles, which could enhance or destabilize their properties depending on use. Smaller nanoparticles exhibit better structural integrity than larger ones, making them suitable for applications where stability is crucial.