Articles tagged with Systems Engineering
A Virginia Tech research team has developed a battery that runs on sugar, boasting an unmatched energy density and potentially replacing conventional batteries. The new battery could power cell phones, tablets, and other electronic gadgets in as little as three years.
A new 3-D phase contrast X-ray imaging system will help evaluate and monitor bioengineered tissues in a living body. The technique addresses limitations of conventional X-ray imaging technologies.
A new study from MIT and SFI reveals a significant rise in renewable-energy patents, driven by research investments and market growth. Patents for solar and wind energy increased dramatically between 2004 and 2009, while fossil-fuel technologies showed modest growth.
A UT Arlington engineer has received a $142,223 National Science Foundation grant to develop a system that uses complex data analysis to ensure consistency in various manufacturing processes. By examining this data, researchers can identify irregularities and help manufacturers adjust their variables for more consistent systems.
Researchers in China have developed a mathematical model to design flexible vehicle-arrest systems that increase stopping distance and dissipate kinetic energy without destruction. The new system could lead to the development of intelligent vehicle-arrest systems with improved control at roadblocks and checkpoints.
An interdisciplinary team from Columbia University has won a $1 million grant to combine biological components with solid-state electronics, creating new systems that exploit the advantages of both. The goal is to develop autonomous hybrid 'cells' that could exist as probes in living organisms.
Michael Donauer developed a tool to identify causes of nonconformities in mass production environments, focusing on data usage and processing challenges. His work is an example of interdisciplinary approaches contributing to both academia and industry.
Researchers developed a new strategy to coat microscopic materials, creating a particle system that can degrade under different conditions for timed release of substances. This innovation is expected to advance therapeutics in cancer, vaccines, cardiovascular disease and neural health.
A new method for designing quantum memory has been developed, enabling long-term storage of quantum states with low error rates. This breakthrough could revolutionize information processing and solve complex problems in fields like materials science and physics.
Hot water recirculating systems touted as environmentally friendly actually use more energy and water than traditional systems, according to Virginia Tech researchers. The study found that these systems can require up to double the energy of conventional systems, increasing consumer bills.
A team of researchers at Virginia Tech has successfully transformed cellulose into starch, a process that could provide a previously untapped nutrient source from plants not traditionally thought of as food crops. This breakthrough opens the door to creating food from any plant, reducing land use and water consumption.
Engineers at AT&T Labs have devised a new technique to enable 400 Gb/s signals to be transmitted over ultra-long distances using current-generation systems. The team successfully transmitted 400 Gb/s signals over a record-breaking 12,000 km distance.
Researchers created a new method to analyze molecular interactions by leveraging hypergraphs to represent complex connections among molecules. The approach resolves limitations of traditional graph-based models, enabling more accurate discovery of interaction patterns.
A new anti-windup design paradigm was developed to improve control system performance in the presence of actuator saturation. The triple loop anti-windup design outperforms other methods, demonstrating stronger ability to recover nominal closed-loop performance.
Stanford expert Elisabeth Paté-Cornell argues that 'black swan' events are rare, while 'perfect storms' can be assessed using systematic risk analysis. She recommends considering dependent events and external factors to make better management decisions.
A Korean research team uses systems metabolic engineering to improve butanol production in Clostridium acetobutylicum. The optimized process yields over 585g of butanol from 1.8Kg of glucose, making biofuel production cost-competitive.
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has successfully engineered microbes to produce biodegradable materials like polylactic acid, which can be used in various applications. Metabolic engineering enhances microbial performance to improve the production of desired chemicals and materials.
The project aims to develop a comprehensive health information technology data preparation strategy to provide accurate healthcare demand and supply portfolio data. The team will also create stochastic optimization models to aid in managing patient panels and staffing levels for PCMH teams.
The first of three third-generation TDRS satellites is set to launch in December, providing critical communication support for NASA's human spaceflight endeavors and science missions. The new satellite will increase bandwidth and ensure operational continuity for NASA's Space Network.
The US Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate has developed the BIOSwimmer, an unmanned underwater vehicle inspired by the tuna fish. It features a flexible aft section and fins for high maneuverability in hard-to-reach spaces, making it ideal for inspection and security missions.
Concordia University researchers created a computer model to help car-sharing services grow while reducing congestion and carbon emissions. The model assesses areas with greatest growth potential and simulates various scenarios to predict the best strategy for growth.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation's Patient Care Program aims to improve healthcare by engaging patients and their families, reducing costs, and increasing patient safety. The program focuses on eliminating all preventable harms to adult patients in acute-care settings and reconfiguring clinical processes, care teams, and technolog...
The National Science Foundation has awarded a three-year grant to Virginia Tech to optimize DNA molecule fabrication using industrial engineering methods. The project aims to increase productivity in life science research and create manufacturing jobs for undereducated individuals.
The GTRI's automated pavement crack detection and sealing system can detect cracks as small as one-eighth-inch wide and efficiently fill them, increasing road structural integrity and extending repaving project time. The system requires fewer personnel and increases roadway coverage per day, saving transportation departments money.
The NIH has awarded $400,000 to Arizona State University's Kevin Bennett to develop a non-invasive method for detecting nephritis, a common form of kidney disease. The new technology uses magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic nanoparticles to extract information about the kidney's function and location.
Researchers at KAIST develop microorganisms to produce natural and non-natural chemicals from renewable biomass through systems metabolic engineering. The study presents new general strategies for improving cellular characteristics and designing synthetic metabolic pathways, enabling high-efficiency production of desired chemicals and ...
A WPI research team will conduct fire testing on a five-story building after simulating earthquakes on the nation's largest outdoor shake table. The goal is to gather data that will help engineers design better fire protection systems and provide safer buildings for people and property.
Researchers at Georgia Tech developed models to optimize breast milk distribution in South Africa and malaria intervention distribution in Swaziland, increasing coverage by over 25%. They also forecasted disaster preparedness plans for Puerto Rico and Belize, providing recommendations for health care resources and hospital capacities.
A team of engineers led by Ioannis Poulakakis aims to create robots that can run like animals, enabling them to access areas inaccessible to conventional vehicles. Using biomechanics research, they seek to develop a family of systematic control strategies that work with the robot's natural dynamics.
Researchers at JBEI have developed a breakthrough in engineering systems of RNA molecules through computer-assisted design, enabling the development of new strains of E. coli that can digest switchgrass biomass and convert it into three types of transportation fuels. This technology has the potential to improve the production of advanc...
Joint BioEnergy Institute researchers have developed CAD-type models and simulations for RNA molecules, enabling the design of complex RNA-based control systems. These systems can process cellular information and program gene expression, holding enormous potential for microbial-based sustainable production of advanced biofuels.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has released its latest science and technology strategic plan, emphasizing the importance of autonomous systems and speed-to-fleet in meeting future naval requirements. The plan also highlights initiatives to increase the talent pool of future naval scientists and engineers.
Georgia Institute of Technology experts developed RealOpt-ABM software to model guest movement through the aquarium. The tool accurately predicted guest flow, recommending strategies for show scheduling, resource allocation, and theater loading/unloading. Optimized designs minimized congestion and ensured an amazing guest experience.
The EU-funded ADVANCE project will deliver methods and tools for formal modelling, verification, and validation to produce precise models for embedded systems. This will help eliminate design errors before projects go into manufacturing, reducing costs and improving system quality.
The University of Arizona space systems engineer Roberto Furfaro and his colleagues have designed an autonomous guidance system that will fly the privately-funded Moon Express lander to the lunar surface. The $30 million X Prize is won by landing a spacecraft on the moon, deploying a robot, and sending back an image and data to Earth.
The Gemini-Scout Mine Rescue Robot is equipped with gas sensors, a thermal camera, and can haul food, air packs, and medicine to trapped miners. It can navigate through water, over boulders, and rubble piles ahead of rescuers, providing critical information to aid rescue efforts.
A new study models technology complexity to predict rapid improvement. The researchers found that more complex systems change and improve slowly over time.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have made significant progress in controlling the characteristics of lead selenide nanowires, a promising material for semiconductors. By manipulating the exposure to oxygen and chemical hydrazine, they can alter the conductive properties between p-type and n-type devices.
A UWM study found that nearly half of women who left engineering careers cited negative working conditions as the primary reason. Factors influencing retention include workplace culture, supervisors, and training opportunities.
Researchers propose a new cross-disciplinary approach to analyze and prevent systemic failures in complex systems. Such catastrophes, including power blackouts and disasters, are often caused by fragility in complex systems due to nonlinear interactions among components.
The smart sensor system recognizes spatio-temporal patterns of perimeter intrusion by foot, fence, or vehicle to protect remote perimeters against unauthorized access. It actively raises alerts for fence climbing and human footsteps while ignoring typical visitor activity.
A group of academics recommend transforming university culture to prioritize teaching alongside research. They suggest training science faculty in best practices, promoting teaching excellence for tenure, and creating awards supporting teaching.
NASA has formed a single systems engineering organization for its James Webb Space Telescope, combining Northrop Grumman's expertise with NASA's mission-level decision-making. The new team aims to streamline communication and decision-making, reducing costs and meeting the launch goal with minimal risk.
A new £2.4 million research project aims to develop technologies that can help respond to global health, transportation, energy and climate challenges. The project will focus on improving the fuel efficiency of air and marine transport, as well as developing new techniques for simulating fluid dynamics at the micro and nano scales.
The Office of Naval Research has awarded a $7.5M grant to Boston University to develop unmanned aircraft inspired by the flight mechanics of bats, birds, and insects. The project will investigate biological capabilities for agile flight and integrate engineering design with biological studies.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will present technical achievement awards to recognize outstanding contributions in aerospace power systems and energy efficiency. Edward M. Gaddy and Essam Khalil are among the recipients, honored for their work on space photovoltaics and energy-efficient combustors.
Researchers developed a reversible watermarking system to verify the authenticity of digital images without modifying them. The system uses a Hash Message Authentication Code (HMAC) to embed and extract watermark bits, allowing for lossless data integrity verification.
The new system integrates optical scanning, data processing, and encryption with manual ballot paper writing, ensuring total vote-counting accuracy. It also allows voters to verify their vote without revealing how they voted.
Researchers have recorded and recreated Egyptian fruit bats' echolocation calls, allowing them to apply the technique to human engineering systems. The study will enhance information on robotic vehicles' locations, detecting structural flaws.
Dijiang Huang's secure mobile cloud computing research has earned a $510,000 ONR grant to develop advanced mobile wireless systems. The goal is to create a framework for mobile defense operations using cloud-computing techniques.
Researchers at Caltech develop a nonlinear acoustic lens producing highly focused sound bullets for advanced medical imaging, nondestructive evaluation, and potentially even cancer treatment. The device exploits particle contacts to create compact acoustic pulses with high amplitude and low distortion.
The University of Houston welcomes the NSF-supported National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping, bringing cutting-edge laser mapping technology to its campus. The center aims to advance research in geosensing systems engineering, improving disaster recovery, oil and gas exploration, and environmental studies.
David Boore developed a well-known method for computing estimates of ground motion from simulated earthquakes, known as SMSIM. His work has advanced understanding of strong-motion seismology and influenced seismic building standards worldwide.
A team of engineers from the University of Seville has developed a system to monitor historical monuments remotely, using sensors on the Giraldillo sculpture. The study reveals that the sculpture requires specific wind speeds and temperatures to move and position itself, with no abnormal values recorded in vibration frequencies.
To create sustainable engineers in the 21st century, educators and students must be aware of emerging fields and their global context. This includes developing business skills and understanding social and environmental implications.
Arizona State University professor Brad Allenby argues that geoengineering solutions to environmental problems need to account for their social and cultural implications. He contends that the planet no longer has purely natural systems but an integrated natural-human environment shaped by centuries of technological evolution.
The GOES-P spacecraft has been fueled and prepared for its 14-year orbit around the Earth. Engineers conducted propulsion system pressurization and leak checks to prevent fuel leaks. The launch vehicle is currently processing on stand, with a March 1 target date.
Researchers are developing a smart bushfire monitoring system that uses temperature and humidity sensors connected to GPS and wireless communication technologies. The system offers several benefits over earlier detection methods, including easy adaptability and low initial expense.
Three African scientists have been awarded the inaugural TWAS-AAS-Microsoft Award for Young Scientists for their outstanding contributions to science and development in Africa. Youcef Bentoutou, Omar Fakih Hamad, and Tshilidzi Marwala will receive a cash prize of €7,000 each.
A new UWM study investigates the factors influencing career decisions among women with engineering degrees, focusing on self-confidence, work-life balance, and workplace climate. The POWER survey aims to design effective policies for increasing women's retention in engineering careers.