Helping robots assess risk
A new project aims to help robots assess risks and make autonomous decisions. The research focuses on quantifying ambiguity in robot perception to improve safety and efficiency.
Systems Engineering
Articles tagged with Systems Engineering
Interdisciplinary research team works to mitigate climate change effects in Texas Gulf Coast communities
Researchers from Texas A&M University's Department of Geography and collaborating departments aim to improve understanding of how environmental hazards influence human health outcomes. The project, 'Climate-LEAD,' will create robust models using localized data to inform decision-making in vulnerable communities.
Engineers from the UMA develop more accessible and versatile next-gen “digital twins”
Researchers from the UMA developed an open-source platform called Open Twins to create more accessible and versatile digital twins. This platform enables the simulation of real-world assets based on virtual replicas, predicting future behaviors and detecting anomalies, leading to more efficient companies that make data-driven decisions.
SourceUniversity of Malaga·JournalComputers in Industry·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 27, 2023
Texas A&M joins multimillion-dollar moon orbit tracking project
Texas A&M University is collaborating on a research project to track objects in high Earth orbits, expanding space domain awareness capabilities. The Space University Research Initiative aims to develop new technology and systems to monitor objects influenced by the moon's gravity.
New project chases net-zero renewable energy systems for Europe's Atlantic Area
The HY4RES project aims to develop hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, and pumped storage hydropower to provide energy self-sufficiency for communities. Researchers will conduct a life cycle sustainability assessment of the technologies' impacts on the Atlantic Area.
NTU Singapore deepens research and academic ties with France
NTU Singapore has expanded its research collaborations with French partners to push the boundaries of science. The university has inked six new partnerships and renewed existing collaborations across various fields, including quantum physics, nuclear energy, and sustainability.
WVU partnering with industry to improve health, environmental outcomes for disadvantaged communities
A WVU team is providing free technical assistance to local industrial facilities to reduce their impact on environmental and community health. The project aims to support businesses in making changes that benefit their communities while maintaining profitability.
How to build greener data centers? Scientists say crank up the heat
Scientists propose new temperature guidelines for data centers that may help reduce energy consumption and save money. Researchers found that raising the temperature to around 41°C could lead to significant savings, with some areas able to rely entirely on free-cooling, reducing energy costs by up to 56%.
SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 18, 2023
Miniaturized FSO breakthrough unlocks high-speed wireless communication anywhere
Researchers at Nanjing University have developed a miniaturized FSO system achieving an astonishing 9.16 Gbps bandwidth over 1 km link using readily available commercial fiber transceiver modules. The system enables automatic tracking and precision acquisition, eliminating the need for optical amplification.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateOct 17, 2023
MIT design would harness 40% of the sun’s heat to produce clean hydrogen fuel
The MIT team designed a train-like system of reactors that harnesses the sun's heat to produce clean hydrogen fuel with up to 40% efficiency. This could drive down costs and make solar thermochemical hydrogen (STCH) a scalable option for decarbonizing transportation.
New study unveils stretchable high-resolution user-interactive synesthesia displays for visual–acoustic encryption
A research team at UNIST has developed a groundbreaking stretchable high-resolution multicolor synesthesia display that generates synchronized sound and light. This technology shatters preconceived boundaries in multifunctional displays, offering unparalleled optical performance and precise sound pressure levels.
SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateOct 12, 2023
HSE neuroscientists use neural network to enhance neurofeedback technology
Researchers developed a neural network model to accelerate detection of brain rhythms, reducing feedback signal delay from 500ms to 10ms. The approach shows promise for treating attention deficit disorder and epilepsy.
SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateOct 12, 2023
ZS Instruments receives $1M grant to develop advanced lithography tech for precision optical encoders
The company will use the funding to develop a novel method to produce high-accuracy optical encoders, which are crucial for modern automation and robotics systems. The goal is to enable the manufacturing of complex next-generation products with precision positioning and motion control.
Unmanned and unbothered: autonomous intelligent oceanic exploration is upon us
The ISOOS system uses a smart carrier as the mobile base and control center, connecting multiple UAVs, USVs, and AUVs for simultaneous 3D observation of targeted regions. This enables fast mapping of ocean floor and studying submesoscale eddies, previously difficult to access due to variability in space and time.
SourceOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research (OLAR)·JournalOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research·TypeNews article·DateOct 8, 2023
Using deep learning to classify post-COVID-19 lung progression phenotypes
Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 research aims to track long-term health symptoms in survivors. A $3.7 million grant will support the development of self-supervised deep learning technologies to recognize post-COVID lung progression phenotypes.
WVU engineer developing laser system to defend space assets from debris in Earth’s orbit
A coordinated network of space lasers could prevent collisions with manned and unmanned space assets by nudging debris off potential collision courses. The artificial intelligence-powered lasers can maneuver and work together to respond rapidly to debris of any size.
Graphene addition for enhancing the critical current density of Bi-2223 superconductors
Researchers add graphene to Bi-2223 superconductors, increasing critical current density and improving phase formation. The findings suggest potential applications in various fields, including power generation, transportation, and quantum computing.
Disaster-proofing sustainable neighborhoods requires thorough long-term planning, new Concordia study shows
A new study by Caroline Hachem-Vermette and Kuljeet Singh analyzed the design and energy characteristics of various neighborhoods to assess their vulnerabilities to power outages. The researchers found that thoughtful design can reduce a neighborhood's energy vulnerability during disruptions, and they recommend modifications to shelter...
SourceConcordia University·JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 3, 2023
FAU Engineering study employs deep learning to explain extreme events
Researchers from FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science employ a computer-vision deep learning technique to analyze wall-bounded turbulent flows. They successfully identify the sources of extreme events in a data-driven manner, providing new insights into non-linear relationships in fluid dynamics simulations.
SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 2, 2023
Engineering researchers to study wireless communication and machine learning with NSF grant
Researchers are working on EdgeRIC: Real-time radio access network intelligent control, aiming to enhance wireless communication and machine learning. The project involves developing intelligent systems that can adapt to changing conditions, prioritizing users and acquiring lower latency for applications.
Plastic cloud: New study analyzes airborne microplastics in clouds
Researchers detected nine types of polymers and one type of rubber in cloud water, confirming microplastics play a key role in rapid cloud formation. The presence of hydrophilic polymers in the atmosphere could lead to significant changes in ecological balance and severe loss of biodiversity.
SourceWaseda University·JournalEnvironmental Chemistry Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2023
WVU researcher to help send swarm of marine robots on climate change quest beneath ocean ice
Researchers aim to access ocean waters hidden beneath ice shelves, where critical information about climate change is stored. An intelligent mothership and coordinated marine robots will communicate data from under-ice cavities, optimizing sampling and configuration.
An effective method for face orientation estimation using depth–gyro sensor
Scientists from Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a more precise approach to face direction detection, achieving remarkable performance through deep learning-based classification. The new method uses point cloud data and gyro sensors, reducing the need for large datasets and improving accuracy.
SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Sensors Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 25, 2023
How wind turbines react to turbulence
Researchers from the University of Oldenburg developed a new stochastic method to mitigate sudden swings in wind turbine power output. The study found that control systems are mainly responsible for short-term fluctuations and can be optimized to ensure more consistent energy output.
Fast-track strain engineering for speedy biomanufacturing
Scientists developed a workflow that combines CRISPR gene editing with computational models to predict necessary gene edits, reducing product development cycles from years to months. The approach showed promise in engineering strains to convert lignin into target molecules, offering an eco-friendly alternative for biomanufacturing.
Modernizing the Navy’s microgrids
The project aims to assess the operational resilience of microgrids on DoD installations and ships, using new operational resilience indexes developed by Lehigh University researcher Javad Khazaei. The team will develop a dashboard to monitor resilience indexes in real-time, providing recommendations for improving the systems.
Remote work can slash your carbon footprint — if done right
A study by Cornell University and Microsoft found that remote workers can have a lower carbon footprint compared to onsite workers, with hybrid workers reducing their footprint by 11-29%. Lifestyle choices and work arrangements play a crucial role in determining the environmental benefits of remote and hybrid work.
Facebook's design makes it unable to control misinformation
Researchers at George Washington University found that Facebook's core design features undermine its policies aimed at removing Covid-19 vaccine misinformation. The platform's architecture, designed to build communities around shared interests, can inadvertently facilitate the spread of misinformation.
Mix it, test it, create it: NSF funds automated polymer research instrument at the Beckman Institute
The Beckman Institute has received a $3.6 million NSF grant to acquire an automated system for designing and analyzing polymers. The system will accelerate the discovery of useful materials, especially in combination with artificial intelligence.
WVU engineers study how to pull carbon out of building air to make methanol
Researchers at West Virginia University have developed a technology that can capture carbon dioxide from the air of buildings and use it to produce methanol, a common chemical with numerous applications. The process is expected to increase the sustainable supply of methanol while removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Breakthrough in scarless wound recovery achieved with autologous blood
Researchers at UNIST developed a microfluidic system to process blood into artificial tissue scaffolds for vascular regeneration. Autologous blood-based implants demonstrated superior wound closure rates, increased epidermis thickness, and enhanced collagen deposition in rodent skin wounds.
SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 6, 2023
KMOU scientists develop an energy-efficient wireless power and information transfer system
Researchers from Korea Maritime and Ocean University developed a new framework for solving the energy efficiency problem in IIoTs. The proposed SWIPT-NOMA-DAS system is five times more energy efficient than existing systems, with significant improvements in performance and battery life extension.
SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 5, 2023
Researcher finds inspiration from spider webs and beetles to harvest fresh water from thin air
A team of researchers has designed novel systems to capture water vapour in the air and turn it into liquid. They are inspired by nature, mimicking the efficiency of spider webs and desert beetles, to create inexpensive, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly freshwater generation systems.
Adding immunity to human kidney-on-a-chip advances cancer drug testing
A new immune-infiltrated human kidney organoid-on-chip model enables the assessment of on-target, off-tumor effects of immunotherapeutic T cell bispecific antibody drugs. The study's findings provide important insights into which cells are targeted by a given TCB and what, if any, off-target damage arises.
SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2023
Advancing trajectory tracking control of pneumatic artificial muscle-based systems
Researchers develop adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller to estimate unknown parameters and control nonlinear PAMs, showing improved tracking accuracy and adaptability compared to traditional methods.
SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 20, 2023
UTEP to boost training of next-gen engineers with $5.3M grant
The University of Texas at El Paso has been awarded a $5.3M grant from the Air Force Research Laboratory to enhance digital engineering training programs. The project will provide pre-professional experiences to 200 students and offer courses in digital engineering.
To improve solar and other clean energy tech, look beyond hardware
A new MIT study reveals that soft technology features, such as permitting practices and supply chain management, contribute less than 15% to total cost declines in solar energy systems. Improving these processes could accelerate cost savings in the clean energy transition.
$1 million grant helping empower students to succeed in the ‘fourth industrial revolution’
The University of Missouri is using a $1 million grant to develop an Industry 4.0 lab, providing engineering students with hands-on learning experiences in the latest industrial revolution's technology-centered job market. The lab will integrate skills at a higher level and keep students at the state-of-the-art level for industry.
Riding a wave to better medical diagnosis
Researchers at UBC Okanagan's Integrated Optics Laboratory develop imaging systems that apply terahertz radiation, enabling fast and accurate characterization of biological specimens. This technology holds promise for improving diagnostic imaging and detecting carcinogenesis.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalScientific Reports·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 14, 2023
Simple ballpoint pen can write custom LEDs
A team of researchers has created a simple and versatile fabrication approach for writing custom light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or photodetectors using handheld ballpoint pens. The new technology builds on earlier work, allowing individuals to create stretchable LEDs without specialized training or equipment.
Damage control: WVU researchers aim for the sky to track lethal space debris
A WVU team is developing technology to detect and track lethal non-trackable space debris. The project aims to identify objects that can cause mission-ending damage to satellites and other space assets. The researchers will use a digital twin and simulation environment to test and evaluate their findings.
New model reduces bias and enhances trust in AI decision-making and knowledge organization
Researchers have developed a new explainable AI model to reduce bias and enhance trust in machine learning-generated decisions. The Pattern Discovery and Disentanglement (PDD) model can predict medical results with rigorous statistics and explainable patterns, leading to more reliable diagnoses and better treatment recommendations.
New method simplifies the construction process for complex materials
Researchers developed a computational technique to quickly design and evaluate cellular metamaterial structures with unique properties. The new interface enables users to explore the entire space of potential shapes, allowing for faster development of complex materials.
Fact-checking can influence recommender algorithms
A Cornell University study found that encouraging fact-checking on Reddit led to a drop in story rank by an average of minus-25 spots, causing stories to be missed by readers. The research suggests that collective efforts to improve information environments can influence algorithmic recommendations.
Stick-to-itiveness: Pitt engineers show self-organization of sticky micron-to-mesoscale 3D structures in confined fluids
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a system that uses fluid mechanics and chemo-mechanical processes to autonomously assemble hierarchical 3D structures. The system utilizes sticky bonds to drive self-organization, allowing for the construction of complex devices with minimal external intervention.
SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 31, 2023
Scientists create novel approach to control energy waves in 4D
Researchers at the University of Missouri have engineered a synthetic metamaterial to direct mechanical waves along a specific path, adding innovative control to 4D reality. This breakthrough discovery has potential applications in civil engineering, micro-electromechanical systems, and national defense.
SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 31, 2023
New software designs optimized, personalized treatments for movement impairments
A new open-source software, NMSM Pipeline, enables clinicians and engineers to create personalized computer models of patient movement to optimize treatment designs. The software uses physics-based models to predict and optimize functional outcomes for patients with various mobility impairments.
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory restores cold sensation in amputees’ phantom limbs
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory developed a wearable thin-film thermoelectric cooler that enables amputees to perceive temperature sensations in their phantom limbs. The technology has practical applications for improved prostheses, haptics, and pain management.
SourceJohns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeObservational study·DateJul 27, 2023
New UIUC center to develop autonomous construction systems, ecosystem
The University of Illinois will establish a new research center dedicated to autonomous construction technologies, focusing on control systems, expert systems, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing technologies. The center aims to translate emerging technologies into real-world solutions for the US Army and State of Illinois.
Enhanced light absorption in thin silicon photodetectors with photon-trapping structures
A new approach boosts light absorption in thin silicon photodetectors with photon-trapping structures, increasing the absorption efficiency over a wide band in the NIR spectrum. The findings demonstrate a promising strategy to enhance the performance of Si-based photodetectors for emerging photonics applications.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateJul 26, 2023
UBC researchers recover vital resources from wastewater sludge
Researchers at UBC's Bioreactor Technology Group have developed a method to concentrate and recycle phosphorous from municipal waste. The process converts organic components into a petroleum-like bio-crude and concentrates the phosphorous into a solid residue called hydrochar, which has 100 times higher total phosphorus than raw sludge.
UCF researcher leads $3.3 million project to develop floating offshore wind turbine simulators
A University of Central Florida engineer is leading a $3.3 million ARPA-E funded project to develop simulation software for floating offshore wind turbines. The goal is to improve turbine design and increase their use as a renewable energy source. The software will be licensed or commercialized and can be hosted on a university web page.
Staying sharp: Researchers turn to an everyday shop tool to study how materials behave
A team of researchers at Texas A&M University is developing a new method for understanding metal behavior under extreme conditions using metal cutting, a traditional manufacturing tool. The process involves shearing or deforming the metal to extreme levels under high rates and can provide fundamental information on material strength an...
SourceTexas A&M University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·DateJul 18, 2023
Shrinking light: Nanoscale optical breakthrough
Researchers have made groundbreaking progress in confining light to subnanometer scales using a novel waveguiding scheme. The approach generates an astonishingly efficient and confined optical field with applications in light-matter interactions, super-resolution nanoscopy, and ultrasensitive detection.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 17, 2023
Multimillion dollar consortium to address southwest water concerns
A team of researchers from the University of Arizona is launching a $7 million consortium to improve water security and water reuse methods in the arid southwestern United States. The project aims to advance water treatment technologies and make systems more efficient, driving sustainable practices.
Sticky, slippery, water repellent channels form maze-like, gravity-powered biomedical devices
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new approach to building point-of-care diagnostic devices that uses gravity to transport and mix liquid droplets. The device relies on commercially available surface coatings that can tweak the wettability and slipperiness of the channels, allowing for complex fluid paths to be designed.
Aston University researcher turns one of the basic rules of construction upside down
An Aston University researcher has overturned a fundamental principle in construction by showing that a hanging chain and an arch are incompatible mechanical systems. This finding highlights the limitations of traditional analogies used to design and assess curved structures.
SourceAston University·JournalMathematics and Mechanics of Solids·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 11, 2023
Unused renewable energy an option for powering NFT trade
Cornell University researchers found that unused solar, wind, and hydroelectric power in the US could support the exponential growth of NFT transactions. The study suggests that harnessing this excess energy could reduce carbon emissions from NFT processing, which currently reach an equivalent of 0.37 megatons of CO2 per year.
To make drinking water safer, WVU researcher investigates microbial communities living in pipes
A WVU researcher is working to understand the unknowns about microorganisms growing inside pipes that bring drinking water to homes and businesses. Biofilms can be detrimental to drinking water quality, but the researcher aims to develop strategies for maintaining water quality throughout complex infrastructures.
Scientists propose new strategy for modern sails to help shipping sector meet its carbon reduction goals
Researchers have identified an operational strategy that can reduce shipping emissions by up to a quarter by combining modern sail technology with efficient routing systems. The study found that this approach can provide greater assurances of carbon savings by mitigating the impact of unpredictable weather patterns.